Here are five thoughts on the Toronto Raptors seven-game loss to the Brooklyn Nets in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. Authentic Gemel Smith Jersey . 1. JOE JOHNSON (Nets): If I had to pick the guy that was the MVP on this Series, No doubt in my mind it was him. Forget his numbers for a second which were impressive to say the least. It had more to do with his presence and the inability for the Raptors to find a viable/consistent solution to overcome his vast talents. Bottom line, hes a very difficult cover and his strength, post skills, passing ability, creativity off the bounce and distance shooting make him a fascinating and gifted offensive player. Give him credit, He took on all the challenges and made the adjustments and was the difference in this series. 2. STATEMENT: Thanks again! You - the fans have made a wonderful statement across the North American sports landscape and in the NBA community that Toronto and the country of Canada is a growing and vibrant hoops hotbed and will be heard from for generations to come. Cant tell you the impression its made on folks all across the NBA. Utterly remarkable to say the least. Great Opportunity for Raptors President and GM, Masai Ujiri, to now build from a position of strength in his retention and recruitment efforts as he formulates his vision for the long term success of the franchise. A step forward. Long way to go though - yet you can start to see the light. 3. KYLE LOWRY: No idea what will happen with him regarding his future with the Raptors. Im hopeful they can work something out. Ill say this though, the man has really impressed me this season. Every day he left everything out there on the floor for you and competed like few players ever have in a Raptors uniform. For that, we should be grateful and impressed at the same time. Hes been a joy to watch this season and an inspiration to so many young players that can learn from his sheer will and effort that you can overcome a whole lot if you give it your all. He came up short but the man is a winner. Fingers crossed it all comes together and hes back in Toronto. 4. MARCUS THORNTON (Nets): In a Game 7, many times you need that guy that just comes out of left field that gets you over the hump particularly when youre the road team. Give coach Jason Kidd credit, he played a great hunch and it paid off huge dividends for him. His perimeter shooting, creativity, rebounding and overall explosiveness were the edge the Nets sorely needed to pull off the road win in a deciding game. He was lousy in the early part of the series after playing quite well since being acquired from Sacramento but Coach Kidd showed renewed faith in him and was justly rewarded for it. Joe Johnson was the MVP but he was the difference. 5. DWANE CASEY: Actions speak louder than words. Three years and each year his teams have gotten better and he has grown each year as a head coach. As good a coach as he is - and hes a very good one - hes an even better man. Class act. He did an outstanding job this year and when I reflect over the three year period he has been consistent and stayed true to his core beliefs which I truly respect. He led a team this year that had many limitations (as we could all plainly see in this Series) to 48 wins, an Atlantic Division title and came up a bit short to a much more experienced, talented and deeper Nets team. Yes - Were all bitterly disappointed in the loss of this series yet when you take time to reflect, this organization has a true leader who is bright, steady and wont be out-worked by anyone. When I evaluate a coach, I always point to year three as my barometer of where you truly judge them. Theyve had more than enough time to get things the way they want and now you want to see that vision unfold before you. He has proven beyond a shadow of a doubt in my mind that hes more than deserving of being the head coach of the Raptors and when I evaluate him against his peers Im quite impressed. As a former coach, I think I have a pretty decent feel when I compare/contrast coaches strengths/weaknesses and when I look at coach Casey I see a man who has rolled up his sleeves, paid his dues and is truly a right fit for the task of the challenges that lie ahead for the organization. Hes a coachs coach and I can tell you flat out that the men in his profession not only truly like him but all respect him tremendously. Happy for his success. Good man. Good things do truly happen for good people. Authentic Tyler Seguin Jersey .com) - A chant of Zeke reverberated around AT&T Stadium before Ezekiel Elliott powered into the end zone for his fourth and final touchdown. Authentic Roman Polak Jersey . Hamelin overcame a weak start to win bronze in the 500-metre race behind winner Wu Dajing of China and American J.R. Celski on Saturday at the world short track speed skating championship. http://www.cheapstarsjerseysauthentic.com/?tag=authentic-gump-worsley-jersey .Y. -- Dwane Casey admitted hed been concerned about his young Raptors team who had zero experience playing in close-out games -- what awaited them with the vastly-experienced Brooklyn Nets, and how theyd react. CINCINNATI, Ohio -- Jay Bruce hadnt driven in a run in more than a month. He finally got a notable RBI and kept Cincinnatis winning streak going. Bruce drove in a pair of runs and Devin Mesoraco hit a two-run homer Tuesday night, leading the Reds to a season-high fourth straight win, an 8-3 victory over the sloppy San Francisco Giants. Mesoraco hit his ninth homer off Tim Lincecum (4-5), who has beaten the Reds during the playoffs but never during the regular season. Bruce, who spent time on the disabled list following surgery for torn knee cartilage, knocked in his first run since April 25. The Reds biggest shortcoming has been their inability to drive in runners. With Bruce back, theyve got a chance to fix the problem. "It was nice seeing him do what he does," manager Bryan Price said. "It was really good to see him get a couple of hits." Homer Bailey (6-3) went six innings in his first game against the Giants since his no-hitter against them last July 2 at Great American Ball Park. The right-hander gave up three runs and five hits, including Hunter Pences homer, double and single. "We scored early," Bailey said. "They hit some balls and got some men on base, but I was able to limit the damage and I found a groove." The Giants have the majors best record at 37-21, but were undone by a season-high four errors. Lincecum had a throwing error, and catcher Hector Sanchez threw two balls into centre field on steal attempts. Part of it was Billy Hamiltons speed. The Reds leadoff hitter doubled and scored on Lincecums throwing error in the first inning. He also singled, stole a base and scored a run in the fifth. Lincecum acknowledged that he got a little flustered with him on base. "Its fun to be fast," Hamilton said. "Thats what speed does." The Reds have dominated the Giants during the regular season in recent years, winning nine of 11 since 2012. San Francisco got the bbest of Cincinnati when it mattered most, taking three of five in the 2012 division series and going on to win the World Series. Authentic Blake Comeau Jersey. Cincinnati won this one with a pair of big innings. The Reds scored four times in both the first and fifth innings, matching the most runs that the Giants have allowed in an inning this season. When Bailey threw his second no-hitter against the Giants last July, the opposing pitcher was Lincecum, who threw his own no-hitter 11 days later at San Diego. Lincecum had a rough time in the rematch, matching his career high by giving up eight runs in only 4 1-3 innings. Bruce doubled home a run in the first inning for his 500th career RBI, and Mesoraco homered for a 4-0 lead. Brandon Phillips doubled home two more runs in the fifth, and Bruce had an RBI single as the Reds pulled ahead 8-3. Bruce missed two weeks following knee surgery and was only 4 for 30 in his previous eight games back. Lincecum is 0-4 with a 9.79 ERA in six career starts against the Reds, the only NL team he hasnt beaten during the regular season. He won Game 4 in Cincinnati during the 2012 division series. It was the third time in his career that Lincecum gave up eight runs in a start. The previous time also was against Cincinnati last July 22. NOTES: Ryan Vogelsong (3-2) starts the second game against LHP Tony Cingrani (2-5), who is 0-3 with a 5.29 ERA in three starts since returning from the disabled list. ... The Giants have lost 11 of their last 12 regular-season games at Great American. ... Pablo Sandoval went 0 for 3 with a sacrifice fly, ending his 12-game hitting streak. ... Bruce is the fifth-youngest Reds player to have 500 RBIs, trailing Johnny Bench, Frank Robinson, Vada Pinson and Adam Dunn. ... Joey Votto was cleared to hit and take infield practice with the team. If that goes well, hell start a minor league rehab assignment. Votto has been on the DL since May 21 with a strained muscle above his left knee. cheap falcons jerseys cheap ravens jerseys cheap bills jerseys cheap bears jerseys cheap bengals jerseys cheap cowboys jerseys cheap lions jerseys cheap texans jerseys cheap colts jerseys cheap jaguars jerseys cheap chiefs jerseys cheap rams jerseys cheap dolphins jerseys cheap vikings jerseys cheap saints jerseys cheap giants jerseys cheap jets jerseys cheap eagles jerseys cheap steelers jerseys cheap 49ers jerseys ' ' '