Raptors' Offseason

The 2008-2009 season was definitely a disappointing season for the Raptors. With high expectations at the beginning and ended up 13th (out of 15 BTW) in the Eastern Conference with a record of 33-49, that just hurts. One positive that came out was Bargnani, he surely improved his game a lot - averaged 19 dime a game since Feb - Hope he can maintain his momentum going into next season.

So, what should the Raptors do in the offseason?

Here's my recommendations (updated - June 24, 2009).

1. Re-sign Marion to a 21 million 3 years contract (if he does not want to stay with the Raptors, do a sign-and-trade).
2. Re-sign Parker to a 7.5 million 3 years contract - Larry Bird Exception.
3. Re-sign Delfino to a 9 million 3 years contract - Larry Bird Exception.
4. Trade Marcus Banks + Joey Graham (Expiring Contract) + Future 2nd Round for Andres Nocioni
5. Draft in the following order of preference.

James Johnson 6-8/235 F (most likely)
Demar Derozan 6-6/211 F
Jrue Holiday 6-3/205 G

8. Use some of the Mid-Level Exception on a quality point guard (to come off the bench for Jose).

Bosh/Evans/Humphries/Jawai
Bargnani/O'Bryant
Jose/Ukic
Marion/Parker/Johnson
Nocioni/Delfino

Our starting unit is almost the same as this year and our second unit is just that much better. Sweet!

My NBA Playoffs Predictions

For the last 2 weeks, I have been tuning into the NBA Playoffs as I really want to see how far the Raps will go with their new and reformed team. Though I am quite disappointed w/ the two losses in NJ, however, I still have high hopes for them. Below are my predictions of the NBA Playoffs for 2006-2007. Let's see how good my predictions are :) ....Go Raptors Go~~~

Eastern Conference

FIRST ROUND
DET over ORL in 4
CLE over WAS in 4
TOR over NJN in 7 (if Sam were to start Bosh, Parker, Calderon, Bargnani & Peterson for Game 6 in NJ)
CHI over MIA in 4

SECOND ROUND
CHI over DET in 6
CLE over TOR in 6

CONF. FINALS
CHI over CLE in 6

Western Conference

FIRST ROUND
DAL over GSW in 7
PHX over LAL in 5
SAS over DEN in 5
HOU over UTA in 7

SECOND ROUND
DAL over HOU in 5
SAS over PHX in 6

CONF. FINALS
DAL over SAS in 7

Finals
DAL over CHI in 7

Image a world without commercials

Yes, I do agree that it is very painful to go thru at least a minute of commercials every other 10 minutes during the last episode of 24 or the NBA finals. But to me, I always like to watch a good commercial. It composes of talent, creativity, planning and a lot of hard work in just 30 - 60 secs of work. Below are my two picks of the day (Caution: Very funny commercials) -

Today I read an article, there's one line which really catches me. It says "魚說，我在流淚，你看不見，因為我在水裏； 水說，我能感覺到，因為你在我心裏。" To those who I care for, I may not know what you've been thru but you'll always be in my heart. I'll continue to pray for you and may God give you strength and faith. Amen!

Home Hydrogen Fueling Station

I think the following technology can really change the world.


Home Hydrogen Fueling Station - an article by Saheli Datta and Todd Woody, Business 2.0 Magazine

What could be greener than a hydrogen car in your driveway? Try a solar-powered hydrogen fueling station in your garage. Australian scientists have developed a prototype of such a device. It's about the size of a filing cabinet and runs on electricity generated by rooftop solar panels. The first version is expected to produce enough hydrogen to give your runabout a range of some 100 miles without emitting a molecule of planet-warming greenhouse gas. Road trips are out of the question, but it's enough juice for running errands or powering fleets of delivery trucks. Tests of the home fueling system began early this year with commercial trials two years off.

遇見神

看天邊飄過雲海 告訴世界幻變常在
從來人在月缺下盼月圓

天天總有上演 告訴你我動人故事
動人情節留下伏線 細心飾演

如何人心粉碎像微塵 無言留淚 滿身抖震
如何遇見神 被擁抱 再得起身
明明平安彷彿天邊遠 流連遊盪 暗失方寸
然而遇見神 被指引 再生精采心內滲

看天邊飄過雲海 告訴世界幻變常在
從來人在月缺下盼月圓

天天總有上演 告訴你我動人故事
動人情節留下伏線 細心飾演

如何人心粉碎像微塵 無言留淚 滿身抖震
如何遇見神 被擁抱 再得起身
明明平安彷彿天邊遠 流連遊盪 暗失方寸
然而遇見神 被指引 再生精采心內滲

只因有你 今天有你 了不起

誰無遐想一生精采佳美
由誰來導 演出好戲
人能遇見神 是福氣 最終高飛
從來難數高低多少次 何時成就 那天失意
前途幻變時 路雖遠 有這福氣心內暖

*******************************************

No matter how much things we do or how well prepared we are, there's always uncertainty in life. You can have all the things you most desired in one day and lose it in another. What do you do then? I think it is truly a blessing for those who have God in their lives. Not only He provides the best for you, He's also there during the darkest hours of your life. Amen!

Go Raptors Go!

With CB4 and T.J. Ford back in the starting lineup, the Raptors is starting to look healthy again. With most of their games at home during this month, the Raptors finally has a chance to go above .500 for the first time in a while. Besides, how can a team not go above .500 w/ a hair style like that?!?