Linkage - May 31
The Raptors are scheduled to have 18 players in town this week. Things could change, but so far, here’s the workout sked for Toronto:
TUESDAY JUNE 3:
Guard - Wayne Ellington - North Carolina
Guard - Shan Foster - Vanderbilt
Guard - Jamont Gordon - Mississippi State
Forward - Danny Green - North Carolina
Guard - Malik Hairston - Oregon
Guard - Courtney Lee - Western Kentucky
WEDNESDAY JUNE 4:
Forward - Ryan Anderson - California
Forward/Centre - Kosta Koufos - Ohio State
Forward/Centre - Robin Lopez - Stanford
Guard - Drew Neitzel - Michigan State
Guard - Jeremy Pargo - Gonzaga
Guard - Jason Thompson - Rider
THURSDAY JUNE 5:
Forward/Centre - Alexis Ajinca - Hyeres-Toulon
Guard - Chris Douglas-Roberts - Memphis
Centre - DeVon Hardin - California
Guard - Mykal Riley - Alabama
Guard/Forward - Brandon Rush - Kansas
Guard/Forward - Bill Walker - Kansas State
Just a year ago, the Bulls were regarded as the young team on the come in the East, and though the Boston Celtics and Detroit Pistons are slugging it out in the Eastern Conference finals, their windows for success are quickly closing. In a season or two, it should be the Orlando Magic, Toronto Raptors, Philadelphia 76ers or Chicago.
The guard of Spain´s national team and of the Toronto Raptors, José Manuel Calderón from Extremadura, will be present at the final tour games of the Adecco LEB competitions which will be held this weekend in Cáceres.
“From Toronto, I follow the LEB competition because I have a lot of friends who play in the league,¨ assured Calderón, who also remembers fondly his days in the silver league of Spanish basketball competition. “It was my first year as a professional, I was switched to Alicante from the Tau team, and we managed to move up to the top category. It was a very intense and gratifying season.¨ This was the 1999-2000 season.
- Federacion Espanola de Baloncesto
The media in Toronto are saying that the No. 17 pick won’t do enough to help improve the team around Chris Bosh as quickly as the Raptors must. A multitude of rumors suggested that the Raptors might trade point guard T.J. Ford to help move up in the draft, to ease the overcrowding at that spot and to encourage Jose Calderon to re-sign with Toronto when he becomes a free agent July 1. One rumor had the Raptors and Knicks working a trade, with New York sending its No. 6 pick to Toronto.
17. Toronto Raptors - Brandon Rush SG/SF - Rush should provide an upgrade on the wings for them, but they could also do that through trades since TJ Ford is expected to be moved. Interior toughness is also a need.
I was watching the Lakers v Spurs game with my biz partner Rob at my guy Al’s house in downtown Philly, Al is a retired Toronto Raptors point guard. Al’s got really good taste… he has a well decorated 5-story home in downtown Philly that is sweet!
May 31st, 2008 at 11:08 am
“Al from Philly = Alvin Williams?” asked Mr. Obvious.
May 31st, 2008 at 9:41 pm
Charles Douglas-Roberts should get some consideration in my mind.
Jun 1st, 2008 at 10:57 am
Agreed, Smoker. I’m actually somewhat disappointed by this list. I’m hoping there is a better second wave of workouts.
Scotts last blog post..Linkage - June 1
Jun 2nd, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Your not going to see the Raptors working out a lot of the NCAA “names” with the 17th pick and a possible trade or buying a 2nd round pick.