Training Camp
It's a new season and the Raptors are still in that rebuilding process. With that happening, we picked up three qualities players, Charlie Villanueva, Joey Graham and Jose Calderon. This season, they will have to earn there minutes and battling out against other teammates. To test out everyone skills, Sam Mitchell organized a team scrimmage will be held at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto. The players that well be participating will be :
Team Black
- Code: Select all
C : Araujo
PF: Villanueva
SF: Graham
SG: Peterson
PG: James
Team White- Code: Select all
C : Woods
PF: Bosh
SF: Bonner
SG: Anurak
PG: Calderon
You are probably wondering right now who is Sam Anurak ? He is a player from Thailand who has been invited to train with us. He isn't guarenteed a contract yet and like everyone else, he will have to earn his spot on this 15 man roster. We needed a guard and we decided to invite him. He is young and raw and has great handles. We see him as a
Josh Smith type of player, great athlete and tremendous blocker. Still needs to work on his shot but other than that I can see good things in the future. Jalen Rose was not hurt and will be watching from the bench.
Team Scrimmage
Today's scrimmage was a good one. Everyone was looking very impressive and wanting that position on the roster. It was a very close game but Team Black won 90-84. Rookie Charlie Villanueva was the player of the game with 24 points and 16 rebounds. Sam Mitchell was very impressed by his athletism and hustle. He had 2 blocks to go along with that. Chris Bosh, the future of this team also had a good game with 31 points, 13 rebounds, and 3 assists and 2 blocks. He was everywhere and did everything. He has really worked on that mid range shot which impressed the whole team. Another player who had a good game was newly acquired Mike James. He was looking great driving in the lane and looks like he worked with these players before. He had 24 points and 5 rebounds. His opposing rookie PG Jose Calderon had a good game. 7 points, 3 rebounds and 7 assists. He looks like a pure point guard out there dishing out nice passes. Other rookie Joey Graham had a ok game. I expected more from him though. 7 points, 3 rebounds and 5 assists. His opposition Matt Bonner had great game and looked like he improved alot during the off-season. He got 9 points and ripping down 9 rebounds. Six of those rebounds were offensive and added 5 assist. Mitchell said,
"It looks like Matt will be getting alot of minutes this year and will be a key bench player." Centres Woods and Araujo were battling it out. Woods with 5 blocks and chipping in 16 points and 4 rebounds. Sophomore Araujo played will against the 7'2 Loren Woods. He played tough and wasnt scared to go up against him. Mitchell spoke about the centre situation and said,
"It will be a toss up who will start this season, both Loren and Rafael showed us what they are made of and it is a really tough decision. Even Charlie can even fill that position and he proved to us that he can really play. Decision won't be easy and it will be announced soon until the season". On Team Black, Mo Peterson, was looking adequate out there as well. 21 points and 5 assists. His defensive game has improved slightly and hopefully he can play like that all season which will determine how will the Raptors will be. Last but not least, let's not forget to mention the unknown kid, Sam Anurak. Everyone from players to the coaches were shocked on how well this kid adapted to the style of play and how well he did. He finished off with 23 points, 3 assists, 1 steal and 2 huge blocks. Mitchell said,
" I didn't really expect much from this kid but when he played I was amazed. He played his heart out there and I think he has a change to make it on this team. He still needs work on not "chopping" at his opponents. His shot can use a bit of work too. He is great at driving but he needs to work on that shot. Overall, so far I see this kid has a future in the NBA and the Raptors will go far this season."
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Great work with those borders! Is it 5 px black and 1 px black stroke?
