Graham says his time has come

globesports.com: Graham says his time has come
He played down his dunk on Bosh, but wasn’t shy about his hopes for the coming season.

“I owed him one, because in practice he’s got me many times,” Graham said. “So why not do it here? [But] I feel good. I’ve been working hard this whole summer, I didn’t take any time off. This is my year, it’s my coming-out party year, so I got to do it. Usually, it takes guys two or three years. If they haven’t established themselves by that moment, they move on. This is my year where I determine if I’m going to have longevity or whatever.”

Raptors notes

TheStar.com | NBA | Raptors notes
“I think for the past two summers I was really concentrating on gaining weight and after I stayed the same weight, I just concentrated on getting stronger,” he said here after a training camp practice. “As long as I stay in the weight room, continue to lift … if I get stronger, I’ll be good.”

Bosh’s game isn’t predicated on muscle, he’s more of a finesse big man so adding dozens of pounds isn’t a prerequisite. He’s still able to defend other power forwards without being tossed around like a rag doll, a very big rag doll. “I think I’m just going to weigh what I weigh,” he said. And that’s about 230 pounds.

Raptors wade into old world

TheStar.com | NBA | Raptors wade into old world
“A hardship?” English said of holding training camp over here. “Not a chance.”

English knows Italy like few others connected with the team. After finishing a hall of fame career in Dallas in 1991, he spent a season playing in Napoli to satisfy some wanderlust.

“I just always wanted to experience Europe and Italy, especially,” he said. “I’m really looking forward to Rome. But Venice? Venice is special.”

The whole camp has been an exercise in nostalgia for English, who has taken part in the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders program in Africa for five summers, broadening his horizons more with each trip.

“This brings back all the memories,” he said. “Food-wise, it sure does; living-wise, it does. It’s a living-easy lifestyle.”

Notes

TorontoSun.com – Basketball – Garbo recovering nicely
Most of the Raptors players and coaching staff toured Venice yesterday, located just south of Treviso, including a visit to historic St. Mark’s Basilica and St. Mark’s Square, where forward Jason Kapono allowed a rather large flock of pigeons to climb all over him. His wife, Ashley, was not impressed … The Raptors will hold an open scrimmage this evening at the Benetton Treviso training facility for Benetton seasons tickets holders and members of the U.S. military.

Garbo recovering nicely

TorontoSun.com – Basketball – Garbo recovering nicely
Team doctors initially prescribed follow-up surgery this summer when it appeared as though the break had not healed properly, but Garbajosa opted for therapy, mainly so he could play for Spain at this summer’s European championships.

But while the Raptors were wary of that option, so far Garbajosa’s decision to avoid surgery is paying off. The second-year NBA player has looked good at training camp.

“Except for certain times when he has to plant and turn, he’s been doing well,” head coach Sam Mitchell said. “I always tell him if he needs a day (off), let me know, but he says so far he feels fine.”

Calderon a hot commodity for Raps

TorontoSun.com – Basketball – Calderon a hot commodity for Raps
Calderon, who averaged 8.7 points and 5.0 assists last season, insists that he is content in Toronto. But many basketball insiders believe that a player of Calderon’s calibre would be crazy to continue as a backup, given the fact that he has the talent, and will soon have the opportunity, to be a starter.