Raps Have A Lot To Do
By Skill Matic
Raptors Coach Sam Mitchell
The Toronto Raptors have won their last two games against two of their division rivals. They will be facing their third division rival in 2 days: The Boston Celtics. Last year, the Celtics once again failed to make a playoff spot. They also failed to get a Top 3 draft pick after having the second worse record in the league in 2006-2007. But their luck turned the other way when they traded their #5 Draft Pick: Jeff Green to the Seattle Sonics for Ray Allen. This was just the beginning. They also traded 5 players for Minnesota Timberwolve powerhouse Kevin Garnett. They only have a few days to practice. Hopefully the Raptors won't have a tough time when they face the new and improved Boston Celtics.
In The Gym & Beyond
"LET'S HUSTLE"-Coach Sam Mitchell
"We have to get this right! Or else KG will make you eat spalding, LET'S GET TO IT!"
The Toronto Raptors were in the gym running plays and working out to prepare for their game against the Boston Celtics.
"Alright guys, that was a good practice. Now go out and have lunch and meet back here at 1:00" -Coach Sam Mitchell
The Raps Team head off to different food joints to eat.
Jose and Garbo head off to a little Spainiard restaurant and have some Paella.
Carlos Delfino brings Joey Graham to go have some Argentina cuisine.
Andrea Bargnani, Jamario Moon, TJ Ford & Jason Kapono head to Pizza Pizza for a slice or two.
Anthony Parker brings Darrick Martin, Maceo Baston and Rasho Nesterovic to an Israeli restaurant.
And Juan Dixon and Kris Humphries just enjoy themselves a bit and go to Hooters.
All these food joints are at least 5 minutes away from the Raptors Practice Facility.
Chris Bosh on the other hand doesn't go too far to eat today.
Instead, he goes right across the street and orders a sandwich from Subway. After he finishes he goes right back in the gym to rest himself and then starts practicing his 3-pointers.
"Yo Chris" - Coach Sam Mitchell
"What you doing here so early? You still have 45 minutes left in your lunch break."
"Just thought I would take some time to practice my 3-point shots" -CB4
"*Laughs* Who do you think you are, Larry Bird?" -Coach Sam Mitchell
"*Laughs* No, I just thought I would practice them just in case. Garnett is a defensive force you know"-CB4
"Good looking out. But you know you've got past guys like KG before and you know I taught you about attacking the rim." -Coach Sam Mitchell
"Yeah I know. But it aint all about the game on Sunday. Every chance I get, I want to be able to improve my jump shot. I missed a lot of shots last night against the Nets. And I want to be one of those big men who can practically do it all.
" -CB4
"*Laughs* Alright Chris, go practice. I gotta meet with some reporters outside." -Coach Sam Mitchell
"*Laughs* Yeah, thanks Sam." -CB4
As Chris Bosh continues to practice his 3-point shot, Sam Mitchell goes to GM Bryan Colangelo's office to talk about the organization.
"Hey Bryan, Chris is really showing some effort in practice this morning." -Sam Mitchell
"He came back early to practice some jump shots. He's really come a long way. That man is going to be bigger than he already is one day.."
"Yes, I agree. Chris shows a promising future in this franchise. By the way, I needed to talk to you about something." -Bryan Colangelo
"What is it?" -Sam Mitchell
"I was having some thoughts of getting a better Center in our rotation." -Bryan Colangelo
"We already have Andrea, and we have Rasho as a backup. Isn't that pretty good for now?" -Sam Mitchell
"It is, but it's really hard to see Andrea start in 82 games. He's more of a better player when he comes off the bench. Like last year, and Rasho appears to be struggling. He hasn't been doing well in our last two games." -Bryan Colangelo
"So you might trade Rasho?" -Sam Mitchell
"Maybe. But not right away, I'll wait a few games and see how our players are progressing. Because there are some teams coming to me offering on some players. But we'll see what happens.." -Bryan Colangelo
"Oh alright. Which centers did you have in mind?" -Sam Mitchell
"Well, let's see.. I like Samuel Dalembert. He's been doing well. And then there's Tyson Chandler and Marcus Camby. But I would have to put up pretty high offers for them. Plus, I feel that Chris won't rebound as much with one of those guys in our roster. Here are some other centers I have in mind: Andrew Bynum, Jamal Magloire, LaMarcus Aldridge & Erick Dampier." -Bryan Colangelo
"I see, well I'll leave you to think about this." -Sam Mitchell
As Sam Mitchell and the rest of the Raptor players return to practice, this ends the segment of
Behind The Hardwood