Over the past few weeks a lot of things have changed with the Toronto Raptors since Sam Mitchell was fired. One thing that hasn’t are the pregame workouts Chris Bosh and Jay Triano have enjoyed since Bosh came into the NBA.

Hoops Addict is excited to host the latest version of the Blogger Power Rankings. Are the Celtics still on top?  Where will Detroit and Toronto’s recent losing ways drop the team in our rankings? The answers are in this weeks version of the Blogger Power Rankings.

Before a recent game against Toronto, Julian Wright talked with Hoops Addict about why he’s had fewer minutes this season, what he’s doing to prepare when his number is called and what kind of advice the veterans are giving him.

In a unique NBA season in which three teams – Cleveland, Boston and the Los Angeles Lakers – clearly outdistance all others, there are several players who rarely make ESPN’s top plays but are largely responsible for their teams’ super starts this season.

Check out this weeks Buzzer Beaters for information on how to be on Pros vs. Hoes this season as well as the scoop on which Hoops Addict writer recently had their book published.

On Monday December 15th, the Reno Bighorns, of the National Basketball Association Development League (NBADL) signed Patrick Ewing Jr. to a contract. Ewing Jr. is excited at the prospect of playing regular basketball again, but he also understands that he is in the league to work on his game and get better.

Maurizio Gherardini has been lauded with praise during his impressive career in professional basketball. He has been called a visionary, a futurist, and a mastermind. Former Toronto Raptors’ commentator Chuck Swirsky used to refer to Gherardini as the “Godfather” as an uninspired play on his Italian heritage and the considerable power he holds in the international basketball scene. Many now project that the man from Forli will add another moniker to his growing list of titles: NBA General Manager.

In the midst of possible sanctions against one of his best players, Syracuse Coach Jim Boeheim got an even bigger headache, when underdog Cleveland State came visiting last week in what promised to be a lopsided blowout for the Orange. This electrifying game was one of many interesting stories in the first installment of Hoops Addict’s newest bi-weekly feature — College Hoops: In The Paint.

If there’s one thing that has driven the Raptors coaching staff, players and fans crazy so far this season it’s the team’s inability to grab timely rebounds. The last time the Raptors outrebounded another team was against Miami on November 19, and for the season they have a 1,105-to-975 disadvantage.

The Celtics deserve three All-Stars this season; the only question is whether Rondo deserves it more than one of his teammates. It’s too hard to give one team four All-Stars, especially when the Cavaliers have been nearly as dominant and will likely only get one. But, when I look at the Eastern Conference, which I admittedly do not watch that often, the top four point guards so far this season are Jose Calderon, Rajon Rondo, Derrick Rose and Devin Harris.