Post by doc on Oct 11, 2008 13:27:38 GMT -5
Finding out what makes Raps tick
Each day, for each practice, game and workout, players strap belts to their chests that hold monitors to record their heart rates, providing a valuable tool in training and conditioning that sets them apart from all but a handful of NBA teams.
And then there were 10 ...
With Nathan Jawai still sidelined with the cardiac problems that have kept him out of all of training camp and Joey Graham (hamstring) and Jamal Sampson (wrist) unable to go, there were just 10 players available to work out yesterday.
After playing just 18 minutes against the Knicks on Wednesday night and only 19 in Cleveland on Tuesday, coach Sam Mitchell said he plans to extend O'Neal to more than half a game tomorrow and go up from there as the pre-season continues.
Back to the future
But far more important than what Humphries looks like, both for him and the Raptors, is how he fits into head coach Sam Mitchell's plans on the court this season. And based on some early anecdotal evidence, there is every liklihood that Humphries' court time will go up from the 13.2 minutes a game he averaged last season.
PRESSURE TAKES ITS TOLL ON HUMPHRIES
"It's just a different look, a new season," Humphries said. "I grew it out in the summer. The new me. Ladies, if you're out there, I'm switching it up for you guys."
European detour all part of Adams' growth
So last year, Adams found himself playing for two teams in Italy. Tomorrow, he will find himself in the Air Canada Centre as the Raptors play host to the Philadelphia 76ers in their third pre-season game.
Sixers' Dalembert wants no ill will from Canadian fans over Olympic flap
When Samuel Dalembert arrives at the Air Canada Centre with the 76ers for tomorrow night's preseason game, he hopes the Toronto Raptors' fans will understand his situation. He doesn't know whether they will greet him as warmly as they have in recent seasons or whether they will merely view him as the center who was dropped from the Canadian national team in the midst of an Olympic qualifying tournament last summer.
The Charlatan
Raptors take over CU
Starting their season in Canada's capital in front of adoring fans is something the Raptors don't take that lightly, players said. “[Having a country cheering you on] gives you the added motivation to push through the times when you're tired at training camp,” O'Neal said. “With sports in general, there are a lot of people
that live or die by [what you do] and this country has never seen a championship-level basketball team. We feel that we have both the aspirations and the skill to succeed this year.”
that live or die by [what you do] and this country has never seen a championship-level basketball team. We feel that we have both the aspirations and the skill to succeed this year.”
Girl of the Day*Sunshine girl is an absolute pig*
