Random basketball news

The Raptors have officially proven to me that they are headed in the right direction. Their destruction of the red-hot New York Knicks yesterday afternoon as well as their overall record in January and December shows that the BRUTAL month of November had more to do with a team filled with young players and lacking any kind of true identity.

If they can keep their core group of young players together, that list is headed up by Chris Bosh, and manage their cap they will be contending for a legit playoff spot next season and possibly even more. I hope they can re-sign Mike James, but I'm not overly optimistic.

Despite his huge showcasing effort yesterday, I still think the Raps should try to swing a trade for Jalen Rose (not because he can't play, but because they need the cap room) and throw Eric Williams in there too. Eric Williams has stated publicly yet again (i've heard this before) that he wants to be moved. This is a guy who's only appeared in seven games this season and has proven to be inconsistent in minutes played and horribly injury prone. He believes he's still good enough to start for a CONTENDING team. He feels being on a young rebuilding team isn't right for him because "less worthy" guys are getting time ahead of him. Note to E-Will..... Charlie V, Matt Bonner and Joey Graham are BETTER THAN YOU!

Away from the NBA, my buddy Ron Burrows and co-coach Richard Gallagher and their squad at Mother Teresa had a terrific run this weekend winning the very prestigious Nike Silver Fox Tournament in Hamilton. The Fox is the biggest highschool basketball tourney of the year aside from the provincial championships themselves.

Mother Teresa (a provincial silver medalist last season) has been riddled with injuries for the first half of this season. Despite only having 4 losses against almost 20 wins, they had been dropped from the GTA top 10 by virtually every media outlet in favour of trendier pics. Winning the Fox by beating St. Thomas Moore (after Moore upset 4 time provincial gold medalists Eastern Commerce) proves they are still in the medal hunt. Congrats guys.

Finally.... my old team the Markham High senior boys continue their rebuilding year, but are having a tremendous amount of success. They are currently 8-1 in their league and won a tournament last week as well. Tonight they host Father McGivney.