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.”

Hoops legend scores for sick kids

CANOE — SLAM! Sports: all News – Hoops legend scores for sick kids
Alex English spotted the young boy wearing the Denver Nuggets No. 3 jersey and couldn’t resist.

“Hey, that should be No. 2,” English joked to the boy, who is obviously more familiar with Allen Iverson than the legendary English.

English, of course, wore No. 2 for the Nuggets while becoming the franchise’s all-time leading scorer in the 1980s.

The eight-time NBA all-star is now an assistant coach with the Toronto Raptors, and yesterday he was in Winnipeg yesterday with the NBA Cares program, which raises money for the Children’s Miracle Network and children’s hospitals across Canada.