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Posts Tagged ‘Toronto Raptors’

Reggie Evans Named NBA’s Dirtiest Player

Why Your Hand Down There The Ball Is By His Face

In a recent poll conducted by Sports Illustrated they asked 173 NBA players who they thought was the dirtiest player in the league was. According to the players it was Reggie Evans. Los Angeles Clippers Chris Kaman and Philadelphia 76ers Samuel Dalembert could not agree more. Here’s the rest of the list:

  1. Reggie Evans, Toronto Raptors (21%)
  2. Ron Artest, Los Angeles Lakers (13%)
  3. Andres Nocioni, Sacramento Kings (6%)
  4. Anderson Varejao, Cleveland Cavaliers (5%)
  5. Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers (4%)

Interesting though that Washington Wizards Fabricio Oberto who leads the league in fouls per 48 minutes, averaging 9.1, did not receive a single vote.

Who do you think is the NBA’s dirtiest player?


Toronto Raptors Mascot Eats Cheerleader & Falls On Its Face

You’d never see the Coyote fail like that.


WTF: Reggie Evans

Why Your Hand Down There The Ball Is By His Face

Seriously, Reggie Evans, you gay. This the second time you’ve tried to reach in and grab a pair of Spaldings.

First it was Los Angeles Clippers Chris Kaman when you where with the Denver Nuggets and now  molesting Samuel Dalembert of the Philadelphia 76ers.

You gay.


Juan Dixon Test Positive For Steriods In Europe

"Damn homie, in high school you was the man, homie"

Another athlete has been suspended indefinitely from play but this time the player isn’t affiliated with baseball. It’s former Maryland star Juan Dixon, who is the program’s all-time points leader, tested positive for the steroid nandrolone and was indefinitely suspended by the International Basketball Federation. Dixon is currently playing in Europe for the Spanish team Unicaja. He took the drug test in November.

He was drafted by the Washington Wizards, then played with the Toronto Raptors, Portland Trail Blazers, Detroit Pistons and was cut by the Atlanta Hawks last October before resorting to earning a paycheck overseas.


NBA Announces All-Star Reserves

February 14, 2010

The NBA is set to announce the All-Star reserves during tonight’s TNT games but Yahoo! Sports Adrian Wojnarowski got a hold of a leaked list of the 2010 NBA All-Star reserves

Eastern Conference Reserves:

Rajon Rondo – Boston Celtics
Derrick Rose – Chicago Bulls
Paul Pierce – Boston Celtics
Chris Bosh – Toronto Raptors
Gerald Wallace – Charlotte Bobcats
Joe Johnson – Atlanta Hawks
Al Horford – Atlanta Hawks

Western Conference Reserves:

Deron Williams – Utah Jazz
Chris Paul – New Orleans Hornets
Pau Gasol – Los Angeles Lakers
Kevin Durant – Oklahoma City Thunder
Dirk Nowitzki – Dallas Mavericks
Zach Randolph – Memphis Grizzlies
Brandon Roy – Portland Blazers

It will be the All-Star debuts for seven players: Williams of Utah, Chicago’s Rose, Boston’s Rondo, Charlotte’s Wallace, Memphis Randolph, Atlanta’s Horford and Oklahoma City’s Durant.

Among the notable candidates left off the team are the Los Angeles Clippers Chris Kaman, New York Knicks David Lee and Denver Nuggets Chauncey Billups.


San Antonio Spurs Consider Adding Phoenix Suns Amare Stoudemire

Your Newest San Antonio Spur?

[Via Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports]

Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports reports thats the Spurs are considering making a bid on the Suns star Amare Stoudemire.

Multiple league sources say the Spurs front office has researched and debated pursuing Stoudemire to play alongside Tim Duncan.

The possibility of an athletic, offensive force like Stoudemire has become too irresistible to easily dismiss. The Spurs (25-18) have lost five of their past six games, and have fallen into sixth place in the Western Conference.

For Phoenix and San Antonio, there could be a different urgency. The Suns are motivated to move Stoudemire out of a growing belief they’ll never come to terms with him on a contract extension. Stoudemire can opt out of the $17.7 million owed him next season. Suns owner Robert Sarver has been in constant cost-cutting mode, and although he does want to keep Stoudemire, it’s become increasingly unlikely that will happen.

The Spurs have always maintained an interest in Toronto Raptors forward Chris Bosh, a Texas native, but Raptors’ general manager Bryan Colangelo has yet to show a strong inclination to trade his star before his impending free agency this summer.

You won’t find an ounce of Stan blood in me for Amare but if this was to go down this could present the perfect opportunity for Stoudemire to go ahead and hide behind the talents of Duncan. Not to mention the foot of head coach Gregg Popovich constantly in his ass could be what he needs.


NBA Announces Rookie Challenge Participants

Rookie Challenge

Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose, the reigning T-Mobile Rookie of the Year, and Sacramento Kings guard Tyreke Evans, the leading scorer among first-year players, lead a list of 18 players selected for the 2010 T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam to be held on Friday, Febuary 12 in Dallas during NBA All-Star 2010. San Antonio Spurs forward DeJuan Blair will also be making an appearance for the Rookie Team.

The participants in the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam were selected by the NBA’s assistant coaches, with each team submitting one ballot.

At halftime of the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam, the Los Angeles Clippers Eric Gordon and the Toronto Raptors DeMar DeRozan will compete in the first NBA All-Star Slam Dunk-In, a single-round slam dunk competition. Fans will be able to vote via text message and at NBA.com to determine who will advance to the Sprite Slam Dunk the following night.

The Sophomore Team:

Player (Team) Position Height School
Michael Beasley (Heat) F 6-9 Kansas State
Marc Gasol (Grizzlies) C 7-1 Spain
Danilo Gallinari (Knicks) G-F 6-10 Italy
Eric Gordon (Clippers) G 6-3 Indiana
Brook Lopez (Nets) C 7-0 Stanford
Kevin Love (Timberwolves) F-C 6-10 UCLA
O.J. Mayo (Grizzlies) G 6-4 USC
Derrick Rose (Bulls) G 6-3 Memphis
Russell Westbrook (Thunder) G 6-3 UCLA

The Rookie Team:

Player (Team) Position Height School
Omri Casspi (Kings) F 6-9 Israel
DeJuan Blair (Spurs) F-C 6-7 Pittsburgh
Stephen Curry (Warriors) G 6-3 Davidson
Tyreke Evans (Kings) G 6-6 Memphis
Jonny Flynn (Timberwolves) G 6-0 Syracuse
Taj Gibson (Bulls) F 6-9 USC
James Harden (Thunder) G 6-5 Arizona State
Brandon Jennings (Bucks) G 6-1 Lottomatica Roma Italy
Jonas Jerebko (Pistons) F 6-10 Sweden


Jerry Stackhouse Signs With Milwaukee Bucks

2 Time NBA All-Star

The Milwaukee Bucks have signed Jerry Stackhouse for the remainder of the season. He could see action as early as Wednesday.

Coach Scott Skiles says he will be activated for Wednesday’s game against Toronto Raptors. The Bucks are in need of a scoring threat after guard Michael Redd suffered a season-ending knee injury last Sunday.

The 35-year-old Stackhouse played in only 10 games for Dallas Mavericks last season. He was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies in July, then became an unrestricted free agent the next day.

Now with Stackhouse on pretty much of a farewell tour of his career, did he ever really live up to the North Carolina hype and the number three selection overall.


NBA Announces Slam Dunk Partipants

Will It Be The Year Of The Little Man Again?

The NBA has announced it’s participants for its Slam Dunk contest on February 13, held during All-Star weekend this year at Jerry World’s. One notable absence is that of Cleveland Cavaliers LeBron James.

Those who will participate are Los Angeles Lakers guard Shannon Brown, New York Knicks guard Nate Robinson and Charlotte Bobcats forward Gerald Wallace. A fourth player will be determined through a “dunk-off” between Los Angeles Clippers guard Eric Gordon and Toronto Raptors forward DeMar DeRozan.

Robinson won the event last season and in 2006.

I care to see “TNT Legs” Brown win it but I’m going to put my money down on Wallace of Charlotte.


King-Father-Thursday Born-Three-Whale Needs A Job

I’m actually shedding a tear this morning as I’m finding out that Pops-Mensah-Bonsu aka King-Father-Thursday Born-Three-Whale has been waived by the Toronto Raptors.

If you are an NBA or NBA Developmental general manager PLEASE GIVE POPPSY a job now!


Mark Cuban Speaks The Truth In Describing The NFL

O No You Didn't

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is upset that the NFL and its television partners has scheduled the Cowboys home playoff game for Saturday night.

The timing conflicts with the Mavericks home game that night. The ‘Boys take on Philadelphia Eagles at 7  p.m. (CST) in Jerry’s World while his Mavericks play at home against the Utah Jazz at 7:30 p.m. and he anticipates a high number of no-shows. The Mavericks play Friday night at San Antonio, which eliminates the possibility of moving Saturday’s game up earlier in the day.

“I know we’re just little pissants compared to the NFL, but seriously, the NFL is turning into the ugly American when it comes to sports leagues,” Cuban said before Tuesday’s home game against Detroit. “They don’t give a crap about anybody but themselves.”

Word! Speak the truth Cuban!

Cuban continued to make his point on Twitter, pointing out that the Boston Celtics host the Toronto Raptors at 12 p.m. (CST) on Sunday, while the New England Patriots open their playoffs at home against the Baltimore Ravens… at the same time!

Cuban also made it clear that it’s not a shot at owner Jerry Jones but the league itself, a league that has never shown any interest in developing a scheduling cooperative with the NBA so each league can try to avoid overlapping.

“It’s not a Jerry Jones issue – Jerry’s great,” Cuban said. “But at some point in time, that will catch up to [the NFL] and hurt them in a big way.”

I love the NFL too but some of the NFL’s actions disgust me at times and I’ll gladly repeat myself in saying speak the truth Cuban!


King-Father-Thursday Born-Three-Whale Sings Canadian Anthem

With all my previous posting of Pops-Mensah-Bonsu aka King-Father-Thursday Born-Three-Whale I think I had a revelation that I am a fan of Poppsy


BLOCK CITY: Your Victim-David Andersen

King-Father-Thursday Born-Three-Whale, you have been charged with the crime of Representin.
And the verdict is Guilty.


Jonathan Bender Signs With New York Knicks

Welcome Back

Welcome Back

The New York Knicks have signed free agent Jonathan Bender, marking the oft-injured forward’s return to the NBA after a three-year absence.

The 7-foot Bender enjoyed his best season in 2001-02, when he averaged career highs of 7.4 points and 3.1 rebounds in 78 games. But injuries forced Bender to miss 172 games over the next three seasons before chronic knee pain sidelined him indefinitely in February 2006.

Bender was selected out of high school by Toronto Raptors with the fifth overall pick in the 1999 draft and was acquired by Indiana in a trade on Aug. 1, 1999. He formed a relationship with former Pacers president and current Knicks president Donnie Walsh during their time together in Indiana.


BLOCK CITY: Your Victim-DeMar DeRozan

Carlos Delfino, you have been charged with the crime of Representin.
And the verdict is Guilty.


WTF: Jarret Jack

Luol Deng how about attempting a steal, I thought you had a Duke education?



Former Spur King-Father-Thursday Born-Three-Whale Signs With The Toronto Raptors

King Whale Killer

King Whale Killer

Former San Antonio Spur has been claimed off waivers from the Toronto Raptors.

Pops Mensah-Bonsu was let go by the Houston Rockets last Friday, the 6-foot-9 forward finished last season with the Raptors, averaging 5.1 points in 19 games.

In February 2009, Mensah-Bonsu began playing with the Austin Toros, the San Antonio Spurs NBA D-League affiliate. In his eight games with the Toros, Mensah-Bonsu averaged 26.6 points, 13.0 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game. On 25 February, he signed with the San Antonio Spurs but latered release in March.

Mensah-Bonsu has played three NBA seasons, including this one. While also having played for Dallas and San Antonio, he’s averaged 3.8 points and 3.6 rebounds.


NBA Attendance Only Down 2% Despite Economy

Est. 1946

Est. 1946

It’s fairly earlier so don’t shoot the messenger but the numbers are out for early attendance in the NBA and despite the economy and the earliness of the season they are only down 2% from this point last year. Also the statistic is skewed by two teams, the Philadelphia 76ers and Memphis Grizzlies, who are drawing less than 70 percent.

The 76ers averaged 15,802 in 2008-’09, in five home games this season they’ve averaged 11,377, and are down more than 20 percent of capacity from last year. The Memphis Grizzlies ranked 29th in attendance last year only filling 70 percent of their arena are now only filling 66 percent, only outdrawing the 76ers. The Detroit Pistons have cause for concern, dropping from first in average attendance to 16th, falling 19.6 percent. The Spurs, a team retooled and trying to avenge their first round playoff exit rank 12th but are down 8%

Not all is doom and gloom as the Chicago Bulls are up over 100 percent of capacity after filling 97.7 percent of the United Center last season. The Cleveland Cavilers are in a similar boat, selling out each home game so far after drawing 97.3 percent last season. The Atlanta Hawks have seen significant gains, rising from 89.4 to 95.4 percent. Even the Minnesota Timberwolves fans are showing support no that Kevin McHale is ruining their team by filling their stadium by 8% more than last season.

Source: SportsBusiness Journal
Average attendances and percentage for each team:

Rank Team Average Attendance % (+/-) from year prior
1 Chicago 21,111 +3.3%
2 Cleveland 20,562 +2.7%
3 Portland 20,350 -.8%
4 Dallas 19,823 -1.4%
5 New York 19,625 +1.7%
6 Utah 19,611 -1.5%
7 LA Lakers 18,997 (no chg)
8 Boston 18,624 (no chg)
9 Toronto 18,131 -3.2%
10 Denver 18,039 +4.3%
11 Washington 17,975 +6.7%
12 San Antonio 17,957 -.8%
13 Oklahoma City 17,882 +.5%
14 Atlanta 17,862 +6%
15 Golden State 17,827 -5.7%
16 Detroit 17,541 -19.6%
17 Orlando 17,541 +2.4%
18 Miami 17,421 -4.1%
19 Houston 17,130 -2%
20 Phoenix 16,771 -9%
21 Minnesota 16,088 +8.2%
22 New Orleans 15,156 -10.5%
23 New Jersey 14,919 -1.4%
24 LA Clippers 14,748 -7.4%
25 Milwaukee 14,636 -4%
26 Charlotte 14,633 +.4%
27 Indiana 14,439 +1.4%
28 Sacramento 12,422 -.9%
29 Memphis 12,095 -3.5%
30 Philadelphia 11,377 -23.7%


Matt Bonner Is Your Next Slam Dunk Champion

Sports Grind Entertainment can’t stress this enough on how big of a fan Calvin Casey is of Matt Bonner, so when the future 2010 Slam Dunk Champion takes off and goes above the rim, it means heavy rotation of his favorite San Antonio Spur.

Your wish is granted my friend.


The Goon Presents 83 Players From 36 Countries

Est. 1946

Est. 1946

David “The Goon” Stern’s 2009-10 NBA season starts tomorrow night with 83 international players from 36 countries and territories on official rosters (active and inactive), matching the record of international players on opening night rosters (2006-07).  Twenty-seven of the 30 teams have at least one international player. Boston Celtics, Indiana Pacers, and the Los Angeles Clippers are the only teams without an international player.

The Milwaukee Bucks roster features the most international players with seven. The Charlotte Bobcats, Sacramento Kings and Toronto Raptors each feature five international players.  Omri Casspi (Israel) of the Sacramento Kings, Jonas Jerebko (Sweden) of the Detroit Pistons, and Hasheem Thabeet (Tanzania) of the Memphis Grizzlies are representing their countries for the first time on an NBA roster. France has the strongest representation with a record ten players.

At the end of the 2008-09 regular season, the NBA featured 77 international players from 33 countries and territories on team rosters (both active and inactive). In comparison, the NBA had 36 international players from 24 countries and territories in 1999-2000.

“Godfather” can try and take his game to London but when talking global “The Goon” is got that talk on lock.