[19-28] 'Saur Losers | Retired

[Lamrock]

Thanks for the input guys. Sorry for the slow recaps. Going to try something different for Week 3. Stay tuned.

[antho]

Thabeet to Raptors? Hmm.. could he be the new raptor look-a-like now that Bosh is gone?

[Lamrock]

November 21, 2010 - The Hasheem Thabeet deal is looking increasingly imminent, and couldn't have come at a better time. After the Craps improved to 4-6 with a comfortable win against the struggling Suns, they went on to lose the next three games by an average of 26.7 points per game. Adding insult to injury, one of those losses was a 31 point home drubbing at the hands of Chris Bosh and the Miami Thrice. While Thabeet, who Charles Barkley calls "The Turrible Tanzanian" won't lead us into the promise land, we need something - anything to turn the tide of this 4-9 season, before its too late.

Raptors Embarrass Suns In Phoenix, Hand Them 6th Straight Loss

November 15, 2010 - The Suns have been suffering their worst start in years, and were looking to end their five game skid at home against a subpar Raptors team. Unfortunately, the artist formerly known as "The Big Shaqtus" had different plans. After a tightly contested first half, Toronto pulled away in the second half, thanks in part to Jarrett Jack's hot shooting, and Shaq's big numbers. With the Suns falling to 3-8, one has to wonder how Nash feels about spending his final years in the valley of the Suns.

30 25 27 28 110 (4-6) | O'Neal: 20/8/5 (PotG); Jack: 17/3/3, 6-9 FG; DeRozan: 16/7/1
32 21 21 21 95 (3-8) | J. Richardson: 18/13/0; Nash: 13/0/11; Warrick: 17/5/1 (Shitass: Channing Frye: 1/3/0, 0-4 FG)

Despite Bargnani's 22, Nuggets Destroy Craptors


At least Bargs played well, I guess... | Carmelo Anthony's first block of the year!
November 17, 2010 - This was a depressing game to watch. At first, it looked good. Andrea Bargnani was scoring at will, the Nuggets weren't hitting their shots, and we had a 18-13 lead early on. The Nuggets closed the first quarter on a 17-5 run, and it was all downhill from there. The Nuggets would go on to extend their lead to double digits in the second quarter, and the second half was mostly garbage time.

We got to see a rare Ed Davis sighting, in which he scored 3 points and grabbed 5 boards. Sadly, that was the highlight of the game. Even in garbage time, the Thuggets still owned us. Ty Lawesome WENT TO WORK, and would not be contained by Leandro Barbosa and Marco Belinelli. Bargs ended up scoring 22 points in just 25 minutes, which was cool, but all in all, the game, much like Rafael Araujo was a major bust for the Raptors.

phpBB [video]

Bargs turns it over, then J.R.... Earl Smith dunks that shit!
23 20 18 21 82 (4-7) | Bargnani: 22/4/0; DeRozan: 15/2/1; O'Neal: 8/10/3 (Shitass: Linas Kleiza: 2/1/0, 2 TO's, 1-5 FG, 0-2 FT)
30 28 22 26 106 (4-7) | Billups: 22/0/10 (PotG); Anthony: 19/3/4; Lawson: 20/3/5

Toronto Gets Jazzed On By Triumphant Trio

November 18, 2010 - Its still early, but it looks like the Jazz will be okay without Carlos Boozer. Utah improved to 7-4 with a blowout victory over the struggling Toronto Raptors. Shaquille O'Neal had an excellent game, but the rest of the Raptors struggled offensively. I'd say they struggled defensively, but they didn't really play defense, with Deron Williams doing whatever he wanted. The defeat drops Toronto to 4-8, soon to be 4-9 as they face Chris Bosh and the Miami Heat next.

23 21 24 23 91 (4-8) | O'Neal: 20/9/3, 8-11 FG; Jack: 18/0/3; Barbosa: 14/2/1 (Shitass: Linas Kleiza: 0/2/2, 3 TO's, 0-5 FG)
27 29 23 27 116 (7-4) | D. Williams: 21/3/16 (PotG); A. Jefferson: 21/9/1; Kirilenko: 14/13/5

Heat Unsurprisingly Blow Out Raptors In Bosh's Return


"Can't get mad, I'm not touching your face." | Hated former Raptor versus hated former Heat.
November 20, 2010 - I don't really have much to say about this. Chris Bosh returned, got booed, dropped 37 on us, and his Heat handed us out third straight blowout loss. From start to finish, the game totally blew, and part of me wishes I had stayed home. Shaq taunted Bosh, won the tip-off, and we opened the game on a 6-0 run thanks to pent up energy and emotion. Then the Miami Thrice went to work.

These Heat are being heralded as the best offensive team of all time, by Hollinger and others, and it really showed. There were several stretches of possessions where the Raptors simply couldn't get a stop. Their defense, while nothing special, also shined against our very ho-hum offense. By halftime, the Heat lead was 21, and by the middle of the third, most people left. I ended up sticking it out, and got to see what could have been Amir Johnson's final minutes as a Raptor. (He had 6 points, 4 rebounds and 5 fouls in 21 minutes)

phpBB [video]

LeBron Hits A Cool Fastbreak Jumper, Disheartened Raptors Fans Cheer
32 32 35 26 125 (12-0) | Bosh: 37/8/2, 11-17 FG (PotG); Wade: 26/4/9; L. James: 20/9/5
20 23 26 25 94 (4-9) | O'Neal: 13/7/2, 6-9 FG; Bargnani: 13/9/0; Turkoglu: 14/2/5 (Shitass: Sonny Weems: 0/1/0, 0-4 FG)

Players of the Week:
Danny Granger (IND): 24.9 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 2.8 APG, 24.0 PER, .578% TS (Pacers: 7-3)
The Pacers have enjoyed a surprisingly strong start, and Granger has been leading the charge. He led his team to a 4-0 week, averaging 28 PPG in those four games, and looks primed to build on his 08-09 career season.
Kevin Durant (OKC): 29.3 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 4.6 APG, 30.9 PER, .584% TS (Thunder: 10-2)
Durant's Thunder are tied for first in the East, and the Durantula leads the league in scoring and PER. Durant is the early MVP favorite, and I don't expect that to change any time soon.

Division Standings:
(4) BOS 6-7 | .461% | GB: 0
NYK 5-6 | .454% | GB: 0
PHI 4-8 | .333% | GB: 1.5
TOR 4-9 | .307 | GB: 2.0
NJN 2-10 | .166% | GB: 3.5

Boxscore Of The Week


After a turrible start, in which the Pistons dropped their first nine games, and garnered comparisons to the Nets of yesteryear, they ended their losing streak in a big way. Without starting point guard Jameer Nelson (back spasms), Detroit forged a stunning fourth quarter come back to defeat the defending champion Lakers in the Staples Center.

Raptors Leaders:
PPG: A. Bargnani: 15.1 (54th); D. DeRozan: 13.4; L. Barbosa: 12.9
RPG: S. O'Neal: 8.9 (20th); A. Bargnani: 7.7; D. DeRozan: 5.7
APG: H. Turkoglu: 4.8 (31st); J. Jack: 4.0; D. DeRozan: 2.4
SPG: L. Barbosa: 0.8 (90th); A. Bargnani: 0.6; J. Jack: 0.6
BPG: A. Bargnani: 2.2 (11th); S. O'Neal: 1.7; A. Johnson: 1.2
MPG: A. Bargnani: 31.7 (48th); J. Jack: 31.2; D. DeRozan: 28.4
PER: A. Bargnani: 19.0 (38th); S. O'Neal: 18.9; L. Barbosa: 16.9
TS: A. Johnson: .637% (13th); J. Jack: .613%; L. Barbosa: .610%

[Justine.]

Wow, look at Smith vertical ability, loving that cool banners too! Is Heat still undefeated? Great job still on the recaps, love it

[Eirsej]

wow, three blowouts. not looking good for your raps. hope you can bounce back in your next game.

[|)e8*]

Lol pistons awesome

[kibaxx7]

Two straight Shitass for Kleiza.

[Axel The Great]

The Craptors continue to be crap!!!

[Lamrock]

Yeah, its looking grim for the Craps so far, but the season's still very young. No idea how I could ever construct a team even close to competing with Miami unless DeMar becomes prime Vince, and Bargs becomes Dirk. The Thrice are just three games away from tying the Rockets' 93-94 record for best start to a season (15-0)!

Though I think its an overall improvement over Nellieball's, I still think the weekly recaps are a little cluttered. Don't be surprised to see the recaps often altered and refined over the course of this first season.

[Lamrock]

Hasheem Thabeet Now Officially A Raptor
Thabeet, Carroll dealt to Toronto for Amir Johnson, Belinelli, 2011 Second Rounder

November 21, 2010 - It's official: Hasheem Thabeet is now a member of the Toronto Raptors. The former #2 pick was dealt along with fellow second year player DeMarre Carroll to the Raptors in exchange for efficient power forward Amir Johnson, sharpshooting Euro guard Marco Belinelli and a 2011 second-round pick. The deal, while a moderate risk, should improve our defense (or lack thereof!) and open up some playing time for young guns Ed Davis and Sonny Weems. Losing Johnson, who was arguably our second best player last season hurts, but all in all, I am in favor of the deal. Press release below:

Hasheem Thabeet Dealt To Toronto In 4 Player Deal
November 21, 2010 - Raptors general manager Liam Washburn has announced today that his team has traded forward Amir Johnson, guard Marco Belinelli and a 2011 second round pick to the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for Center Hasheem Thabeet and forward DeMarre Carroll. This deal is hot on the heels of a three game losing streak that dropped Toronto to a 4-9 record.


Thabeet, 23, is arguably the centerpiece of the deal. The second pick in the 2010 NBA draft, Thabeet has been played sparingly in the NBA, spending time in the D-League, and holding a career scoring average of just under 3 points per game. Thabeet is currently averaging 1.8 points and 4.4 rebounds in 13 minutes per game, and is reportedly unhappy with the lack of playing time. DeMarre Carroll, 24, was the 27th pick in the 2009 draft, and averaged 2.9 points in 11.2 minutes last season. He had yet to play this season, and was called up from the D-League to balance salaries in this deal.


The Grizzlies acquired a solid young prospect in Amir Johnson. Despite being just 23 years old, Johnson is a five year veteran. Johnson had somewhat of a breakout year off the bench last season, averaging nearly a double-double per 36 minutes. Johnson is notoriously foul prone, but is a career 60% shooter from the field. Marco Belinelli, 24, was compared to Ray Allen, prior to being picked 19th by Golden State in the 2007 draft. Despite a dominant summer league, Belinelli has never lived up to his promise, and holds a career scoring average of just 6.4 points per game. This season, he has been played sparingly, and has averaged just 2.8 points per game. On the last year of his rookie deal, the Grizzlies could be his last NBA chance.

The new arrivals still need to undergo physicals, and are not expected to make their debut in their respective teams' next games. The two teams will play each other in Toronto in February 17th, 2011. The Grizzlies won the two teams' first match-up.

RealGM approved of the trade. They gave us an A- for the deal, and the Grizzlies a B. Here's their take below:

Grading The Deal: Thabeet, Carroll to Raptors for Amir, Belinelli

November 21, 2010 - It seemed inevitable from the start: The Grizzlies took a punt on a player who they didn't need, and eventually dealt him for a return far less valuable than a #2 pick. Like Michael Beasley this Summer, Hasheem Thabeet was dealt midway through his rookie contract to a struggling team. The return, forward Amir Johnson and guard Marco Belinelli, may not be too shabby.

With Rudy Gay's absurd extension (he was an RFA, but they threw him an offer bigger than any other team could offer), and Marc Gasol's extension coming up, Zach Randolph was unlikely to be re-signed. Enter Amir Johnson: a 23 year old power forward who has proven to be a perennially efficient player. With a career offensive rating of 121, and TS of .622%, Johnson should be a great candidate to take over the starting reigns next season. In the meantime, he provides the Grizzlies with something they lacked last season: bench scoring.

The acquisition of Marco Belinelli was reportedly a last-minute one, with the Grizzlies souring on center David Andersen. Belinelli has proven to be little more than a solid three-point threat off the bench, but has occasionally demonstrated his leaping and playmaking skills. In his final season, he should see decent time off the bench, with rookie Xavier Henry shifting to the 3. More a throw-in than a world beater, I doubt the Grizzlies are expecting too much out of the young Italian. The second round pick should figure to be in the 30's with the Raptors' poor record. The Grizzlies manage to get a decent return for Thabeet, but does not make up for passing on Tyreke Evans, among other rising stars.
Grizzlies Trade Grade: B
The Raptors were the primary benefactor of the trade. The Raptors have been perennially dismal on the defensive end, and have acquired a defensive Center with potential to burn. Playing behind Shaquille O'Neal, and being the only other Center on the roster, Thabeet enters a far better scenario than in Memphis. Thabeet should expect about 20 minutes per game this season, and to take over for Shaq in a year or two. Though there is a decent chance he'll bust, you gotta take the risk with a Center of his potential.

DeMarre Carroll was a throw-in in the deal to make salaries match. He is expected to straight back to the D-League, with Andrea Bargnani, Boris Diaw and Ed Davis all playing the 4. The deal should free up some time, if only a little, for rookie Ed Davis and the young Sonny Weems. While the deal doesn't necessarily make the Raptors younger, it was forward-thinking. While it could hurt their short-term chance of making the playoffs (which is a distant possibility anyway), it improves their long-term outlook.
Raptors Trade Grade: A-

[Axel The Great]

This is some desperately needed defense. You just lost 6 fouls per game in Johnson.

[dare]

The Tanzanian Bust is now a Craptor

[Lamrock]

Yeah, I don't like doing trades so early in the season, but a deal needed to be done, and now Shaq's presence will be justified as a mentor to Thabeet.

[Fresh8]

Good deal... but I think mine is better.

[shadowgrin]

I hate that Kanye sig...I mean video...uhhh painting...

[mp3]

Good trade imo maybe Shaq can teach Hasheem a thing or two !

[Martti.]

Thabeet! I like Amir more, but this will give you some cap relief.

[Clutch]

Yeah, I don't like doing trades so early in the season, but a deal needed to be done, and now Shaq's presence will be justified as a mentor to Thabeet.

yeah, Shaq's sure to teach Thabeet everything there is to know about defense

seriously, great trade imo and glad you're giving Thabeet a chance; he's too big/athletic to not eventually find his game and soon thrive/dominate under the tutelage of the Big Jurassic!

[kibaxx7]

IMO, I think you traded away too much, but Thabeet will surely do huge in the coming seasons.

[Lamrock]

Craptor Chapters
Chapter 2: Deja Vu

The Raptors continued what Liam thought of in his head as a quest to make him look bad by losing their fifth straight game, this time at home to the Indiana Pacers. Thabeet had a decent debut, and Bargnani played well, but Danny Granger wouldn't be stopped, and Toronto fell to a dismal 4-11. Liam was livid.
Coach Jay Triano was standing there on the sidelines an hour before a practice, appearing to be designing plays, but actually writing a grocery list. "May I speak to you, Mr. Triano?", Liam asked politely.
"Why yes," Triano said, hiding his list.
"So the team's 4-11. The team continues to choke in the second halves of games and not defend, and I for one, still think this team can contend for a playoff spot".
"Well excuuuuuuuuuuse me for not leading Snaquille O'Meal's corpse, Hedo Turkashit and that African guy, Thebust I think, to the top," Triano fired back.
"Oh, blame it on the players. Maybe this team wouldn't be such an embarrassment, if you, hmmm, maybe didn't let DeMar take four threes a game. Maybe if you actually played Ed and Sonny every once in a while, or occasionally drew up a play, they wouldn't be threatening to move the team to Seattle!," Liam shot back, immediately regretting it.
Triano was stunned. "They're threatening to move to... Seattle? Your hometown? You are so fucking done Washburn."
"Hey man. I'm against it too. It makes little sense to me and would be turrible for the people of Toronto."
Triano scratched his chin in contemplation. "Well, I trust you wouldn't want this information getting out. I have to go do some errands."
"But practice is in an hour!", Liam exclaimed.
The coach shrugged. "My job is safe," he said, walking off.
"God damn it," Liam said, preparing to lead the practice like when he did during Don Nelson's many benders in Golden State.

During practice, Liam noticed Linas Kleiza was sitting out.
"Linas, what's going on?", he asked with a concerned voice.
"I'm injured coach. I can't practice," Kleiza replied, showing his injured finger.
Liam grabbed the bridge of his nose. "Your hurt finger is preventing you from running SUICIDES?"
"Yep," Kleiza replied, taking a drink of Gatorade that smelled suspiciously like vodka.
Liam sighed and resumed the practice. Kleiza was only averaging 6.4 points per game off the bench and had been very inconsistent. He was Bryan Colangelo's final acquisition, and par for the course, is turrible.

Liam was contemplating just how similar this situation was to Golden State. Low-character players, blackmail, and a bad, unreliable coach. The main difference was that the Warriors were actually winning! He then met up with Salim Stoudamire at the bar.
"Hey L-l-liam!", slurred a drunk Salim.
"Uh, hey Salim. How's it going?"
Salim finished another shot. "Dude, hic-,there's someone you gotta meet. My cousin Damon!"
An equally drunk Damon Stoudamire waved. "I want to return to 'Ronto to get done what I hic- started. 'Naw mean?"
"Yeah...", Liam said, thinking 'There's no fucking way I'm signing this drunken, 37 year old fool'
Salim added "Cuz there's an open spot on the roster from that dude with the crazy dreadlocks from the Grizz goin to the B-League or whatever its called. DID YOU KNOW, this guy is a former rookie of the year?!".
"Yeah. I will consider it. Right now, I need a drink in me!", Liam said with a grin.

David Stern was in his optometrist's office, waiting to receive his new contacts with dollar signs in them. On his iPad, he decided to map out his plans for the NBA. "Increase fouls... Change the rest of the NBA's jerseys to a shade of blue... Lockout in 2011... Raise prices of everything... Lakers-Heat finals until Kobe retires... Move the Raptors to Seattle... Hehe. Fuckin' Raptors"

Not a funny chapter, but it sets up the events to come.

[Houndy]

Nice Chapter

[Axel The Great]

Wow. David Stern is a douchebag.

[shadowgrin]

That Gatorade is awesome.

[Fresh8]

Everyone on your team is drunk. Sign Damon!

[john26]

Stern DOES hate the Raptors.

Kevin Durant tells NBA.com he was a Raptors fan growing up….interesting to note he would have landed with the Raptors if not for David Stern changing NBA age-minimum prior to the 2006 draft.

http://www.raptorsdigest.com/toronto-ra ... blog-live/