Vegas Summer League: Toronto Raptors vs. Los Angeles Lakers - hoopshype.com
GAME 3: Toronto Raptors (0-1) 84 vs. Los Angeles Lakers (1-0) 85
STUDS: Adam Morrison’s confidence grew by the minute in his first extended action in several months. Morrison won the head-to-head battle with DeMar DeRozan on both sides of the court, even coming up with some key defensive stops against him to lock up the victory. Offensively Morrison did the things that made him an All-American at Gonzaga: taking whatever the defender gave him. Morrison did a multitude of things, from moving without the ball to attacking the paint. The surprise of the day was definitely the play of Ben McCauley from North Carolina State. It was like it was McCauley’s sophomore season all over again as he worked the Toronto Raptors to the tune of 24 points and 15 rebounds. He was very efficient in doing so as well, hitting 12 of 19 from the field. His performance on Friday made him a must-watch player for the duration of the camp.
DUDS: DeMar DeRozan, the youngest player on the floor, looked a lot like he did during the early portion of his freshman season at USC. He was passive to a fault early on, making Adam Morrison look like a force defensively. On the defensive side of the court he let Morrison attack him far too often. Overall DeRozan did just not look comfortable, which is understandable considering his age and lack of experience. By July 19th this performance will be nothing more than an afterthought.
Colangelo still tinkering with Raptors roster - The Globe and Mail
The Raptors are now committed to about $57.8-million (all currency U.S.) in salary for 2009-10 spread over 11 players. Given the luxury tax is $69.9-million, they have about $12-million to spend. They need some depth on the perimeter, which is why Carlos Delfino is a key target, especially now that Anthony Parker has committed to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Standing on the shoulders of a giant - The Globe and Mail
When you're a smallish ethnic group in a town full of bigger ones, it can be tough to stand out.
Such was the quiet plight of Toronto's 15,000-plus Turkish community until this week, when pro basketballer Hedo Turkoglu signed a $53-million contract with the Toronto Raptors. It was as though he'd hoisted them all onto his towering shoulders.
Chris Bosh vs. Charlie Villanueva, on Twitter - TrueHoop By Henry Abbott - ESPN
It's a race to 50,000 Twitter followers. And right now it looks to be a dead heat.