http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/teams/toronto_raptors/67 Recent articles about Toronto Raptors en-us Dwane Casey will remain as the Toronto Raptors head coach, new general manager Masai Ujiri says. There had been some question regarding Casey's future in Toronto following the hiring of Ujiri amid a front-office overhaul. Casey is in the final year of a contract extension signed following the 2011-12 season. ''I'm excited about moving forward and growing this team with Coach Casey,'' Ujiri said in a release. The Raptors went 34-48 this season and missed the playoffs for the fifth consecutive year. A Raptors front-office shakeup followed under new Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment CEO Tim Leiweke. Longtime general manager Bryan Colangelo was relieved of his GM duties on May 21, and replaced with Ujiri 10 days later. Executive vice-president Ed Stefanski and scout Alvin Williams, one of the most popular players to ever suit up for Toronto, were also fired. Wed, 19 Jun 2013 15:55:00 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/raptors_gm_casey_will_remain_coach/13873166 http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/raptors_gm_casey_will_remain_coach/13873166 Raptors GM: Casey will remain coach http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/raptors_gm_casey_will_remain_coach/13873166 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Dwane Casey will return to the Toronto Raptors for the 13-14 NBA season as head coach. The move was expected but confirmed on Wednesday in a press release. Casey will be in the final season of his contract and his future will be determined by Masai Ujiri. Wed, 19 Jun 2013 14:38:40 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/dwane_casey_to_remain_with_raptors_next_season/13871987 http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/dwane_casey_to_remain_with_raptors_next_season/13871987 Dwane Casey To Remain With Raptors Next Season http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/dwane_casey_to_remain_with_raptors_next_season/13871987 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png The Toronto Raptors do not hold any draft picks in next week's draft, but Masai Ujiri is going through preparations in the same manner as any front office. "For me, it’s not difficult at all because you approach the draft like you are drafting," said Ujiri. "Even though we don’t have a draft pick, we have to be prepared with all our information, all our rankings and every little detail that you need on players in the draft. I think we have to be very prepared going in because you never know what’s going to happen on draft day. You could get a couple of calls that would shock you, so you have to be prepared for any circumstance." Wed, 19 Jun 2013 14:30:44 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/raptors_fully_preparing_for_draft_despite_not_owning_any_picks/13872002 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/raptors_fully_preparing_for_draft_despite_not_owning_any_picks/13872002 Raptors Fully Preparing For Draft Despite Not Owning Any Picks http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/raptors_fully_preparing_for_draft_despite_not_owning_any_picks/13872002 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png The Toronto Raptors have hired Bobby Webster to become the vice president of basketball management and strategy. Webster was previously working in the league office and will become the Raptors' capologist. Wed, 19 Jun 2013 13:07:41 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/bobby_webster_hired_as_raptors_capologist/13870979 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/bobby_webster_hired_as_raptors_capologist/13870979 Bobby Webster Hired As Raptors' Capologist http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/bobby_webster_hired_as_raptors_capologist/13870979 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Dan Tolzman has accepted a director-level scouting job with the Toronto Raptors. Tolzman was most recently with the Denver Nuggets, where he reported to new Raptors' GM Masai Ujiri. Tolzman had offers from numerous teams. Wed, 19 Jun 2013 12:36:15 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/raptors_hire_dan_tolzman_for_director_level_scouting_position/13870982 http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/raptors_hire_dan_tolzman_for_director_level_scouting_position/13870982 Raptors Hire Dan Tolzman For Director-Level Scouting Position http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/raptors_hire_dan_tolzman_for_director_level_scouting_position/13870982 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png The Toronto Raptors have parted ways with Alvin Williams, a popular former player of the team who has been serving as a scout. Williams was based out of Philadelphia while scouting for the Raptors. The decision was made by MLSE CEO Tim Leiweke, according to the report. Tue, 18 Jun 2013 10:54:20 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/raptors_part_ways_with_alvin_williams/13861952 http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/raptors_part_ways_with_alvin_williams/13861952 Raptors Part Ways With Alvin Williams http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/raptors_part_ways_with_alvin_williams/13861952 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png The Toronto Raptors missed out on the post-season for a fifth straight year and as a result, made a change at the top of their organization.  The Raps plucked away Nuggets’ general manager, Masai Ujiri to assume that same role in Toronto.  With quality pieces on the roster and zero cap flexibility, Ujiri has decisions to make about how to get this team back on track. Toronto Raptors (34-48 last year) 2012-13 Season Summary: The Toronto Raptors made a massively aggressive move during the season by trading for Rudy Gay and his monster contract in hopes of finding a go-to scoring option.  That move combined with the acquisition of point guard Kyle Lowry during the off-season adding quality veterans in an attempt to accelerate their post-Chris Bosh rebuilding efforts.  Gay was his typical productive self on the offensive and while Lowry didn’t wow anyone with his play, allowed Toronto to deal long-time Raptor Jose Calderon for Gay. Jonas Valanciunas’ arrival was much anticipated and whi... Mon, 10 Jun 2013 09:01:41 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/toronto_raptors_have_quality_pieces_but_more_change_coming_this_off_season/13800239 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/toronto_raptors_have_quality_pieces_but_more_change_coming_this_off_season/13800239 Toronto Raptors have quality pieces, but more change coming this off-season? http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/toronto_raptors_have_quality_pieces_but_more_change_coming_this_off_season/13800239 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png The Toronto Raptors will hire Jeff Weltman as their second in command behind Masai Ujiri. Weltman will remain with the Milwaukee Bucks, however, until after the draft. Weltman signed an extension with the Bucks in January. Sun, 09 Jun 2013 19:39:41 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/report_jeff_weltman_to_join_raptors_front_office/13797908 http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/report_jeff_weltman_to_join_raptors_front_office/13797908 Report: Jeff Weltman To Join Raptors' Front Office http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/report_jeff_weltman_to_join_raptors_front_office/13797908 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Tim Leiweke, president of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE)—the company that owns the Toronto Raptors, along with the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs and MLS’s Toronto FC—said earlier this week that Raptors management would consider changing the team’s name. In a press conference introducing new Raptors general manager Masai Ujiri, Leiweke said of a name change, “We’re definitely going to take a look at it. It doesn’t mean we’re committed to it. It means it’s a good conversation.” The “Raptors” moniker came from a 1994 Canada-wide contest to name the team that would begin play in Toronto in 1995. “Raptors” beat out nine other finalists: Beavers, Bobcats, Dragons, Grizzlies, Hogs, Scorpions, T-Rex, Tarantulas, and Terriers. (The Vancouver franchise, which also entered the league in 1995, ended up using “Grizzlies.”) While “raptor” refers to a bird of prey, it is also an informal name for the velociraptor,  a speedy, medium-sized, carnivorous dinosaur that featured pr Thu, 06 Jun 2013 11:38:25 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/toronto_raptors_to_consider_name_change/13775537 http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/toronto_raptors_to_consider_name_change/13775537 Raptors considering name change? http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/toronto_raptors_to_consider_name_change/13775537 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/a/f/af362372b1e76c5dc88c2dec9c79e2978542ea98/mini/raptors.gif The Toronto Raptors have had plenty of excitement in their organization in the past week and much of that is in part to their new GM, Masai Ujiri, who for all intents and purposes, will certainly change the losing culture that has engulfed the franchise over the past seasons. While much of the focus has [...]The post Toronto Raptors Willing To Consider Name Change appeared first on The NBA Mistress. Thu, 06 Jun 2013 09:20:28 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/toronto_raptors_willing_to_consider_name_change/13774376 http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/toronto_raptors_willing_to_consider_name_change/13774376 Toronto Raptors Willing To Consider Name Change http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/toronto_raptors_willing_to_consider_name_change/13774376 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Tim Leiweke, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment’s new president and CEO, hinted that the Toronto Raptors could follow the trend of the New Orleans Pelicans and (most likely soon-to-be) Charlotte Hornets by changing the team’s name. At the introduction of new Raptors GM, Masai Ujiri, Leiweke said this about the potential name change: We’re definitely going to take a look at it. It doesn’t mean we’re committed to it. It means it’s a good conversation. I saw those generic uniforms today in the paper… That won’t be the uniform, by the way. I can assure you of that. I think we need to have this conversation. What I notice about this trend is that it’s all stinky teams hoping that new identities will make them better. So, let’s just get straight to the point, Toronto Raptors, and change your team name to the Toronto Eh Not So Bads. I think that could work. The post Toronto Raptors name change? appeared first on Baller Mind Frame. Thu, 06 Jun 2013 09:00:23 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/toronto_raptors_name_change/13774154 http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/toronto_raptors_name_change/13774154 Raptors considering name change? http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/toronto_raptors_name_change/13774154 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/a/d/adc004aeaaac218892585346d4be0d5a17ce1517/mini/raptors.gif Remember how cool of a movie Jurassic Park was when it came out? It’s still a cool movie, because dinosaurs are awesome. Dinosaurs as a basketball team name? Not so much. The Toronto Raptors are considering a name change heading into the offseason, and it is about damn time. As per new CEO Tim Leiweke via the National Post: “We’re definitely going to take a look at it. It doesn’t mean we’re committed to it. It means it’s a good conversation. I saw those generic uniforms today in the paper. … That won’t be the uniform, by the way. I can assure you of that. I think we need to have this conversation.” The Raptors are a terrible team name, and have zero to do with Toronto, and Canada as a whole. All professional sports teams should be named after something to do with where they are located. While the Pelicans isn’t an aggressive sounding name, at least it has significance to New Orleans. Raptors and Toronto? Nada. The older Raptors uniforms were hideous and cartoon-like. At least they g... Thu, 06 Jun 2013 08:00:10 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/the_raptors_may_finally_change_their_name/13773701 http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/the_raptors_may_finally_change_their_name/13773701 The Raptors may finally change their name http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/the_raptors_may_finally_change_their_name/13773701 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png via National Post     New Toronto Raptors President of Basketball Operations Masai Ujiri is not wasting too much time in implementing changes in the Toronto Raptors organization.  His is not only looking at short term performance goals, he is also reviewing the franchise’s history and marketability to star players.  One idea he has brought up is possibly changing the team’s name as well as the uniform design.   per National Post   As Tim Leiweke and Masai Ujiri met the media on Tuesday, they were long on enthusiasm and short on details.   That made sense — why would either man give away any of the Toronto Raptors’ strategies to the public before they started talking to teams around the league? Yet, Leiweke, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment’s new president and CEO, and Ujiri, the Raptors’ new president of basketball operations and general manager, overflowed with confidence. They promised to set the franchise’s goal at a championship level, with no more talk of merely making the... Thu, 06 Jun 2013 01:11:08 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/toronto_management_to_consider_name_change/13772795 http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/toronto_management_to_consider_name_change/13772795 Toronto management to consider name change http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/toronto_management_to_consider_name_change/13772795 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Earlier this week, the word out of Toronto was that new Raptors GM Masai Ujiri was going to retain Dwane Casey as head coach for the upcoming season. However, Mike Ganter of the Toronto Sun is now reporting that Masai Ujiri may not bring back Casey as head coach after all, and that the organization might look for a new head coach to start the Masai Ujiri era of basketball in “the 416″: “I’ve talked to Dwane Casey a couple of times and we’re going to sit down and I will understand what his philosophies are and I will tell him what my philosophies are and I’ll tell him what I think needs to be changed,” Ujiri said. “For me this organization is going to be like this now (hands together) and we will all be on the same page and have the same goals. For me, Dwane Casey has done a great job but I need to sit down with coach and figure out what his philosophies are and what he’s thinking for the future of this team … I need these 2-3 weeks where coach and I are going to figure out whether this th Wed, 05 Jun 2013 11:27:27 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/dwane_casey_may_not_be_back_in_toronto/13767536 http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/dwane_casey_may_not_be_back_in_toronto/13767536 Dwane Casey May Not Be Back In Toronto http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/dwane_casey_may_not_be_back_in_toronto/13767536 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Rumors are the Toronto Raptors’ new GM will spark a huge overhaul for the team, potentially involving new uniforms, color schemes and, potentially, a new name. To wit, the Toronto Star is asking for suggestions, and Deadspin is jumping on the contest. I’d suggest going over there and checking out a few submissions. And hey, if you got some talent yourself, go crazy. Anyone puts together a “Toronto Menudobols” jersey, you’ll win a free hat and our undying affection maybekinda. JKidd Retires The Awful New Nikes Tue, 04 Jun 2013 13:51:33 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/design_the_raptors_new_logo/13761308 http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/design_the_raptors_new_logo/13761308 Design The Raptors New Logo! http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/design_the_raptors_new_logo/13761308 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Raptors power forward Andrea Bargnani was once a highly touted first overall pick, but he has become one of the most unwanted athletes in the city of Toronto. The seven-footer has shown plenty of scoring potential in the past, but his points per game (12.7) and field goal percentage (39.9) recently dipped down to their lowest marks since the 2007-08 season. In addition, Bargnani has posted embarrassing rebounding numbers (3.7 per game last season), even when you consider that he is more of a perimeter forward. The Raptors will announce the hiring of their new general manager, Masai Ujiri, on Tuesday, and reports say that his first priority will be trading the former top draft pick. Former GM and current president Bryan Colangelo was handed the task of moving Bargnani as well, but failed to do so. The hurdles in trading the Italian big man include his injury history and recent regression in production, but most of all, his contract. Bargnani has missed an average of 33 games pe... Mon, 03 Jun 2013 16:55:00 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/new_raptors_gm_to_prioritize_trading_andrea_bargnani/13754033 http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/new_raptors_gm_to_prioritize_trading_andrea_bargnani/13754033 New Raptors GM to prioritize trading Andrea Bargnani http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/new_raptors_gm_to_prioritize_trading_andrea_bargnani/13754033 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/3/4/3495b108aa8243c2ae54e0501eebf90b0553d59a/mini/6764116.jpg   The new general manager of the Toronto Raptors, Massai Ujiri, has already fired the vice president of basketball operations, Ed Stefanski, however, Ujiri has chosen to stick with current head coach Dwane Casey.   Casey will now be returning for his third season with the Toronto Raptors.  In Casey’s first season, the Raptors won 23 games and in his second season they won 34 games.  The trade for Rudy Gay mid-season this past year, paid dividends for the Raptors on offense, however, defensively, they slid a little in the department.    If Casey can get the Raptors back on defense and if Ujiri is somehow able to trade away Andrea Bargnani’s contract, the Raptors could be a surprising team in the east and return from their long hiatus away from the playoffs. Mon, 03 Jun 2013 13:50:00 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/dwane_casey_will_return_as_toronto_raptors_head_coach/13752212 http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/dwane_casey_will_return_as_toronto_raptors_head_coach/13752212 Dwane Casey Will Return as Toronto Raptors Head Coach http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/dwane_casey_will_return_as_toronto_raptors_head_coach/13752212 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png via The Star The Toronto Raptors are determined to make some significant improvements. They traded for a possible star player in Rudy Gay. Then, they aggressively pursued and hired last year’s top executive. While a new GM will seek to impose some changes to leave his imprint on the team, it has been reported that coach Dwayne Casey will not be a part of the sweeping changes.   per The Star:   The emergence of those names as possible replacements to a staff including Johnny Davis, Scott Roth, Tom Sterner and Micah Nori is not news, the fact they’ve already spoken to members of the Raptors front office would suggest significant change to Dwane Casey’s staff is at hand. Team sources said weeks ago that seeking permission to interview potential new assistant coaches was simply a due diligence process; the desire now for change with a new general manager in place has been hastened.     Casey, according to league sources, has already spoken at length with Ujiri and Leiweke and would se... Mon, 03 Jun 2013 12:07:34 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/toronto_raptors_new_gm_will_keep_dwayne_casey/13751186 http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/toronto_raptors_new_gm_will_keep_dwayne_casey/13751186 Toronto Raptors new GM will keep Dwayne Casey http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/toronto_raptors_new_gm_will_keep_dwayne_casey/13751186 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Masai Ujiri has agreed to become the next general manager of the Toronto Raptors. Ujiri accepted a five-year, $15 million deal to leave the Denver Nuggets for the Raptors. Ujiri was the 2012-13 NBA Executive of the Year. Sources say Ujiri's decision to accept the position with the Raptors was made more difficult due to his strong relationship with Josh Kroenke. Ujiri is the first major hire since Tim Leiweke became CEO of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment. Fri, 31 May 2013 17:28:14 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/masai_ujiri_accepts_raptors_gm_job/13736306 http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/masai_ujiri_accepts_raptors_gm_job/13736306 Ujiri leaving Denver for Toronto http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/masai_ujiri_accepts_raptors_gm_job/13736306 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/0/a/0a6cec30fbcb6d557ddedcd3b5346e53a6ea3477/mini/mu.jpg Jalen Rose makes story time on Grantland quite entertaining. This time on the “B.S.Report,” Jalen tackles the frequent problem of girlfriends and wives at the same game. Not random players significant others, a married player with his main and mistress both wanting to be in the stands to cheer him on. Rose discusses seating arrangements.   Trust and believe, when you pick up the envelope from will call – that’s for the sides not wives, they don’t go through that headache – thought has been put into where you’ll be sitting and if you’ll get a postgame pass. So here’s my tip for both the jocks and those aspiring significant others. 1. Wives know where “the work” sits and the sides absolutely know where wifey sits. 2. You can try not leaving her passes but any crafty side piece will have a plan to get around this. You probably should make that clear upfront. 3. I’ve written a book on this topic and others like it. I can’t wait to let you in on what else goes on. Tue, 07 May 2013 18:49:32 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/jalen_rose_tells_how_he_used_to_keep_the_wives_amp_girlfriends_apart_at_nba_games/13570310 http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/jalen_rose_tells_how_he_used_to_keep_the_wives_amp_girlfriends_apart_at_nba_games/13570310 Rose on handling wives and girlfriends http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/jalen_rose_tells_how_he_used_to_keep_the_wives_amp_girlfriends_apart_at_nba_games/13570310 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/4/2/424ba94083b26f367117ad0d647a8a4d2b850ec5/mini/jl.jpg