I have a question…why has nobody signed Latrell Sprewell? How about Bonzi Wells? Weird eh? Especially for Sprewell who has not played in a year and a half…wonder if he’s still feeding his family…

Click here to help Dikembe Mutombo build a hospital in Congo…it’s a secure site, I set up a monthly donation last year and it’s legit…

http://www.dmf.org/index2.html

Well…so far, here are your Raptors…so you tell me…who do you start?

PG
TJ Ford 6'0" 165 lb.
Jose Calderon 6'3" 210 lb.
Derrick Martin 5'11" 170 lb.

SG
Fred Jones 6’2” 220 lb.

SG/SF
Morris Peterson 6'7" 220 lb.
Anthony Parker 6'6" 215 lb.

SF
Joey Graham 6'7" 225 lb.
PJ Tucker 6'5" 225 lb.

PF
Jorge Garbajosa 6'9" 245 lb.
Kris Humphries 6'9" 235 lb.
Uros Slokar 6'10" 238 lb.

PF/C
Chris Bosh 6'10" 230 lb.
Andrea Bargnani 7’0" 225 lb.

C
Rasho Nesterovic 7'0" 270 lb.

Inactive – Pape Sow 6'10" 250 lb.

One left to cut…Washington Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas strained his groin during practice Monday and won't play for the United States at the world championships. "We know Gilbert is really disappointed," team managing director Jerry Colangelo said. "He's done a great job. It's an unfortunate situation, but he is not going to be able to continue on."

Goode cashes in: Free agent forward Drew Gooden agreed to terms on a three-year, $23 million contract to re-sign with the Cleveland Cavaliers, agent Bill Duffy said Monday. Gooden, the team's top rebounder last season, has been a solid complementary player to All-Star forward LeBron James, who committed to a three-year contract extension with the Cavaliers in July. Duffy said fellow agent Calvin Andrews handled the bulk of the negotiations with Cavaliers general manager Danny Ferry. "We're ecstatic," Duffy said. "Drew is very happy. He likes where Cleveland is headed." The 24-year-old Gooden averaged 10.7 points and 8.4 rebounds last season. His inside presence and energy helped Cleveland go 50-32 in the regular season and make the playoffs for the first time since 1998.

1) From the AP, Mt. Malaria makes good:

Doctor Dikembe - Mutombo to help open $29 million hospital in Congo

Dikembe Mutombo will fulfill a lifelong dream soon, opening a hospital in the Congo named for his late mother. The Houston Rockets center, who donated $15 million to the project, will open the doors to the Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital and Research Center on Sept. 2. The 300-bed hospital will provide health care to people in Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, where Mutombo was born. "We were very close," Mutombo said Monday in a telephone interview. "To do something of this caliber in the name of your beloved mom, it will mean a lot not just to me but to the people of Congo." He created the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation in 1997, the year his 64-year-old mother died. She was unable to get to the hospital because streets were closed due to civil unrest. His father, Samuel, was turned back from the hospital, just 10 minutes away. "My mom played a big role, giving us all the tools to make us great human beings," Mutombo said of his nine siblings. "She did what moms are supposed to do -- raise a child with a good understanding of life." The $29 million hospital and research center will include a pediatric wing, surgery suites and a women's center. The health care crisis continues in the Congo, where one of five children dies before age 5. Malaria, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, measles and cholera have reached epidemic proportions and continue to infect millions of adults and children. The average life expectancy is 42 years for men and 47 for women. "Malaria is taking more lives than any other disease, especially children under age 5," he said. Mutombo had a life-threatening bout of malaria after returning from the Congo in 1999. He had a "huge headache" and passed out after an early season game. His temperature rose to 104 degrees while at a suburban Boston hospital, but after 12 hours the doctors couldn't determine what was wrong until a Kenyan intern entered his room. "Brother, are you from Africa?" she asked. "Which spot?" When she heard Congo, she asked if he'd been home lately. He'd been back the previous month. "She saved my life," Mutombo said. "We got the malaria results 40 minutes later. We waited two hours for the malaria medicine from the CDC [in Atlanta]. I wish I knew her name to thank her." Mutombo came to the U.S. in 1987 on an academic scholarship to attend Georgetown. As a premed major, he expected to return to the Congo as a doctor. In his second year, Georgetown basketball coach John Thompson invited the 7-foot-2 Mutombo to try out for the team. He grew up loving soccer, but eventually came around to basketball under Thompson's guidance. "He took me by his wing," (Love the mixed metaphor!!) Mutombo said. "He made me who I became today, he's like a father figure to me. I don't call him 'Coach,' I call him 'Pop.' He gave me all the tools to succeed -- maturity and education." Georgetown was ranked No. 1 and reached the final eight twice in his three years of play. He was Big East defensive player of the year, averaging 15.2 points, 12.2 rebounds and 4.71 blocks his senior year. College basketball altered his plans to become a doctor, and he graduated instead with degrees in linguistics and diplomacy. He speaks English, French, Spanish, Portuguese and five African dialects.
Mutombo has averaged 10.6 points and 10.8 rebounds in his 15-year career. Now he's satisfied to assist on the medical front. His goal is to get 100,000 people to contribute $10 a month on his Web site to support the hospital and research. "I'm still a doctor, serving the people," Mutombo said.

2) Jay Bilas of ESPN.com gives us the early, early, early look at the surprise teams come NCAA hoops season:

Mid-majors to watch
There are several mid-majors that will not get much run during the regular season but should be really good by NCAA Tournament time. Don't let these teams surprise you because their scores aren't on "SportsCenter":
Winthrop: The Eagles came within a bucket of beating Tennessee in the NCAA Tournament and that would not have been an upset. Craig Bradshaw is a big man who can shoot it and Torrell Martin is the best athlete in the Big South. Winthrop should be the best team in the conference -- again -- and all non-conference foes should prepare for a fight.

Nevada: Mark Fox looks like he is turning Nevada into the Gonzaga of the WAC. Nick Fazekas will take home player of the year honors again, and he has plenty of help to get the Wolf Pack back to the NCAA Tournament. Nevada does not win games from the 3-point line; it wins games with hard-nosed defense and getting quality shots. Point guard Ramon Sessions is a heady passer and handler, Marcelus Kemp can get to the rim and the free throw line, and Kyle Shiloh can knock down shots. Nevada is solid in any league.

Southern Illinois: The Salukis played their way into the NCAA Tournament last year, taking the decision away from the selection committee, and everyone is back. Chris Lowery will see that his team guards people all over the floor and plays together. Jamaal Tatum and Tony Young are more than just defensive stalwarts and Matt Shaw and MVC tourney MVP Randal Falker are outstanding rebounding and defensive forwards.

Creighton: The Bluejays just missed out on the NCAA Tournament last year, but Dana Altman gets back his best player this year. Nate Funk returns from shoulder surgery and should be a favorite for MVC Player of the Year. Funk is versatile and tough and can score. Add in Josh Dotzler and inside threat Anthony Tolliver, and Creighton will be a tough out.

Missouri State: The Bears had a legitimate beef after being left out of the NCAA Tournament last year. This season, it would not be a shock to see them wind up as the top team in the MVC. Blake Ahearn, the J.J. Redick of the MVC, returns as the best shooter in the league. Barry Hinson is a terrific coach and his team will play with a chip on its shoulder this year. This is a solid, well-coached team.

Hawaii: This will be, in all likelihood, the last season for coach Riley Wallace, and this could be his best team. Wallace is an outstanding coach and he has done a terrific job with the program. Hawaii has solid guards in Matt Gibson, Matt Lojeski and Bobby Nash, and an outstanding defender in Ahmet Gueye. Hawaii has a good nonconference schedule and will have to perform well against it to garner some additional recognition.

Hofstra: Tom Pecora has the top scoring returning backcourt in the country. Do-it-all guard Loren Stokes teams with sharpshooter Antoine Agudio and defensive-minded Carlos Rivera to provide scoring, defense and experience. Hofstra won 26 games last year, beat George Mason twice, and still went to the NIT. With good inside play to complement his guards, Pecora could be NCAA-bound in '07.

George Mason: The Patriots still should be on a high on October 15, but Jim Larranaga will not let the Final Four decrease his team's hunger, because Mason can be good again. Folarin Campbell is a versatile player with star potential and Will Thomas is an undersized workhorse who is very productive. If Jesus Urbina and John Vaughan return strong after redshirt years, George Mason will be a factor.

Wichita State: Despite losing MVC player of the year Paul Miller, the Shockers will be near or at the top of the Valley again. P.J. Couisnard, Sean Ogirri, Kyle Wilson, Karon Bradley and Matt Braeuer return from a 26-9 team that reached the Sweet 16. Wichita State is a well-coached team. Mark Turgeon is among the nation's finest coaches.

College of Charleston: Bobby Cremins inherits a nice squad to work with at C of C. Dontaye Draper led the team in scoring and assists at the off-guard spot, but Cremins probably will move him back to the point. David Lawrence and Jermaine Johnson are fine rebounders and defenders who also can score, and the Cougars will have some depth. With some better defense and end-of-game execution, Charleston will be very good.

Bucknell: Patriot League player of the year candidate Chris McNaughton returns, as does four-year starter Abe Badmus, Darren Mastropaolo and the athletic Donald Brown. McNaughton plays his best against the best competition, and Bucknell has shown it is unafraid of playing, and often beating, the best. Pat Flannery is an outstanding coach who always has had to do more with less, but the last couple of years, he has had plenty to work with at Bucknell.

3) Mike Kahn of Foxsports.com with his 10 things:

Ten things we've learned in the NBA

Last week was supposed to be ideal for Eddie Johnson: a trip to Hawaii, some relaxation, prepare to teach a clinic or two, and continue marketing his video teaching the art of the jump shot. Little did the Chicago native, former NBA Best Sixth Man and Phoenix Suns broadcast analyst know he would return to a nightmare in the Valley of the Sun.

1. When news hit the wire that former NBA player Eddie Johnson had been arrested and charged for sexually assaulting an 8-year-old girl, those who know Eddie Arnet Johnson had to know the arrested player was "Fast Eddie" Johnson, the former Auburn star who had a 25-year history of bi-polar psychological woes, drug problems, arrests, and various other continual issues off the floor. What this really means: In this age of instant information in the media, a plethora of media organizations didn't check their facts and placed the wrong Eddie Johnson at the heart of their story. Cases of mistaken identity happen frequently, but there is no justification for the media to have jumped on this one. Before implicating anyone, it's imperative to check the facts, and particularly in a case such as this. Any member of the media with any knowledge of the NBA would know the difference between the two players. Fast Eddie was a constant problem, suspended by the league. "Slow Eddie," always was and still is a treat to be around under any circumstance. He was on track to earn a network deal as he continued to improve as an analyst. Now his life has been turned upside down by irresponsible people who have offered mild public apologies. Well, that won't do. Even if it blows over, he will never feel the same. He'll never trust the same. And that's the tragedy of it all for Eddie Johnson and his family. So here's a blanket apology from someone who has come to know you, respect your work and appreciate your growth as a man over the past 25 years since you left the University of Illinois. Having known "Fast Eddie" Johnson too, I never in a million years would have even blinked — knowing full well which one was the culprit in this instance. Sadly, there were too many others who should have blinked several times before wrongly throwing you under the bus.

2. The Milwaukee Bucks were one of the surprise teams in the Eastern Conference last season, making the playoffs and even blowing out the Pistons in a playoff game before going down in five games. That's why it's surprising general manager Larry Harris has continued to turn the team over. What this really means: It's hard to fathom where the Bucks are coming from, other than building around All-Star shooter Michael Redd and young center Andrew Bogut. To trade T.J. Ford, Joe Smith and Jamaal Magloire is to not only move key players for the franchise, but three high-quality leaders as well. They weren't expected to make the playoffs last season, and yet they did. Ford, coming back full blast from his spinal injury, was an inspiration to not only the team but fans, too. Now, they're counting on the likes of Mo Williams, Steve Blake and Charlie Bell — none of those guys have proven to be capable of being legit starting point guards. A three-headed point guard scenario doesn't work, either.
They'll get plenty of energy from Ruben Patterson, along with problems with his erratic behavior. They don't know if Charlie Villanueva will ever reach his massive potential, but he'll sure look good not trying. And it's nice to have Brian Skinner back, if only because he's a good guy and brought Korean center Ha Seung-In — a great watercooler topic — along with him from Portland. They were a young and exciting team last season, with a good chance of moving up a rung with experience. Instead, they've shaken the chemistry again. Was it really worth the gamble?

3. Denver Nuggets coach George Karl has always wanted Joe Smith, and acquiring him for Patterson was a no-brainer. In fact, Karl, then the Bucks coach, was excited when the Bucks acquired Smith on June 27, 2003, from the Timberwolves. Unfortunately, Karl was fired on July 20 and never had a chance to coach him. What this really means: Smith gives them a solid guy and more depth up front with Marcus Camby, Nene, Kenyon Martin and Carmelo Anthony. Actually, it will make it even more palatable to move Martin for a lesser package knowing they have Smith as depth up front — presuming dealing the malcontented Martin is inevitable. The Nuggets have a chance to put a stranglehold on the Northwest Division for years, and these moves are a step in the right direction. Karl is a brilliant (if quirky) coach, who needs a certain kind of player to make it all work. With Mark Warkentien, a long-time partner of Karl's, running player personnel for now, it's apparent everyone is on the same page. Perhaps now they can turn the page from the issues of a year ago, build around the vastly improved Anthony and become the threat in the playoffs everyone believed them to be.

4. Not only did the U.S. Senior National team have a whale of a time dispatching of Brazil last week 90-86, but forward Carmelo Anthony — the surprise star of the team thus far — hyper-extended his right knee. The good news is that he responded wonderfully in a 23-point win over Lithuania. The bad news is that Gilbert Arenas is finished in the World Championships after suffering a strained groin. What this really means: Perhaps this team isn't the dominant force everyone would like them to be just yet. Maybe they never will become the heir to the Dream Team the youngsters hope to be, but they need to prove they can play high level defense against the top veteran international teams — particularly defending gold medal-winning Argentina. There is no doubt the group that includes Anthony, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Joe Johnson and Chris Paul-type speed guys, with Elton Brand, Chris Bosh and Dwight Howard inside — there is plenty of talent. But do they have the experience and defensive mental toughness to keep improving as a group? We'll see. Coach Mike Krzyzewski appears to be the right guy to get this team to the next level, but playing as an exciting explosive team is one thing. Understanding the defensive concepts and international rules on an instinctive level against veteran groups is quite different.

5. Despite all the criticism hurled at the New York Knicks and the decision-making of president/coach Isiah Thomas over the years, Detroit Pistons president Joe Dumars last week announced he wanted Thomas to make his induction speech when he enters the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. What this really means: Once again, Dumars is proving to be one of the brightest and classiest guys in sport. There never really was much grumbling when the two were backcourt mates in the 1980's and '90's with the World Champion Pistons. But people were constantly looking for it. Although Thomas was also more outgoing and tended to be politically incorrect at inopportune times, Dumars was always right on the path — cleaning up whatever mess was made. Incredibly enough, nearly 20 years later, here he is again for his buddy. Thomas, mired in a harassment suit with a former Knicks employee, along with the mess that was the hiring and firing of coach Larry Brown after the Knicks' abysmal 23-59 record last season, he needed support from somebody among the NBA elite. And he got it from Dumars — who continues to grow toward one day being worthy of any job he would like in the NBA, perhaps even commissioner. Some people have to be taught the difference between right and wrong. Dumars instinctively knows the right thing to do every circumstance.

6. The Dallas Mavericks added free agent forward Devean George to their minor makeover, giving them four new veterans on the roster, along with the dispatching of three others. What this really means: The Mavs were within six minutes of taking a commanding 3-0 lead in the NBA Finals this season before falling into choke mode. So close were they, it figured to be an off-season of tweaking. But what exactly have they accomplished by brining in George, Anthony Johnson, Greg Buckner and Austin Croshere in lieu of Adrian Griffin, Darrell Armstrong, Marquis Daniels and Keith Van Horn? Not much. In fact, the crew brought in is amazingly comparable to the one let go. Soon enough, we'll find out the ramifications of last year's collapse. Word out of Dallas is that Don Nelson is finally severing his ties from the organization rather than bilking owner Mark Cuban out of more money for hanging around. What we really need to know is how this all affected young coach Avery Johnson and his three key players — Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Terry and Josh Howard — with the way Cuban was so embarrassingly over the top in his profile as the Mavericks took the series lead. The moves in and of themselves didn't mean much, and they still should compete for the Western Conference title again — but are they as solid as the San Antonio Spurs? Don't count on it.

7. The New Jersey Nets have just about completed their roster, having re-signed forward Cliff Robinson, and are expected to announce the signings of guard Eddie House and European center Mile Ilic. What this really means: With the exception of having lost first-round draft choice Josh Boone to shoulder surgery, the Nets should be better than they were last season — provided their core players stay healthy. The running trio of Jason Kidd, Vince Carter and Richard Jefferson is as good as any in the NBA, with top draft choice Marcus Williams — a great young point guard who should add to the equation — and a steal in second-round pick Hassan Adams, the future looks bright. Add to that the inevitable improvement of talented young 7-footer Nenad Krstic and they'll be prohibitive favorites in the weak Atlantic Division again. The return of Robinson is curious in the wake of his positive drug test and subsequent suspension from their series against the Heat. He's also going to be 40 years old. House is an undersized shooting guard who can get red-hot from the perimeter, but he does little else. Ilic is even more curious, a 7-1, 240-pound center from Serbia-Montenegro with fine all-around skills who will mix it up under the basket. With the level of talent this team has at certain positions, they are capable of a great run if everyone is healthy. But that depth is touchy — with not only Robinson, but the mercurial Jeff McInnis and Lamond Murray. Unless the young guys blossom more quickly than anticipated, they are destined for a second-round exit every year unless something unusual happens.

8. The patience of general manager Danny Ferry is becoming legend with the Cleveland Cavaliers faithful, and he took one more key step toward now and the future Monday when he agreed to a three-year deal with restricted free agent forward Drew Gooden. What this really means: The Cavs may not be a finished product yet, but they're getting closer. Everything is a little easier when a blossoming LeBron James is around, but if you consider how close they came to reaching the conference finals last season — and the fact that they should be much better this year — the signing of Gooden to hit the boards and open jumpers was an imperative link. Gooden is not a superstar, but he is a good player that makes the team better with his offensive rebounding — and when center Zydrunas Ilgauskas is out of his element athletically (which is often) — Gooden and Anderson Varejao make a great duo up front to run the floor and hit the glass in unison. Sure, the Cavs could still use an athletic point guard and shooter, but with Larry Hughes entering camp healthy, and the exceptional draft picks in Shannon Brown and Daniel Gibson, the Cavs have moved into position to compete now and in the future for home court advantage in the Eastern Conference. Moreover, Ferry may even be able to piece together veterans Reggie Evans and David Wesley with the mid-level exception to fill out the roster. All of this could mean that sooner than later, this team will be at the precipice of the conference title.

9. No two free agents were more closely tied together in negotiations than Gooden and the Seattle Sonics negotiations with Chris Wilcox. And with Gooden agreeing to what was reportedly a three-year, $23 million deal — expect the Sonics and Wilcox to come up with the same length of contract worth at least $20 million and less than $23 million. What this really means: Wilcox has played his hand out, and after playing just 29 decent games in his three-year career, he's fortunate to get a three-year contract of any magnitude. Just because the Nuggets ridiculously overpaid Nene with $60 million doesn't automatically set the market for all free agent forwards. We saw what happened last summer when both Samuel Dalembert and Tyson Chandler got $60 million deals: both ended up coming off the bench. Meanwhile, new Sonics owner Clay Bennett made his first official visit from Oklahoma City to test the waters on a new building for the Sonics. The waters remain lukewarm, and he also made it clear that a refurbished KeyArena won't do. With the legislative session coming right after the first of the year — we will find out really quickly whether this team is staying put or moving to Oklahoma City when the Hornets move back to New Orleans in 2007-08.

10. Al Harrington will officially hire Arn Tellem this week. Will it be a new race, or is the patience shown by the Indiana Pacers ultimately going to win out for the Atlanta Hawks' free agent forward? What this really means: The latest contention is that Harrington is on board with the six-year, $56 million-plus deal in a sign-and-trade to the Pacers with backup center John Edwards in exchange for a future No. 1 draft choice. The buzz out there has been that the hiring of Tellem opens other avenues. Sure, it perked up some people, but the Hawks still have financial problems with ownership and don't want any other contracts in return. Plus, Harrington prefers playing with the Pacers. Essentially, nobody would pay Harrington that much more money; and therein lies the brilliance of the Pacers getting that $7.5 million trade exception for Peja Stojakovic instead of losing him for nothing in free agency to the Hornets. It's been a slow process of waiting out the Hawks, and should Tellem get this finished here in the next couple of weeks, it would seem to leave everyone involved content with the result.