[19-28] 'Saur Losers | Retired

[Valor]

HYPE THREAD!!

I'm in for the draft btw, and loving that banner you've made

[megarover]

Hype it up!!

[cavs4872]

I'll be following for sure.

[Murat]

Good sig...

[Cartar]

Love the team selection, as the Raptors are one of my favourite teams (in the 2nd tier, after Philly of course). Also, I'm interested in the draft.

[Lamrock]

Okay, the 2011 draft class will consist of:

Will "Sit" Sit
Andrew "The X" Watson
Leo "Valor" Lai
Julian "dare" Martin
Martti "Martti." Must
Ray "Cartar" Lliach
Albano "Thierry." Spagnoletti
Shad "shadowgrin" O'Greene
Anthony "antho" Scalabrilicious
Justine "Justine." Crewhead.

I chose those guys based on "first come, first serve", but giving priority to those who participated in NELLIEBALL! Don't take it personally if you didn't make it into this draft class. You're locks for the next one. I originally intended to do six, but I increased it to ten due to high demand.

A few more recaps before the season kicks off. Still not totally decided on what recap style I will employ. I'm thinking of doing something similar to my Wolves association, but with a rebuilding team, I'd like to finish seasons a bit quicker. What do you think?

[dare]

Maybe do a monthly or weekly recap, better yet do a year recap I want my player to reign already

[|)e8*]

You have my info?

[kibaxx7]

Hyped up here.

[Lamrock]

2010 Offseason Round-Up

The 2010 off-season is yet another active one for the Raptors. Can't say it's been a good one though. We drafted yet another power forward, lost our franchise player and signed yet another soft European player to a multi-year deal. Right now, we're over the cap now and still looking at a 50 loss team. However, one good thing did come out of this Summer. Bryan Colangelo was fired!

Raptors Draft Ed Davis, Acquire Solomon Alabi
June 24, 2010 - The Toronto Raptors may be heading into the post-Bosh era, and if the draft is any indication, they're preparing for it. With the 14th pick in the NBA draft, they selected North Carolina's Ed Davis. Davis, 21, is a 6'9", 225 pound power forward who averaged 12.9 points and 9.2 rebounds in his sophomore season at UNC. They also acquired Center Solomon Alabi, the 50th pick in the draft, from the Dallas Mavericks. The 22 year old Alabi is a sophomore out of Florida State, who averaged 11.7 points and 6.2 rebounds in his last collegiate season.

These acquisitions should prove to bolster the Raptors deep frontcourt. Whether Davis can find his niche in a power forward rotation including Chris Bosh, Andrea Bargnani, Amir Johnson and Reggie Evans remains to be seen.

Raptors Re-Sign Amir Johnson To 5 Year, $34 Million Deal
July 2, 2010 - With Chris Bosh likely gone, the Toronto Raptors have opted to invest in his young backup: Amir Johnson. Johnson, 23, averaged 6 points and 5 rebounds per game in extremely limited minutes. However, his averages of 12.7 points and 9.8 rebounds per 36 minutes, and efficient 62.3% shooting make him a potential steal. Johnson's biggest issue at this point is his fouls. He averages over six per 36, which has prevented him from playing starter minutes in this league.

The deal was worth $34 million over five years. The amount, which reportedly surprised Johnson himself, is steep for a player with a career average of 4.7 points per game. Should Chris Bosh leave however, Johnson has an excellent chance to earn his salary.

Raptors Sign Linas Kleiza To 4 year, $18.8M Offer Sheet
July 8, 2010 - The Raptors' trend of signing European players continues with Linas Kleiza. Kleiza, a 25 year old small forward, played four seasons with the Denver Nuggets before signing with Olympiakos last year. With the Raptors signing him to an offer sheet, Kleiza appears to be returning to the NBA. Kleiza is a restricted free agent whose rights are still owned by the Nuggets. However, Denver is well over the cap, and matching the offer, which is front-loaded, would put them in luxury tax territory.

Kleiza averaged 8.3 points and 3.5 rebounds in his four seasons off the bench with the Nuggets. The Lithuanian would be expected to split minutes at the 3 with Hedo Turkoglu. The signing has been criticized due to the Raptors' rebuilding status, but general manager Bryan Colangelo insists that his Raptors will refuse to tank, despite Bosh's likely departure.

Chris Bosh To Miami Heat, Via Sign & Trade
July 9, 2010 - After much deliberation, its official: Chris Bosh is a member of the Miami Heat. Signing a six year, $110 million deal, the five-time all-star will join Dwyane Wade and LeBron James in South Beach. The Raptors, who were initially reluctant to do a sign-and-trade, opted to give Bosh his six year deal, in exchange for their own 2011 draft pick, and a $12 million trade exception. In his final season with the Raptors, Bosh averaged 24 points and 11 rebounds per game. Bosh has been the Raptors' franchise player since the departure of Vince Carter in 2004. His departure begins a new era in Raptors basketball.

Bryan Colangelo Fired By Raptors
July 11, 2010 - Bryan Colangelo, general manager of the Toronto Raptors, has reportedly been relieved of his duties. Colangelo became GM on February 26, 2006, and acquired players key players such as TJ Ford, Jorge Garbajosa and Andrea Bargnani. This led to a surprise 47 win season for the Raptors, which led to him winning the 2007 executive of the year award. The Raptors have since regressed however, suffering 41, 33 and 40 win seasons. The loss of Chris Bosh was the last straw. Colangelo's final move as general manager was signing Linas Kleiza to an offer sheet.

The firing was seen as a bit of a surprise due to Colangelo's contract not expiring until next season. A replacement has not yet been named, though it is rumored that former Hawks and Warriors general manager Liam Washburn will be taking over the reigns.

[cavs4872]

I had no idea that Toronto actually acquired Kleiza IRL until I saw it here. Anyway, great signing. He's one of my favorites.

[Lamrock]

So it looks like Hedo's been dealt for Barbosa, and they are trying to get Diaw for the TPE. Leaning towards not making those trades, at least not for the first month of the season...

[shadowgrin]

Disappointing move by the Raps irl. Hedo can't party in Arizona. He needs clubs, not desert sand.

[J@3]

Lol @ firing Colangelo. Someone had to do it.

No idea wtf they're thinking with Diaw. You get rid of one lazy tweener with no real role and bring in another.

[Oskar]

Looks great so far, going to add a player to the draft aswell.

Name (first and last): Martell Sunday
Age (19-42...): 19
Position(s): SF
School: Baylor
Height: 6'8"
Weight: 225
Jersey #: 9
Body Type: Paul Pierce
Skin Tone: Paul Pierce
5 Strengths: passing/playmaking, rebounding, iso scoring (good mid range J, inside scoring), athleticism,
5 Weaknesses: 3 pt shooting, man to man defense, blocking, strength, defensive awarness
Playing Style: all around/athletic
NBA Comparison: Hybrid of Odom and Turkoglu, poor mans LeBron
Physical Appearance: Clean cut, similar to Brandon Roy. Dark sleeve on his right hand and two team colored wristbands on left wrist. Wears white (if possible, white and gold, you know) Hyperizes. An "S" tattooed on the left side of his neck, then add some cool stuff on the biceps aswell if possible, but not too much, just a little bit that stands out a bit. About the face, um.. Make him look normal, like an usual african-american would, do something yourself, just make sure it's not going to be some freak.
Misc. Details (Backstory, sig. shot, etc): Shooting style and stuff is like Durants. An explosive wing player with tons of potential. Brings the style and passion from the street courts of Chicago, his home city. A little bit shy and quiet (ala Durant, Duncan, Rose), but motivated and definitely a hard worker. Not selfish what so ever, more like a pass first player that could even play the so called point forward position (ala Pippen, LeBron, Odom ...)

[Lamrock]

How do people not understand what "please send your forms via PM, not in this thread" means? Anyway, thought about the deals the Raptors just made, and while they don't help my story at all, I have an idea. Stay tuned.

[Lamrock]

Craptor Chapters
Prologue

Liam, Salim and Darko arrived in Toronto at 4AM. Liam parked his car in the garage of the hotel the Raptors had arranged for them.
"Well, we finally made it. I'm gonna go up and catch some sleep," Liam said.
"Yeah, that's a good plan," replied Salim.
When they entered their room, they were greeted by a surprise sight.
"Hedo Turkoglu?", Liam, Darko and Salim said in unison.
Turkoglu was jumping on the bed flanked by scantily clad women on each side of him. "Welcome to Toronto guys! Now its a party!"
"What the fuck are you doing here?', Liam asked.
"Celebrating man. I got traded to Phoenix!"
"What."
"Yeah man! For some Brazilian dude. Mimosa, I think his name is. Gives me an idea actually. Anyone want to run to the store for some OJ?"
Liam was mad. "It's 4 in the morning dude!"
"I'm on it", Salim said, grabbing his wallet.
"Pick me up some Ambien, earmuffs and a blindfold, will you?", Liam requested.

After getting less than three hours of sleep, Liam woke up to the smell of marijuana and prostitutes. Hedo had a lampshade on his head, Darko was wearing two halves of a shirt, and now Andrea Bargnani was there, quietly eating pasta.
"What the fu-" Liam started before being interrupted by a cream pie in his face, courtesy of Billy Knight.
"WOOO! Party!", Knight exclaimed, before lowering his tone. "That Raptors job is mine, Washburn"
"That's it! EVERYBODY OUT!", Liam shouted.
After a few moments of silence, Turkoglu said "You heard the man! Let's hit up the strip club!"
After everybody finally left, Liam got ready for his big meeting.

Liam arrived at a high class restaurant, where he was greeted by MLSE CEO Richard Peddle, and coach Jay Triano.
"Please sit down, Mr. Washburn. I'm glad you could make it,", said Peddle.
"My pleasure," Liam replied.
"So, as you may or may not know, Randy Pfund-"
Triano interjected "-Pfunder thighs is more like it"
"Yes", Peddle said, continuing, "our search is down to two. It's between you and Billy Knight".
"I see", Liam said, stroking his chin. "I thought he was with Golden State now?"
"No, he declined their offer for some reason. Hold on, here's the waiter."
"Hello, I'm Albano Spagnoletti, I'll be your waiter this evening,", he said, handing out menus.
"Hey, you look familiar. Weren't you that cop from yesterday?", Liam asked.
"OH. So you're saying I have trouble committing to a job? You say I should just quit working altogether? FINE. You win. You won't be seeing me anymore!", Albano said, tearing his uniform off and storming out, giving the finger to all the patrons.
"Well that was weird," Peddle said. "So why should you be GM, Mr. Washburn?"
"Well, I turned the perennially dismal Warriors and Hawks into contenders, and they have faltered since my departure."
A familiar looking waiter with a fake looking mustache approached their table.
"Hello, I'm Albi Sneijder, may I take you-"
In the background, a man loudly saying "Communism works... in THEORY" could be heard in the background.
Sneijder snapped. "In THIERRY? THIERRY?! I am not him! Don't confuse me with him! We are different people!", he shrieked, storming out. Liam and Peddle looked at the loud man, who turned out to be none other than Billy Knight.
"Mr. Knight? Have you been eavesdropping this whole time?," asked Peddle.
Knight laughed heartily.
"You reek of alcohol Mr. Knight. You're in no way, shape or form qualified to be general manager of a lemonade stand, let alone a basketball franchise. Congratulations, Liam. You're hired!"
"NOOOO!"
"YES!"

The next day...
It was Liam's first day on the job, and he was scrambling to complete the half-finished deal Colangelo left. He was talking to Michael Jordan on the phone.
"No Liam. You can't has Chandler! I need him to get Monta. You can, however, has Diaw..."
Liam sighed. "Fine. Calderon for Diaw it is. My trade exception's more valuable than Chandler anyway."
Liam put on a pot of coffee, then received a call.
"Yo Salim. What's up? How's Chicago."
Salim sighed. "Not good man. I failed my physical!"
"No way man. How?"
"The drug test! I am so fucked. Can I get a contract with you guys?"
"Sure thing. I'll use what's left of the MLE," Liam said, hanging up.
Liam then felt a deep fear in the pit of his stomach. He heard the phone ring, and he knew exactly what it was about.
"This is Lon Babby of the Phoenix Suns. Hedo Turkoglu just failed his physical."

[Murat]

Did u take my form?

[shadowgrin]

in theory.

[john26]

albano is a funny character

[kibaxx7]

"OH. So you're saying I have trouble committing to a job? You say I should just quit working altogether? FINE. You win. You won't be seeing me anymore!", Albano said, tearing his uniform off and storming out, giving the finger to all the patrons.

At least I'm famous now.

[Fresh8]

I hope Thierry doesn't take offense to being mocked.

[kibaxx7]

I hope Thierry doesn't take offense to being mocked.

Lol, actually it's cracking me up

[J@3]

"Hello, I'm Albi Sneijder, may I take you-"

[Clutch]

riot! please please please have Albano join your staff somehow