Bar » their 40-man roster for Mikolas, the Ranger

1. TORONTO RAPTORS: Think about it - theyve been growing to this point over the past few seasons. They started the 2012-13 season with a 4-19 record and went 30-29 the rest of the way. From 4-19, the Raps have gone 94-57 since, in the past few seasons. They started last season 6-12 and then went 42-22 the rest of the way. From 6-12, the Raps have gone an amazing 64-28 over the past season plus. Theyre in the zone and have improved dramatically. As they enter tonights game in Chicago to start a brutal six game road stretch, the question needs to be asked---regardless of whether they go 0-6, 6-0 or 3-3 on this trip--are they currently at a point where the window of opportunity has opened for them in this years Eastern Conference race or are they a year or two away? I said it before and Ill say it again, in my opinion--I think theyre a fourth quality big man away from being in that discussion. Check out an article written by Christopher Reina for RealGM.com about the Raptors--he makes some interesting points worth considering. Quite a decision (a positive one) upcoming for GM Masai Ujiri about the next move to make (if any). The next six games (missing DeMar DeRozan--must take that into consideration) will give him better insight into really where his team is and where they need to go. Fun stuff -- compared to so many other dreadful seasons that Raps fans have endured. Enjoy the ride. 2. RUDY GOBERT (Jazz): Love this young mans potential. Keep an eye on him. In December hes averaging 7.5 points per game and 7.7 rebounds per game while shooting 67 per cent. Hes averaging 2.2 blocks per game in that span as well. The best is yet to come. Im sure a bunch of contending teams will be sniffing around trying to pry this kid off Utahs hands for a pick or an expiring contract. Hes worth a look. The cat is out of the bag--kid can play. 3. DE MARRE CARROLL (Hawks): Turning into a nice three man for Atlanta. His three-point shot has improved greatly to 40 per and hes averaging 11.5 PPG and 5.3 RBG in a breakout year for him and his team. Love his energy and toughness. He guards and plays within his abilities. Love his approach. 4. DANILO GALINARI (Nuggets): This young man cant catch a break. Out 18 months with three left knee procedures and now hes out with a right knee injury. If Im Denvers ownership and management, Im legitimately concerned that hes never going to be the player he once was. Something has run amiss here and with constant breakdowns and inconsistent health theyre in a tough spot with what once was a very valuable asset. A shame. 5. DONATAS MOTIEJUNAS (Rockets): Dwight Howard goes down--no problem. This young man has grown by leaps and bounds in the month of December (15.6 PPG/6.4 RPG/53 per cent). They knew he was pretty good but hes better than they ever imagined and it took an injury to force feed him into the fire-cooker of pressure to see what he has and hes delivered for them. Has nice post skills and solid face up game. Fundamentally sound with a winning approach to the game. A true keeper for them. Out of crisis--something really good happened. Theyll be in the hunt all season in the West and another reason is this guy. JJ Arcega-Whiteside Eagles Jersey . He, the 25-year-old Toronto backup net-minder and Manitoba native, would be making just his fourth start in the past 16 games against the Jets the following evening. It was the word of opportunity for Reimer, who has fallen into the role of backup, outmatched in recent weeks by Jonathan Bernier, his Quebec counterpart. Shareef Miller Womens Jersey .Y. - Major League Soccers independent review panel has taken back the fine and one-game suspension it placed on Toronto FC forward Luke Moore earlier this week. http://www.eaglesrookiestore.com/Eagles-Shareef-Miller-Jersey/ .com) - Semyon Varlamov more than earned his third shutout of the season as he made a career-high 54 saves to lift the Colorado Avalanche to a 2-0 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday. Brian Westbrook Womens Jersey . Bostons bats exploded in Mondays opener, as David Ortiz belted a pair of two-run homers, Stephen Drew homered and drove in four runs and the Red Sox pummeled the Blue Jays, 14-1. Dallas Goedert Eagles Jersey . The 49ers announced the deal Tuesday. San Francisco selected Lloyd in the fourth round of the 2003 draft.FLIMS, Switzerland - Canadas Kelsey Rocque defeated the United States 8-4 to move into a first-place tie in the womens division at the world junior curling championships. Canada (5-2) is tied with Korea, Switzerland and Russia for top spot. Rocques rink from Edmonton led the Americans 6-4 after eight ends and scored two in the ninth to cement its third straight win. Canada finished the round-robin Sunday with games against Scotland (2-5) and Denmark (0-7). In mens action, Winnipegs Braden Calvert earned two wins, including a 6-5 decision over previously unbeaten Norway. "I guess well take the win after a game like that," said Calvert. "We got off to a bad start. I threw a really bad rock in five and we had to come back from that. "Luckily, we did and we pulled through." Canada gave up consecutive steals to tail 3-0 at the break. But Calverts rink rallied in the sixth ass she made a tricky angle-raise double to score two.dddddddddddd He followed that up with a steal of two in the seventh to go ahead. "That was huge in terms of the momentum we got from that shot," Calvert said of the sixth. "We gained a lot of confidence and basically got back at them." Canada also beat Switzerland 7-2 to improve its record to 4-3, leaving it in a three-way tie for third. "Were starting to get on a bit of a roll," said Calvert. "Were starting to gain some momentum and confidence. "We were really sharp out of the gate tonight and grabbed an early deuce. That was definitely the turning point in the game and we kept fighting and were able to pull it off. All the teams here are tough and each game is going to be a battle." Canada finishes the round-robin Sunday with games against the United States (2-5) and Austria (3-4). ' ' '