Here are five thoughts on the Toronto Raptors seven-game loss to the Brooklyn Nets in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. Hydro Flask Sale . 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. Cheap Hydro Flask . The Oilers will try to get back in the win column on Monday when they continue a four-game road trip with a battle against the Buffalo Sabres. Edmonton won its third straight game last Wednesday against visiting San Jose, beating the Sharks 3-0 as Scrivens stopped 59 shots to set an NHL record for saves in a regular-season shutout. Cheap Hydro Flask Free Shipping . Lawries batting helmet hit an umpire during his ninth-inning outburst in the Jays 4-3 loss to Tampa Bay on Tuesday. The 22-year-old threw his helmet to the ground and it bounced up and hit home plate umpire Bill Miller on the right hip after Lawrie was called out on strikes for the second out. http://www.cheaphydroflaskfreeshipping.com/ . Ferrer was unable to find his rhythm in losing 6-4, 6-2 to Teymuraz Gabashvili in his opening match while Nadal struggled past fellow Spanish player Albert Ramos 7-6 (2), 6-4. Nadal eventually overcame his 103rd-ranked opponent to reach the third round, rebounding from a surprise loss to Ferrer in the Monte Carlo Masters quarterfinals.MANCHESTER, England - Angel Di Maria will provide an ailing Manchester United with plenty of missing qualities following his big-money move from Real Madrid — pace, energy, incisiveness and goals. Just dont expect instant miracles from the Argentina midfielder. "I hope he shall give us good results," Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal said at Di Marias official presentation on Thursday, "but we cannot expect after two days training that he is the miracle what I already read. "No, you have to work for the miracle and he knows that." At its lowest ebb since the late 1980s, United is attempting to buy its way out of trouble with Di Marias arrival for 59.7 million pounds ($99 million) taking the 20-time English champions spending to about 130 million pounds ($215 million). And investment is definitely required. After missing out on European football this season with a disappointing seventh-place finish in the Premier League in May, United slumped to a 4-0 loss to third-tier club MK Dons in the League Cup on Tuesday — one of the most embarrassing results in its history. Such is the prestige and history of United that it was still able to attract one of the worlds top players in Di Maria, who helped Madrid become European champion for a 10th time last season. Thats the level Di Maria hopes he will soon be returning to with United. "I come to Manchester United in order to help the team raise their game and become an important team again," Di Maria said through a translator. Before his presentation, a highlight reel was played of Di Marias best moments during Madrids two legs against United in the Champions League two seasons ago. There was the whipped cross for Cristiano Ronaldos headed goal. A piece of skill to evade Phil Jones. A ddribble around Patrice Evra before unleashing a fierce shot that flew just wide. Hydro Flask Outlet Online. But the most obvious quality on show was his work rate and relentless energy from midfield. "It is important that he is a team player and that is what Im liking in Di Maria," Van Gaal said. "Not only class — he can accelerate the game for us — but he can also play in the interests of the team and that is why we have chosen for this player. "He is a very modest guy and he wants to work. He showed that also last year — he played 52 matches and gave 22 assists. How many players can say that? Twenty-two assists. Then you are also a very social being and in the football world, that is also the case." Di Marias debut is likely to come at Burnley on Saturday, when United goes looking for a first win of the Premier League season after losing to Swansea and drawing at Sunderland. He will be wearing the iconic No. 7 shirt previously donned by club greats Cristiano Ronaldo, David Beckham, George Best and Eric Cantona. Instead of providing added pressure, that simply gives Di Maria added pride. "I was aware of the importance of the No. 7 shirt, Cristiano Ronaldo had spoken to me at Real Madrid and told me how important it was," Di Maria said. "I wanted to wear this shirt and do as much for the club as Ronaldo and the others could do. The club also wanted me to wear it so I want to live up to it." Van Gaal also hinted that there will be plenty of comings and goings in Uniteds squad before the transfer window shuts on Monday. "I had a conversation after lunch with the players and I said maybe after this weekend, we shall have another group because players shall go away and others shall come in," the Dutchman said. 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