adplus-dvertising
Connect with us

Sports

Raptors secure foundation for their future

Published

 on

TORONTO – What separates the NBA’s great organizations from the good ones?

There are numerous factors, of course, but a big differentiator is how they transition from one era to the next. Can they do it seamlessly without having to hit the reset button or endure a long and painful rebuild?

It’s a rare ability that requires pristine drafting and player development, savvy asset management, and a little bit of luck – occasionally a lot of luck. But it can be done, as teams like the San Antonio Spurs and Miami Heat, among others, have shown.

The Spurs are probably the best example – the gold standard in the league and throughout professional sports for more than two decades. Prior to this past season, they had a record-tying run of 22 straight playoff appearances, resulting in six trips to the Finals and five championships.

Head coach Gregg Popovich and chief executive R.C. Buford were the constants, but their run – which came to an end when they went 32-39 and missed the post-season in 2019-20 – was a credit to the way they passed the torch between prominent players.

David Robinson helped groom Tim Duncan, who mentored Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili, who paid it forward to Kawhi Leonard. Whenever a franchise cornerstone was nearing the end of his career, there always seemed to be another waiting in the wings and ready to inherit the reigns.

The Toronto Raptors have aimed to emulate that approach, and while they still have a long way to go in order to reach that almost unprecedented level of sustained success, they’re on the right track.

Their seven consecutive playoff appearances are tied (with Portland and behind Houston) for the NBA’s second-longest active streak. They’ve won at least one post-season series five years in a row, which is tops in the league. There aren’t many clubs that are held in higher esteem for their body of work over the past decade.

Kyle Lowry, DeMar DeRozan and Dwane Casey – along with the architect Masai Ujiri – were the faces of their unlikely rise. While the core has undergone changes over the years – most notable with Nick Nurse replacing Casey and DeRozan being sent to San Antonio for one memorable year of Leonard – Lowry remains at the forefront of the team’s identity.

The six-time all-star is turning 35 in March and will be a free agent following this season. Even if he remains a Raptor beyond that point – and many are hoping he will – he can only defy the aging process for so long, you would think. Eventually, it will come time to pass the torch.

The Raptors have been good enough for long enough that they’ve had to consider and plan for what comes next. That’s what this past year has been about for Ujiri and general manager Bobby Webster – setting the Raptors down a path that ensures they’ll be competitive for the foreseeable future.

The foundation they’ve built, and recently secured, features the promising young trio of Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet and OG Anunoby.

In the fall of 2019, the Raptors signed Siakam to a maximum salary contract extension worth more than $130 million over the next four years, beginning this season. Last month, they gave VanVleet a new four-year, $85 million deal. On Monday, just ahead of the deadline, they agreed to extend Anunoby for four years at $72 million. His deal will kick in next season.

All three players are home grown, having been drafted – or, in the case of VanVleet, signed as an undrafted free agent – by Toronto. They’ve come up together through the Raptors’ system, learning from veterans of the previous regime and sharing in the team’s recent success, including the championship run in 2019.

They’re all under the age of 27, yet to or just about to reach their prime years. They’ve each taken meaningful steps early in their professional careers and shown there’s still another level that they can reach. And now, they’re all under contract through 2023-24.

“They were second-year players when I was a rookie, so we all started off the same and we’ve all just been growing,” Anunoby said. “It’s been cool to see. We all work really hard, we’ve all been happy for each other. So it’s cool to see and I’m excited for the future.”

“I think it’s really been fun and interesting to watch them all grow,” said Nurse. “I think it’s a real credit first of all to them individually and to our organization – coaching staff, player development, all that stuff that we’ve been able to grow these guys to this point.”

“I don’t think any of them were real sure-fire high draft picks or whatever. Freddy’s undrafted and [Siakam and Anunoby were] late first-round picks, and they go out there and they compete with the best.”

For the Raptors, that’s been the key to carrying over their success, as it was for the Spurs. As a winning team that’s routinely selecting from the bottom of the first round, if they even have a pick at all, scouting and drafting well are paramount.

Sure, San Antonio was fortunate to end up with the first-overall pick in a class that happened to feature a generational talent like Duncan, but from there, they found Ginobili with the 57th pick and Parker at pick No. 28. Even Leonard, who they acquired on draft night, was a steal at 15.

A surprise 27th-overall pick in 2016, Siakam has blossomed into an all-star and all-NBA talent. VanVleet was passed over 60 times in that same draft and has become one of the league’s best success stories. Anunoby, who was recovering from a serious knee injury at the time of the draft in 2017 and fell to the Raptors at No. 23, may have the highest upside of the trio.

“He hopefully understands he can become one of the league’s elite defenders,” Nurse said of Anunoby on Tuesday. “And then the rest of it, I just think continues to develop. He certainly shoots the ball well. His other skill work – what is he gonna do in transition, what’s he gonna do on the block, what’s he gonna do starting and ending drives, what kind of passer is he gonna become – all those things, I think, are accelerating I would say at probably a faster rate than expected. He’s certainly more than just a play defence and stand in the corner guy. He’s becoming a more active member of the offence because his skills are improving.”

“I definitely think I’m capable of more than I’ve shown [offensively],” said the 23-year-old forward. “I work really hard at this stuff. Especially with what my role’s been, I think I’m definitely capable of more, for sure.”

With an expanded role in the team’s offence, many are expecting Anunoby to take a big step forward in his fourth campaign, but the spotlight will be on all three of the young Raptors when they tip off the new season in Tampa on Wednesday. Siakam’s fourth year, and first as a primary option, was a success – or at least it would have been if not for his disappointing showing in the bubble. He’ll be on a mission to prove that, at 26 years of age, it was merely a small setback and his best is yet to come. VanVleet showed that he can be a full-time starter, but with the big contract people will want to see him continue to evolve as a lead guard.

“I think Fred is certainly a leader of the team, he’s kind of a natural leader anyway and [with] the departures of Serge [Ibaka] and Marc [Gasol] he probably takes a bigger role,” Nurse said. “And as far as Pascal and OG, I think this is the opportunity for them to grow into this a little bit. I think Pascal’s doing so, maybe his status in the locker room or status on the team helps that and OG’s coming along. He still seems like the young one of the group, not quite into that leadership role yet, but I think the chemistry between them has developed nicely.”

To compete for championships in the NBA you need a superstar, and the Raptors know that more than most – it’s the reason they traded the popular DeRozan for what turned out to be a rental in Leonard.

It’s why they were crossing their fingers in the hopes that Giannis Antetokounmpo would pass on signing his extension with Milwaukee, giving them a shot – even if it would have been a long one – at landing him next summer. It’s also why they’ve reportedly kicked the tires on the disgruntled James Harden, even though he would be a questionable fit in Toronto, both on and off the court.

Those types of players are hard to get your hands on, and unless one of their young foundational pieces takes an unexpected leap into that stratosphere, the Raptors will always be in the market for one of those elite talents.

But with the trio of Siakam, VanVleet and Anunoby – three all-star calibre players, or guys with all-star potential – under long-term control, the Raptors are virtually a lock to remain competitive as they transition to the next era. And with assets, and the willingness to spend them, they’re well positioned to make the move that would take them to the next level, if and
Source:- TSN

Source link

Continue Reading

Sports

Champions Trophy host Pakistan says it’s not been told India wants to play cricket games elsewhere

Published

 on

 

LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — A top official of the Pakistan Cricket Board declined Friday to confirm media reports that India has decided against playing any games in host Pakistan during next year’s Champions Trophy.

“My view is if there’s any problems, they (India) should tell us in writing,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Lahore. “I’ll share that with the media as well as with the government as soon as I get such a letter.”

Indian media reported Friday that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has communicated its concerns to all the Champions Trophy stakeholders, including the PCB, over the Feb. 19-March 9 tournament and would not play in arch-rival Pakistan.

The Times of India said that “Dubai is a strong candidate to host the fixtures involving the Men in Blue” for the 50-over tournament.

Such a solution would see Pakistan having to travel to a neutral venue to play India in a group match, with another potential meeting later in the tournament if both teams advanced from their group. The final is scheduled for March 9 in Pakistan with the specific venue not yet decided.

“Our stance is clear,” Naqvi said. “They need to give us in writing any objections they may have. Until now, no discussion of the hybrid model has happened, nor are we prepared to accept one.”

Pakistan hosted last year’s Asia Cup but all India games were played in Sri Lanka under a hybrid model for the tournament. Only months later Pakistan did travel to India for the 50-over World Cup.

Political tensions have stopped bilateral cricket between the two nations since 2008 and they have competed in only multi-nation tournaments, including ICC World Cups.

“Cricket should be free of politics,” Naqvi said. “Any sport should not be entangled with politics. Our preparations for the Champions Trophy will continue unabated, and this will be a successful event.”

The PCB has already spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi which are due to host 15 Champions Trophy games. Naqvi hoped all the three stadiums will be ready over the next two months.

“Almost every country wants the Champions Trophy to be played here (in Pakistan),” Naqvi said. “I don’t think anyone should make this a political matter, and I don’t expect they will. I expect the tournament will be held at the home of the official hosts.”

Eight countries – Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan – are due to compete in the tournament, the schedule of which is yet to be announced by the International Cricket Council.

“Normally the ICC announces the schedule of any major tournament 100 days before the event, and I hope they will announce it very soon,” Naqvi said.

___

AP cricket:

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

Source link

Continue Reading

Sports

Dabrowski, Routlife into WTA doubles final with win over Melichar-Martinez, Perez

Published

 on

 

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Ottawa‘s Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe of New Zealand are through to the doubles final at the WTA Finals after a 7-6 (7), 6-1 victory over Nicole Melichar-Martinez of the United States and Australia’s Ellen Perez in semifinal action Friday.

Dabrowski and Routliffe won a hard-fought first set against serve when Routliffe’s quick reaction at the net to defend a Perez shot gave the duo set point, causing Perez to throw down her racket in frustration.

The second seeds then cruised through the second set, winning match point on serve when Melichar-Martinez couldn’t handle Routliffe’s shot.

The showdown was a rematch of last year’s semifinal, which Melichar-Martinez and Perez won in a super tiebreak.

Dabrowski and Routliffe will face the winner of a match between Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend, and Hao-Ching Chan and Veronika Kudermetova in the final on Saturday.

Dabrowski is aiming to become the first Canadian to win a WTA Finals title.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

Source link

Continue Reading

Sports

Winger Tajon Buchanan back with Canada after recovering from broken leg

Published

 on

 

Inter Milan winger Tajon Buchanan, recovered from a broken leg suffered in training at this summer’s Copa America, is back in Jesse Marsch’s Canada squad for the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal against Suriname.

The 25-year-old from Brampton, Ont., underwent surgery July 3 to repair a fractured tibia in Texas.

Canada, ranked 35th in the world, plays No. 136 Suriname on Nov. 15 in Paramaribo. The second leg of the aggregate series is four days later at Toronto’s BMO Field.

There is also a return for veteran winger Junior Hoilett, who last played for Canada in June in a 4-0 loss to the Netherlands in Marsch’s debut at the Canadian helm. The 34-year-old from Brampton, now with Scotland’s Hibernian, has 15 goals in 63 senior appearances for Canada.

Midfielder Ismael Kone, recovered from an ankle injury sustained on club duty with France’s Marseille, also returns. He missed Canada’s last three matches since the fourth-place Copa America loss to Uruguay in July.

But Canada will be without centre back Derek Cornelius, who exited Marseille’s win Sunday over Nantes on a stretcher after suffering an apparent rib injury.

The Canadian men will prepare for Suriname next week at a camp in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

“We are looking forward to getting the group together again with the mindset that there is a trophy on the line,” Marsch said in a statement. “We want to end 2024 the right way with two excellent performances against a competitive Suriname squad and continue building on our tremendous growth this past summer.”

The quarterfinal winners advance to the Nations League Finals at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., with the two semifinals scheduled for March 20 and the final and third-place playoff March 23, and qualify for the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Thirteen of the 23 players on the Canadian roster are 25 or younger, with 19-year-old defender Jamie Knight-Lebel, currently playing for England’s Crewe Alexandra on loan from Bristol City, the youngest.

Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies captains the side with Stephen Eustaquio, Jonathan Osorio, Richie Laryea, Alistair Johnston and Kamal Miller adding veteran support.

Jonathan David, Cyle Larin and Theo Bair are joined in attack by Minnesota United’s Tani Oluwaseyi.

Niko Sigur, a 21-year-old midfielder with Croatia’s Hadjuk Split, continues in the squad after making his debut in the September friendly against Mexico.

Suriname made it to the Nations League quarterfinals by finishing second to Costa Rica in Group A of the Nations League, ahead of No. 104 Guatemala, No. 161 Guyana and unranked Martinique and Guadeloupe.

“A good team,” Osorio said of Suriname. “These games are always tricky and they’re not easy at all … Suriname is a (former) Dutch colony and they’ll have Dutch players playing at high levels.”

“They won’t be someone we overlook at all,” added the Toronto FC captain, who has 81 Canada caps to his credit.

Located on the northeast coast of South America between Guyana and French Guiana, Suriname was granted independence in 1975 by the Netherlands.

Canada has faced Suriname twice before, both in World Cup qualifying play, winning 4-0 in suburban Chicago in June 2021 and 2-1 in Mexico City in October 1977.

The Canadian men, along with Mexico, the United States and Panama, received a bye into the final eight of the CONCACAF Nations League.

Canada, No. 2 in the CONCACAF rankings, drew Suriname as the best-placed runner-up from League A play.

Canada lost to Jamaica in last year’s Nations League quarterfinal, ousted on the away-goals rule after the series ended in a 4-4 draw. The Canadians lost 2-0 to the U.S. in the final of the 2022-23 tournament and finished fifth in 2019-20.

Canada defeated Panama 2-1 last time out, in an Oct. 15 friendly in Toronto.

Goalkeepers Maxime Crepeau and Jonathan Sirois, defenders Joel Waterman, Laryea and Miller and Osorio took part in a pre-camp this week in Toronto for North America-based players.

Canada Roster

Goalkeepers: Maxime Crepeau, Portland Timbers (MLS); Jonathan Sirois, CF Montreal (MLS); Dayne St. Clair, Minnesota United FC (MLS).

Defenders: Moise Bombito, OGC Nice (France); Alphonso Davies, Bayern Munich (Germany); Richie Laryea, Toronto FC (MLS); Alistair Johnston, Celtic (Scotland); Jamie Knight-Lebel. Crewe Alexandra, on loan from Bristol City (England); Kamal Miller, Portland Timbers (MLS); Joel Waterman, CF Montreal (MLS).

Midfielders: Ali Ahmed. Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS); Tajon Buchanan, Inter Milan (Italy); Mathieu Choiniere, Grasshopper Zurich (Switzerland); Stephen Eustaquio, FC Porto (Portugal); Junior Hoilett, Hibernian FC (Scotland); Ismael Kone, Olympique Marseille (France); Jonathan Osorio, Toronto FC (MLS); Jacob Shaffelburg, Nashville SC (MLS); Niko Sigur, Hadjuk Split (Croatia).

Forwards: Theo Bair, AJ Auxerre (France); Jonathan David, LOSC Lille (France); Cyle Larin, RCD Mallorca (Spain); Tani Oluwaseyi, Minnesota United (MLS).

Follow @NeilMDavidson on X platform

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.

Source link

Continue Reading

Trending