Raptors HQ Lunchbox Links for August 31, 2011

by Adam Francis on Aug 31, 2011 12:30 PM EDT in Lunchbox Links

Lockout, lockout and more lockout...

We'll start as usual on that topic with Yahoo Sports noting that the NBA and its players are meeting today. We're getting to the point that training camps are in serious jeopardy, and yet it seems that both sides are quite far away. In fact, NBAPA Vice President Maurice Evans Picks "Generic" as the Best Word to Describe Lockout Negotiations.

Yikes.

Meanwhile, more and more players are finding overseas' homes in the interim, the newest being the Denver Nuggets' Wilson Chandler.

And if you're curious about where NBA studs like Garrett Temple and Lavoy Allen ended up, Sports Illustrated keeps track of all the overseas movement.

Speaking of overseas, Hoopsrumors presents some video of the Raptors' Jonas Valanciunas taking on Pau Gasol, in the recent Spain vs Lithuania match.

Closer to home, Sportsnet.ca presents this bizarre list of Marginal Raptors.

Marginal to me means Jamario Moon, which they got right.

Antonio Davis?

Yogi Stewart?

Not so much.

On the topic of former Raptors, Wages of Wins notes two former Dinos who rank among their list of NBA Players that Peaked Late.

And want to play some ball with DeMar this summer? Sure...if you don't mind sharing the rock with Game and Bow Wow...

Looking around the NBA, Brew Hoop has an exclusive Interview with Assistant GM Jeff Weltmank, the bulk of it focussed on the role of analytics in regards to NBA team management.

Off the court, Ball Don't Lie discusses if it's fair to wonder if the Gilbert Arenas duel put Javaris Crittenton over the edge?

Crittenton of course is scheduled to appear in court today to answer to murder charges, after the shooting of Jullian Jones.

And finally, we'll end this week's links with a great mash-up courtesy of Boniverson.com. This one's a collabo of the band's work, with one of the classic Reebok commercials from the Iverson era.

Regardless of how you felt about Iverson from an efficiency standpoint, the ad, as well as the other stuff at Boniverson.com makes me miss one of the most exciting players I've ever had the opportunity to see up close.

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Marginal Raptors

I’m pretty sure that half of last season’s team qualify as marginal Raptors.

There were a lot more Raptors who were more marginal than the ones they featured. Mengke Bateer anyone?

by siggian on Aug 31, 2011 1:01 PM EDT reply actions

LOL

I’m pretty sure that half of last season’s team qualify as marginal Raptors.

Solid – line of the month for sure.

I didn’t get the list at all. Bateer, the “banger bros,” there are TONS! Antonio Davis is one of the better Raps of all time, and guys like Yogi Stewart barely even played! How can they be labelled as “marginal?”

Adam Francis - Publisher - RaptorsHQ.com

by Adam Francis on Aug 31, 2011 4:36 PM EDT up reply actions

LTU 80 - GB 69

Jonas played maybe four minutes in the third quarter.

Points 0 on 0 shots
Rebounds 2 (maybe 3)
Turnovers 1?
Fouls 1

by Buddahfan on Aug 31, 2011 3:37 PM EDT reply actions

Enes Kanter Was The Top Performer For Turkey In Their Win Yesterday

MP 22
Points 14
Rebounds 7
Eff 14

http://bit.ly/ptXkme

by Buddahfan on Sep 1, 2011 9:47 AM EDT up reply actions

Jonas Was The Only LTU Player to Play vs GB Who Did Not Score

He did have two Turnovers not the 1? that I originally indicated.

I also think he was a minus 5 in his four minutes.

by Buddahfan on Sep 1, 2011 10:31 AM EDT up reply actions

What Put Crittenton Over The Edge

was wearing and flashing $50,000 worth of jewelry especially where he should not have.

Then he allegedly compounded it with that shooting of the woman. He missed his target. I feel bad for the woman’s family. Four kids. SMH.

He brought his own gun into the locker room.

That incident was just a prelude to an explosion waiting to happen. I am amazed that Arenas is still in the league. Then again, given the mentality of the league and union maybe it isn’t such a shock that he is still in the league.

by Buddahfan on Aug 31, 2011 3:55 PM EDT reply actions

Ultimate Raptors Rankings — No. 24: Amir Johnson

The Ultimate Raptors Rankings are the Raptorblog editors’ attempt to rank the top 30 Toronto Raptors of all time. These rankings are obviously somewhat arbitrary and endlessly debatable, but they’re based on each player’s contribution, performance and longevity as a Raptor, and on how beloved they are by Raptors fans. We’ll count down a new Raptor every Wednesday on this blog.

His steady progression and accomplishments in two years as a Raptor, his youthful energy, his blue-collar work ethic on the court and his sky-high potential already make him a fan-favourite among the rabid Raptors’ fan-base and a worthy candidate for these depressing Ultimate Raptors Rankings.

But throw in a down-to-earth attitude and a "regular guy" approachability on the streets of Toronto, and Amir has nearly reached the level of cult-following icon.

In hindsight, I wasn’t exactly critical of Amir in this post either, but that’s OK. It’s not like anyone is declaring him a future All Star – realistically, that’s not happening. But he can be a continuing piece of the evolving Raptors puzzle, who tops out as a 15-and-10 guy while simply out-hustling everyone around him.

After some of the stiffs that have both come through the Air Canada Centre over the last 16 years and have made their way in to these rankings, isn’t that hustle and likability almost enough, as it is, to put Amir Johnson in the Ultimate Raptors Rankings?

He’s no. 24 after two years in a Raptors uniform – if we were to do this again in five years, how high could Amir go?

comp article on link

http://bit.ly/mZhamQ

by Buddahfan on Aug 31, 2011 4:52 PM EDT reply actions

I Agree With This Article

though I think Amir could eventually top out at around 17 – 9.

Then again is value to the Raptors is a lot more than just points and rebounds.

We shall see.

by Buddahfan on Aug 31, 2011 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Interesting list so far…I’m waiting to see where Mo Pete ends up…

Adam Francis - Publisher - RaptorsHQ.com

by Adam Francis on Aug 31, 2011 8:23 PM EDT up reply actions

It will be interesting to see who they rate higher.

Bargnani or DeRozan? My guess is Bargnani. It wouldn’t surprise me to see him in the top 10 which helps explain why the Raptors history does not include a lot of playoff teams and no playoff series beyond the first round.

I have to believe that both of them would make the top 23 given how popular DeMar is especially with @Stackmack

My top three would be

1. Bosh
2. Carter
3. Stoudamire

Here is a list of all the players who have played for the Raptors

http://bit.ly/piaO72

by Buddahfan on Aug 31, 2011 9:47 PM EDT up reply actions