Linkage – July 18
I’m not sure if some people think Andrea Bargnani’s been lying on the couch snacking on bon-bons all summer (I get a lot of questions asking if he’s “been following the program and working out”) but he hasn’t been.
And they’ll get to check on him as early as tomorrow.
I’m told he’s supposed to be at Impact Basketball, the venerable workout gym in Las Vegas, either tomorrow or Sunday for a week and then he’s sticking around to work at Tim Grgich’s big man camp right after that.
And he won’t be too far from the prying eyes of his bosses. Strength and conditioning guru Keith D’Amelia will be around Impact and Eric Hughes, who’s been coaching the summer league team, is going to be a guest coach at the big man camp.
There’ll be a big group of Raptors at Impact, too, I’m told.
Jermaine O’Neal’s there almost every day, Hassan Adams is sticking around after the summer league’s over and so is Nathan Jawai.
I see Eddie House isn’t going back to Boston – they signed Anthony Roberson instead – and if you’re a Raptor fan, I’d keep his name in mind.
I know he’s on a list over at headquarters of guys who might be available for minimum money later this summer to fill that 13th spot.
Herbert is high on Ukic who he coached against in Europe. “He’s not afraid of taking big shots. He’s very creative getting into the paint and he can make plays when he gets there. I think he has a chance to be a good NBA player.”
One thing worth pointing out regarding Ukic — his shooting percentages are insanely good.
.545 and .599 says great things about his finishing ability and decision making ability also, both tough things to teach.
And finally a little bone on Nathan Jawai, the Raptors second-round pick by way of Indiana. Herbert has been working out with Jawai the last two days in Las Vegas:
“He’s very light on his feet, very explosive and very active. He combines that a power game and it’s a very exciting package. He’s raw, but he runs the floor well and first impressions are he’s a hard worker. He’s got great potential.”
(video) Raptors vs Sixers.
(video) Raptors vs Sixers
(video) Raptors vs Sixers complete game
Turning to more Raptors-related talks, how about Roko’s play?
I’ve of course been perhaps the biggest skeptic as to what he’ll realistically be able to bring to the table next year but by all accounts he looked pretty solid today. He didn’t force anything, hit some open shots, displayed good on-court awareness, and didn’t get beat up too badly on D.
Of course this wasn’t the NBA but it was still quite encouraging. In fact, he made one play that made me think he might be a-ok next year. On a pick-and-roll that Canada hedged on, Roko had the awareness to split the D and then dump the ball off to a teammate for an open 3. A subtle play but one that spoke volumes about his potential. In addition, Roko certainly looks to have bulked up from when he was drafted and hopefully that will help him with the more physical nature of the NBA.
C.J. Giles continued to throw his body around, tallying 13 points, 12 boards and three blocked shots for Toronto.
Nathan Jawai certainly appears to be destined to be a fan favorite next season. Besides being a bruising and quick big man, Nathan is articulate, engaging and personable.
The Golden State Warriors TV network conducted a great interview with Nathan back on June 4th, as he prepared for a pre-draft workout with the Warriors in the Bay Area.
The Atlanta Hawks have named Jim Todd and Tyrone Hill to the coaching staff of Mike Woodson, it was announced this afternoon. The two new assistants join fellow coaches Larry Drew and Bob Bender on Woodson’s staff.
Todd, involved in coaching basketball at the high school, college or professional level since 1976, comes to the Hawks from Milwaukee, where he spent last season as an assistant under Larry Krystkowiak. Prior to joining the Bucks, he worked three seasons in Toronto in a similar capacity for Raptors’ coach Sam Mitchell (2004-07). During his final season in Toronto, the Raptors posted a franchise-record 47 wins, as well as capturing their first Atlantic Division title.
(video) Anthony Parker
(video) Joel Bosh
First of all, the New Orleans Hornets are supposedly now the favorites to win the 2009 NBA Championship. To justify this certain people have turned to voodoo math, making the point that the last two teams with James Posey as their 4th best player have won the Title
Anyways, I couldn’t help, mostly out of jealousy and/or rage, examining the signing through the ever-present Raptors’ venom hole. Let’s see: 25 Million over 4 years, eh? That sounds eerily familiar (and the eventual revelation is damn-near fatal) Oh wait, we’ve got Jason Kapono for 24 Million over 4 years. Sweeeet. At least our investment will return more Individual Awards. At least were playing A game the Herm way.
I don’t know whose patience should be questioned more, or who’s GM is Osying most. While swapping Posey for Kapono would certainly secure an East Finals’ appearance in 09, and thus making BC’s lack of patience worthy of fanbase rage, NO did pay 2 Million dollars less for a homeless man’s James Posey only to sign James Posey upon realizing their mistake. But then again, they do have James Posey. Hmmmm…tough.
Controversy ensued at the end of the back-and-forth battle between the Toronto Raptors and Philadelphia 76ers. With the game tied down the stretch, a go-ahead bucket by Jaycee Carroll was called off to the dismay of the Raptors. The 76ers regained possession and nabbed an 87-85 win off of a layup by Jamont Gordon with 0.6 seconds left to play.
The Raptors looked dejected as the 76ers wrapped up their summer league play with a 3-2 record. The 76ers frontcourt proved formidable again, with Thaddeus Young, Marreese Speights, and Jason Smith combining for 47 points and 26 rebounds. Both Smith and Speights posted their second consecutive double-doubles. Joey Graham scored 17 points in the loss for the Raptors, who will take on the Detroit Pistons on Friday.
GB hopeful Sean Banks has revealed how a chance conversation with a D League team mate put him on the road to a possible Olympic spot.
And the Toronto Raptors summer league trialist explained how he approached GB assistant Nick Nurse for advice … without even realising he was talking to a member of Chris Finch’s staff.
Banks is playing for Toronto in the Las Vegas Summer League where he held talks with Finch and Nurse this week and expressed his interest in playing for the GB team.
Jul 18th, 2008 at 7:57 pm
Hi Scott,
I was wondering if you can add the site: http://localwoot.com/torontoraptors/ to your blog-roll?
Please let me know
Thanks,
Tim
Jul 21st, 2008 at 2:43 pm
I wonder why Jim Todd left/was let go from the Bucks after only a year… seemed like a knowledgable and personable assistant.
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