Limbo to the lottery

This is quite a race walk death march shaping up at the end of the NBA standings, but cheer up Raptors fans. For every L, so too do the Atlanta Hawks stagger along in lock step. It's going to be quite a ride leading up to that third Sunday in May in Secaucus.

Raptors lose in Philly last night 104-92, Doug Smith reports, and there's no relief in sight, writes Dave Feschuk. Meantime, Hawks drop a close one to the Duncan-less Spurs, 103-79.

AP PHOTO

It's the Sam Mitchell mask.

And so it goes, this nightly showing of So You Think You Can Limbo. As I wait for the first live blogging of somebody's Raptors vs. Hawks NBA Live 2005 showdown series, I'm not going to say anything more -- I'm going to keep cool and calm, I'm wearing my Sam Mitchell Mask this morning.

Elsewhere:

As the Argos prepare for the eastern final, Chris Zelkovich takes a look at club president Keith Pelley, who in two years has helped turn the club in the right direction thanks to revolutionary concepts like this one: "Ostentatious half-time shows weren't going to do it. We had to sell football."

Australia's going to the World Cup for the first time since 1974, after a shootout win today over Uruguay. And still on the soccer beat, it sure didn't take long for Michael Ballack and Man United to start getting all hot for each other, although the Kaiser has other ideas.

Geoff Baker takes a closer look at the Majors' new, tougher drugs policy, and how it will impact on the Jays.

Terrell Owens' house is for sale. Deadspin has the listing. (UPDATE: He's got his Atlanta place up for sale too, poor fellow.)

Comments

[Hapsters]

Well - I will give it a stab - what the heck.

So finally the Raptors are making another big signing I hear. Some 5-11 guy that last played for the clippers and playing for the 'no-nameBA' league. Well - that's gonna turn this thing around - wouldn't you say? Might as well hire me for the PG position. I mean I am almost as tall (well - not really - but you see my point), and can probably average as many points as that dude (like 3 points a game). Heck - I am much cheaper too and probably have a better haircut! I would look as nice in the dressing room trying to preach everyone how good and productive it is to lose.

Boy ! This team Sucks ! No other way to put it. They just SUCK ! I mean - I don't mind if they lose everyday but show up for the game - but they are just mailing it in before the training camp started. Is there a way that the team can just not go to games, stay home and save everyone the agony until draft time?? And yea - by the way - if we get first draft I bet we will SURPRISE everyone and draft the guy who is slated 20th on the 5th round picks of the NHL - arn't we.

I have patience for kids - But C'Mon !!this is brutal! Don't you guys have ANY guts !??!!

[Hapsters]

And for God's sake - media - stop counting the 3-pointer uninterrupted streak for the Raptors since 1872!!!! Who cares about that! For that they will get a brownie. Now get over it!

[cy]

media are the ones who have to watch Jalen Rose each night, and no wonder they sound so brain damaged at times -- i look upon this season already much like i looked on last year's lost NHL year. it's a rare chance to kick back, catch up on reading, do some yard work, play with the kids, anything but watch this garbage. because yeah, this team is bad -- so much worse than i thought off the top of the year it's not funny. And it's because Rose is the only real veteran they have -- and he wants nothing to do with sharing the ball with the kids, or waiting for them to develop. Sooner he leaves, the sooner the Raps are to moving on.

[Hapsters]

Amen !!! (about Rose)

[Tim Farrell]

So Darrick Martin is now a member of that exclusive Raptors-Grizzlies club.

I want to share with you the all-time members of this club, a who's-who of perennial allstars and future Hall of Famers:

-Darrick Martin
-Aaron Williams
-Benoit Benjamin
-Roy Rogers
-Tony Massenburg
-Milt Palacio
-Robert Archibald

I wish I had something to say here, but I'm just in awe of this amazing list.

[cy]

A little thin in the backcourt eh?
Check that. It's a little thin EVERYWHERE.