Raptor Fans Want Their Hope Back

by James Borbath…

When I think back on everything that has gone on this season it all comes
down to this for me. Hope and the lose of it. Shawn Marion coming to
Toronto does not make me hopefully in the short or long term. In the short
term I don’t think he can make this team a playoff team and based on the
conditional draft pick that was part of that deal not sure I want him to
anyway. The long term I just don’t see how he fits in that as well. If the
Raptors were to resign him and he was willing to resign, which both I
truly question if that is even realistic. Does that help? Not really. This
team is not one player away from being good I think that is clear. So it
makes you think what was the point. Well the point is the cap room the
Raptors will have. I heard a number of about 21 million dollars for next
season. That is a lot of cash to use.

However that old question of who would come to Toronto has come up again.
I don’t live in Toronto personally but I have always enjoyed visiting it.
I think many NBA players feel that way as well. Toronto is a great city
that offers a lot of fun and good people and all of that good stuff.
However it has always been a question mark if Americans truly want to be
here. Barack Obama in his recent visit said he loves Canada. Why can we
not convince athletes to do the same. I am not sure the answer to that.
Bryan Colangelo has tried to cash in on the appeal to Europeans of
Toronto. I think that was a pretty smart idea. That being said great idea
it may have been this team gets a very soft tag put on it. In general
terms this team has always needed some tough dudes. I think in general you
find more of those type players here in North America and not Europe.

Even the North Americans on this roster are of the warm and fuzzy variety.
Where have you gone Charles Oakley? Oh I know the answer to that he was on
Pros vs Joes the popular(???) Spike T.V show. Dennis Rodman was on Hulk
Hogan’s wrestling reality show. Can’t get him. Is there a guy that offers
that old Oakley attitude? Ron Artest. He is half crazy and half talented.
It is no half man and half amazing like Vince Carter. However Oakley was a
guy that would challenge Carter and not care if he liked it or not. Could
a Ron Artest do that for this Raptor team and Chris Bosh? It would be the
ultimate risk. Bryan Colangelo has made them before. The guy in Miami now
is his latest proof of that. So wait a second I am basing my hope in the
Raptors on Ron Artest? Maybe I am crazy as well. In a season of having to
search for games on the internet and  a general disgust with everything is
this what it has come to? Maybe it has. Ron Artest could solve this TSN 2
mess. He would just throw around monitors until they broadcast his games.
It really has been a bad season and a big Patrick O’Bryant for Will
Solomon 3 way trade has done little to change that. April 15th the
reconstruction of the Raptors begin. Will it offer any hope or just see it
sink with Chris Bosh hanging in the balance. I am not sure but the one
thing I am sure of is this season has SUCKED!!!

Shawn Marion Is a Toronto Raptor… But For How Long?

by Aaron Carruth…

The great Jermaine O’Neal experiment is officially over.  Three months of DNP’s and lackluster numbers was all it took for GM Bryan Colangelo to send the former superstar packing.

The O’Neal acquisition, however, may not be considered a complete bust.  The Raptor faithful will have to wait and see how the Shawn Marion chapter unfolds.

In a press conference held earlier today, Marion was careful to hit all the right notes, making certain to seem excited about the trade and the ‘new opportunities’ he would have in Toronto.

By opportunities, I am assuming Marion means a chance for personal numbers, since the Heat currently sit in 5th place in the Eastern Conference, while the lowly Raptors are holding down second last.

He did his best to put the abysmal season in a positive light, stating “we’re only five games out of the playoffs. It’s not unreachable for us. We’ve got 27 games to go and I think it’s very obtainable.”

As a long time Raptor fan, I have two immediate feelings.

The first comes from that pathetic but hopeful fan who thinks that the perennial all-star will help turn the tide for this season (unlikely).  Moreover, this feeling turns to delusional fantasy when I consider the possibility of Marion taking a pay cut and staying with the Raptors (highly unlikely), allowing for the re-signing of Chris Bosh in 2010. Calderon, Bosh, Marion… shades of the run and gun Phoenix Suns?!

*wakes up*

The second, and more realistic feeling goes like this: Bryan Colangelo made this deal to free up cap space next season. Shawn Marion will put up serious numbers in the remaining 27 games of the season.  I can see him averaging 21 and 8 (particularly with Bosh sidelined right now).

The Raptors will finish in 9th or 10th spot in the East. Marion will seek an expensive, multi-year contract elsewhere.

Wait a minute.  That first feeling is clawing it’s way back into my brain.  What if Marion continued to put up mediocre numbers? (ex. 12 ppg).  What if Marion’s options were limited and he wasn’t in the market for the lofty pay day he so badly wants?  Nah, not happening.

Even if money wasn’t the issue (which it almost always is), Marion won’t want to stay in Toronto. No one does.  Camby, T-Mac, Vince; they all wanted out. If the rumours are true, and Bosh is leaving for Chicago, Colangelo better make damn sure that Amare wants to be in Toronto.

Because if he doesn’t, no amount of winning, ‘competing’ or money will keep him here.

This is morphing into a different article altogether; “Why Toronto can’t keep its franchise players” … I guess that’s my next assignment.

Marcello Lippi Speaks About Italy

by Zahi Sahli…

Italy manager Marcello Lippi discussed various subjects regarding the future of the Italian national team.

Lippi’s Italy could have gone on for 32 matches undefeated. However, the Italians lost their match against Brazil by 2 goals to nothing.

The Italian manager has been criticized for bringing almost the same old crop of players. The pressure is huge on Lippi as he leads his World Cup-winning team to another World Cup.

When asked about the match against Brazil, Lippi told reporters, “The friendly against Brazil had been arranged a long time ago; we need to meet important teams.”

“They were very motivated in that match; they played against the world champions in a wonderful ambiance. Probably, they are stronger than us now, but they may no longer be in a year and a half from now,” Lippi said.

When asked about the future of Italy and the new faces in the Italian teams, Lippi commented, “I have to be very careful not to forget about some players who, despite the fact they are slightly old, have so much experience and intelligence that it’s hard to let go of them.”

“I did not come back to win another World Cup. Certainly we will try with every bit of strength we have, but my objective is to build a group with the same mental strength and compactness as the one I had before,” Lippi told journalists.

Everyone wants to know about the future of Alessandro Del Piero in the Italian national team and Francesco Totti and Alessandro Nesta’s “possible returns.”

“He [Totti] said we have such a good relationship, that if I would ever ask him [to come back to the national team], he will be available. Both Totti and Nesta took their decisions, they are serious professionals. It wasn’t easy for them, but they felt they could not physically keep playing for both club and country, so we have to respect that”.

After snubbing Del Piero and Cassano lately, Lippi was asked about the future of the Juventus symbol and the Sampdoria star.

“I’ve known Del Piero for 14 years, and coached him for 12 years. If I continue calling the same players, how can I see the others? If he is still in a great condition a year and a half from now, it’s a different matter…”

“[Antonio] Cassano? There are many players who are doing well like [Sergio] Floccari and [Marco] Di Vaio. I am following many players, but I cannot call them up all at once.”

“Davide Santon is a young player I like. He seems predestined and reminds me of Paolo Maldini when he was young. But I’ll leave [Claudio] Marchisio, [Sebastien] Giovinco and [Robert] Acquafresca for the Under 21 team since they are playing the European tournament.”

Toronto Maple Leafs’ All Time Top 10 Greats

by Mark Smith…

It has come to this in the 2008-2009 season.

Leaf fans try to find excitement in a meaningless game against a team from Columbus, hoping that a goalie who has been mediocre in the AHL will show signs of being a franchise goalie for the future.

Perhaps this is a good time to look back at the all-time great Leafs.

For the purposes of this article we will focus on the greatest Leafs of the Last 50 years (1959-2009).

This allows us to go far enough back to include actual Cup winners, while setting  aside Hall of Famers like Broda, Kennedy, Conacher and Apps—great players from another era who most of us have only seen in grainy video images.

The list is based on their contributions to the Leafs, not overall careers, and of course playoffs and winning are key.  And so…

10.

Reserved for the Leafs player you believe should have made the list.

9. Doug Gilmour

This is a tough one as he played only six seasons with the Leafs, but they were great seasons where he was at the peak of his game.  His leadership restored some pride in the Leafs that had long lacked any sense of winning.

He probably has the best point per game ratio of any Leaf, and of course (along with Clark), led the Leafs to two semi-final berths over this Leaf career.

8. Bob Pulford

Pulford won four Stanley Cups with the Leafs.  He scored a crucial goal towards their last Cup win in 1967 when he beat Vachon in the second overtime of Game Three.  He was one of the top two-way players of his time, one that Gordie Howe recalls as a player he dreaded facing.

Pulford played 947 games in a Leaf uniform and remains a top 10 all-time scorer.

7. Mats Sundin

As the Leafs’ all time scoring leader an obvious question may be why he isn’t ranked higher.  Sundin was the best player on the Leafs for almost a decade, and often played with linemates who he was forced to carry.  He played hard, however, he was not a leader, and too often could not be the difference in leading Leafs to victory.

6. Frank Mahovlich

Mavovlich played over 700 games with the Leafs, and was key to all four of their championships over  the last 50 years.  He won the Calder trophy in his first year with the team, and was a consistent threat for the years after.

In 1960-1961 his 48 goals were just two shy of Rocket Richard’s record.  Leaf fans found Mahovlich frustrating much of the time, but it is hard to imagine they would have won more than one Cup over these years without him.

5.  Borje Salming

In his prime he was a great defenceman in an era of great defencemen like Orr, Potvin and Park.  Salming played over 100 games with the Buds, set club records for All-Star appearances and defenceman scoring that may never be broken.

But Salming will be remembered best for the breathtaking rushes and threatening wrist shot that got Leafs fans out of their seats over and over again.  He was not a leader, but he definitely had style.

4. Johnny Bower

He came into the league at 34, led the Leafs back into the playoffs, then two years in the finals, before backstopping them to four Stanley Cups.  He was an aggressive and fearless goalie who pioneered the poke check to great effect.  He was a winner who refused to quit, playing a key role in the Leafs’ last Cup win at the age of 43.

3. Tim Horton

Professed by many to be the strongest NHL player ever, Horton played 1185 games as a Leaf, always at a high level as evidenced by multiple All-Star appearances.  He led a strong Leaf defence for three-consecutive Stanley Cups.

2.  Darryl Sittler

Sittler was an offensive powerhouse throughout his career.  In his 844 regular-season games with the Leafs, Sittler picked up enough points to rank today as the team’s second highest scorer of all time.

In 1975-1976, Sittler had a phenomenal year, scoring an NHL-record six goals in one game during the regular season, followed up by five goals in a playoff game. He was a classy leader at a time when Leafs had the worst possible ownership and management.

In 1977-1978 Sittler had another great year, scoring 117 points and leading the Leafs to the semifinals. However, by 1979 Ballard brought in Imlach to take apart the team and drive away the Leaf captain.

1.  Dave Keon

Dave Keon won with Calder trophy in his first year in the league, and went on to a Hall of Fame career as the greatest all-time Leaf, playing over 100 games.

Keon had a great offensive career—he ranks as third all-time on the Leafs’ list despite playing in a lower scoring era, but he was a two-way player, known as the best penalty killer of his time.

Keon managed to be an extremely effective forechecker while avoiding penalties.  He won the Lady Byng trophy twice, but more impressively won the Leafs’ only Conn Smythe trophy in 1967.  Four Cups, key to all of them.

The Jungle Grows Restless as the Mighty Beast Awakens from His Den

by Thomas Moreland…

The sun has just set. The animals of the jungle scurry away in the darkness,finding sanctuary, where ever they can.

The mother of the beast’s son, nurses her new cub.

He will hunt tonight!

He stretches,the powerful shoulders gleaming in the moonlight, as he makes his way out if the den, where he has rested for many moons.

His damaged foreleg has healed from a previous battle,which had left him helpless to hunt effectively.

All is well now, as he leaps down upon the trail, making his way into the brighter light of the well-beaten path.

The scent is powerful now, and his cry breaks the silence of the night. and all who are near, fear the great striped cat.

The mighty elephant, enjoying the grass and foliage, shudders, then makes his way opposite of the roar of the beast.

The monkeys head for the highest branches, screeching and howling, as the powerful legs are once again moving him quietly through the jungle.

His eyes are shiny and clear, as he has waited in great anticipation for this day. He has a new young cub, and his mate and child await the spoils of a new kill.

Soon he will be stalking the unsuspecting prey, that congregate near the watering hole and the sand. They seem all too vulnerable, as they have grown complacent, with the large beast staying in his den, for so long now.

Perhaps they thought he had moved on.

This is his favorite hunting zone, where he has chased down even the faster creatures, with stealth and surprise in his favor.

All the animals are at a disadvantage facing this beast one on one, and few can survive the power and ferocity of the sudden attack. Few ever come away unscathed.

The Tiger hunts once more, and all will fear his power and dominance.

Tread lightly upon his path and stay in the shadows and out of his light, or he will devour you!

Welcome back, oh mighty king of the jungle!

Thomas Kipling Moreland

Toronto Maple Leafs Fans Are An Embarrassment to the NHL

by Tyler Hill…

Well, Leafs fans, congratulations! We are now the most pathetic asshole fans in the league.

In Tuesday night’s game against the Buffalo Sabres, Justin Pogge made his home ice debut at the NHL level. It was only Pogge’s fourth NHL game and it was, unfortunately, against the Sabres, who are tied for fifth in the Eastern Conference.

How was our 22-year-old goalie welcomed to Toronto ice? By a series of jeers and sarcastic cheers whenever he made an easy save.

I am absolutely disgusted as a Leafs fan. I am embarrassed to be a Leafs fan, and I’m ashamed of my fellow “fans” who thought this was acceptable. A 22-year-old in his fourth game had this done to him by these “fans” that are supposed to be supporting him.

How the hell is his confidence supposed to grow when his fans are doing that to him? You cannot be a successful goalie in this league without confidence.

Fact is, the Leafs are rebuilding now. So what exactly do these people want from Pogge? A goalie with as little experience as he has needs support from his team, mainly defense (which the Leafs don’t have), to play well. Even goalies with experience need support from their teams.

Toronto fans are going to ruin Justin Pogge’s career in the NHL, or at least drive him to another team, where he will become one of the best goalies in the league. Why? Because the fans in another city will give him room to develop into the goalie he should be…and is completely capable of being in Toronto, if these fans will get off his back and let him play the game, instead of being such assholes to the kid.

Leafs fans at this game or that participated in this jeers at home (if you were doing this at home, get a life, because no one can hear you) should be disgusted with themselves. In no way at all was this helping Pogge to become a better player for the future when we really need a goalie to lead us to and through the playoffs.

College Basketball Weekend Preview: Top 25 Overview

by Jameson Fleming…

Wake Forest (8) at Duke (9), 7:45 Sunday

The premier matchup of the weekend features two top-10 ACC teams that are actually on their way down instead of up. Duke has lost four its last six conferences games and knocked off Big East bottom dweller St. John’s by only seven points Thursday night. Wake Forest had also lost four of six games, but has since grabbed victories against Florida State and Georgia Tech.

This game provides the Blue Devils with a chance to avenge their last second loss to the Demon Deacons a few weeks ago. In that game, Wake Forest led most of the way, but Duke made a late charge to tie the game with a few seconds left. Wake’s L.D. Williams inbounded the ball to James Johnson who crept along the baseline to the basket for the easy layup.

The defense simply hasn’t been there for Mike Krzyzewski’s club since his first meeting with Wake this year. In three of Duke’s last four losses, the Blue Devils have allowed more than a point per possession, something they had done only three times previously all year.

Wake Forest has had a similar problem. In all four of the Demon Deacons’ losses, Dino Gaudio’s squad has allowed more than a point per possession. Both clubs have made their marks this year playing defense, but have struggled recently. Sunday’s game could turn into a more higher scoring affair than expected.

Gerald Henderson will have to take over the Blue Devils to give Coack K the best chance to win. He’s the only Dookie who can match any of the Deacons’ athleticism and must step up, guard Wake’s James Johnson tightly, but also put points on the board.

The Cameron Crazies have already seen their team lose one top game on their home court this year, and won’t let a repeat of the North Carolina game happen again. They will be loud, proud, very blue, and the deciding factor on Sunday.

My pick: Duke 78, Wake Forest 75

Villanova (14) at Syracuse (25), 1:00 Sunday on CBS

The ‘Cuse and ‘Nova play what seems like their yearly game on CBS in front of what should be another 30,000 plus crowd inside the Carrier Dome. This time around, the Orange hope its fans won’t go nuts on any fans of the opposing team. SU also hopes its second game against Villanova won’t end in another Wildcat 100-point outburst.

These two teams play twice in the regular season almost every year and in this budding rivalry, Villanova has had the upper hand winning eight of the past 10 meetings. The two schools have split the regular season series each of the past two years.

In the first meeting this year, center Arinze Onuaku’s knee tendonitis killed the ‘Cuse’s ability to run an effect 2-3 zone, allowing Villanova’s talented forward Dante Cunningham to drop 31 points. AO should be healthy this time around and could be the difference. ‘Nova is undersized and could be pushed around if the Orange frontcourt combo of Rick Jackson and Onauku have productive games.

The ‘Cuse might also finally have the guard play to matchup fairly evenly with ‘Nova. Over the last five games, Jonny Flynn has averaged 24 points and Eric Devendorf has averaged 20.6.

Villanova must exploit the SU 2-3 zone with solid three-point shooting, but also find Cunningham in the holes of the zone inside the arc. If the Wildcats do both, they could hang 100 again on the ‘Cuse, do one maybe pick up a victory. Do neither and Jay Wright’s team might take a thumping on Jim Boehiem Court.

My pick: Syracuse 85, Villanova 79

Butler (22) at Davidson, Noon on ESPN

The most important bracketbuster game of the weekend will feature two mid-majors on serious slides. The Bulldogs have lost two straight in the Horizon League which means Brad Stevens’ club is sliding straight down the NCAA Tournament bracket.

Butler needs to win this game at Davidson to ensure it makes the tournament. It’s hard to believe the Bulldogs could miss the Big Dance, but with a tough game against Davidson and another date with a tough Cleveland State squad, Butler could be looking at having six losses entering its conference tournament. At this point, the Bulldogs don’t look like the Horizon League favorite anymore. A six losses Horizon League team isn’t a lock to make the tournament.

Davidson is facing a similar predicament. Even with Stephen Curry, the Wildcats don’t look like locks to win the Southern Conference Tournament. A loss against Butler and a loss in the conference tournament and Davidson shouldn’t be going dancing. The RPI won’t be there, if Davidson loses twice, its RPI will sink to around 60. At that point, the best argument for having Davidson in the tournament is the entertainment value and ratings Stephen Curry will bring.

As for the game between the two squads, if Curry plays, Davidson should have the upper hand with its home court advantage and experience. Butler has a few young phenoms in sophomore Matt Howard, one of the nation’s most improved players and freshman Gordon Hayward, the team’s leading scorer.

My pick: Davidson 64, Butler 60