Raptors Dynasty {Kudos to those who can keep it up - over}

[Sac-1]

Another loss, dont worry...c'mon GMs get the trade done! Who do we play next game?

I think its Milwaukee

[joeygraham]

That it is. The game won't be played until Monday night at the latest, so you will have to be patient.

I will once again leak the rumour that the Cleveland trade was as follows:

PF Donyell Marsall (70) and SF Eric Williams (55) for PF Drew Gooden (75) and PG Jeff McInnis (58). That being said, trade negotiations will continue.

As well, Matin announced (a little prematurely) the signing of free agent Marcus Haislip. He will not be joining the team for the game against Milwaukee but will likely be under contract by the following game.

[.LA.]

Hope you can find some way to get the trade down. And Haislip will be helpful, hopefully you use him.

[joeygraham]

Raptors News

Redd Coming Up Roses?

Jalen Rose has been a little two-faced in his defense. First, he effectively shuts down Kobe Bryant and then lets Larry Hughes walk all over him. Against sharpshooter Michael Redd, will Rose's defense have thorns?

Marshall Still on the Block

While the trade talks between the Toronto Raptors and Cleveland Cavaliers have taken a step back, evidence still points to Donyell Marshall's exit. The recent announcement of the intention to sign Marcus Haislip, who plays the same position as Marshall, certainly points to that. With negotiations with Cleveland are set to resume shortly, and a pricetag still on Marshall's head, how will this affect his performance? Last game, he saw fewer minutes and still smaller than expected numbers; will this trend continue?

Valin leaves for NBA executive position

Draft consultant Valin of the Raptors recently resigned for a more lucrative position. He will assume the responsibilities of accepting or denying proposed trades throughout the NBA.

[valin]

Sorry I never did a press release for me joining the team.

Yes, I have recently joined the NBA office in determining which trades meet the NBA requirements and choosing to accept or reject trades. Of course, for this dynasty, I can only do it for the Raptors, so I'm like every other team's GM. I have no hard feelings towards the Raptors and they were very understanding in letting me go. I have faith that the GMs and coaches will do an excellent job with this franchise.

Now off to deliberate with Sac-1 about the Cleveland trade.

[mkballer]

Hey guys, I will make my comments about the game tomorrow as I have a bit of a situation right now . I guarantee comments will be here tomorrow, sorry to let you down.

[Emiliano]

I like the Raptor News....really good, hey {SAC-1}, is the trade gonna be done for milwakees game or will it have to wait?

[joeygraham]

Emiliano, I can answer that question. On the NBA Live schedule, the WAS game and MIL game are back-to-back, leaving no time for a trade really to happen in between. As explained before, trade negotiations are still in place, and Marcus Haislip has been extended an offer to sign but will appear in the game following Milwaukee. As for the trade, who knows when that will go through.

And how that will affect Mashall's playing time (which, actually, you or Ben can say something about)

Also, how bout it? Rose: a defensive stopper or a defensive seive? And for the coaches, perhaps how to combat it in the event he gets raped (last game saw him occasionally take over at SF, but not too often)

[Emiliano]

Ok, got it...yeah, we will make a depth chart for the game as soon as mkballer logs on at the same time we do We will keep in mind Rose's defense.
k, thx

[joeygraham]

Thanks. It's one of those, as we go along and we hit a continual snare sorta thing. I also have the minute logs from the washington and LA games. I think I sent mkballer the LA one, if that is of any help to you. It makes for an interesting 2 minute read to see who's where when we have collapses. Gimme your email if you'd like it sent over to you.

Trade talks will resume between Cleveland and Toronto. A source close to the deal has said that the deal on the table looks to go through barring any complications.

[mkballer]

Ok, got it...yeah, we will make a depth chart for the game as soon as mkballer logs on at the same time we do We will keep in mind Rose's defense.
k, thx

I think its going to be difficult for us to all log on at the same simply because of the fact I live in the UK.

PS I will be posting my comments on trades, last match and other stuff soon.

[Keo]

Another loss, hopefully we can rebound back next game.

[~boshalladay~]

Thanks boshalladay...You have to be from Toronto, and thrilled bout the Leafs' season starting again.

I just wanted to say that if you want any info on rosters for any team/stats, just let me know if that helps. Also, I think Sac-1 does it in his dynasty thread (which I really like BTW - and for that, I put the Kings as one of the team options); he posts thumbnails of the pics. I was just wondering how I'd do that, otherwise if you guys want screenshots and info it might be too large

Oh, and my vote was for the T-Wolves you got a bunch of really unhappy players to move (GM) and great big men to run through or run too (coach). Oh, and someone called the Mayor (who might just be referred to as McCheese if it is selected...or traded to Washington and called the Senator for moving up....)

No I hate Hockey
But if you would like some help
Ring me up
I watched 67 games last season I know what to do
And Sign Jerome Moiso
He can average 10 points off the bench and win Sixth man award
I know this inside out

[air]

It seems like there's around 18 people running this one!

I'll check back to see how the last game has gone.

[mkballer]

I'm really sorry guys but I'm going to have to resign as the head coach. My gran has become ill these last few weeks and has now got cancer. I want to spend some time with her so I'm going to have to resign. Sorry guys for putting you in a difficult situation but I'm sure and I hope you understand.

[Emiliano]

Dont worry about it mkballer, you dont have to say sorry. I know that its a difficult time for u right now. Best of luck to you man.

[Keo]

Ditto^
Joeygraham, you can make Emiliano Head Coach and I'll take his old spot.

[Emiliano]

Ditto^
Joeygraham, you can make Emiliano Head Coach and I'll take his old spot.

No problem

[.LA.]

Sorry to hear that Mkballer, but I hope everything turns out ok with you and your family.

As for this, I know I got offered a job earlier in the thread and turned it down, but if you guys are short on people, I can help you out.

[Emiliano]

Yea, .LA you should join us....to tell you the truth, I dont like to head coach and im gonna stick to my old job( primary ast coach) so would you like to head coach?

[.LA.]

Yeah, sure, if everyone is cool with it.

[Sac-1]

I'm cool with it and i'm sorry to hear that mkballer...

[joeygraham]

A heartfelt consolidation to you Ben at this time - I can't empathize, but I know it's gotta be tough. I'm no good at bad times, so I can only really hope that everything ends up going as best as it can.

Apologies for having to put these two things in the same post, but .LA. will be hired as the new coach. He can do a press release to announce himself if he'd like. Congrats to you!

Game three will hopefully be played tonight, but I got into a bit of a spat with the gf on the ride home, so I also think this night might be spent trying to apologize...

Minutes will also be bumped from 9/qtr to 10/qtr for a little higher scoring games.

[Keo]

Sounds great. Welcome to the Squad, LA.

[joeygraham]

1st Quarter Trampling Leads Bucks over Raptors
In CB4’s absence, Mo-Pete steps it up

[Toronto Box Score] [Milwaukee Box Score]

Toronto, ON – The Raptors faced looked to capture their first victory and everything seemed in place: their first game at home, a mediocre team, a new offensive set. In spite of all these factors, the Raptors could not come away with the win as they fell 98-90 to the Milwaukee Bucks.

The first quarter has persistently been the team’s weakest point. Every game thus far they have emerged down by double-digits and have had to claw their way back into it; this game was no different. Down 25-14 after one quarter, the Raptors’ offense began to wake up, but it was not with franchise cornerstone Chris Bosh’s help. Matched up against the defense-first Dan Gadzuric and big man Zaza Pachulia, Bosh could not get a decent position inside, and ended up having to kick it back outside. He ended the half as the true disappointment for the Raptors, going 2-for-5 and racking up just four points. His other numbers, six rebounds and two assists, were still quite respectable. The real story at the half was Morris Peterson, who was going shot for shot with fellow wingman, sharpshooter Michael Redd. While both playing different positions, they battled each other for the points lead and that resulted in both being their respective teams’ player of the half. Peterson began the second half with 16 points on 6-for-11, 4-for-6 from downtown, three boards, one assist and one steal. Redd commenced with 16 points as well on 7-for-10 shooting, 2-for-3 from outside, two rebounds and two steals. Other notables at the half were Donnyell Marshall with seven points and seven rebounds; Rafer Alston with five points, two assists and three steals; and Dan Gadzuric with four points, four rebounds and two blocks. The big difference, though, was the Bucks’ bench which totaled 13 points, seven rebounds, two assists and three steals.

The third quarter was a see-saw around the four point difference mark. The Raptors would pull within two, then back down by six, back-and-forth, but both surprisingly and sadly, could not overtake or even break even with Milwaukee. Bosh finally begun playing the way he should and Alston stopped jacking up as many shots and begun passing first. The quarter ended with the Raptors only trailing 66-62. Marshall led with 10 rebounds and racked up his first double-double of the season in what could be his last game as a Raptor. Redd and Peterson were deadlocked with 22 points a piece.

The fourth quarter got ugly fast. Shots were not falling and Bosh once again could not gain position on his opponent. With some of the key pieces on the bench, the Raptors found themselves in a hole down 72-64 in just over a minute, and later, with Rose and Alston back in, down 80-66 with five minutes left to play. Despite a valiant attempt led by Peterson’s ridiculous range and Bosh’s sudden surge of power on the block, the Raptors pulled within six, only to see it slip away with Maurice William’s free throws and Alston’s poor three-point shooting. When Bosh fouled out with 20 seconds left to play and a seven point deficit, even the diehard Toronto fans begun to leave the stadium. The Bucks walked away with the win 98-90, led by player of the game Michael Redd’s 28 points on 12-for-22 shooting, 2-for-5 from three-point range, three rebounds, one assist and four steals. Maurice Williams ended with 17 points and four assists. Despite a miserable first half, Bosh exploded in the second portion of the game scoring 18 points in the half and adding five boards, a block and a steal. Donyell Marshall recorded his first double-double of the season with 16 points and a team-high 12 rebounds in what could be his last game in red and purple. Alston ended with eight points despite an atrocious display of shooting but did dish out 10 assists along with his four boards and five steals. Despite some good effort, however, the Raptors squad was eclipsed by the brilliant play of small forward Morris Peterson who set a new season-high with his 29 points on 10-for 19 shooting and an incredibly impressive 7-for-11 three point shooting. He also had six rebounds, an assist and a steal.

Highlights:
Peterson hits one of his seven three-pointers
Marshall tallied a double-double in what could be his last game as a Raptor
Gadzuric rejects Bosh’s jam
Bosh finishes at the rim after finding his rhythm on offense


Coaches and managers available for comment.