AGRI Biz

ThereÆs a new rash of players being told to stay away from their teams this season in the NBA and fans should expect this list to grow and to include some very big names. Marcus Banks wasnÆt at the ACC on Sunday and his permitted return date is unknown.á Banks has been kept way for the most mundane of reasons, but a reason that is striking fear into coaches and GMs ...

OK, both teams did not win the game. But both teams should be happy with the result.á Certain players on the Raptors may disagree, but thatÆs not the story here.á Neither was the final score of 101 Celtics, 82 Raptors. For three quarters of the game, when the players who will be playing during the season were playing in lineups fans will actually get to watch, the Raptors played the Celtics ...

In in game they should have won, played against a team they should have beaten, the Raptors gave the sparse crowd at the ACC a stark reminder of why they were so unsuccessful last season.á Houston 124, Toronto 112, ouch! ItÆs only preseason and there are lots of excuses for the RaptorsÆ loss against a depleted Rockets team.á But if anyone needed a reminder that defense is required to win games, ...

In one of several big name signings this off season in the NBA, the Toronto Raptors signed the 30-year-old Hedo Turkoglu to a five-year $50 million plus contract.á That wasnÆt the big surprise, Turkoglu could have signed with Portland for similar money.á The surprise was in the ravings from some writers and fans expounding on how the Raptors would live to regret this deal two, three, or four years down ...

In the first non-televised Raptors preseason game this year, the Raptors won in convincing fashion 112 to 97 over the T-wolves. Sure itÆs only preseason and the game means nothing, but wouldnÆt if have been nice to actually watch this game instead of the first two feeble efforts? At least those of us heading down to the ACC on Sunday have something more exciting to look forward to than BurkieÆs hot-dogs! Apparently ...

The Raptors had a home opener of sorts at the ACC on Wednesday night.á No the building wasnÆt full nor was it especially loud like it will be on the 28th.á But a lot of people did come out to watch two teams prepare for the regular season. First off for those of you who havenÆt had the chance to come down to the ACC since the renovations this summer, MLSE ...

While making predictions before the completion of the preseason is a muggs game. Fool-hearty at best! Some things should becoming clear. Boston is still good! Very good! And everyone else in the Atlantic Division has gone through change. As many notables have given this task their best shot and taken their lumps without witnessing a game, it would be unfair to not wade in with oneÆs ...

As yet another NBA season approaches, there are a number of key players who have said or have done something that puts them onto the NBAÆs ôIÆll Prove-it Team." They arenÆt always different players, but hopefully theyÆll have different reasons! The top candidates for this seasonÆs ôIÆll Prove-it Teamö andátheir runner-ups for each position are shown below. If you think that someoneÆs been missed, voice your opinion.á We all want to ...

Antoine Wright was acquired in the complex sign and trade deal that brought Hedo Turkoglu to Toronto on July 9, 2009. Touted as a defensive specialist, he seemed to be the type of player that the Raptors needed to add to their roster. At six foot, six-and-a-quarter, and 215 lbs, AntoineÆs measurements put him in between the typical shooting guard and small forward. But his standing reach of eight foot, eight-and-a-half ...

Chris Bosh, Toronto Raptors' premier power forward, all-star, and all-around best loved player is about to enter what should be the biggest contract season of his young NBA career. And yes, when one is talking about young veteran all-star sports figures, the salaries being discussed are unbelievably huge, gigantic, and even monstrous. But these contracts do fall under a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) made between the NBA and its players. When Chris ...