<font size=""4"">Ford takes a test drive</font> <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The third-year NBA coach, however, was at it again yesterday, explaining that while Ford did practise with the team at the Air Canada Centre, he wasn't yet ready to announce that Ford will be in the starting lineup tomorrow when the Washington Wizards come to town. "He was a little rusty, but he looked all right. I think he was trying a little too hard," Mitchell said. "It's just nice to have him back." </div> <font size=""4"">Have game will travel</font> <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">"I didn't have to change my game. I'm the same player I was in Europe," Calderon said. "I learn things about playing in the NBA but I don't think you have to change your game to come play in the NBA. "The only difference is that you have to make adjustments to playing with different teammates." </div> <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">RAPS HAVE NEW TOOLS When Colangelo took over as the team's general manager Mitchell said he urged him to open the budget to buy the video equipment necessary to do pre-game scouting of other teams. "We talked Bryan into spending some money," he said. "Now we can not only scout other teams but our own players as well. We can pull up shots of where on the court every opposing player likes to shoot from. We lay this information out and we all of a sudden are able to defend better." </div> <font size=""4"">Garnett burns Suns</font> <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Garnett almost single-handedly snapped the Suns' 17-game winning streak, scoring 44 points and grabbing11 rebounds in Minnesota's 121-112 victory last night. </div> <font size=""4"">Long shot pays off for Parker</font> <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">"Wherever you catch the ball, if the shot's open, I feel comfortable taking it," Parker said yesterday. "But obviously, especially in the screen-and-roll situation where we have that swing-swing (passes) and I'm in the corner, I think I feel most comfortable in that place." Parker's efficiency has moved him among the top three-pointer shooters in the NBA. Before last night, he was fifth in the league, shooting 44.6 per cent from beyond the arc. Not bad for a guy adjusting to a longer three-point shot after spending six years with the European line, which is about a foot closer to the basket.</div> <font size=""4"">Ford ready to drive back into lineup</font> <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">"Jose was unbelievable but you could tell there were a lot of minutes we put on him, 40-plus minutes a game," Mitchell said of Calderon's efforts last week. "I thought he handled himself unbelievably but for us to get where we want to go, we need to be healthy.'' And that would mean getting Ford, the team's starting point guard, back in uniform. Ford will likely be back in the lineup tomorrow against Washington.</div> <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Calderon could be honoured for his impact on the team's fortunes tomorrow, when the teams are named for the rookie-sophomore game that's part of the NBA's all-star weekend. The second-year point guard could join rookie teammates Andrea Bargnani and Jorge Garbajosa on teams selected by NBA assistant coaches.</div> <font size=""4"">Raptors' Parker aims to please</font> <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The Raptors have been using a charting system this season that divides the court into zones and indicates players' effectiveness from each area. Those zones where the percentages are the highest are marked in red, and those where the percentages are poorest are marked in blue. The rest are grey.</div> <font size=""4"">Weekly rundown: Oh my, Bosh!</font> <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">1. Player of the week: Chris Bosh, Toronto. The Raptors have, again, nudged themselves ahead of the Nets in the sad-sack Atlantic Division, and it seems they're ready to keep control of it. One reason is health ? the Nets are lacking in it, and Toronto now has Bosh playing at 100 percent. He missed 12 games with a knee injury but has rediscovered his shooting stroke here in January, averaging 24.8 points on 52.6 percent shooting. In four games last week, including three wins for the Raps, Bosh averaged 26.8 points, 3.0 assists and 8.0 rebounds. </div> <font size=""4"">High Price of Gasol</font> <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">OVER the weekend, I heard Portland was offered Pau Gasol ($12.3 million) for LaMarcus Aldridge ($4M), Sergio Rodriguez ($760G) and Jamaal Magloire's expiring ($8.433M) contract. Without doubt, Gasol and Zach Randolph would be a daunting duo to defend, but they'd also be a serious threat to give up as much as they put up. </div> <font size=""4"">CARTER'S LAST-TICK MIRACLE LIFTS NETS</font> <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Vince Carter launched a 35-foot jumper that swished as time ran out, giving the Nets some sort of cosmic justice with a 116-115 victory over the Jazz, a triumph that helped take the sting off the three one-point, last-possession losses that began their 2-3 western road trip. </div> <font size=""4"">Alvin Williams</font> <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Veteran point guard Alvin Williams, whose 10-day contract expires today, will not receive another contract, a Clippers spokesman said. </div>
Well, I realize that some of today's articles aren't Raptor related, but on days where Raptor articles are few and far between I thought I'd throw some other news around the NBA in there. But if people are going to complain like yourself, then I won't bother.
