“I don’t think too many people really look forward to going to training camp,” Moon said yesterday in Mississauga, where he and Anthony Parker were participating in the Direct Energy Driveway Challenge, a glorified pick-up game at the house of a contest winner.

“But when we made the acquisition [of ] Jermaine O’Neal, I was like, ‘Man, I can’t wait to go to training camp.’ Training camp last year was pretty brutal, but I’m looking forward to going to get beat up this training camp.”

“Jermaine O’Neal is one of the top players in the league,” Parker said. “Not only that, but we’re getting a renewed Jermaine O’Neal. He’s really excited, really looking forward to the season. Honestly, I think our team and the city is really looking forward to having him here.”

O’Neal is not the only fresh-faced Raptor who Parker has insight on. Recently signed guard Will Solomon was Parker’s teammate in 2005-06 with Israel’s Maccabi Tel Aviv. The pair were part of the team that memorably upset the Raptors in a pre-season game in Toronto three years ago.

Parker came to Toronto in the offseason in 2006, and thinks Solomon is in a similar situation.

“He’s been very successful overseas,” Parker said. “With all the European players going back to Europe, it’s kind of good to see some Americans coming back over here after spending some time in Europe. I’m really happy for Will, and I think he’ll fit in really well.

“For Will, it’s kind of like [it was] for me. You’ve been over there for a while. I’m certain [he] could have got more money playing overseas. But he’s done it. This is another shot in trying to get to the NBA.”

Moon will be heading down to Las Vegas, where he will be working out with O’Neal and Joey Graham.

The expectant father — the baby, still gender-undetermined, is due in January — has been working out at his home, but is hoping to form a bit of a bond with his new teammate.

“We’re just going to go out and get a heads-up on the season,” Moon said.

“You know what? I’m just going to go out there and let them beat me up.”

- National Post 

Toronto Raptors basketball stars Anthony Parker and Jamario Moon gave up home court advantage this morning  to scrimmage on a Mississauga cul-de-sac with “Raptors fanatic” contest winner Taylor Sibbald, 22. Mr. Sibbald won the Direct Energy Driveway Challenge during half time at a game last April. He and a hand-picked group of friends and relatives shot hoops with the Raptors outside his house. Matthew Coutts went to watch:

- National Post 

The Toronto Raptors 2007/2008 season in pictures

- RaptorsTalk

 

Jorge Garbajosa chose Spain’s Olympic team over the Toronto Raptors and the NBA - and his patriotism has come at a steep price.

The Spanish basketball federation agreed to pay the Raptors $4.25 million to buy out the final year of Garbajosa’s contract and he has since signed a contract with a Russian professional team.

The forward said tossing away his NBA career is worth it for a chance to lead Spain to a medal.

“The Spanish team is something very special to me,” Garbajosa said.

The 31-year-old’s decision to stick with Spain didn’t endear him with many of the NBA’s general managers and he said he had contact with just one team before signing with BC Khimki.

The Madrid native has no regrets over a decision that left him temporarily unemployed.

“I’m very happy about how things worked out and I appreciate what was done for me, which I think was the best thing,” he said. “It was a complicated year so I want to enjoy and take advantage of my basketball now.”

“It was a difficult year, but I feel really good,” Garbajosa said. “I lost a lot of my rhythm with so much time off, since I wasn’t really healthy with all of these problems. We have a lot of days before the start of the games so I think I will be fine.”

Former Raptors teammate Jose Calderon was “delighted” that Garbajosa, who has 123 appearances for Spain since his international debut in 2000, is coming to Beijing.

“Now it’s time to turn the page and move forward after a bad year,” he said. “A deal has been reached by both sides, and if both are happy, I’m with him till death.”

- I Save Smart 

The FAN 590 announced earlier today that “The Coach” Jack Armstrong and former NHL coach and GM, Doug MacLean, will take over the afternoon airwaves as of August 18.

Today was Chuck Swirsky’s last show on the FAN and a decision had to be made RE: the Swirsk’s replacement.

FAN program director and VP, Nelson Millman, opted to take the 1:00pm-4:00pm slot and split it in two.  Thus, as of the 18th, Armstrong and MacLean will hit the air from 2:00pm-4:00pm … while sports director Doug Farraway will host a magazine-style show from 1:00pm-2:00pm every day.

- Fan 590 

In a perfect world he would be able to defend the small forward position and score using his size on offense but realistically speaking he’s still a lot closer to a PF than a SF. Jay Triano alluded to two of Bosh, O’Neal and Bargnani being on the floor at all times which would mean there will be minutes for Bargnani at the PF as one of Bosh or O’Neal moves over to play center. Lest we forget Bargnani’s “natural position” is the power forward and so far in his Raptors career he’s been asked to play center.

I don’t think the difference between defending the C and the PF is much different in the NBA, both require him to box-out, rebound and use his quickness as an advantage. Last year a lot of fans felt that he was playing out of position and if we moved him over to PF it would fix a lot of his problems, I don’t buy that argument. At the end of the day he’s got to play big-man basketball and both positions offer the same defensive challenges and offensive opportunities, in fact you could make a case that he should be able to take advantage of centers more easily considering how they’re usually slower. Regardless of which position he plays Sam Mitchell has to try to use him as a plus point rather than a liability.

- Arsenalist 

“This compares to nothing. Man, this is the best,” said Moon, a 6-foot-8 forward entering his second year with the Raptors. “To come out in the community and put some smiles on peoples’ faces is always good.

“They pay their respect by coming to games and watching us play, so why not come out today on their home court.”

It reminded the Raptors of their street ball roots.

“I’m used to playing on concrete,” Moon said. “When I played in Mexico in some of those Mexican leagues, some of the courts in the gymns were concrete — so it was just like home.”

Parker, a 6-foot-6 guard/forward, said, “I’ve been around basketball since I can remember.” His childhood idols were Julius “Dr. J” Erving, Michael Jordan, and “players like that I really looked up to, emulating and trying to be like on outdoor courts like this.”

- Toronto Sun 

“Nelson [Millman, The Fan's vice-president] called me up one day and said, ‘Would you be interested in hosting a radio show?’ ” Armstrong said. “It kind of blew me away. I never expected it and never envisioned myself doing it. But then I thought, this could be an intriguing thing, working with a highly respected guy who definitely isn’t lacking for opinions.”

- Globe and Mail 

Hockey and the CFL have no issues with Canadian content. But Toronto FC, the Jays and the Raptors, all Toronto clubs vying to be “Canada’s Team” in their respective sports, need to make it a priority.
Having a Canadian on the squad will do infinitely more for the Raptors profile in Alberta or B.C. or anywhere in Canada than playing preseason tilts in Edmonton. The Raps went and signed Will Solomon to basically carry a clipboard for most of the season. There isn’t a Canadian player out there who would fit that bill? Bryan Colangelo needs to understand that if his club doesn’t groom Canadian talent, fans outside the GTA will continue to consider the Raptors well below more important matters, like curling and the CFL.

- canoe.ca