Raptors’ Depth Reason For Optimism

Unlike last season, when Jay Triano was forced to look down his bench and pick from fringe NBA players like Quincy Douby, Nathan Jawai, Pops Mensah-Bonsu, Patrick O’Bryant, Roko Ukic and Jake Voskuhl, this coming season he’ll have a lot of options at his disposal.

In fact, the team is loaded with so much depth it marks one of the few times in the history of the franchise where the team is 12-deep with backups at each position that can easily step in and start if the injury bug strikes.

Exclusive Interview With Leo Rautins

Last week I had the chance to chat with Leo Rautins - the head coach of the Canadian National team - at an event hosted by Basketball Canada. During our chat we talked about about the strong play from the cadet and junior teams so far this summer, what kinds of things he would like to see within Basketball Canada, how having well known high school and college players take part in a recent training camp has helped with their growth, the benefit his deep bench will provide during the World Championships qualifying tournament and he talked about the lack of pressure he’s feeling despite being in the last year of his current contract.

Garcia Versus Garcia

Alex Garcia has never been the man in the spotlight, especially after his buddies Anderson Varejão, Nenê, and Leandrinho Barbosa went to the NBA, signed multi-million dollar deals, and became world stars. His short stints with the Spurs and the Hornets, consequences of an NBA career filled with injuries didn’t help much, but one can’t disagree that the power guard is one of the most passionate players in the Brazilian national team.

Canada Basketball Conference Call

This morning I had the chance to take part in a press conference organized by Canada Basketball. The senior men’s national team is currently in Peurto Rico for a qualify tournament for the upcoming World Championships next summer and this was a chance for a wide range of people associated with the team to talk to the media.

Win An Autographed Chris Paul Jersey

I’m pleased to announce that Hoops Addict will be running a promotion this week which will allow basketball fans the chance to win an autographed Chris Paul road jersey. To be entered in the contest all you need to do is drop a link in the comments section with your favorite Chris Paul clip on [...]

Coaches Aren’t Bogged Down By Animosity

After talking with countless coaches around the NBA, it’s become clear the bonds formed on the practice court far outweigh any bitterness when those players become opponents.

You’ll have to excuse me if I was shocked when this realization first set in.

Exclusive Interview With Robin Lopez & Eric Gordon

Robin Lopez and Eric Gordon took some time out of their busy schedule to talk with me about why they were involved with the adidas Nations camp, what they have been doing this summer, Robin talked about how the trade of Shaquille O’Neal will effect him, Eric talked about the Clippers drafting Blake Griffin, they both talked about what they learned during their rookie season as well as a wide range of other topics.

Keeping Up With The Pack

Current general manager and former starting point guard Danny Ainge was witness to the Celtics decline as he was traded to Sacramento two years after Le Bias’s unfortunate death. With no plan of action to keep Boston on top as a perennial championship contender, the organization floundered into a hole that they couldn’t dig themselves out of until the current Big Three was formed.

Ainge now faces a very similar situation in his attempt to keep the Celtics relevant even after Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett are gone. Even with Garnett and Rasheed Wallace both under contract until the 2011-12 season, Allen’s contract is up at the end of the season and Pierce has a player option.

The window is closing quickly and the team needs a diagram.

Exclusive Interview With Michael Malone

Last week I had the chance to chat with Michael Malone - an assistant coach with the Canadian National team and the Cleveland Cavaliers - at an event hosted by Basketball Canada. During our chat we talked about about why he would give up so much of his summer break to coach at the World [...]

Toronto AAU Team Turning Heads

First, the emergence of Toronto-bred rapper Drake. Now, a shipment of young ballers from the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario are looking to make an impact.

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