The Dribble

Nice brief interview from the guys at InsideHoops.com with rising superstar forward Chris Bosh of the rebuilding Toronto Raptors.

Meanwhile Chuck Swirsky (Raptors broadcaster) talks with their GM Rob Babcock who has lots of explaining to do at Raptors.com. But once again sidesteps his way out of any firm answer like a true politician. But then again Swirsky always sucked up to his GM's (can't blame him though they do pay his salary) as is outlined by our friends at raptorsblog.com in his article: "Chuck Swirsky and the benefit of 20/20 Hindsight".

Coming off a career year "(14.2 ppg), rebounding (4.4 rpg) and minutes (29.7 mpg) in 68 games (51 starts)" with the New Orleans Hornets the Philadelphia 76ers signed small forward Lee Nailon as a free agent.

A rather big small forward at 6'9, Nailon is an instant offensive threat but not necessarily the best passer nor a defensive stopper, he should fit in nicely nonetheless with either Korver or Iguodala at shooting guard.

After having re-signed 6'6 swingman Shandon Anderson, the Miami Heat added nine time NBA all-star point guard Gary "the Glove" Payton:

• "Payton appeared in 77 games (77 starts) for the Boston Celtics last season, averaging 11.3 points, 6.1 assists, 3.1 rebounds and 1.14 steals in 33.0 minutes per game, while shooting 46.8 percent from the field. He ranked 12th in the league in assists per turnover (3.17), 13th in assists per game, 14th in assists per 48 minutes (8.9) and 16th in total assists (469)"

Re-united with Shaquille O'Neal (a second time) only as a back up to Jason Williams:

ESPN.com quotes "the Glove"
"I'm going to try to help Jason as much as possible," Payton said. "He has never had a guy like me to guide him. When I come into camp, I'm going to try to help him. I'm not going to try to beat him up or beat him down."

This time should be different he knows his body and role a little better (what he can and can no longer do) than the first go round with Shaq and adds some depth and a different look to the point guard position.

The DLEAGUE allows teams to assign first- and second-year players to the minors.
2005-06 NBA DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE TEAM AFFILIATIONS


Albuquerque Thunderbirds:Phoenix Suns Sacramento Kings Seattle SuperSonics Utah Jazz

Arkansas RimRockers: Atlanta Hawks Cleveland Cavaliers Memphis Grizzlies Toronto Raptors

Austin Toros:Denver Nuggets Houston Rockets Los Angeles Clippers San Antonio Spurs

Fayetteville Patriots:Charlotte Bobcats Detroit Pistons New York Knicks

Florida Flame:Boston Celtics Miami Heat Minnesota Timberwolves Orlando Magic

Fort Worth Flyers:Dallas Mavericks Golden State Warriors Los Angeles Lakers Portland Trail Blazers

Roanoke Dazzle:New Jersey Nets Philadelphia 76ers Washington Wizards

Tulsa 66ers:Chicago Bulls Indiana Pacers Milwaukee Bucks New Orleans Hornets


Unique notes from the nba D-league:

• Players can be sent down as many as three times, but no team can have more than two players in the minors at once.
• Players on D-league assignments will still receive their NBA salaries and benefits, including per diem of $102
• D-League teams will be permitted to expand their rosters from 10 to 12 to accommodate assigned NBA players.

The Raps are expected to offer an invitation to Yuta Tabuse, a 5-foot-9 guard who last season became the first Japanese-born player to play in an NBA game. According to league sources, the Raptors are going to have Tabuse on hand when camp begins Oct. 4 at Brock University in St. Catharines. "I have talked to his representatives, he is someone we are considering," said Babcock. Tabuse spent most of last season on the roster of the Phoenix Suns but appeared in just four games. The 24-year-old has also played in the ABA with the Long Beach Jam and is a former rookie of the year in the Japan pro league.

When he arrived in Phoenix, Yasushi Kikuchi, who covers U.S. sports for the newspaper Hochi Shimbun said "He's going to be as big as when Ichiro came here," Kikuchi said. "He was a legend when he played for his high school team, because they never lost. He's the most famous basketball player in Japan."
Tabuse thought the Ichiro comparison went a bit too far.
"I'd say Ichiro is bigger than me," Tabuse said. "He's the most famous athlete in Japan. But I'm glad to be like Ichiro and [Hideo] Nomo for basketball in Japan."
The Suns have marveled at how well the soft-spoken Tabuse has handled the constant attention of the Japanese media.
"He's got a tremendous responsibility to his country to be a pioneer," Nash said. "It's tremendous, I think for everybody, to have that Japanese influence in our league.He's got to use that to his advantage," Nash said. "His quickness in the open court, where he can negate his size, it's very important for him, and he's very good at it. He's got to develop that and continue to use that to exploit his opponent."

With that kind of praise from MVP Steve Nash, and to have media attention from a nation of 130 million , it finally looks like Babcock will be able to make a good move.

The Raptors appear to be trying to corner the market on NBA players named Williams.

The Raptors, who already have Eric, Aaron and Alvin Williams on their roster, have had Jay Williams on their radar screen since last season.

General manager Rob Babcock said yesterday he is pursuing former Duke point guard Jay Williams, who did not play the past two seasons after suffering severe nerve damage to his foot following a motorcycle accident, Babcock watched the explosive point guard work out last week in Chicago and also had lunch with the 2002-2003 Second Team NBA All-Rookie.

"We hit it off pretty good," Babcock said.

GETTING BETTER

The GM described Williams' recovery at about 85%, adding that the former Chicago Bulls star would be a valuable addition to any team if he's anywhere close to 100% healthy. "He has made huge progress," Babcock said. "A year ago he was learning to walk again and to run, now he's back on the court." Babcock does not believe that Williams, 22, is ready to step in and play in the NBA immediately, but he is hoping to sign him and have him at training camp, which begins Oct. 4 at Brock University in St. Catharines.

In 75 games with the Bulls, Williams made 54 starts and averaged 9.5 points per game (ninth among NBA rookies), 4.7 assists and shot 40% from the floor. He set the Bulls' career rookie record for three-point field goals with 65.

Babcock has been looking to add a solid point guard to back up and push Rafer Alston. He also signed Spanish national team point guard Jose Calderon this summer.

Williams, a free agent, already has worked out for the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Miami Heat, and has a few more scheduled for this week.

The offer the Utah Jazz made to restricted free agent Devin Brown was not matched by San Antonio making for an interesting acquisition of the 6'5 shooting guard who played in 67 games last season averaging: "7.4 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 18.5 minutes per game" and showed loads of potential in limited action. Could see some action in starting rotation or off the bench should fit in nicely primarily backing up Gordon Giricek.

Taken from TSN
Toronto Raptors general manager Rob Babcock doesn't have high expectations in terms of wins this season.Because of the influx of young players on the roster, the second-year GM doesn't expect the club to improve on it's 33-49 record from last season. ''There will be growing pains, no doubt about it,'' Babcock told the paper. ``Whether we win or lose more games than last year, I think if you look at us on paper, we probably will not win as many games as last year.
''We more or less have the same team back with the exception of Donyell Marshall, who was an integral part of our team last year. We're replacing him with rookies.''

Please tell me how a GM of a professional team can tell his fans that his team won't compete, won't win and won't even match their past year performance. Are not his duties as GM of the fifth largest sports market in north america to make a winner? Should he not be capable of producing Wins.

This will be a sad year for all you Raptor fans.