TORONTO - Set to make his Raptors debut at home to the 76ers Friday, suiting up for his fourth team in four seasons, Greivis Vasquez has one thing on his mind. Adidas Zx Flux Hvid . Fed up with losing - hes done more than enough of it early in his career - the Raptors new point guard just wants to win. "Im tired of losing," Vasquez proclaimed, shortly after his first practice in Toronto Thursday afternoon. "I think winning just feels so much better. Im not looking be an all-star or anything else like that, right now Im just looking at how I can help my team." "Its all about fit and I think I fit in here." Vasquez, acquired from Sacramento on Monday, was the last of the four new players to arrive in Toronto after being held up in New York for two days getting his paperwork sorted out. He had every reason to be drained, but unlike his three Kings-turned-Raptors teammates a day prior, he did not show it. For him, this trade - his third since coming into the league in 2010 - is an opportunity for a fresh start, a fresh start he may or may not find in Toronto but one he desperately needs. "I just want to play," the Venezuelan-born point guard said. "I just want to be happy, I want to feel like Im enjoying what Im doing and this opportunity is probably going to get that back for me because I was struggling in Sacramento." "Hopefully I stay here for a long time, but you cant control that. Im just looking forward to the opportunity. I think this is really going to be a fresh start for me." Since playing a marginal role on the Grizzlies team that went to the Conference Semifinals in his rookie year, the 26-year-old lost 100 games in two seasons with the Hornets before being traded to the Kings this past summer. Coming off a career season, in which he averaged 13.9 points and 9.0 assists with New Orleans, placing second in most improved player voting, Vasquez never quite found his game in Sacramento. Recovering from offseason ankle surgery, Vasquez was limited in training camp with his new team and struggled, not unlike the Kings themselves, upon his return to the lineup. A class act, Vasquez was very careful to remain thankful and respectful to the Kings organization, however he was very clearly thrilled to move on. "The NBA is all about fit, how you fit with a team," he said. "Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesnt work. Unfortunately it didnt work in Sacramento, nothing against the franchise or the guys that play there." "Ive (turned) the page," he continued. "I want to play for the Toronto Raptors, I want to win a lot of games and hopefully I play my whole career here." Theres something you dont hear everyday. "Hopefully I play my whole career here," spoken by a player wearing a Raptors logo on his chest. Its a nice sentiment but a bit premature for someone whose jersey is hot off the press, for a player who hasnt yet felt the anguish of being a Raptor. Vasquez wants to win. He thinks they can and he believes they will win. That - whether by design or not - seems like wishful thinking, at least for the immediate future. Masai Ujiri has already shipped out the teams most talented, albeit most flawed player. According to multiple reports, the Raptors general manager is aggressively shopping Kyle Lowry, on the verge of sending his expiring contract to New York, or Brooklyn, or Golden State, or somewhere, wherever. The season of change has just begun but many fans, media-types, league executives and even players believe they know where this is headed. "A lot of people talk about tanking and all that," Vasquez acknowledged, asked if hes willing to be patient and wait for a time in which this team is ready to win. "Ill speak on my behalf, obviously I know players, you know players in this league, Im not going to go out there and just give the ball away and say, hey just score." "I just want to go out there and complete and whether we win or lose at the end of the day you want to feel like you gave everything." Vasquezs presence will win the Raptors a game or two this year, maybe more, whether they like it or not, whether you like it or not. And thats not a bad thing. He is both the perfect player and the perfect person for any organization looking to change their long-suffering culture. On Wednesday veteran Chuck Hayes acknowledged the Raptors long-standing reputation around the league for being a soft team. Having tough-minded players around, winning players, never hurts regardless of where you are in a rebuild. Just ask Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady what Charles Oakley or Alvin Williams meant to their careers. The likes of Jonas Valanciunas, Terrence Ross and even DeMar DeRozan will benefit greatly from playing alongside Vasquez, regardless of whether or not that translates to unwanted victories. Auditioning for his future - hell become a free agent at the end of the season - Vasquez will increase the teams watchability. He and coach Dwane Casey have already spoken about running more pick-and-roll, music to the ears of Valanciunas and Amir Johnson, and his pass-first style of play should bring back memories of Jose Calderon. "Im not going to score 30 points a night but I can get you 10 assists a night," he said. "Its not about how much success you have as an individual. I want to win, thats the bottom line. I had a great season last year and I still got traded, youve got to do things on a winning team and thats what I want to do here." Vasquez wants to win. Whether or not he succeeds in his mission as a Raptor, embrace it and enjoy the ride. Adidas Zx Flux Dame Hvid .By Firas Momani By Alfredo Galvan By Satwant GillBy Conor Stinson"I made this a couple months ago using Photoshop to use as my iPhone background. Nike Flyknit Racer Online Shop . -- James Harden scored 31 points, including 25 in the second half, and the Houston Rockets dug out of a double-digit, first-half hole to beat the Orlando Magic 101-89 on Wednesday night. CHICAGO -- The Minnesota Twins just kept scoring, and rookie Danny Santana played a key role in their biggest offensive game of the year. Santana had five hits and four RBIs, and the Twins set season highs for runs and hits in a rain-delayed 16-3 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Sunday. "It was a lot of fun," Santana said. Santana had two hits and two RBIs in Minnesotas nine-run eighth inning, when it sent 14 batters to the plate and had nine hits against three relievers. The five hits set a season high for the centre fielder, who was one off his best for RBIs set June 7 against Houston. "He had a good day; with five hits, thats kind of an understatement," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "Hes a nice looking player. Playing centre field, hes a shortstop. Hes fun." It just got worse for Chicago in the ninth, when Chris Parmelee, Oswaldo Arcia and Eric Fryer hit consecutive homers off White Sox reliever Andre Rienzo. It was the first time the Twins had three consecutive homers since July 12, 2001, at Milwaukee. Dayan Viciedo hit a two-run homer for Chicago, which was hurt by poor bullpen work. Javy Guerra (1-3), Taylor Thompson, Ronald Belisario, Eric Surkamp and Rienzo allowed a total of 15 runs and 18 hits over the final four innings. Thompson was sent down to Triple-A Charlotte after the game. "It seemed OK until the sixth, and after that it just got loose and you couldnt stop it," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. Belisario, who served as Chicagos closer for a short stretch this season, faced four batters in the eighth and failed to record an out. He was charged with four runs, increasing his ERA to an unseemly 6.23. "I dont know what to say," Belisario said. "They got us. I have nothing to say." Kyle Gibson (10-8) was the beneficiary of Minnesotas big day at the plate. The 6-foot-6 right-hander allowed three runs and six hits in seven innings wwhile improving to 3-1 with a 3. Nike Air Max Zero Køb. 08 ERA in his last four starts. Chicago starter Jose Quintana struggled through three errors and two rain delays (for a total of 45 minutes) in the first two innings. He managed to get through five innings on 116 pitches, leaving with a 3-1 lead thanks to a three-run fourth for the White Sox. Alexei Ramirez hit an RBI double and scored on Viciedos 13th homer. Minnesota responded with three runs in the sixth. Eduardo Nunez had a run-scoring single before Santanas two-run double lifted the Twins to a 4-3 lead. Santana added an RBI triple and run-scoring infield hit in the eighth. The Twins finished with 23 hits. "Goodness gracious, up to the eighth inning it was a 4-3 ballgame then the ball starting flying all over the place," Gardenhire said. SCHAFER CLAIMED The Twins announced during the game that they had claimed outfielder Jordan Schafer off waivers from Atlanta. Schafer, who was selected by Atlanta in the third round of the 2005 draft, was designed for assignment after the Braves acquired utilityman Emilio Bonifacio and left-hander James Russell in a trade with the Cubs on Thursday. Gardenhire said left-hander Logan Darnell will be optioned to the minor leagues to make room for Schafer. GARCIA INJURED White Sox outfielder Avisail Garcia, currently on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Charlotte, was hit by a pitch and removed from the Knights game on Sunday. He was diagnosed with a bruised left triceps and is day to day. He had left shoulder surgery in April. ON DECK The Twins open a two-game home series against San Diego on Tuesday, with Padres right-hander Jesse Hahn (7-2, 2.01 ERA) going against right-hander Phil Hughes (10-8, 4.12 ERA) in the opener. The White Sox continue their six-game homestand with the opener of a three-game set with Texas on Monday, with Rangers right-hander Nick Martinez (1-7, 5.08 ERA) facing Hector Noesi (5-8, 5.21 ERA). Cheap Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys China Wholesale Jerseys ' ' '
