LOL

http://torontosun.com/Sports/Basketball/2007/08/27/4449374-sun.html


Delfino steps up his game

By MIKE GANTER, SUN MEDIA

LAS VEGAS -- Raptors general manager Bryan Colangelo had seen the reports concerning the minor knee injury Carlos Delfino sustained in Puerto Rico last week.

He had spoken with the doctors and with the newest Raptor himself about the injury -- the same knee that Delfino had surgery on earlier in his career.

All concerned told Colangelo that the injury was not significant. But that didn't prevent the feeling of relief he felt when he saw Delfino sprint the length of the court at full gallop for Argentina in a FIBA Americas tournament game here Friday night against Puerto Rico.

"He had that burst of speed where he went up the right side and made a nice pass. He looked like he was fully healthy," Colangelo said. "Every time you step on the floor with these guys, you're concerned about someone getting hurt. But it's the nature of the sport.

"These guys have to listen to their bodies and be truthful and if something is really bothering them and puts them in a position of further injury, they should stop."

Delfino, after a slow start to the Olympic qualifying tournament, has been progressively better each time out.

In Argentina's opener on Thursday against Uruguay, Delfino played just under 27 minutes and hit on only one of seven shots from the field for five points. While he had four assists, he also turned over the ball three times.

On a team that is without fellow NBAers Manu Ginobili, Andres Nocioni, Fabricio Oberto and Walter Hermann, that type of performance had the Argentine media in a panic.

Delfino and Luis Scola, who makes his NBA debut with Houston this year, are being counted on to get Argentina at least into next year's world qualifying tournament, which would mean a finish in the top five here.

Since that sub-par opener, Delfino's game has improved. On Friday against Puerto Rico, Delfino picked up 15 points, eight rebounds and three assists in 30 minutes, while on Saturday against Mexico he led all Argentine scorers with 20 points in 30 minutes while adding five assists and 11 rebounds.

Delfino was reluctant to look ahead to his future with the Raptors, saying he was more concerned with doing his best for Argentina right now. But after some prodding, admitted he is optimistic his new team will be a much better fit for him than he felt he was in Detroit.

"I am excited about the change," Delfino said. "I was really stuck in Detroit. I was trying to be a part of the team but I never felt I really had a role with the team. I had a great relationship with everyone on the roster, but I never got the chance to be on the court. I don't want to say I want more or less minutes. I just want a role."

Colangelo, while he can't promise Delfino anything regarding playing time, has full confidence that the guard will earn a better role in Toronto.

"We think he's poised to have a real interesting opportunity with us," Colangelo said. "Not pre-determining minutes -- he'll determine that based on what he earns in the eyes of Sam (Mitchell) and the rest of the (coaching) staff -- but it sure looks like he has an opportunity to come in and be a factor for us. The minutes will work themselves out."

Doesn't mean shit in Olympic rules. He always looks decent there. Wait until he's back in the NBA standing around bricking three's.

Exactly what I was going to write.

That's kinda cute.

Actually, I posted this in anticipation of someone saying, "I knew he could play, he just needed the chance!"

It will probably still happen.

Doesn't mean shit in Olympic rules. He always looks decent there. Wait until he's back in the NBA standing around bricking three's.

And missing reverse layups.

I always knew he could play though. I just think he needed the chance.

Thanks, Tim.

No, really, thanks.

Don't forget the backwards shuffle down the court when you do make 1 of your last 10 three point attempts.

He shoots to win.

for the other team.

Argentina Hits 14 3-Pointers In Victory Over Venezuela

August 27, 2007 - 11:37 pm
Yahoo.com -

Carlos Delfino had 19 points and 11 rebounds and Argentina hit 14 3-pointers in an 86-63 victory over Venezuela on Monday in the second round of the FIBA Americas tournament.

I always knew he could play, he just needed the minutes DAMN IT SAUNDERS!

Did anyone see him get shit on the other day? He went up for a dunk and was blocked by two guys... I had a cheap laugh.

I always knew he could play, he just needed the minutes DAMN IT SAUNDERS!
He got the minutes in 2007 -- 82 games, 17 mpg.

Unless the Raptors are planning on playing against a bunch of euros, this doesn't really mean much. Every year we'd hear about how amazing he was playing in international tournaments in the off season but it never changed anything once the season started.

Delfino was put under pressure, he really needed to shine in those minutes he had. He never really had a fair chance.:emo kid:

I don't think Cross is joking, FWIW.

So what is the three point line in this thing anyway? I know it's shorter, isn't it like 18 feet or something rediculous like that?

:langlois:
LHCD(N):


Here’s a little window into Carlos Delfino’s soul. Playing for the Argentine national team, Delfino said this over the weekend to reporter for the Toronto Sun: “I was really stuck in Detroit. I was trying to be a part of the team, but I never felt I really had a role with the team. I had a great relationship with everyone on the roster, but I never got the chance to be on the court. I don’t want to say I want more or less minutes. I just want a role.”

Huh? Delfino was given a great opportunity a year ago, first by Joe Dumars and then by Flip Saunders. Dumars – who was taken by Delfino the first time he saw a videotape of him during his days in Italy – traded Maurice Evans to the Lakers on draft night 2006 specifically to clear playing time and create a defined role for Delfino. He went into camp as the primary backup to Prince at small forward.

When Flip Murray got off to an uneven start and Saunders lost confidence in him, Delfino also inherited minutes at shooting guard behind Rip Hamilton. He averaged 17 minutes a game and they would have given him more if he’d earned them.

But there were too many nights when Delfino just blended into the background, doing nothing or very little that could be recalled at game’s end.

Delfino always struck me as someone who didn’t understand his own limitations. He had no glaring weaknesses but he wasn’t particularly good at anything. He’d make just enough 3-pointers to convince himself he was a good shooter, but ultimately he missed far too many open jumpers – something the Pistons believe they’ve upgraded in signing Hayes. He’d make some spectacular forays to the basket, but you cringed every time he tried because it was more likely to end up in a turnover or a charge.

I’m not sure what else the Pistons could have done to help Delfino realize the potential they saw in him four years ago. The Raptors signed Jason Kapono to a mid-level exception contract after trading for Delfino and they still have Anthony Parker and Joey Graham, as well. We’ll see how Delfino responds to having to fight for minutes.

I don't think Cross is joking, FWIW.

lol I saw those white comments of yours Glenn. Fuck a delfino.:dismissed:

I should have given you more credit. Sorry, Cross.

You filthy Delfino lover.

I love that they have 4 guys vying for the minutes Delfino thought were all his. Just another chance for him to not fight for the minutes and bitch when he doesn't get the playing time he wants. Guy's starting to remind me more and more of Darko. He has talent but he'll never push himself hard enough to full realize it.

http://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/265222


Delfino quiet but productive

Oct 10, 2007 04:30 AM
Doug Smith
sports reporter

MADRID–Carlos Delfino goes through life with an unassuming calm; he isn't going to scream and yell, wave his arms and gesticulate and his eyes won't bug out with enthusiasm.

It's taken Sam Mitchell a couple of weeks to figure that out about his new small forward and that's been the biggest and most difficult obstacle to overcome between coach and player.

"It's just taken me time learning Carlos's personality," Mitchell said yesterday. "He's a laid-back guy, and I like more of (fire). But that's just me. I don't want him to change who he is. He goes out on the floor and he's productive.

"The most difficult thing for any coach is just figuring out everybody's personality and making sure I don't make the wrong judgment on a guy because his demeanour may be one way and his play is another way. That's the thing I have to make sure of."

Delfino is laid-back like no other Raptor, like few other pro athletes, in fact. His facial expression seldom changes, his voice is barely more audible than a whisper. It is who he is and he can't – and won't – change.

"I am a quiet guy," he said. "Sometimes I look like I'm out, but I'm in, that's my personality, that's how I do things. (But) I feel good, I feel good with (Mitchell) and I think we're comfortable working with each other. That's very positive. It's good to know that after two weeks you are able to understand each other and it's time to go on."

Delfino, the 25-year-old Argentine who's in a battle with Jason Kapono and Joey Graham for Toronto's starting small forward role, is not only working on getting used to a new team and new system, he's still rebuilding confidence that was shaken in three years in Detroit where he was yo-yoed in and out of the rotation on a monthly basis.

Coming off an excellent run with Argentina at the FIBA Americas Olympic qualification tournament in August, he's finally getting back to the point where he knows he's going to play regularly with his NBA team.

"When you play with regularity, it's easy to get confidence, to know what you're doing and to get your role and get into it everything," he said. "If your playing time or role is up and down ... you never get confidence.

"In Detroit, even if I was part of the team and I was great with the chemistry of the team, I never found my role in all those years. Some weeks I never played, for months I would play and then (it was) back to the bench watching games and you never get yourself in a role."

Delfino's role with Toronto is yet to be fully defined but it will be more substantial than the one he had with the Pistons. Even if he doesn't end up starting, he's going to be a key part of the rotation because he's a big guard (6-foot-6) with good shooting range and he has ball-handling skills that will allow some of the offence to run through him.

He's not a lock-down defender but he's not a liability, either, and the Raptors are going to have to look for him to have a breakout year if they want to surpass last year's success.

"I think we're working hard, step-by-step, I'm trying to fit," he said. "I feel comfortable with the coach, with the teammates, the chemistry is great so it's good for me."

I wonder if he'll still be with the Raps at season's end? Some red flags in there, IMO.

When are these eurochumps ever going to learn that, for all its problems, the NBA is the premier basketball league of the world, and you don't get to play unless you earn it?

his voice is barely more audible than a whisper.

Unless he's talking to foreign reporters in which case its a full volume I Love Lucy whine.

Oh fuck, the new darko. :(:emo kid:

http://www.thestar.com/article/266096


Sam: Give me some tough guys

Raptors coach irked by lack of fire under boards as Toronto drops game to spunky Real Madrid

And he snagged Delfino... for toughness... bawhhahaha

This guy just needs to SHUT THE FUCK UP!!


Carlos Delfino: 'If I had stayed with the Pistons... it would have been my last NBA season'

October 12, 2007
FREE PRESS STAFF REPORTS

Former Pistons guard Carlos Delfino has looked at this upcoming season as a make-or-break year for his career.

The native of Argentina believes that if he doesn't play well enough this year, his first with the Raptors after being traded in the off-season, he will probably be done in the NBA, according to a story from Sportsticker.

"This is my last season under contract and if I don't do things well, next year I won't clinch a good contract and will have to return to Europe," Delfino told the Ole newspaper in Argentina. "If I am outstanding, I'm sure I will sign an even better contract."

Delfino, 25, was among the biggest stars in Italy but never received much playing time in Detroit.

"The two parties tried a thousand things to make my situation in Detroit better, but unsuccessfully," Delfino said. "This is my last chance because I finally left Detroit and Toronto is a different club.

"If I had stayed with the Pistons, I'm sure it would have been my last NBA season."

It is by whine alone he sets his mouth in motion...

SHOCKING!!


Forward Delfino drops like a stone on the Toronto Raptors' depth chart
Poor play in practice has Mitchell considering Graham and Kapono

October 17, 2007
DOUG SMITH
SPORTS REPORTER

Carlos Delfino has, for now, played himself out of consideration for a starting spot with the Raptors.

Some uninspired play in practice from the 6-foot-6 small forward has left coach Sam Mitchell to narrow the possibilities to Joey Graham and Jason Kapono.

"(Delfino) has to pick it up," Mitchell said yesterday. "I thought Jason and Joey have really been working harder."

Delfino, obtained from Detroit in a summer trade, hasn't shown the attitude Mitchell wants in the only starting spot still up for grabs.

"(I) just want him to be more aggressive. At that three spot, you have to be aggressive. You don't have to be great," the coach said. "We all have limitations, as long as I know a guy's giving me the best he's got, I can accept the rest of it."

Mitchell praised Graham for his work in practice yesterday and Monday. "Joey's been trying, he's been playing hard. Today was a good day, today it was Good Joey," he said. He is sure that Kapono will get his share of playing time.

"Jason Kapono's going to play because he does something better than anybody else in the NBA, he shot 51 per cent from that three-point line," Mitchell said. "He's done that consistently throughout his career and that's one of the reasons we signed him. "He's been working hard and I can't say that for some of the other guys."

http://www.thestar.com/printArticle/267706

Is anyone surprised?


Doubtful.