Hooped Up

The news isn’t good regarding newly drafted Raptors rookie Nathan Jawai. The sidelined forward has an enlarged heart and if his condition worsens he may never play in the NBA.  This is obviously horrible news for a kid that is only 22 years old. Let’s hope he gets better!

“The Raptors have kept details of Jawai’s case secret for two months, other than repeating he has been tested for cardiac issues that arose before training camp.But The Sunday Telegraph revealed yesterday that a further six-week rest has been advised by doctors after the latest series of tests. An enlarged heart carries the obvious risk of heart attacks.

“The doctors are being extra cautious,” Jawai’s agent, Daniel Moldovan, told the paper. “It was their recommendation — not their demand — that Nate take another six weeks off.”

Toronto Sun

According to the National Post, the Toronto Raptors are still not sure how injured guard Jose Calderon is after he left Wednesday nights game versus the Philadelphia 76ers with a thigh injury.  Calderon had an MRI on his right hamstring and will have time to rest his injury in hopes of playing against the visiting Miami Heat Sunday. Although, running around guarding Dwayne Wade with half a thigh can’t be a great idea.  

During the Beijing games, Calderon missed the gold-medal game against the United States with a slight tear of the adductor muscle in his same right thigh.

Perhaps a good ole’ fashion KG taunting would help him heal faster.

After things went totally haywire Wednesday night at H.U.H (Hooped Up Headquarters), Andrea Bargnani went baseline on a  Mrs. Fletcher like Reggie Evans for the “Buon giorno, Principessa” dunk. Yes this happened a few days ago but, it’s way to funny to go unnoticed.

Maybe next time, Evans will use LifeCall for some help side defense. My damn he got served!

When your a superstar in the league you can get away with pretty much anything, including taunting another player from end to end as Kevin Garnett did last night with Jose Calderon.   At one point KG has his hands so close to Calderon’s face he could pick his nose.  

This was taunting / harassment at its finest, and I’m lovin’ it!

Things keep getting better for one of the leagues good guys, Chris Bosh and Nike has just sweetened the pot for him and all Canadians. A few days ago, Nike Canada and Chris Bosh announced that Chris Bosh will have his very own signature apparel line and Hyperdunk player edition sneaker (above).  The CB4 shoe and the apparel line will be exclusive to Canada and will be available at Champs, Nike Toronto and Centre Sports in the Air Canada Centre! 

The drop date is October 30th.

Mats Sundin who??? Chris Bosh has the juice in T-Dot now!

Via Nice Kicks + Marcus Troy

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The Raptors have signed free-agent forward Jamal Sampson, a cousin of Ralph Sampson who is expected to give Toronto frontcourt depth after the loss of Nathan Jawai.

The Raptors announced Monday that Jawai will be held out of practice because of concerns from a routine cardiac screening. The first indigenous player from Australia to be drafted by an NBA team, Jawai was the 41st overall pick in June.

Toronto opened training camp Tuesday and has 14 players on its roster.

Sampson, a five-year veteran, has played for Charlotte, Denver, the Los Angeles Lakers, Milwaukee and Sacramento. He has averaged 2.0 points and 3.4 rebounds in 72 career games. He was a second-round pick by Utah in 2002.

Ralph Sampson was a four-time all-star and the 1983-84 NBA rookie of the year.

Canadian Press

The Toronto Raptors unveiled there alternative uniforms to the public today and they look pretty wicked. Chris Bosh and Jose Calderon modeled the new black duds,  which will definitely fly of the shelves especially in the T-dot.  

For a trip down memory lane, here is the history of the Raptors uniforms.  Gone are the days of the purple dino…Thank god! 

Via Toronto Star + Raptors HQ

The Toronto Raptors continue to provide an entire nation with basketball as best they can, and this fall they touch down in Canada’s capital. 

“The Carleton University Ravens, in conjunction with the Toronto Raptors, who will holding training camp at the school, announced yesterday that there will be 1,300 tickets available for the NBA club’s Oct. 4 intrasquad scrimmage at Carleton’s Ravens’ Nest. Tickets and seating (including standing room only) will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets will be available on Thursday, Sept. 25, at a suggested donation of $15, with a limit of four per person. Ticket and event information can be obtained at www.goravens.ca .”

Ottawa Citizen

The Raptors are standing pat with the bunch they have heading into training camp.

“The Raptors will be men of action, not audition, when training camp opens in Ottawa two weeks from today. At this stage, they don’t plan on inviting anyone other than the 13 players currently under guaranteed contract, allowing them to move smoothly into dress rehearsals for their 13th NBA season. One fresh face needn’t worry about making the starting lineup. Jermaine O’Neal will be one of the most scrutinized players in Ottawa after the big trade with Indiana. He and Chris Bosh, the latter still on a high from winning gold with Team USA at the Beijing Olympics, will be the foundation the Raps hope lead them back to the first round of the playoffs — and beyond.”

Toronto Sun