The Toronto Raptors appear to be a long way from making the NBA playoffs. Bargani has definitely lived up to the hype as a number one pick in the NBA draft, but the truth of the matter is that you have to question the firing of former head coach Sam Mitchell.

The team has truly gone down hill ever since they decided to replace Mitchell. It is assumed that the Raptors would probably not look within their own staff if Jay Triano were to be fired as head coach following this awful season. The top assistant coach for the Raptors, P.J. Carlesimo has struggled mostly in his time as an NBA head coach. It would be nice for the Toronto franchise to get some defensive principles installed, but it is unlikely for a proven head coach like Jeff Van Gundy to want the Toronto Raptors job.

Jerryd Bayless is a guy who could turn into a star in the NBA. He is finally getting more minutes than what he was getting with the Portland Trail Blazers. Bayless is simply s till inconsistent when he gets time out on the floor as he tends to run a lot of plays, causing him to turn the ball over quite a bit.

The Raptors also have some great hustle guys like Sonny Weems and Reggie Evans. Evans

(more…)

The Mavericks forward Caron Bulter the had surgery on his right knee on Tuesday and will definitely miss the remainder of the year for Dallas.

An initial look at the injury seems that butler has at least a partial tear of the patellar tendon and a closer look will be needed before they can determine how long he will be out. But it will definitely be a couple of months minimum if not the whole season. He endured the knee injury in a match up Saturday against the Bucks.

Dallas now plays host to the Portland Trail blazers who are coming to town tonight and the Mavericks (more…)

The Boston Celtics enter this season in a unique position. On the one hand, they came within mere seconds of winning their second title in three years last June, enough to make any team happy and raring to go for another title run. On the other hand, their veteran team, led by the Big Three of F Kevin Garnett, F Paul Pierce, and G Ray Allen, is another year older and now playing in a conference where the Miami Heat are now regarded as the prohibitive favorites. However, the Celtics are out to prove that the old lions have at least one more roar in them. Along for the ride are new additions C Jeremiah O’Neal and C Shaquille O’Neal, who have been dubbed “the brothers O’Neal” (though they are not related.) Jeremiah O’Neal is coming off a season where he averaged 13.6 points and 6.9 rebounds per game and figures to be an extra big-man to face some of the league’s power centers. An even bigger man is Shaquille O’Neal who, despite being past his prime, can still give the Celtics quality minutes and even last year managed to average 12 points and 6.7 rebounds per game.

 The biggest departure that the Celtics will have to overcome is that of Rasheed Wallace, who retired. Wallace provided some valuable defensive toughness that they hope they have replaced with the O’Neals. The biggest concern for the Celtics will be staying healthy, especially with such a veteran roster. Also important will be the continuing progress of PG Rajon Rondo, who broke through last season with career highs in points and assists and made his first All-Star game. The Celtics also face a tougher and retooled Eastern Conference, with the Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks, and Miami Heat all having made additions that will make them tougher foes.