Morning Coffee – July 1

Globe and Mail The Raptors are no different. Their plan has been to re-sign Marion, and likely offer a deal starting about $7-million a season. That’s an $11-million pay cut, but it will likely be the best offer the 31-year-old small forward sees, according to league sources, who suggest that Marion’s image as a high-maintenance…

I Expect More Of The Same From B.C.

DeRozan can’t be the last “new” Raptor this year. Before getting into it, I want to welcome DeMar DeRozan into the mix. I am a big fan of the kid. He instantly becomes a big part of the future. Although he is young and raw, he satisfies the starting SG role. In fact, without having…

Morning Coffee – June 27

 Globe and Mail According to league sources at least five NBA teams inquired about Parker in the lead-up to Thursday night’s draft, where Toronto took DeRozan ninth overall out of the University of Southern California. The five teams to ask about Parker, a free agent on July 1st, include San Antonio, Boston, Phoenix, Cleveland and…

Morning Coffee – June 26

Toronto Sun Having already addressed the Raptors deficiency in toughness with the acquisition of Reggie Evans via a trade, Colangelo addressed his club’s other glaring weakness getting a guy who can create his own shot and has no qualms about going through people to get to the rim. Raptors head coach Jay Triano revealed the…

Talking Draft with Chris Denker Part 4

Both Curry and Flynn can play for me (aka the Raptors) Chris Denker: The Toronto Raptors have the #9 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft and the passionate Raps Fans have some strong feelings about who they would take. Which I think is great! Bryan Colangelo and his group have a big decision to make,…

Morning Coffee – June 25

*** LIVE DRAFT NIGHT CHAT AT RAPTORS REPUBLIC.  CHECK BACK FOR LINK!!! *** Toronto Sun Everyone seems to be writing Bosh off in Toronto. Everyone seems to be caught up in this imaginary world that would see Bosh join Wade in Miami. In Toronto, Bosh’s every word gets taken out of context or it gets…

Morning Coffee – June 24

Toronto Sun Despite there being less than 48 hours to the actual selection, Colangelo, given his druthers, wouldn’t mind making the pick right now. “It’s almost like the draft can’t come soon enough,” Colangelo said. “Right now is when things get really muddy. All the clarity you had gets a little bit scrambled because as…

Morning Coffee – June 23

Toronto Star That’s not to suggest there’s a gem to be found at No. 9 this year. According to a variety of experts and NBA talent evaluators, the draft is thin on all-stars but deep on parity, making it more troublesome for general managers with picks outside the top two or three. No one knows…

Morning Coffee – June 21

Toronto Sun The lives of Brian and Bryan will come under much scrutiny this week. Bryan Colangelo has the NBA draft on Thursday night. Brian Burke has his first NHL draft with the Maple Leafs the following night. Both days are huge for Toronto teams in turmoil and their high-priced executives. The Leafs and Raptors…

Morning Coffee – June 18

Toronto Sun The 19-year-old forward from the USC Trojans, a projected top-10 pick, is one of several top prospects that have opted to go it alone during pre-draft auditions. "I felt like coaches get the chance to see everything I’ve improved on without paying attention to other players, their whole focus is on me," DeRozan…

Morning Coffee – June 17

Toronto Sun Evans is the perfect piece on an imperfect Raptors team that slowly is changing its image and culture. General manager Bryan Colangelo has taken a lot of heat, but his acquisition of Evans, which cost the Raptors the services of Jason Kapono, is such a good move that only the most idiotic of…

Morning Coffee – June 16

Toronto Star With Shawn Marion, Anthony Parker and Joey Graham as unrestricted free agents, and Carlos Delfino in the mix as a restricted free agent the Raptors have spoken about bringing back, that leaves a dearth of shooting guards and small forwards. It would seem obvious the No.9 pick would have to play one of…