The Raptors made a few roster moves today, releasing forward Luke Jackson and picking up the fourth-year option on guard/forward Joey Graham. Jackson was signed to two 10 day contracts until being locked up for the remainder of last season. He found himself expendable after the Raptors acquired Carlos Delfino and Jason Kapono in the off season. Continue Reading

Having had the time to digest the season for what is was, and not what it could have been, it is easy to get excited about the future. They assimilated 9 new players, Mitchell survived his lame duck status - parlaying it into a big payday, Colangelo cemented his GM genius, MLSE made millions more than they anticipated, and Embry apparently lost a couple pounds. A GREAT SUCCESS! Continue Reading

How do you do Mr. Jackson? Talk about making me eat my words, and giving me something to close the regular season out with. So in 39 minutes, Mr. Jackson went 12-16 from the floor, 4-5 from the line, 4 boards, 5 assists, a steal…topped off with 30 points. He played so well, it kind of overshadowed Bargnani’s return, for me anyways…for some reason, I have been obsessed with Luke Jackson since he got drafted. Once Chicago nabbed Deng, I wanted either Iguadala or Jackson, but we got Araujo…and we know how that worked out, but I digress….

So a couple points about tonights game:

1. Why was Bosh, Parker, TJ Ford playing more than 15-20 minutes?
2. Why did we lose with both Iguadala and Korver not playing?
3. Why wasn’t Slokar playing after he put up a career night the night before?

Truth be told, I was flipping between the Raptors game and American Idol (really wanted to see if Sanjaya lasted another week), so I missed a lot of the games happenings. That being said, it seemed like every time I flipped back to the game, it was either Jackson or Green making a basket, got funny after a while. Tonight’s game has kind of inspired me to keep the ‘Line on Luke’ series going. I know this was the best it is going to get, and he is going to be riding major pine, but whatever…dude endeared himself tonight.

Technorati Tags: Luke Jackson, Andrea Bargnani, Luol Deng, Andre Iguadala, Raphael Araujo, Chris Bosh, Anthony Parker, TJ Ford, Kyle Korver, Uros Slokar, Willie Green, American Idol

I apologize for not keeping up with this thread, but one more game to go tonight, and we will forget this badly conceived idea:

36min, 1-6 from the field, 1-4 from the stripe, 2 boards, 2 steals, 4 turn overs, 1 block and 3 points.

Technorati Tags: Luke Jackson

Jackson responded to my two ‘donuts across the boards’ posts to play 6 minutes, score 2 points (on 1-3 shooting), add an assist and a steal. Moving on up.

Technorati Tags: Luke Jackson

59 seconds, and donuts across the board. I am starting to regret starting this series as I had higher hopes for the kid, but there are only a couple games left in the regular season.

Technorati Tags: Luke Jackson

After 39 seconds of big play, Jackson put up donuts across the board. This might have been a game he could have played a couple more minutes.

Technorati Tags: Luke Jackson

In 6 minutes of play, Mr. Jackson had donuts across the board, with 1 turn over. He did however play himself into a second 10 day contract, which almost assures him of joining the team for the rest of the season, and into the playoffs.

Technorati Tags: Luke Jackson

The Raptors bounce back from a tough loss last night and defeat the Orlando Magic 111-108 in a very chippy game. Chris Bosh led the way with 28 points and 10 rebounds and Anthony Parker went 4-8 from 3 point land and finished with 20 points. TJ Ford and Jose Calderon had strong games finishing with a combined 15 assists and Joey Graham added a solid 19 points.

Even though the Raps were outrebounded 41-27, it was their ability to score off turnovers that led to the season sweep over the Magic. Orlando committed 23 to’s compared to Toronto’s 15.

The Magic came out on fire early and led by as much as 15 points in the first half, but the Raps battled back and closed the gap to five at halftime. The Raptors gained the lead midway through the 3rd quarter and didnt trail again. The Magic did manage to tie the game late but poor execution during key possesions cost them the game.

With the win the Raptors move 1 game ahead of Miami for third place in the East.

Some off the court news for the Raptors: Luke Jackson signed a second 10 day contract; Anthony Parker won the Sportsmanship award for the Atlantic Division; Andrea Bargnani joined the Raptors on the sidelines; Jorge Garbajosa gave a phone interview during the 3rd quarter.

Technorati Tags: Chris Bosh, Anthony Parker, TJ Ford, Jose Calderon, Joey Graham, Andrea Bargnani, Luke Jackson, Jorge Garbajosa, Atlantic Division

Good to see Luke get up and down the court a couple times:

19min
10 pts - 4 of 6 from the field (2 of 2 behind the arc)
2 rebs
2 ast

Technorati Tags: Luke Jackson