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The Raptors play the 12-8 Jazz in Utah at 10:30 tonight. Carlos Boozer and Jarron Collins are out, while Matt Harpring and Kyrylo Fesenko (who?) will be game-time decisions. Deron Williams has been slow coming back from injury — he hasn't topped 14 points in any of his seven games so far this season. Does anyone think he won't top that against Jose Calderon? Still, with all of Utah's injuries (Interesting fact: The Jazz have lost 66 man-games to injury and personal leave this season — that's more than double what John Stockton and Karl Malone missed in 37 combined seasons playing for the Jazz.) and with the Raptors hopefully fired up under a new coach, this is a very winnable game. The Jazz are pretty vulnerable defensively on the perimeter (they're 28th in the NBA in opponent three-point percentage) so Toronto can take this one if they hit their shats... er, shots. That's going to take some getting used to.
The Links
First things first, bookmark this link. That's where I'll be liveblogging the Raptors/Blazers game on Sunday at 1:00 pm ET on theScore.com. This is our beta launch of our new live-blogging software, so make sure you're there when some enterprising scamp figures out a way to get past the moderation filter and post some midget porn. Because, hey — who doesn't like midget porn?
Well, this was inevitable. The media is now turning a sharp eye on Bryan Colangelo's performance. Feschuk takes the first jab.
Dave Berri thinks that the Jermaine O'Neal trade is the real reason for the Raptors' early-season troubles.
Colangelo has had it up to here with his haters and critics: "I'm really, really tired and incensed reading about what we lack. We've got a lot of things that aren't talked about. We've got a great group of players."
Chris Bosh thinks Jay Triano was the right choice to replace Sam Mitchell. Jermaine O'Neal makes an interesting point about a possible effect of the coaching change: "It sparks guys because there are going to be some guys who haven't played as many minutes as they want to play who feel like they've got a new chance."
Sam Mitchell is all class on his way out.
Michael Grange talked to Steve Nash about the Triano hiring. Steve said, "I think he'll be fantastic. He absolutely loves the game of basketball. He's passionate, a workaholic, and the kind of coach guys love to be around. He's got all the ingredients to be an NBA coach."
Rafer Alston is surprised that Sam Mitchell got fired.
New comic from Garbagetime All-Stars: Steve Kerr addresses the "media".
Here's a useful Web tool that somebody posted on RealGM: The Professional Sports Transactions Archive. For a good time, check out the history of disciplinary actions against Charles Oakley
As referred to earlier this week, I'll be posting this link to Donate to Autism Society Canada on Maxwell Hunter Carefoot's behalf at the end of every Shootaround from now until Christmas. Thanks to everyone who has already donated.
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