Neues » to end the inning.

TORONTO - As Dwane Casey reflected on some of his teams most pleasant surprises nearly halfway through the campaign, his eyes widened and a big smile came over his face as he mentioned the name James Johnson, a player that used to elicit a very different reaction from the Raptors head coach. Matthias Ginter Germany Jersey . Nearly three years ago, Johnson - in his first stint with Toronto - was pulled from the Raptors starting lineup after getting into a verbal altercation with Casey during practice. Now, with the 27-year-old forward turning the page as both a player and as a man, Casey has given serious thought to reinstalling him as a permanent member of the first unit. Johnson, one of the teams most consistent two-way performers through 38 games, had made seven starts in place of the injured DeMar DeRozan, averaging 11.1 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.1 blocks, 1.0 steal on 63 per cent shooting, before returning to the bench in DeRozans return on Wednesday. With DeRozan healthy again, its no surprise to see Casey go back to his original lineups. Its the right move, at least for now. The Raptors have had all kinds of success with their starting group of DeRozan, Lowry, Ross, Valanciunas and Amir Johnson. That unit has won more games together than any other starting lineup in team history, going 29-21 last season and opening this year with a record of 11-2 before DeRozans injury, adding another victory after the 100-84 win over Philadelphia. Last season they outscored opponents by a team-best 43 points in 717 minutes together, each of them averaging career-highs in scoring and minutes played. This year, they were a plus-31 entering Wednesdays game. Torontos only five-man lineup with a higher point differential (plus-46) is its original second unit - Vasquez, Williams, Patterson, Hansbrough and James Johnson - a group Casey is just as motivated to keep together. Its been one of the leagues best off the bench. So, Johnson goes back to the bench in the hopes that DeRozans return will help spark the teams ailing defence and restore a sense of normalcy in Caseys rotation. But, in light of Johnsons improved all-around play, expect the leash to be shorter than it has been in the past, especially on the slumping Terrence Ross. Ross shooting and focus on defence has been up and down in his third NBA season. After averaging 36 minutes a night over the final five games of December, the 23-year-old has logged under 30 minutes in each of the first six contests in January, playing less than Johnson in three of the past four. Is there anything Johnson could do to supersede Ross in the starting lineup? Continue to play the way hes playing, Casey said in response. I mean theres nothing etched in stone. I really just think that [Johnson] being that wild card off the bench really kind of sets the tone for us, for that second unit. But never say never. I dont want to put myself in a corner and say its never going to happen. Its possible Casey may be trying to light a fire underneath Ross. When hes locked in as a defender at his position and hitting shots from the corners Ross is a crucial cog in the first unit, spacing the floor and opening up driving lanes for DeRozan and Lowry. In 213 minutes together this season, theyre shooting 49 per cent from he field and 43 per cent from three-point range while getting to the line at an impressive rate. Even on Wednesday, as DeRozan returned, Ross continued to struggle. He made one of four shots in just 18 minutes after getting the hook early in the third quarter and sitting out the rest of the second half. Of greater concern to Casey, he missed a number of defensive assignments and seemed a step behind for most of the night. Instead of Johnson, who logged just 15 minutes in his return to the bench, Lou Williams was the biggest beneficiary of Ross second-half benching. Williams played 23 minutes, scoring 19 to lead Torontos second unit. Every young player goes through it, Casey said after the game. You’d have to ask him what he’s going through but I just felt that Lou had it going, DeMar coming back in the picture and it’s just hard getting all those guys back in there and we’ve got to go with the guys that are producing on the defensive end. Changing up the two units, starting Johnson for Ross, would require a leap of faith on Caseys part. That group - Lowry, DeRozan, Valanciunas and the two Johnsons - has logged just five minutes together this season, hitting four of 10 shots, missing their only three-point attempts and holding opponents to 2-of-9 from the field. The sample size is far too small to read into its results. One thing is for certain, the Raptors would lose some floor spacing by making the switch, a legitimate concern with DeRozan and Lowry requiring room to operate on the perimeter. However, as long as the teams defence and rebounding continue to suffer and Ross remains erratic, the lack of outside shooting may be a risk Casey is willing to take. After all, Johnson has become more than just a defender and rebounder. Casey has raved about his improved offensive discipline, decision making, and passing, even out of the double teams he has seen recently. I just think hes more in a facilitating role when hes with the first group, Williams said of Johnson. With the second group we expect him to be a lot more aggressive, take more chances on the offensive and defensive end to anchor us. And on the first group I just feel like hes one of the guys. Obviously thats a group where Kyle leads and James just plays more of a defensive role on that group [He brings] everything, Lowry said. The intangibles, shot-blocking, big body, a playmaker. James can make plays. If people don’t notice, he can pass the ball. He can get to the basket. He can finish. He covers a lot of ground for our mistakes. For now, its Ross job to lose but whether or not he loses it may have more to do with the teams overall performance than his own. As long as the team is winning and the defence improves with DeRozan back, Casey will likely opt for status quo, perhaps continuing to cut Ross minutes if his slide persists. Altering the rotation all together is a risk that may only be worth taking if DeRozans return doesnt turn out to be the cure to their recent ailments. Thomas Muller Germany Jersey . This week, topics cover the Blue Jays rotation, the futures John Gibbons and Alex Anthopoulos, protecting pitchers and a bonus question on his predictions for the MLB playoffs. Timo Werner Jersey . The Goldeyes (10-7) lost 4-1 to the Saltdogs (8-9) Sunday afternoon before 5,834 sizzling fans at Shaw Park. The loss drops Winnipegs record to 3-4 during this past weeks seven-game homestand. http://www.germanysoccerpro.com/Julian-Brandt-Germany-Jersey/ . Louis Blues, having added Ryan Miller and Steve Ott from Buffalo, remain the No.NEW YORK -- The New York Yankees have put closer David Robertson on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained groin and recalled lefty reliever Cesar Cabral from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. The Yankees made the moves before Tuesdays game against Baltimore. Robertson was listed retroactive to Monday. Robertson posted two saves in three games as the replacement for retired Yankees closer Mariano Rivera before getting hurt. Robertson said he felt discomfort during Sundays outing at Toronto, and doesnt expect to be sidelined for more than 15 days. The 25-year-old Cabral made his major league debut last year with the Yankees, pitching 3 2-3 innings. He had a 0.00 ERA in 9 1-3 innings during spring training this year. Yankees manager Joe Girardi said he wanted to add another left-hander with the team facing the Orioles and Boston this week. Robertson felt discomfort Sunday five or six pitches into the ninth inning of a 6-4 win over the Toronto Blue Jays, his second save in three outings this season. "Its really disappointing," Robertson said Monday after New York beat Baltimore 4-2 in its home opener. "I wouldve loved to have been out there pitching the ninth today, especially on opening day here." Instead, Robertson had an MRI that revealed a Grade 1 strain and setup man Shawn Kelley earned his first career save. Kelly pitched a perfect ninth that ended with him catching a toss from first baseman Kelly Johnson and keeping the game ball. Thomas Muller Jersey. "Exciting," said Kelley, who learned Sunday night he might fill in for Robertson. Robertson doesnt expect his absence to last more than the required 15 days. "Anytime I sit for a handful of days I feel good as gold," Robertson said. "I think it will be rest a little while, play catch and get a bullpen and get right back in there." Robertson made a smooth transition to closer after Rivera retired at the end of last season with a major league-record 652 saves. An All-Star setup man, Robertson was only eight for 18 in save chances during six seasons before taking over the role. Hes allowed one hit in three scoreless innings this year. The Yankees bullpen was impressive without him Monday. Adam Warren pitched the eighth and after a leadoff walk he retired three straight, striking out All-Stars Adam Jones and Chris Davis to end the inning. "Were going to try to step up and fill that void for a brief period of time," Warren said. Also, first baseman Mark Teixeira had an MRI that confirmed he had a Grade 1 right hamstring strain. Placed on the DL Saturday, Teixeira thinks he will only need the minimum time out. He said he will begin an exercise program Tuesday. "I knew that it wasnt anything major when I did it," Teixeira said. ' ' '