Not much change for Golden State Warriors in win over Toronto | isportsweb
There were no real changes in the lineup tonight for Luke Walton, who takes over temporarily while Steve Kerr recovers from back surgery. The lineup was the same as last year: Harrison Barnes, Draymond Green, Andrew Bogut, Thompson, and Curry. Despite a stagnant starting five though, no one played more than 30 minutes. Walton distributed playing time equally, also subbing in newly acquired Ian Clark. Clark is the first new free agent signing to see time. The Warriors limited the Raptors to 37.6% field goal shooting while forcing 17 turnovers. Granted, Toronto was without sharp shooter Kyle Lowry and is still looking for ways to incorporate Demarre Carroll and Corey Joseph into an offense with three new assistant coaches, but Golden State does not look like a team that took a break this summer.
Warriors Return to Action with Preseason Win Over Raptors | Blue Man Hoop
As expected, they were sluggish early but in the end put on a good show for the San Jose crowd. The Warriors missed three of their first 10 shots, but Stephen Curry woke everybody up with back-to-back threes. It was a short night for Curry, however, who fouled out midway through the third quarter. Whether they were all warranted fouls is up for debate — this was a radio-only game — but being the first preseason game in front of a crowd that may not regularly get to watch the Warriors, the referees could have cut the MVP a little slack.
Golden State Warriors vs Toronto Raptors Final Score 95-87: Instant Reactions | Golden State Of Mind
Then Steph fouled DeRozan on a half-court prayer with 0.1 seconds left in the half. “Ref-You-Suck” chants rained down in a pre-season game. DeRozan cut the lead to seven heading into the tunnel, 53-46. The Warriors held the Raptors to 42% shooting in the half, while shooting 50% themselves despite a lethargic start to the game (wow, flashbacks).
Instant Replay: Warriors down Raptors in preseason opener | CSN Bay Area
Barbosa. The Brazilian Blur scored nine points (4-of-5 shooting) in seven minutes in the first half, with six more (3-of-4 shooting) after intermission. It was a sharp performance by the last man to report to training camp. McAdoo also came off the bench to offer solid production in addition to his usual energy. He and Barbosa led the team in Plus-Minus, each finishing at +12.
Barbosa, Thompson lead charge as Warriors down Raptors | Sportsnet.ca
Norman Powell scored 13 points on 6-of-8 shooting in the fourth quarter. … DeMar DeRozan scored 12 points. … Jonas Valanciunas had 10 rebounds. … All-Star guard Kyle Lowry was given the night off to rest a sore right groin after Sunday’s 26-point effort
Anthony Bennett, The Misunderstood Bust | The Sports Quotient
How many players in NCAA history have posted 16 points, 8 rebounds, 1 block and 60 TS% as a freshman*? Exactly four — Kevin Love (superstar), Jahlil Okafor (highly-rated prospect), Michael Beasley (incredibly talented offensive player that dealt with substance issues) and, yes, Anthony Bennett. *Sports-reference allows four categories to sort through individual seasons and does not allow for per-minute comparisons, just per-game, so this isn’t a perfect example, but it adequately communicates my point Obviously comparing college and professional stats isn’t straightforward and these numbers lack context, but it gives a snapshot as far as how precipitous the drop has been for Bennett. What’s even more troubling is how inexplicable it is. Why was Bennett such a huge bust? I’ve mentioned the turmoil surrounding the teams he’s played for, his poor conditioning, and he’s also dealt with various injuries going all the way back to high school. He made slight improvements in his second season, but that should be expected, and hey, it’s not like he could’ve possibly done worse anyways.
Terrence Ross looking like a new man with Raptors | Toronto Sun
There is a confidence and a comfort about Ross already this year that wasn’t there a year ago. And it was apparent even in training camp as he took his turn addressing the media, something we are pretty sure he would pay money to avoid if that were an option. Ross, though, surprised those with his candour and the way he engaged in that setting. Again, it may be the least favourite part of his work duties. But he was good. He was different than in the past. He was asked about these subtle changes after Sunday’ game. Part of it is health, he explained. Ross is no longer limited by bone spurs in his ankle, which keep him from doing the things he wanted to do a year ago. But part of it too, and not even Ross is sure which part is bigger, is his role is clearly defined this year and he’s happy in it.
Raptors under-the-radar signings could make big impact | TSN
A former seventh-overall draft pick, the 23-year-old Biyombo is looking for a fresh start following four underwhelming seasons in Charlotte. “I’m excited,” said Biyombo, who found himself on the open market this summer after the Hornets declined to extend him a qualifying offer. He had three coaches in four years, bouncing between the starting lineup and the second unit before ultimately falling out of favour with the organization. “I can’t sit here and tell you a lot of things about it but, more than anything, I’m excited to play the game. I still have a lot of work to do, so I look forward to that. I know a lot of people will be watching… I’ll let my game speak for itself.” Biyombo has never been much of an offensive player. Many would argue that his limited range makes him a liability in today’s NBA, but the Raptors couldn’t care less. Coming off an abysmal defensive season, one that saw them fall from a top-10 ranking to 25th, Dwane Casey’s club was anxious to add a player of Biyombo’s unique skill set. They know exactly what they signed up for.
NBA coach rankings: Who has the best shot at winning coach of the year? | CBSSports.com
This is probably selling Casey short. He’s brought his team to the playoffs the past two years, they have a better defensive squad this year, and he’s said he plans to play Jonas Valanciunas more in the fourth. It’s just hard to see what Casey could do to win the award. Finish top-two and you’re still behind Cleveland and within an expected range. The Raptors would have to finish No. 1 in the East by a healthy margin and look like real super-contenders to make this happen. Unlike Wittman, there doesn’t seem to be much room for real improvement.
Raptors Rookie Delon Wright Knows A Good Thing When He Sees It | Pro Bball Report
“I don’t honestly,” Wright told Pro Bball Report. “I am just trying to learn as much as possible. I don’t know what I am getting into, but I know it’s a good thing.” Both of these players have shown the right kind of attitude and effort that confirms the Raptors drafted well. However, even with the advantage of having a brother (Dorell Wright) in the NBA and playing four years in college, there’s a huge difference between being told about the league, playing with pros in the summer and actually being on the big stage yourself. Things happen fast now. This isn’t like college and Wright knows it.
“When the injuries came, I started reading Scripture. I had the odd, unsettling thought, ‘I don’t think I’m really saved.’ My casual Christianity needed to be told, ‘You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe — and shudder!’ (James 2:19),” he wrote. “God dims the light of our life with suffering, so that our hearts embrace a grace that really sustains. Suffering is a time to mourn the loss of that which could never save.” After being injured for over three years, Fields admitted that basketball had become his gospel and finally began to see why he had been allowed to suffer through a painful ordeal. The reason was to find hope in God alone. “The only thing that lasts in this life is Christ. I started putting all my joy, hope, and life in God’s hands,” he wrote. “I call my first season of injuries, ‘The Wilderness.'”
