Let’s be blunt: the Toronto Raptors are a sorry bunch, in real life and in fantasy terms. Sure, there are a decent number of potential breakout candidates on this squad whenever the next NBA season begins, but there are also timeshares awaiting a few positions. There’s no true stud here, but when you’re in the latter rounds of your draft, keep some of these Canadian dinosaurs in mind. Read More »

Nicolas Batum is the future for Team France, and a big part of the future for the Portland Trail Blazers. The 21-year-old small forward has two seasons under his belt in the NBA, where he is preparing to take over as a full-time starter next season, and this summer has a featured role representing his country at the FIBA World Championship tourney in Turkey. Read More »

While the West looks to be losing some of it swagger, with players like Amar’e Stoudemire and Carlos Boozer deciding to take their games back East, it looks like the Dallas Mavericks are trying there hardest to stack their frontline so that they can challenge the Lakers. Read More »

Hours after a seemingly done deal sending Tyson Chandler to Toronto was squashed by Bobcats owner Michael Jordan, Chandler has been dealt again — this time to the Mavericks.

According to Yahoo! Sports, the trade has Chandler and Alexis Ajinca going to Dallas in exchange for Erick Dampier, Matt Carroll and Eduardo Najera.

After the Bobcats acquired Chandler last season in a trade for one-time franchise centerpiece Emeka Okafor, Chandler averaged 6.5 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.1 blocks. Read More »

There we were, all ready to make fun of Chris Webber for predicting Shaq would have a big night against Memphis because his “ego is bruised” from his All-Star snub and he wanted to take his frustration out on All-Star Zach Randolph — and then Shaq went out and made C-Webb look like Negrodamus, posting 13 points, 12 boards and four blocks next to Z-Bo’s eight points on 3-of-14 shooting in a Cavs rout … Shaq wasn’t dominant, but he helped set the tone right away. On one of Cleveland’s first possessions he beasted Marc Gasol for an easy dunk, then a couple trips later he took Z-Bo into the chamber and drew a foul. Read More »

With the NBA Trade Deadline less than three weeks away, you knew that the rumors were going to start to heat up. The Sacramento Bee is reporting that the Bobcats are showing strong interest in acquiring Jason Thompson from the Kings, and between Tyson Chandler, Nazr Mohammed, DeSagana Diop and Alexis Ajinca, the Bobcats have a glut of big men – none of whom have done jack this season – they’re willing to offer in exchange. Read More »

Having been given a few years in the League to develop—and for some, that was a few years too many—these once projected gems, have surely not helped their GM’s resumes. For each of these players, their expectations—either be when they entered the League or were given a generous contract—have been high at one point or another in their respective careers. But with failed production and diminished minutes, each has seen their stock plummet. Read More »

A couple months ago, before the D-League season began, I told you that the Maine Red Claws were my new favorite team. With their roster finally built out, and the season underway, I can fully stand behind that statement. Check out their new intro video…

Last week I was writing about the possible contract extensions for guys in the 2006 NBA Draft class, and how to-date only Andrea Bargnani, LaMarcus Aldridge and Brandon Roy had received them. Then the other day word broke that Thabo Sefolosha signed a four-year, around $14 million extension with the Thunder, leaving guys like Rajon Rondo, Rudy Gay and Tyrus Thomas waiting for an offer. Good news though: the league has pushed back the deadline from Saturday to Monday. Read More »

It would have been assumed that the young Bobcats were not headed in the right direction after drafting both Adam Morrison and Alexis Ajinca in the first round of the draft. But when Sheldon Williams drops a near double-double on you, things really aren’t looking too good. Read More »