Dallas Morning News

There are multiple reasons, but No. 1 is that Bosh genuinely likes Toronto.

Who wouldn’t? It’s a great cosmopolitan city. I guess if you are young and rich, even Sacramento looks good, but Toronto has clearly won over the pride of Dallas’ Lincoln High.

"It probably took me two or three years, but I went there when I was 19," said Bosh, who played one season at Georgia Tech after helping Lincoln to a state title. "I was fresh out of college. I was used to roommates and guys knocking on the door, saying where the frat party was.

"But I love Toronto. And Toronto loves me."

HoopsWorld

The Raptors have a better understanding of Douby’s skill set.

"They definitely know I’m a pure scorer.  I can shoot the ball.  They also want me to also focus on distributing the ball, playing pressure defensive – focusing on that stuff," said Quincy.  "But also keep on working on my scoring ability and scooting, have the whole package."

With Jose Calderon and presumably Jarrett Jack (should the Indiana Pacers pass on their restricted free agent), Douby may finally have the opportunity to play to his strength as an undersized two-guard. 

Of course Jack could keep Quincy on the bench or worse, so the pressure is on for Douby to perform.

"I think us competing in practice, that’s going to get us all better.  The NBA has a lot of great players and on your team, there’s going to be a lot of great players to compete against to get playing time," said Douby.  "I think it’s going to be a good situation for the whole team.  I’m looking forward to it.  When practice comes I’m going to just play as hard as I could."

Pounding The Rock

DeMar is not good defensively.  I don’t think this is really a surprise to anybody.  He’s played one year of college and is only 19 years old.  The thing that first jumped out at me, though, was an apparent lack of defensive effort.  The Raptors seemed to always put him on the least offensive of the Blazers wings.  When I first tuned in, this was Bobby Jones.

For most of the plays, DeMar was on the weakside of the court (the non-ball side). His help defense was non-existent.  He seemed content to be happy to watch.  When shot would go up, he would take a step toward the basket and stand BEHIND the other teams big.  He wouldn’t help box him out.  It was like he was loitering.

When a player drove he never stepped in.  He would occassionally reach for a ball.  Any defensive rebound he got was because it fell to him.  He had 4 defensive rebounds and I remember two of them hitting the floor before he picked them up.

New Leisure Blog

I would like to comment on the Jason Kapono trade for Reggie Evans. Good Riddance. I never want to see Kapono in a Raptor uniform ever again. Evans is probably good for 15-20 mins, he is an excellent rebounder, but not much else. This team is in desperate need of a guy who can hit the boards and play some D. Just don’t ask him to score. Also, because of the sign and trade, they can re-sign Carlos Delfino who should be a starter for this team, he can rebound and play D. He is extremely streaky with his shot, but it gives the Raptors another option on handling the ball. Another versatile player. Rasho Nesterovic is also in Raptors’ Radar, he can still play and become an excellent passer from the high post.

The Rap Report

Well, if I were a guessing man, and I am, I wouldn’t be all that surprised to see Bryan Colangelo re-approach Chris Bosh with a contract extension this summer. Particularly if BC is able to wiggle Jarrett Jack away from the Pacers (Chris Bosh’s best friend in the league).

Given the economic climate and the league’s prediction that the cap will fall significantly in one years’ time, Chris Bosh will listen. He’d be foolish not to.

If Colaneglo is able to re-sign Chris Bosh you might as well award him Executive of the Year now, that and the keys to the city.

Catch that fish (all 6 foot 10 of it) and we can all sit back and relax. The Raptors would have a very solid core, locked in place for several years to come, surrounded by some very tradable assets.

The Angry T

William Henry “Smush” Parker played for eight teams between 2002-2008 including stints with powerhouses Aris Thessaloniki and the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. This summer, he’s playing with the Toronto Raptors Summer League team. To his credit, Smush is a tough guy. He once beat up a woman working valet over a $12 parking fee.

Fan590

Anthony Parker the ex-Raptor chats on the Director’s Chair with Doug Farraway about his decision to sign with the Cleveland Cavaliers and reflects on his time in Toronto.

ESPN

• Hedo Turkoglu’s five-year, $52.8 million contract with Toronto includes a trade kicker and the right to opt out and return to free agency in the summer of 2013.

• Andrea Bargnani’s five-year extension in Toronto starting in 2010-11 is worth an even $50 million. The deal includes an early termination option to return to free agency in the summer of 2014 as well as a trade kicker and incentives.

Chris Denker, of Netscouts Basketball, is reporting live from summer league:

If you are evaluating on wins and losses the Toronto Raptors summer league performance has been disappointing with an 0-2 start.  But if you are merely evaluating individuals and getting a look at your draft picks you can take away a few positives with those disappointments.

NBA veteran guard Quincy Douby has been a bright spot averaging over 18 points per game through two games.  He has played hard on both ends, competing defensively as well as attacking the basket often drawing fouls and knocking down open jumpers although he did struggle from 3 going 0-3 against the Lakers.  I also like PG Roko Ukic, his 6’5 size and length has given some guards issues and he is steady and under control while also adding some scoring punch.  It can be difficult trying to run a team with odd parts and little practice so all in all he has done well.  Smush Parker (wasn’t he just in the NBA Finals a few years ago?) has had a few highlights but would need to be more consistent throughout the week to really gain attention.

One concern would be the lack of defense the Raptors youth have displayed.  In game 1 against LA the Lakers Adam Morrison, being guarded by DeMar DeRozan, scored 24 points and 6’8 235 CENTER Ben McCauley (out of NC State) lit the Raps big men up for 24 points and 15 rebounds.  McCauley out-scored and out-rebounded 6’11 Paul Davis and 7’0 Patrick O’Bryant combined!

DeRozan is a talent and has good legs, hopefully for the Raps he will be a quick study and learn the nuances of the game and become the player Raps Fans are yearning for.

CRAZY HOPS!

Brent Petway, the 6’8 SF from Michigan who has spent the past few years in the NBADL (Idaho) is one of the best leapers in the entire Summer League and had perhaps the dunk of Day 1 but also scores some with his lefty turn jump over smaller G/F who match up on him.  Does he possess the stroke from range to play in the NBA?

In game 2 the Raps lost to Detroit in another high scoring affair (by summer league standards) 91-87.  Lottery pick DeRozan looked better scoring 20 points, 4 rebounds, 0 assists but needed 20 shots to get there and doesn’t get to the foul line very much whereas the much smaller Douby had 21 points on 13 shots, got to the foul line 5 times and had 5 boards and 3 assists.  DeRozan and the Pistons top pick Austin Daye basically watched each other score (while guarding one another) as again DD’s check went for team high honors scoring 19 points and 8 boards on only 14 shots.  The Pistons have looked quite good and all three draft picks are playing decent ball.  DaJuan Summers was terrific in game one and versus the Raps he scored 19.  Jonas Jerebko, the 6’10 lanky athlete from Sweden, played the Center spot and scored 13 points and grabbed 7 boards against the Raps bigs which isn’t bad for a guy who was touted as a SF/PF in the recent draft.

Random notes from Vegas:

• Stephen Curry and Tyreke Evans had a shoot-out with Curry coming out on top 29-27 in their battle and also hit the go ahead bucket under a minute to go as Golden St. beat Sacramento.
• Cartier Martin (Kansas St.) has been a big surprise to some, averaging over 20 ppg.
• Coming off a trade and ACL injury, Adam Morrison is leading the event in scoring at 22.5 ppg.
• Rodrigue Beaubois has been stellar, his quickness off screen/roll and crazy long arms have given opposing PG’s fits and he is also scoring over 20 per including 34 in the night cap vs. Houston.  Not known for his stroke, RB went 7-12 from 3 land which with his quickness, if he can shoot like that, he’s a keeper!

Toronto has a much needed day off today (Sunday) and will play Portland on the 13th.

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