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NEW ORLEANS - As All-Star festivities wrap up in New Orleans and the focus immediately shifts to Thursdays NBA trade deadline, Masai Ujiri is prepared for a busy week of fielding phone calls. wholesale nfl jerseys . “Ill be right here," he said pointing to his cell phone, "waiting and well see what happens." "I never know what to expect," Ujiri continued, speaking to TSN.ca ahead of Sundays All-Star game. "Sometimes its quiet until the last minute, sometimes its busy. As far as our team, I think the team has played well. They have done well with the platform so [well] keep trying to grow." If the Raptors general manager is feeling any pressure to make a move ahead of the deadline, hes not showing it. Ujiri remains patient, committed to sustainable long-term growth and weary of disrupting the teams newfound chemistry, but he wouldnt rule out pulling the trigger on the right deal, if its out there. Despite his teams recent success, the plan hasnt changed and neither has his composure. "I always said since I came [to Toronto], the players will dictate where we go and the team will dictate where we go," he stated. "Thats kind of how its been. So theyre growing and you want it that way." Following a disappointing 6-12 start to the season, the Raptors have gone 21-12 since trading Rudy Gay to Sacramento on Dec. 9. Whats stood out to Ujiri, coach Dwane Casey, the players and anyone that has watched this team over the last two months is their on-court chemistry. Gays absence has allowed for a more cohesive offence, predicated on ball movement, which has allowed Kyle Lowry and Torontos young players to flourish. All four incoming players have contributed and the defence has improved. Still, not even the Raptors architect could have predicted such a quick turnaround. "We try to study [but] were not geniuses," Ujiri admitted. "You have to get lucky sometimes and I think we were lucky. It kind of came together in terms of chemistry." With 30 regular season games to go, the Raptors find themselves at the top of the Atlantic Division, third in the Eastern Conference. Theyre one game ahead of fourth-place Chicago and only 3.5 games separate them from Brooklyn, sitting in the seventh seed. Ujiri wont compromise the organizations future for instant gratification but he knows where they sit in the East and would consider adding another impact player as long as it doesnt derail their long-term flexibility. "I dont want to call out the conference," he said, "I cant do that but its the measuring stick and I think we have to keep that in mind.” Lowry - a subject of trade rumours all season, the final year of his contract - has been a big part of the Raptors success and figures to be just as valuable to a their playoff cause. The question, as it has been for months is: Will he be around for the stretch run? “I hate to comment about any player in that way, but I think we are not good enough so you have to keep it open," he responded. "Thats the honest answer. These guys have done pretty good. I know weve won a couple of games but we havent done anything yet." Translation; there are no untradeable players on the roster, Lowry included. If the right offer comes along Lowry could be moved but the asking price is significant, as it should be. It should go without saying, but Ujiri wont be pressured into selling off Lowry or any of his assets simply to make a mid-season splash. Although previous regimes have fallen into that trap, the Raptors first-year GM will survey the field and go from there. His phone is on. His eyes and ears are open. Cheap Chicago Bulls Jerseys . -- The Detroit Lions made it crystal clear to Golden Tate that he was their top target in free agency. cheap nfl jerseys . 3 Ohio State. After watching film of the Bison pull off a huge upset at Notre Dame on Wednesday night, there was no way the Buckeyes were going to be on anything but high alert.DETROIT -- Jim Leyland is as impressed with the Texas Rangers as he was during last years playoffs. "Theyre such a tremendously solid team in all areas -- starting pitching, defence, bullpen, offence," the Detroit manager said Friday. "Theyre a very good team, top to bottom. They have a lot of nice weapons, they have a lot of versatility. Theyre very good -- and we are, too." Friday night was supposed to be the second game of a four-game set between the Rangers and Tigers at Comerica Park, but it was called after a 25-minute rain delay before a single pitch was thrown. The teams will play a day-night doubleheader Saturday. Rick Porcello (1-0) of Detroit will face Matt Harrison (2-0) of Texas in the day game. That was supposed to be the matchup Friday. On Saturday night, Detroit ace Justin Verlander (1-1) takes the mound against Neftali Feliz (1-0). The Rangers beat Detroit 10-3 on Thursday night in the first meeting between the teams since Texas beat the Tigers in six games in last years AL championship series. The Tigers (9-4) acquired Prince Fielder in the off-season, hoping to build on that ALCS appearance. Verlander will take the mound Saturday night, five days after throwing 131 pitches in a complete game victory at Kansas City. Feliz will try to outpitch Verlander. The Texas right-hander saved 72 games over the last two seasons, and hes been sharp so far after moving to the rotation. Feliz has a 2.25 ERA after two starts this year. "Hes obviously not coming out there full barrel anymore, like you do when youre coming in to close the game out. Starting the game, youve got to pace yourself," Leyland said. "But hes obviously got tremendous stuff." Texas slugger Mike Napoli has five homers, nine hits, seven runs and 10 RBIs in his last four games. He couldnt do any more damage Friday night because of the rainout. "Its something you cant controol," Napoli said. Wholesale MLB Jerseys. "Well go do the split doubleheader tomorrow and start with game one and go from there." Fridays rainout means Texas reliever Scott Feldman will likely make a spot start Wednesday at home against the New York Yankees. Feldman has thrown only 2 1-3 innings this season. He pitched 1 1-3 innings Thursday night. "I was able to see some hitters up there, so thats always nice to get into some games," Feldman said. "Id rather be pitching more, but Im just getting my work in when I can." Texas has won seven straight games and is off to a major league-best 11-2 start. Napoli has homered in four straight games, and he isnt the only Ranger on a tear lately. Josh Hamilton is hitting .426 with five homers, and the starting rotation is 9-0. The Rangers stole four bases Thursday, although they also ran into a couple outs early in the game. Craig Gentry stole second and tried to reach third when a throw bounded into left field. He was thrown out. "Thats the way we play -- he just misjudged what he saw," manager Ron Washington said. "Im not going to blame him for misjudging what he saw because I dont want him to get tentative." NOTES: The Tigers on Friday acquired RHP Zach Miner from the Kansas City Royals for cash. Hes joining Double-A Erie. Miner, who turned 30 last month, appeared in 157 games for the Tigers from 2006-09, including 35 starts. He had surgery on his right elbow in May 2010 and signed a minor league deal with the Royals before last season. Now hes back in the Detroit organization. "His versatility I thought was his biggest asset," Leyland said. "He could go short, he could go long, he could start." ... Texas 2B Ian Kinsler was set to be the designated hitter Friday, with Michael Young playing 2B. Washington says he doesnt want Young to become "too stale just DHing." cheap jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' '
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