Mourning Half-Apologizing To Toronto Fans

Now with the Miami Heat, center Alonzo Mourning says he is sorry if Toronto fans feel “duped” over him not playing for the Raptors after being sent there as part the Vince Carter trade with the New Jersey Nets.

“I knew I wasn't going to win in Toronto,” Mourning said.

"I apologize," Mourning said in his first public discussion of the Dec. 17 trade which made him a Raptor — at least theoretically—and sent Vince Carter to New Jersey. "That was my main purpose of not stepping foot in Toronto at all, not to raise anyone's hopes or anything like that.

Mourning is adamant that the Toronto staff was made aware by the New Jersey execs that there was a good chance Mourning would not report to the club.

"I'm 35 years old and I've been a part of rebuilding teams and considering my health situation, I didn't want to be in a situation where I was going to waste my time out on the court," Mourning said.

"I want a reward for my efforts and I'm not saying Toronto didn't have the talent to get into the playoffs, especially if I had come there to contribute but it's not about getting into the playoffs for me any more. I'm at a stage in my career where I don't know how much longer I'm going to be able to do this so if I do it, I want to do it on a level where I can see a reward at the end of it."

Via The Toronto Star

Toronto Raptors, New Jersey Nets, Miami Heat

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Bosh's 32 Leads To Win In Atlanta

Chris Bosh scored 32 points for the Toronto Raptors to lead them to a 109-104 victory at Atlanta.

``Just stay positive, that's my biggest thing,'' Bosh said of his conversation with Georgia Tech coach Paul Hewitt. ``No matter what happens, just stay positive. The minute you start forcing things, that's when you shoot yourself in the foot.''

``We talk al the time about getting off to a good start,'' Rose said. ``I'm pretty sure every team in the league does. You've got to find a way to get it when it counts. Fortunately for us, we were able to get it in the fourth quarter when things were crucial.''

Atlanta's last victory came against the Raptors in Toronto.

``I try to tell people, 'Don't look at records,''' Raptors coach Sam Mitchell said. ``Everybody's playing for something. Whether it's the playoffs, respectability or jobs. Everybody's got something that's important to them.''

Via Yahoo!

Toronto Raptors, Atlanta Hawks

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Raptors Activate Eric Williams; Place Woods On IL

Toronto’s fragile center Loren Woods was placed on the injured list on Friday with a sprained left shoulder. Forward Eric Williams was activated and will take Woods’ place on the roster.

Williams had missed the previous 11 games with a right calf injury.

Via SLAM Sports

Toronto Raptors

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