NBA

Former Raptor Andrea Bargnani Out of EuroBasket

• Al Dannity

• Last Updated: August 20, 2013

One of the least loved Raptors in recent memory has been forced to pull out of next month’s tournament in Slovenia. Al Dannity looks at how yet more health issues are hindering the Italian’s progress and at the prospects for current Raptor Jonas Valanciunas, who will suit up for Lithuania at the tournament. It isn’t...

NBA

Containing Expectations for Canada’s Men’s Basketball Team

• Al Dannity

• Last Updated: August 2, 2013

The future is golden but right now Canada has one objective on the hardwood: Qualify for the 2014 FIBA World Cup. Al Dannity says the road will be rocky and the current roster should take nothing for granted. Andrew Wiggins, Anthony Bennett, and Kelly Olynyk all hope to suit up for Canada at the 2014...

NBA

Austin Daye Completes the Raptors Summer Roster Moves

• Al Dannity

• Last Updated: July 31, 2013

He’ll be the 15th man on the roster but Austin Daye will have a chance to contribute for Toronto next season. Al Dannity gives his take on Masai Uijiri’s final move of the summer. There has been one unifying theme to the Raptors this off-season. Strengthen the bench. You could add dumping Bargnani but that...

NBA

No Wiggins or Bennett but Steve Nash likes national hoops team

• Frank Doyle

• Last Updated: July 29, 2013

As a two-time NBA most valuable player, Victoria’s Steve Nash knows a thing or two about assessing talent on the basketball court. On Monday, he was happy to announce Canada’s national basketball training team roster and had some high praise for the group – despite a number of glaring omissions. Nash, the team’s general manager,...

NBA

D.J. Augustin and the Raptors are a perfect fit

• Al Dannity

• Last Updated: July 23, 2013

A low-risk move for a franchise with low expectations coupled with a big shot at redemption for a hungry player makes D.J. Augustin’s move to Toronto a great deal all-round according to Al Dannity. Buy low, sell high. If you can’t sell high, take a risk on your low buys. If you’ve little to lose,...

NBA

What are the odds Toronto Raptors draft Andrew Wiggins?

• Frank Doyle

• Last Updated: July 18, 2013

Given a choice Canadian phenom Andrew Wiggins says playing for the Toronto Raptors in the NBA would be his top pick. Yes, folks, the likely No. 1 overall pick in the 2014 NBA Entry Draft actually wants to play north of the border. Wiggins, who was in Los Angeles at the ESPYs after accepting his...

NBA

Tyler Hansbrough brings more than a culture change to Raptors

• Al Dannity

• Last Updated: July 17, 2013

The pervading theme of Tyler Hansbrough’s arrival in Toronto is about how his signing points to a culture change for the Raptors. Al Dannity says this is correct but only scratches the surface of what the former Naismith Trophy winner brings to the team. It wasn’t even close to a straight swap but culturally the...

NBA

What would a 2013/14 Big Three Look Like?

• Al Dannity

• Last Updated: July 12, 2013

Pat Riley and the Miami Heat scored big when they brought the Big Three together in Miami. Three trips to the NBA Finals and two titles later, the deal has worked out pretty good. Let’s imagine that free agency period never happened. How would you fit together three All-Star players and what tools would you...

NBA

Raptors GM Ujiri wins: Bargnani becomes Knicks' problem

• Frank Doyle

• Last Updated: July 10, 2013

It’s official Toronto Raptors fans – Andrea Bargnani is now a member of the New York Knicks. The trade which was a widely-spread rumor last week is now a reality as Bargnani goes to the Knicks in exchange for reserves Steve Novak, Marcus Camby and Quentin Richardson, as well as a 2016 first-round pick and...

NBA

What if Dwight Howard was a Raptor?

• Al Dannity

• Last Updated: July 5, 2013

Today is when, supposedly, Dwight Howard will finally decide where he’s going to play Basketball next season. One NBA franchise not in the midst of the Dwightmare is Toronto’s own Raptors. Al Dannity says that’s unfortunate as it might have been the perfect fit. Let’s get a few things out there straight away. First off,...

NBA

Trade delayed for the Raptors – Bargnani is not a Knick yet!

• Al Dannity

• Last Updated: July 1, 2013

The mega-trade that would send Andrea Bargnani from the Toronto Raptors to the New York Knicks has been held up. Al Dannity looks at the impact this move will have if the Raptors finally get to pull the trigger. If you told a Raps fan a few years that they’d have two of the top...

NBA

Cavaliers to draft Canadian Anthony Bennett No. 1?

• Frank Doyle

• Last Updated: June 27, 2013

At this point it’s very possible that Toronto native Anthony Bennett will make history tonight as the highest drafted Canadian in the NBA Draft. But how high could he go? At Sports Interaction, Bennett’s odds are at -106 to be drafted within the first five picks. However, now there is some talk that the Cleveland...

NBA

No Matter What Happens in Game 7, Gregg Popovich is the Best

• Al Dannity

• Last Updated: June 20, 2013

The difference between how Gregg Popovich coaches and how he deals with the media couldn’t be starker. In public he’s the old-school gritty coach, behind the scenes he’s the ultimate innovator. Ahead of tonight’s title deciding Game 7, Al Dannity gets inside the mind of one of the best coaches in history. How does Gregg...

NBA

Parker’s Hurt in Body but Where’s the Heat’s Mind?

• Al Dannity

• Last Updated: June 13, 2013

Tony Parker says he’ll be ready to go for Game 4 against the Heat but Al Dannity is more concerned about the mental state of Miami than the Frenchman’s physical woes. Stay outta sight, like a Bosh. Post average numbers, like a Bosh. Need to step up, like a Bosh. That’s the point we’ve reached...

NBA

Masai Uijiri and the Flopping Crusade

• Al Dannity

• Last Updated: June 12, 2013

It’s been a busy start for Masai Uijiri as general manager of the Raptors but now he could be set to take an even more public role when the NBA’s competition committee sits. Al Dannity writes about the role Uijiri could play in today’s meeting. It’s not like his day job doesn’t bring enough challenges....

NBA

Nothing Defined Except LeBron’s Greatness

• Al Dannity

• Last Updated: June 10, 2013

When LeBron James blocked Tiago Splitter last night it looked like a series defining moment but didn’t we already have one of those a game earlier? Al Dannity says forget the narrative for now, it will be defined by what happens next. He was, in his own words, the last line of defence. When Tiago...

NBA

A New Quest for King James

• Al Dannity

• Last Updated: May 31, 2013

Last night’s third quarter takeover by LeBron James got Al Dannity thinking of another big playoff display by the King. In 2007 LeBron took over Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Pistons. The Cavs would go on to get swept by the Spurs. Payback is coming. Game 5 of the Eastern Finals,...

NBA

Canadian NBA Lottery Pick Anthony Bennett has Surgery

• Frank Doyle

• Last Updated: May 9, 2013

Brampton Ontario’s Anthony Bennett may still be a top five pick in this year’s NBA entry draft, but his route to the June 27th draft has taken a detour. Bennett underwent surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff in his left shoulder Wednesday and will be out of action for at least four months. “Anthony...

NBA

Blazers' Lillard Voted Unanimous NBA Rookie of the Year

• Dale Perth

• Last Updated: May 2, 2013

From the sixth overall pick to No. 1 with everyone: Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard has been unanimously voted the Rookie of the Year in the NBA. Anyone who has seen him play at Weber State or in the pros won’t be surprised by this news, but Lillard is now in some pretty...

NBA

Phil Jackson could change the Raptors as Team President

• Al Dannity

• Last Updated: April 30, 2013

Could the Zen Master move north of the border? Al Dannity says a move to the Raptors would present a unique opportunity to Phil Jackson. To understand why Toronto would appeal to Phil Jackson, you have to understand what makes the man. Take a city with a large population, an underachieving team, and an iffy...