TORONTO -- NBA players might be enemies on the court, but they are united off it. Air Max 270 Flyknit White And Black . Thats why the Toronto Raptors say theyll make a gesture of support for the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night over the Donald Sterling controversy. "Were united. . . Youve got to respect that," said Raptors all-star DeMar DeRozan. "Thats the great thing about us. Society is not in that place anymore. You see guys from all different cultures, all different parts of the country, different parts of the world all coming together as one. Comments like that are uncalled for." The Raptors will join a chorus of support from around the league when they host Brooklyn in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference series at the Air Canada Centre. Sterling, the longtime Clippers owner, was banned for life by the NBA on Tuesday in response to racist comments he made. DeRozan wouldnt specify what the Raptors silent protest might entail, but it will likely be similar to Miamis. On Monday night, the Heat ran out of the tunnel in their warmups, huddled at centre court and tossed their white jerseys to the ground. They wore their red warmup shirts inside out, hiding the team logo. Sterlings comments outraged players around the league when the story broke last Saturday. The Raptors were in Brooklyn between Games 3 and 4, and the story was the topic of conversation during the teams bus ride to practice. "We live in a society where were much past that," DeRozan said. "From the comments that Sterling said, were much bigger than that. The game came a long way and society came a long way to take three steps back." Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry said the NBA "is a brotherhood." "Its not many of us, its a fraternity, we all support each other," Lowry said. "Thats what makes the NBA and professional sports so special. . . on the floor were enemies but off the floor were all brothers." NBA commissioner Adam Silver also fined Sterling US$2.5 million, in the first moves toward forcing a sale of the Clippers and permanently removing Sterling from the league. DeRozan said that nothing less than Sterlings removal is enough, adding players cant feel comfortable playing for an owner like him. The Raptors were among numerous teams that chimed in with their support of their league commissioner. "As a proud member of the National Basketball Association, we stand strongly in our belief that the comments attributed to Mr. Sterling have no place in our society or sport," the team said in a statement. "Our organization will always work to contribute to a culture of diversity and acceptance in this league and fully support the actions taken today." Raptors coach Dwane Casey said it was unfair to question players about the controversy while theyre in the midst of the playoffs. "Its unbelievable that someone would say that in 2014," Casey said of Sterling. He added: "For me to have to stand here and talk about this when we have a game (Wednesday) night speaks for itself. Im consumed with (Wednesday) night, but still, what happened last week is real and affects all of us." The Raptors and Nets are tied with two wins apiece in the best-of-seven series. The series heads back to Brooklyn for Game 6 on Friday. Game 7, if necessary, will be in Toronto on Sunday. Air Max 270 React Mid Century . TSN Hockey Insiders Pierre LeBrun and Bob McKenzie both reported Thursday that there have been ongoing trade discussions between the Oilers and Los Angeles Kings over forward Sam Gagner. Air Max 270 Light Bone . - Josh Sterk scored twice to lead the Oshawa Generals to a 7-1 rout of the Ottawa 67s in Mondays Ontario Hockey League action.At Tuesdays pre-match press conference, Toronto FC Head Coach Ryan Nelsen attempted to explain to the English media the difficulty of having to play a mid-season friendly against Tottenham Hotspur at this particular time of the year. “It would be like us playing a game in the Christmas period when youre third in the league and youve got Man City to play on Saturday,” he said. The timing couldnt be much worse. The Champions – Sporting Kansas City - are due in town on Saturday, as Nelsens team moves through its busiest month of the MLS season with seven league games during the month of July. Hes already without some of his key players through injury, including captain Steven Caldwell and starting right back Mark Bloom. But whatever problems are posed by playing the extra game, I agree with Michael Bradleys assessment of the situation. International friendlies are of benefit to Major League Soccer and the growth of the game in North America. While they are certainly far from ideal, they are here to stay, and they have an important role to play. For a start, Wednesdays game against Tottenham is about much more than welcoming international opposition. This match is part of a four-year marketing and commercial deal struck between the two clubs as part of Jermain Defoes transfer. For both Toronto FC and Spurs, its about the bigger picture. Soccer is a global game, and a big part of achieving success is about building and managing relationships, not just within your own league, but around the world. As Toronto FC – and MLS as a whole – aims to continue its rapid growth, international friendlies are an important piece of the puzzle as they provide an opportunity to get a wider circle of attention both in the local community, across North America, and in other countries as well. From a playing perspective it can also have a positive impact. Its a chance for some of the squad players to get a competitive game, and for some of the clubs youngsters to test themselves against a standard of opposition they wouldnt usually face. IIn 2010 when Toronto FC played Bolton Wanderers at BMO Field, the Man of the Match was a young teenager who hadnt even signed a professional contract at that stage. Air Max 270 React Winter. Doneil Henry has gone on to become a first team regular with the club who has aspirations of playing in Europe. That Bolton match was an early stepping stone for the Canadian international. As he sat alongside Spurs star Christian Eriksen and manager Mauricio Pochettino at BMO Field on Tuesday, Henry said: “This is where I want to be and where I want to play one day. I just want to learn and show what I can do.” So this match is another opportunity for him to prove himself. We likely wont see much of Torontos leading players against Spurs. Ryan Nelsen needs to be cautious, and rightly so. He will give some of his starters 45 minutes, and rest others completely. But for a number of men within his squad this game will provide a chance to shine and it will be interesting to see if they can take it. Tottenham arrived in Toronto on Monday direct from Seattle where they tied the Sounders 3-3 in an entertaining game in the first game of their three-match North American tour. They are without their World Cup players who have been given extra time to rest, and last years leading scorer Emmanuel Adebayor who is recovering in London following a mild bout of malaria. But young Danish star Christian Eriksen is expected to see his first action of preseason as Spurs continue to prepare for the Premier Leagues opening weekend in mid-August. Last year Spurs finished sixth in the English top flight, but are under new management with a new direction after Mauricio Pochettinos arrival from Southampton. Eriksen was pretty blunt when asked what Tottenham will need to improve upon this season, with consistency the theme. “We had some really good games and some really bad games,” he said. “For us its about being more stable and also getting points against the big teams.” Watch Toronto FC vs. Tottenham Hotspur live tonight on TSN at 7pm et/4pm pt. ' ' '
TORONTO -- NBA players might be enemies on the court, but they are united off it. Air Max 270 Flyknit White And Black . Thats why the Toronto Raptors say theyll make a gesture of support for the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night over the Donald Sterling controversy. "Were united. . . Youve got to respect that," said Raptors all-star DeMar DeRozan. "Thats the great thing about us. Society is not in that place anymore. You see guys from all different cultures, all different parts of the country, different parts of the world all coming together as one. Comments like that are uncalled for." The Raptors will join a chorus of support from around the league when they host Brooklyn in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference series at the Air Canada Centre. Sterling, the longtime Clippers owner, was banned for life by the NBA on Tuesday in response to racist comments he made. DeRozan wouldnt specify what the Raptors silent protest might entail, but it will likely be similar to Miamis. On Monday night, the Heat ran out of the tunnel in their warmups, huddled at centre court and tossed their white jerseys to the ground. They wore their red warmup shirts inside out, hiding the team logo. Sterlings comments outraged players around the league when the story broke last Saturday. The Raptors were in Brooklyn between Games 3 and 4, and the story was the topic of conversation during the teams bus ride to practice. "We live in a society where were much past that," DeRozan said. "From the comments that Sterling said, were much bigger than that. The game came a long way and society came a long way to take three steps back." Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry said the NBA "is a brotherhood." "Its not many of us, its a fraternity, we all support each other," Lowry said. "Thats what makes the NBA and professional sports so special. . . on the floor were enemies but off the floor were all brothers." NBA commissioner Adam Silver also fined Sterling US$2.5 million, in the first moves toward forcing a sale of the Clippers and permanently removing Sterling from the league. DeRozan said that nothing less than Sterlings removal is enough, adding players cant feel comfortable playing for an owner like him. The Raptors were among numerous teams that chimed in with their support of their league commissioner. "As a proud member of the National Basketball Association, we stand strongly in our belief that the comments attributed to Mr. Sterling have no place in our society or sport," the team said in a statement. "Our organization will always work to contribute to a culture of diversity and acceptance in this league and fully support the actions taken today." Raptors coach Dwane Casey said it was unfair to question players about the controversy while theyre in the midst of the playoffs. "Its unbelievable that someone would say that in 2014," Casey said of Sterling. He added: "For me to have to stand here and talk about this when we have a game (Wednesday) night speaks for itself. Im consumed with (Wednesday) night, but still, what happened last week is real and affects all of us." The Raptors and Nets are tied with two wins apiece in the best-of-seven series. The series heads back to Brooklyn for Game 6 on Friday. Game 7, if necessary, will be in Toronto on Sunday. Air Max 270 React Mid Century . TSN Hockey Insiders Pierre LeBrun and Bob McKenzie both reported Thursday that there have been ongoing trade discussions between the Oilers and Los Angeles Kings over forward Sam Gagner. Air Max 270 Light Bone . - Josh Sterk scored twice to lead the Oshawa Generals to a 7-1 rout of the Ottawa 67s in Mondays Ontario Hockey League action.At Tuesdays pre-match press conference, Toronto FC Head Coach Ryan Nelsen attempted to explain to the English media the difficulty of having to play a mid-season friendly against Tottenham Hotspur at this particular time of the year. “It would be like us playing a game in the Christmas period when youre third in the league and youve got Man City to play on Saturday,” he said. The timing couldnt be much worse. The Champions – Sporting Kansas City - are due in town on Saturday, as Nelsens team moves through its busiest month of the MLS season with seven league games during the month of July. Hes already without some of his key players through injury, including captain Steven Caldwell and starting right back Mark Bloom. But whatever problems are posed by playing the extra game, I agree with Michael Bradleys assessment of the situation. International friendlies are of benefit to Major League Soccer and the growth of the game in North America. While they are certainly far from ideal, they are here to stay, and they have an important role to play. For a start, Wednesdays game against Tottenham is about much more than welcoming international opposition. This match is part of a four-year marketing and commercial deal struck between the two clubs as part of Jermain Defoes transfer. For both Toronto FC and Spurs, its about the bigger picture. Soccer is a global game, and a big part of achieving success is about building and managing relationships, not just within your own league, but around the world. As Toronto FC – and MLS as a whole – aims to continue its rapid growth, international friendlies are an important piece of the puzzle as they provide an opportunity to get a wider circle of attention both in the local community, across North America, and in other countries as well. From a playing perspective it can also have a positive impact. Its a chance for some of the squad players to get a competitive game, and for some of the clubs youngsters to test themselves against a standard of opposition they wouldnt usually face. IIn 2010 when Toronto FC played Bolton Wanderers at BMO Field, the Man of the Match was a young teenager who hadnt even signed a professional contract at that stage. Air Max 270 React Winter. Doneil Henry has gone on to become a first team regular with the club who has aspirations of playing in Europe. That Bolton match was an early stepping stone for the Canadian international. As he sat alongside Spurs star Christian Eriksen and manager Mauricio Pochettino at BMO Field on Tuesday, Henry said: “This is where I want to be and where I want to play one day. I just want to learn and show what I can do.” So this match is another opportunity for him to prove himself. We likely wont see much of Torontos leading players against Spurs. Ryan Nelsen needs to be cautious, and rightly so. He will give some of his starters 45 minutes, and rest others completely. But for a number of men within his squad this game will provide a chance to shine and it will be interesting to see if they can take it. Tottenham arrived in Toronto on Monday direct from Seattle where they tied the Sounders 3-3 in an entertaining game in the first game of their three-match North American tour. They are without their World Cup players who have been given extra time to rest, and last years leading scorer Emmanuel Adebayor who is recovering in London following a mild bout of malaria. But young Danish star Christian Eriksen is expected to see his first action of preseason as Spurs continue to prepare for the Premier Leagues opening weekend in mid-August. Last year Spurs finished sixth in the English top flight, but are under new management with a new direction after Mauricio Pochettinos arrival from Southampton. Eriksen was pretty blunt when asked what Tottenham will need to improve upon this season, with consistency the theme. “We had some really good games and some really bad games,” he said. “For us its about being more stable and also getting points against the big teams.” Watch Toronto FC vs. Tottenham Hotspur live tonight on TSN at 7pm et/4pm pt. ' ' '
