12/03/2008 - Toronto, ON (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Toronto Raptors fired head coach Sam Mitchell on Wednesday, as announced by team president and general manager Bryan Colangelo.
"This is a difficult but necessary step the franchise must take," said Colangelo. "We appreciate all that Sam has done for the organization, applaud him for his successes and wish him nothing but the best with his future in basketball."
Assistant coach Jay Triano will serve as interim head coach.
The Raptors, who sit at 8-9 on the young season, are in the midst of a three- game road trip that began with a 13-point loss to the Lakers on Sunday. But a 132-93 shellacking at the hands of Denver on Tuesday proved to be the breaking point for the Toronto brass.
In four-plus seasons as Raptors head coach, Mitchell posted a 156-189 record with two playoff appearances -- in the 2006-07 and 2007-08 campaigns, both ending in first-round exits. Mitchell also garnered Coach of the Year honors for the 2006-07 season when the Raptors finished with a franchise-record tying 47 wins.
Triano, who was the head coach of the Canadian men's national team from 1998-2004, is in his seventh season as a member of the Raptors' coaching staff.
Triano will debut as interim head coach on Friday, when Toronto visits Utah.
<< Udinese through to next round with win over Zagreb
Udine, Italy (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Udinese remained perfect in Group D play in
the UEFA Cup as the Italian side booked a spot in the next round with a 2-1
win over Dinamo Zagreb at the Stadio Friuli on Wednesday.
Fabio Quagliarella put
<< Jags CB Mathis out for season
Jacksonville, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Rashean
Mathis will miss the rest of the season after injuring his knee.
Mathis, who leads the team with four interceptions, sprained his medial
collateral ligame
<< Seattle places center Spencer on IR
Renton, WA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Seattle Seahawks center Chris Spencer was
placed on injured reserve Wednesday.
Spencer started all 11 games played this season, and 35 consecutive, before
being sidelined with a back injury during the
<< Line of Scrimmage: Week 14 - Weighing in on StarCaps
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - After his team defeated the Chicago Bears
to take over first place in the NFC North this past Sunday night, Minnesota
Vikings head coach Brad Childress told the media he celebrated by having "a
vodka as big a
Mariners name pitching, bullpen coaches >>
Seattle, WA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Seattle Mariners Wednesday named Rick Adair
pitching coach and John Wetteland bullpen coach.
The two additions to new manager Don Wakamatsu's 2009 staff join bench coach
Ty Van Burkleo and first base coac
Wie five back after first round of Q School >>
Daytona Beach, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Shiho Oyama, ranked 42nd in the Rolex
Rankings, fired an eight-under 64 on Wednesday to take the first-round lead of
the 90-hole LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament.
Amateur Mika Miyazato shot a six-unde
Report: Tuberville era ends at Auburn >>
Birmingham, AL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Tommy Tuberville will reportedly no longer
be roaming the sideline for the Auburn Tigers football team.
The report, from the Birmingham News on Wednesday, did not indicate whether
the longtime coach w
Vikings sign DT Kennedy >>
Eden Prairie, MN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - One day after defensive tackles Pat
Williams and Kevin Williams were among six players suspended four games for a
violation of the league's policy on anabolic steroids and related substances,
the Min
Brandon Roy Favorite to Win 2007 NBA Rookie of the Year
Portland TrailBlazer’s guard, Brandon Roy, is MySportsbook.com’s overwhelming favorite to win the NBA Rookie of the Year odds.
Despite missing 20 games due to an injury earlier this season, Roy has definitely put up the best numbers of his 1st year peers. In 32 games, Roy is averaging 15.3 PPG, 4.2 boards and 3.5 assists in over 33 minutes of play per game. While most rookies breakdown as the season progresses (see Morrison), Roy is only getting stronger as his playing time and scoring average has increased each month.
With 30 or so games left in the regular season, Roy isn’t a lock for the award by any means. Other rookies are putting together some pretty impressive campaigns and a few could give Roy a run for the award with increased playing time. Heading the list is first pick, Andrea Bargnani of the Toronto Raptors. Even though he has started only two games all season, Bargnani is averaging 10.3 PPPG while shooting 35% from deep.
Randy Foye of the Minnesota Timberwolves could be set to give Roy the best competition NBA Rookie of the Year betting lines. With the benching of Mike James, Foye looks like he could be the starter in the T-Wolves backcourt for the rest of the season. So far, Foye has averaged 9 PPG and 2.4 assists in just under 21 minutes per game. With his new role of starter, Foye’s numbers will definitely increase. In his first game as the new starting guard this past Sunday, Foye had 10 points; five rebounds and 8 assists. More importantly, he logged 34 minutes of playing time; his third highest run of the season.
Adam Morrison, of the Charlotte Bobcats, was the favorite early on in the season after averaging 15+ PPG through the first month of the season. Ever since his torrid start, Morrison’s point production has declined each month. This really isn’t surprising, considering at 6’8” he only weighs 205 lbs. Obviously he will need to hit the weights big time during the off-season in order to keep from breaking down in the future.
Be sure to log on to MySportsbook.com to bet on the NBA. With the regular season about to hit the homestretch, it is important to point out that MySportsbook.com has the highest credit card acceptance rate in the industry.
To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com - this sportsbook accepts credit cards.
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