Toronto Raptors get trash-talked by Maccabi Haifa player in pre-season win | National Post
“That’s a part of the game for me,” Hickerson said of exchanging words with the Raptors bench. “That’s a neighbourhood game. It’s us against them. If we’re not having fun, it’s too much of a job. That’s when I’ll quit. When it’s not fun anymore, I’ll definitely quit.” About four minutes after the jumper, Hickerson finished an alley-oop off of a pass from Brody Angley, who he played with in Mexico. Hickerson got in the face of several Raptors after the played, and was given a technical foul for his trouble. Traditionally, a technical foul comes with a fine. “I’ll be at home tomorrow,” Hickerson said. “They’ll have to come to Kentucky to get that money.”
Bebe makes his long-awaited Raptors debut | Toronto Sun
“If I have to stay on the bench for 82 games, I’ll stay happy, because I know the most important thing in the first year is to learn from the veterans and develop your game,” Nogueira said. “If I have a chance to play, I’ll try to show the skills I learned in Spain: Protect the rim, rebound, I can score sometimes. I think right now I don’t have to score because we have amazing scoring guys on our team.” Nogueira made an impression on coach Dwane Casey with his eight-point, two-block, two-rebound effort in 11 minutes (he hit both of his shots and all four free throws). “Lucas came in and deterred shots and that’s what he should do,” Casey said. “I was really impressed with how he came in and played.”
Lewenberg: Nogueira makes emotional debut in exhibition win | TSN
With the preseason winding down, Nogueira returned just in time to get some run. Wednesday was likely the final opportunity for Casey to get an in-game look at his younger players – and those who are in contention for the team’s final roster spot – before he goes back to his regular rotation in Friday’s exhibition finale. If all goes right once the season begins for real next week, Nogueira – like Caboclo – will have to develop on the sidelines, in practice and, perhaps, in short stints with the D-League affiliate in Fort Wayne, but he’s well aware of what his role will be in year one and doesn’t seem remotely fazed by it. “I’m okay because I’ve played six years professionally,” he reiterated. “The first three years, I didn’t play. I stayed on the bench the whole year. Sometimes, the [centre] got hurt, coach put the shooting guard in the post, but didn’t [play] me. I’m okay if I don’t play 82 games.” “The good thing about it is the D-League,” said Casey. “We can see [Nogueira and Caboclo] playing in real games against players there if they’re not playing here. That’s going to be very beneficial to both of them, getting those minutes in the D-League and learning in game situations there more so than here.”
Game Recap: The Legend of Bebe Begins Against Maccabi Haifa – Raptors HQ
The story of the game though was Bebe and his drive for folk hero status. With eight points off of free throws, a dunk and a put back, it seemed like he was everywhere on the court. Nogueira secured two blocks in the game but changed numerous shots as the fourth quarter ticked away. Maybe it was just a flash-in-the-pan bit of preseason myth-making, or maybe Bebe has the potential to be something special. Perhaps the urgent pre-game words from Johnson resonated. Whatever it was, the Raptors are presumably grateful.
Post-Game Notebook: Nogueira Debuts And Turnover Troubles Against Maccabi Haifa | Toronto Raptors
Each of Jordan Hamilton (5 pts, 6 rebs), Greg Stiemsma (6 pts, 6 rebs, 2 blks) and Will Cherry (3 pts) logged as many minutes as the Raptors’ usual starters and while none of them truly had major impact in this one, Casey still saw positives in each performance. “We want to see where they are and if they can perform when the popcorn’s popping. I thought all three of them did something good and it is very difficult to try and showcase what you have. We’re insisting on doing team things and they are trying to do it individually.” Expect a decision on that last spot by early next week.
In his first appearance, in the Raptors’ 92-85 win over a tired Maccabi Haifa team, Nogueira showed a little of that. Upon checking into the game for the first time in the second quarter, Nogueira blocked two shots in quick succession. He added a dunk and put-back as the Raptors avoided an embarrassing pre-season loss in the fourth quarter, finishing with eight points. Nogueira’s lanky frame and long arms make him a shot-blocker. When he and Caboclo shared the floor together, you honestly wondered if the opposition could ever compete a pass through the middle of the defence. Their arms go on and on.
Maccabi Haifa put up good effort in losing cause against Raptors | Toronto Star
And so it goes for the storied Israeli Super League team, making what’s an annual pilgrimage to North America not under the auspices of the NBA and the EuroLeague but in a private business enterprise. “I know in college, teams go out and play against the major programs and they make some money for their program,” said Raptors coach Dwane Casey, putting a North American spin on a global undertaking. “I think Maccabi may be using this as an improvement for their program and also getting to tour the NBA league and financially it’s rewarding for them also, to do it.” The money better make up for the sporting cost. Heading into Wednesday’s game with the Raptors, Maccabi Haifa had lost in Washington, Portland and Sacramento on this tour by an average of almost 30 points per game.
Raptors 92 – Maccabi Haifa 85: Unsightly, but fun anyway | Raptors Rapture
Maccabi Haifa did their best, but is undersized and don’t make up for it with outside shooting. Had the Raps not had an offensive meltdown to end Q3 and start Q4, and surrendered a healthy lead, the game would have been devoid of excitement. In an hideous display of turnovers and missed shots, the Raps were outscored 21-0, which allowed Haifa to grab a 5-point lead. The Raps had gone nearly 8 minutes without a point before Greivis Vasquez unleashed a long pass to Bruno Caboclo, who gathered himself nicely and crammed the ball home. Greivis was the best Rap all night, leading our guys with 15 points and running the offense with confidence. In contrast, Will Cherry played himself off the team with a dreadful game.
Terrence Ross Drains Incredible 360 Layup | FanSided
Usually his 360’s and between the leg spectacle ends in a slam, but against Maccabi Haifa in the preseason, Ross made one of the coolest layups you’ll see this season. A 360 layup? Yes. On the fast break, Ross is terrifying. He’s one of those guys you either foul before he elevates or get out of the way.
