Raptors Rookie Breaks Out

by Stephen Brotherston… On a Wednesday night, Toronto Raptors fans got a glimpse of the potential of their team’s newest rookie.  Playing against the NBA’s current third best rebounding team, the Chicago Bulls, DeMar DeRozan hauled in an impressive nine boards in just 19 minutes.

When the Raptors drafted the one year college player from USC, they were drafting potential.  The 6′6.5″ 220 lb freshman was just turning 20 years old and didn’t have the head turning college statistics one might have expected from a NBA lottery pick.

In his one season at USC, DeMar averaged 13.9 points, shot 52.3 percent, and collected 5.7 boards, 1.5 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.4 blocks.  Decent production but perhaps what impressed some of the scouts was the 19.8 point per game average in USC’s five post-season games.

But comments about DeRozan have largely revolved around how long and athletic he is.

If one looks up DeRozan’s NBA pre-draft camp measurements, they place him squarely in the middle between the average shooting guard and average small forward coming into the league.

For an NBA wing player, DeRozan’s height and weight are typical.  His 6’9” wingspan and 8’6.5” standing reach are also average.

But what has been most talked about is DeRozan’s great leaping ability.  Some comments suggesting that this is evidenced because he can get his head up to the level of the rim.

At pre-draft camp DeRozan’s no step vertical jump was decidedly average at 29”. He did have a maximum vertical jump of 38.5”, which is a couple of inches higher than average but the best leapers in the 2009 draft were at 40″. For comparison, Vince Carter had a standing vertical of 36″ and a maximum vertical of 43″.

For interest, DeRozan’s measured maximum vertical would place his head about three inches below the rim when he flies in for a dunk and that looks to be about right from watching him play.

But as anyone who has followed college players into the professional game realizes, it isn’t just about the natural athletic gifts a player was born with.  Lots of players have come into the league with the ability to play above the rim and just as quickly disappeared.  It is all about, can the player use those natural gifts effectively!

DeRozan had been criticized for his slow start in college.  It appeared he was holding back and attempting to a get a feel for the faster pace and better players in the college game.  But by the end of that one season, he was a team leader.

At the start of DeRozan’s NBA career, Toronto Raptors’ head coach Jay Triano has held back his young rookie.  While DeRozan has started all eight games thus far, he is only averaging 18.4 minutes of playing time.

And it isn’t because he is playing poorly.  In those 18 minutes, DeRozan has averaged 5.3 points, 3.6 boards, 1.1 assists, 0.5 steals, and 1.0 block.  He has also shot the ball well averaging 46 percent from the field.

Not surprisingly, DeRozan has played more minutes and has more production at home where he is averaging seven points and five rebounds.  But the assists, steals, and blocks have been the same at home and on the road.

Very surprising has been DeRozan’s ability to get blocks at the NBA level.  He has a block in every game this season except one and is tied with Bosh and Bargnani for the team lead with eight blocks on the young season.

The additions of DeRozan and Turkoglu have helped the Raptors average 5.25 blocks per game this season, eleventh best in the NBA.

DeRozan’s first modest break-out NBA game occurred against one of the better defensive teams in the NBA at this early point in the season.

The Chicago Bulls are ninth in points allowed at 92.9 (after giving up 99 to Toronto), third in rebounding with 44.75, and fourth in blocks at 6.75.  A noted good defensive team this season.

In DeRozan’s 19 minutes against Chicago, he shot 4-10, including 1-1 from three for a season high nine points.  He collected a season high nine rebounds and he had a season high two blocks.  Easily DeRozan’s most impressive game as a Raptor.

DeRozan blocked an early John Salmons jump shot.  After which Salmons never really got on track offensively ending up going 1-11.

In the third quarter, DeRozan blocked the bigger and stronger Luol Deng’s turnaround hook shot, followed by a defensive rebound, then the highlight reel dunk in transition.  All of which helped spark the Raptors offensively and start the Bulls offensive second half collapse.

Rebounding and defense has been a Raptors weakness at the guard and wing, DeRozan’s early success at this is very encouraging.  The highlight reel dunk may excite the crowd, but it was the rebounding and defense that excited Jay Triano.

Raptors rookie DeMar DeRozan may not have the hops or offensive skills of a Vince Carter.  But, if he can continue to develop his defense and rebounding, DeMar DeRozan may be exactly the player the Raptors need to bring this team to the next level.

It’s still very early in the season and in DeMar’s NBA career, but it looks like the young rookie does have the ability to use those natural gifts he has brought with him to the NBA.

So why not get a little excited by some early signs of potential greatness?

For more on the Raptors’ rookie check out, DeMar DeRozan, The Next VC?

Brothersteve’s Green & Red Raptor Blog

Pacquiao - Cotto Fight Result Proves That Floyd Mayweather Jr. Is Boxing’s Best

by Stoker MacIntosh… The cracked, parched and dried-up landscape of boxing received some long overdue rain this weekend.

And now unfortunatley—even though the sky is still filled with hungry cage-fighting-buzzards—those who have awaited the death of the sport, may just have to wait a bit longer.

Yes, boxing is still undoubtedly surrounded by desert and unquestionably stunted by bad weeds; however, it has—thanks to a 130-pound Filipino superstar named Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao and his pay-per-view-/seat-filling potential—recently experienced a much-needed healthy growth spurt.

This weekend the man who has single-handedly performed life-saving hand-to-hand resuscitation on the sport entered the squared circle once again.

This time however, “Pacman” had his hands full in a hard fought war, on route to a 12th rd. stoppage against the pride of Puerto Rico, Miguel Angel Cotto.

A great fight, yet it was anything but pretty, and did little to secure Pacquiao a place among the greats, he is now merely the second best in boxing.

Pacquaio, along with elite pugilist, “Pretty Boy” Floyd Mayweather Jr., are in contention for the top prize in boxing, which surprisingly has little to do with title belts.

It has more to do with the bragging rights of professional boxing, which is the right to be called the No. 1 fighter pound-for-pound on the planet.

Last time out—against Manchester England’s Ricky Hatton—Pacquiao had his arm raised in victorious celebration while the legions of British fans looked on from their stadium-filled seats in utter disbelief.

“The Hitman,” who was considered more of a British god than a fighter, lay motionless on the canvas, knocked out cold in the second round by a lightning-fast, perfectly timed, brain-numbing left hook.

It was a punch that the tough former world and British champion didn’t see coming, and it erased any doubts regarding Pacquiao’s greatness in the minds of many.

Many, that is, except Mayweather.

At an undefeated and unbelievable 40-0, Mayweather truly believes he is the man, the greatest ever, and he very well could be.

Pretty Boy literally put on a boxing clinic last month against a fighter many including this writer felt was the true holder of the pound-for-pound title, Mexico’s Juan Manuel Marquez.

I had Marquez beating Pacquiao in both their fights, not just the second one.

So the win over Marquez in my eyes was a career-defining performance which demonstrated Mayweather’s supreme dominance in the sport, and it should be solid proof to us all that he is undoubtedly at the top of the food chain when regarding the world’s pound-for-pound boxers.

Pacquiao, however, has achieved his own level of greatness, mostly in his home country of the the Philippines, where little Pacman Pacquiao was transformed from a mere ambassador for the sport of boxing to a great ambassador for the entire country, and he is now nearing sainthood.

In the words of his promoter, Bob Arum, “he could, one day, become President.”

After all but ending the brilliant careers of boxing legends like Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, Oscar De La Hoya, and now Hatton, Pacquiao has likely surpassed the legendary Pancho Villa as the greatest Filipino boxer ever to emerge from the great island nation.

A few months ago I wrote an article asking the question that I felt was in the minds of many fans at the time, which was: Will Pacquiao bring Mayweather out of retirement?

Whether it was actually Pacquiao who brought him back or not—who knows?—the fact remains, Mayweather has returned, and now he wants to reclaim what he feels is rightfully his: boxing’s No. 1 pound-for-pound throne.

Although public popularity has eluded him, it’s a well-known fact that Mayweather has enjoyed many career-defining wins against great names such as Zab Judah, De La Hoya, and Hatton; thus, the recent win over Marquez leaves no doubt in the mind of this writer that Mayweather is still the true King.

With the absence of greats like Joe Calzaghe and Oscar De La Hoya, some doors have been closed forever, but, thankfully, others have been re-opened.

With tonight’s win over a very game Cotto, Pacquiao will undoubtedly take the next step along the road toward a super fight with Mayweather, and I’m predicting that he will do just that.

If he does, boxing fans who were ecstatic before at the potential of a Pacquiao vs. Mayweather super fight will then be even more eager to witness the history-making boxing event which could potentially take place next spring.

Like those popular and well-hidden wild flowers—the ones that only bloom once a year, during May—I’m sure much more will be revealed in the early quarter of 2010.

I wish them both luck.

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“When ‘Pac’ beat the ol’ legend Oscar De La Hoya, He was over the hill, Now it’s time for you to swallow the same damn pill, So get your tickets now people and let’s make it clear, That the Pacman ass woopin is almost here.”

—Poem by Floyd Mayweather Jr.

NFL Week 10- The Quick Read

by Louis “King of Roncesvalles” Pisano… Tom Brady and Peyton Manning face off in Indianapolis, and it seems to be the game on the lips of broadcasters and other media to fans and, I am sure, players, as well. The battle of the perennial favorites, one undefeated in the Colts and Manning, and the other returning to his dominant form after his injury to bring his team back into the talks of the Super Bowl-bound, that being Tom Brady and the Patriots. The other great game features the division rival Cincinnati Bengals and the Pittsburgh Steelers, making for a great weekend of football coming up!

Jaguars (4-4) @ Jets (4-4) -6.5 O/U 41

The Jags are one-dimensional with only their running game to lean on. With Maurice Jones-Drew’s hands on the ball during the majority of the offensive plays for Jacksonville, anything can happen. Jets are off the bye week and are getting healthy, and I believe their defense returns to what got them off to such a great start and Mark Sanchez settles down and gets it done.

Jets win 24-13

Broncos (6-2) @ Redskins (2-6) +3.5 O/U 36.5

The Redskins’ anemic offense has a hard time scoring against anyone, and if they get a field goal in this game they will be lucky. Denver should be able to put enough points on the board to get the win and will control the clock.

Broncos win 17-3

Bengals (6-2) @ Steelers (6-2) -7 O/U 41.5

The Bengals won the first matchup 23-20 in Ohio and can almost sweep their division with a win over the stingy home Steelers, leaving only one game against Cleveland to complete it. The Steelers’ home record has been well documented, and Big Ben has been slinging. Though they are on a short week, the hometown defending Super Bowl team will get it done and take the division lead.

Steelers win 27-17

Bills (3-5) @ Titans (2-6) -7.5 O/U 41

The injury bug has infected the Bills all season and yet a return of Trent Edwards and a possible exit for this game for Terrell Owens. The surging Titans may have found what got them to the great record of last season and should stick it to this bellowing Buffalo.

Titans win 31-17

Lions (1-7) @ Vikings (7-1) -16.5 O/U 47.5

The Lions, though with a win this year, are still horrid and their division rival Vikings are on top and in cruise control. The Lions surprisingly hold big AP on the ground, which opens the door for the ever rejuvenated and youthful Farve to go through the air for big plays to Harvin and the other receivers in a blowout!

Vikings win 42-17

Saints (8-0) @ Rams (1-7) +13.5 O/U 50

Come on man! Is it worth talking about, no! Saints, Saints, Saints! Nuff said!

Saints win 45-3

Falcons (5-3) @ Panthers (3-5) +1.5 O/U 43.5

The Falcons RB Michael Turner has had big games against this division rival Carolina team. Though the Panthers looked good against the Cardinals two weeks ago and hung in with the Saints last week, albeit in a loss, they have only beat Washington, Tampa and the aforementioned Arizona Cardinals. Turner run, run, run, Gonzales TD.

Falcons win 35-24

Buccaneers (1-7) @ Dolphins (3-5) -10 O/U 43.5

Though Bucs rookie QB Josh Freeman looked good last week and surprised the Packers with Tampa’s first win, I believe the adrenaline rush will be gone as he faces a much tougher team. The Dolphins will control the clock and power their way past the poor rush defense of Tampa.

Dolphins win 24-13

Chiefs (1-7) @ Raiders (2-6) -2 O/U 36.5

A divisional game that means nothing aside from pride pretty much from here on out for both teams, unless either can go undefeated for the rest of the season, ummm no! Oakland beat KC in week two 13-10, but if anyone has improved I would have to say it’s been KC. Season series split.

Chiefs win 16-13

Seahawks (3-5) @ Cardinals -8.5 O/U 46.5

Points should be fairly abundant in this game but the majority of them should be on the home team’s scoreboard. Would the real Kurt Warner please stand up? If he does, the Cards roll. If he doesn’t, is it time to see Matt Leinart take the reins? Perhaps next year, Matty.

Cardinals win 38-21

Eagles (5-3) @ Chargers (5-3) -1 O/U 47

The Eagles have injuries, but they should get RB Brian Westbrook back. He and the other offensive weapons on this Philly team make them are dangerous. Chargers QB Phillip Rivers has a great record at home throughout his career, and they are coming off a 21-20 win against Philly’s division rival New York Giants. Lots of points and whoever scores last should win. Eagles will run it through the soft rush D of the Chargers, and their defense may even score and will stop Chargers a few times.

Eagles win 38-31

Patriots (6-2) @ Colts (8-0) -3 O/U 48

The premier matchup of the weekend will be played Sunday night in prime time at the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The three big weapons of the Pats, Brady, Moss and Welker, will be trying to outdo the three bigs of the Colts with Manning, Wayne and Clark. Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis will be doing their best to limit Brady’s time in the pocket, where he does most of his damage. The Pats’ injuries and number of questionable players who were limited in practice makes me want to go against popular belief that the Pats are the team to take in this game. I am sticking with the home side in this one against the injured team on the road.

Colts win 28-24

Ravens (4-4) @ Browns (1-7) +10.5 O/U 39.5

This Monday night game is over pretty much before it starts in my mind. The Browns have been atrocious this season, and losing four of their last five, the Ravens have to get back to winning football games if they have any hopes of a playoff berth. Flacco should get some confidence back, and Ray Rice should rumble into the end zone a good number of times in this lopsided game.

Ravens win 37-6

Enjoy the great games this weekend and hopefully we all pull a little further ahead in our pools and perhaps make a little loot on the side!

All the Best!