Here are five thoughts on the Toronto Raptors seven-game loss to the Brooklyn Nets in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. Justin Ellis 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. Seth Roberts Jersey . -- The Orlando Magic finally are showing the patience in critical moments that coach Jacque Vaughn has been waiting for all season. Kenny Stabler Jersey . Neither made it that far in 2013. Not even close. Federer lost his second match at the All England Club. Nadal exited in the first round, a year after bowing out in the second. http://www.authenticraidersfansclub.com/Black-Friday-Ben-Heeney-Jersey/ . It was just time for him to make a big play. Nicolas Batum had 20 points and 10 rebounds, Wesley Matthews scored 18 points, and the Trail Blazers overcame poor-shooting nights by two of their best players in a 94-90 victory over the New York Knicks on Wednesday.Rory MacDonald may have to wait a little longer for a shot at the welterweight title. According to MMAFighting.com, MacDonald needs an x-ray on his right ankle and doctors clearance to fight or he will be subject to a mandatory medical suspension that will end on August 22, 2014. The Quesnel, B.C. native was awarded "Fight of the Night", which comes with a $50,000 bonus, for his unanimous decision victory over Demian Maia at UFC 170. Johny Hendricks and Robbie Lawler will fight to determine the new welterweight champion at UFC 171 on March 15 after the belt was vacated by former champ and fellow Canadian Georges St-Pierre. After a dominating performance against Maia, a former middleweight title contender, MacDonald is expected to challenge the winner for the belt if he is healthy. MMAFighting.com published a complete list of UFC 170s medical suspension with information provided by the Nevada State Athletic Commission: Rory MacDonald: Requires x-ray on right ankle and physicians clearance, or no contest until Aug. 22; minimum suspension until March 25, no contact until March 16. Stephen Thompson: Requires x-ray on right hand aand physicians clearance, or no contest until Aug. Cory James Jersey. 22; minimum suspension until March 25, no contact until March 16. Robert Whittaker: Requires physicians clearance on left forearm, or no contest until Aug. 22; minimum suspension until March 25, no contact until March 16. Raphael Assuncao: Requires x-ray on left ribs and physicians clearance, or no contest until Aug. 22; minimum suspension until March 25, no contact until Mar. 16. Cody Gibson: Requires x-ray on right hand and orthopedic clearance, or no contest until Aug. 22. Patrick Cummins: Suspended until April 9; no contact until March 25. Demian Maia: Suspended until April 9; no contact until March 25. T.J. Waldburger: Suspended until April 9; no contact until March 25. Rafaello Oliveira: Suspended until April 9; no contact until March 25 due to contusion under right eye. Sara McMann: Suspended until March 25; no contact until March 16. Pedro Munhoz: Suspended until March 25; no contact until March 16. Aljamain Sterling: Requires follow-up MRI of head with gradient echo or susceptibility weighted imaging within one week post-fight, or before March 1. Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Jerseys From China Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys ' ' '