TSN’s Three Man Weave reach out east to the Maritimes for assistance this week, as they discuss the Raptors surging on without DeMar DeRozan, Sacramento, and top point guards. All that and more, as hosts of TSN 1050s 1 On 1 With Will & Duane, Will Strickland and Duane Watson are joined by HoopHeadsNorth.com’s Editor and Main Contributor Sean Francois all the way from Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Can the Toronto Raptors continue to win a high percentage of their games while DeMar DeRozan is out of the lineup? Strickland: Absolutely. They are not leading the Eastern Conference by accident or default. After the loss of DeRozan, the ships been buoyed by early season MVP candidate Kyle Lowry, bona fide Sixth Man of the Year contender Lou Williams and a young big man who seems to be turning the corner on consistency and asserting himself every night in Jonas Valanciunas. The results have come by hard work, team-first attitude, solid leadership, some luck and a sturdy Next Man Up mentality while their All-Star rehabs to get back into the fold and help his team. Francois: The Toronto Raptors are in a position to win while DeMar DeRozan is out of the lineup, but the percentage of wins depends on how effective the current rotation can be. Can Landry Fields continue to give them solid minutes? Will Jonas Valanciunas keep giving them that strong double-double play he has of late? Can Terrence Ross continue to take his offensive game to the next level in DeMars absence? These are some of the things the Raptors will need to continue if they want to remain at the top of the Eastern Conference standings. This upcoming stretch of games will be a true test for Toronto, as seven of their next eight games are on the road facing some elite Western and Eastern Conference competition. Watson: The foundation of this ball club is team first, so the Raptors’ loss of DeRozan isn’t felt as much as the loss of a player like Kevin Durant to OKC. Granted, he is the team’s leading scorer and amongst the top in the league in getting to the free throw line, but the Raptors depth and balance keep them going. Landry Fields insertion into the starting line-up allows the bench core to stay intact, which is the key edge this team has over the majority of the league. They haven’t floundered in his absence and will continue to hold it down until his return. Are serious/long term injuries becoming more prevalent in the NBA in recent years (Rose, Kobe, Parker & Randle), or does it simply just appear that way? Strickland: Objects in mirror may be closer than they actually are... or not. Many a star has been clipped before reaching their athletic primes, robbing fans and the game alike of incredible performers and potential greatness. From Bill Walton to Penny Hardaway, serious injuries are and have always been a part of the game. Are these injuries more prevalent now because of immediate access of social media, better medicine and medical rehabilitation techniques, more money and less insistence that players get back on the floor sooner than later? There could be myriad reasons upon which much speculation can be had. The success is and will be in how guys like the recently re-injured Kevin Durant, Jabari Parker and the like recover and respond. Francois: Injuries, especially ACL tears, seem to be happening more often in the NBA. Sports science and athlete training regimens are at an all-time high with regards to the level of sophistication and production through strength training and the research behind it. Despite the advancements, the human body is still susceptible to the same potential damage of ligaments, muscles, tendons, and bones through rigorous activity, being overworked, and sometimes over-compensating. The demands of a professional athlete and the practice routines are also at all-time highs. Neither Derrick Rose nor Kobe Bryant suffered major injuries at any point in their amateur or professional careers prior to their relatively recent injuries in the NBA, but due to the demands placed on athletes bodies in training, practice, and games, sports injuries are seemingly becoming more frequent. Watson: It’s a little of both, but they don’t make them like they used to. Another factor to consider is that players are entering a physically demanding game at a young age, and some of their bodies haven’t fully developed. In addition have they developed the habits and discipline of taking care of their bodies at a young age? Of course, some things just happen, but this era of medicine and training to repair and rehab makes these injuries less career threatening than in the past. With the surprising news that Sacramento Kings fired head coach Michael Malone this week, will Tyrone Corbin keep the coaching gig, or will they find someone else to fit their vision? Strickland: While the move to relieve Mike Malone of his coaching duties seemed sudden and abrupt, reports of a fissure up top between Malone and a very aggressive and perhaps out-of-his-depth owner in Vivek Ranadive were more surprising. Despite what looked to be a growing trust between Malone and his top star, DeMarcus Amir Cousins, its hard to believe he didnt want the Kings front office to extend Boogies contract or that of Rudy Gay. Grand Opening. Grand Closing. With Ranadive looking for an offensive minded jazz director, lets be clear that former Utah Jazz bench boss Tyrone Corbin is merely a seat-filler for Mark Jackson, George Karl or Chris Mullin to conduct Sacramentos starting quintet and their accompaniment in the near future. Francois: I will be surprised in Tyrone Corbin keeps the Kings head coaching job long term. With the up-tempo offence that the Kings management seems to want to implement, a name like Mike DAntoni comes to mind as a possible long-term replacement. On the other hand, given how quickly Michael Malone was relieved of his head coaching duties, I suspect there will be a carousel of coaches until Kings management find a coach who is willing to concede to any and all management wishes regarding style of play. Managements level of involvement in how the coaching staff operates is a fine line, and the Kings ownership and management need to pay close attention to that going forward. Watson: After hiring Malone in the summer - before hiring a General Manager and firing him this early in the season - Kings owner Vivek Ranadive is slowly evolving into the Indian James Dolan. Ranadive has said he believes Corbin “can take this team to the playoffs,” but he spoke glowingly about Malone as well. There are far more experienced coaches available and someone who will bend to ownership’s desires. Corbin is living on borrowed time. The early season MVP race is full of point guards. Who are the Top Five PGs in The Association right now? Strickland: After what could be a shape shifting move of Seismic proportion with the trade of Rajon Rondo to the Dallas Mavericks, there are absolutely no nights off in the West for point guards. Its no cakewalk in the East, either. Respect due to the aforementioned Rondo as well as Tony Parker, Chris Paul, Derrick Rose, Ty Lawson and Damian Lillard, but the Top Five floor generals in the Association currently are Steph Curry, Russell Westbrook, John Wall, Kyle Lowry and Mike Conley. Francois: In my opinion, the Top Five point guards in the NBA right now are: 1) Stephen Curry 2) John Wall 3) Chris Paul 4) Damian Lillard 5) Russell Westbrook Watson: My top five offence initiators right now, are Stephen Curry, Kyle Lowry, John Wall, Russell Westbrook and Tony Parker. The Atlanta Hawks: Are They For Real? Strickland: Indeed. Spurs East Lite. While they are still perhaps one quality big man back-up and shooter off the bench away, former San Antonio assistant Mike Budenholzer helms a club of solid, unselfish veteran players who lead the NBA in assists. The return of former All-Star centre, the multi-talented Al Horford, bolsters a squad with an 18-7 record, only 1.5 games behind the Eastern Conference-leading Toronto Raptors. The Hawks also sport an All-Star power forward currently third in steals as well as being the best deal in the NBA in one Paul Milsap. Throw in underrated glue guys in DeMarre Carroll and Thabo Sefalosha, improving youngsters Dennis Schroder and Shelvin Mark, marksmen Kyle Korver and Mike Scott and, of course, the movie 300s Leonidas stunt double, Pero Antic. THIS IS ATLANTA!!! Francois: The Atlanta Hawks are for real in the Eastern Conference. They have a handful of impressive wins against Eastern Conference opponents, but the majority of those games have been ones the Hawks expect to win. To this point, the Hawks have only played one elite Western Conference team, the Spurs, and the Hawks lost in a tight road game (94-92). I dont believe well be able to get a feel for what this Atlanta team is all about until they have played some higher-level competition, which they have coming up over the next couple of weeks. Watson: Over their last 15 games, the Hawks have gone 13-2, defeating Cleveland, Chicago, Washington, New Orleans and Denver, among others. They are for real and a team in the East not to be taken lightly. Atlanta is a top-10 defensive squad, yet are eloquent on offence, moving the ball with precision where they rank second in the league in assists. Don’t sleep on them. Follow them on twitter: Will Strickland @WallStrizzle1, Duane Watson @duanewatson and Sean Francois @seanfrancois Ozzie Smith Jersey . The Montreal Alouettes announced Tuesday that they have acquired the return specialist from Calgary, as well as the Stampeders fifth-round draft pick in the 2014 CFL Canadian Draft. San Diego Padres Jerseys . FIFA said the suspension was requested by ethics prosecutor Michael Garcia, making Beckenbauer the first person to be punished as a result of the case. Beckenbauer refused "repeated requests for his assistance, including requests that he provide information during an in-person interview or in response to written questions provided in both English and German," FIFA said in a statement. http://www.padressale.com/padres-trevor-hoffman-jersey/. He was 40. Firefighters were called about 11 a.m. Friday because Brown was unresponsive at his home near the Inner Harbor, fire spokesman Battalion Chief Kevin Cartwright said. He said Brown was dead when firefighters arrived. Custom San Diego Padres Jerseys . The move will give Hentgen the "time needed to support his family and his fathers current health issues," the Blue Jays said in a release. Hentgen spent 10 of his 14 big-league seasons with the Blue Jays, winning a Cy Young Award in 1996. Tony Gwynn Jersey .com) - Whew! North Dakota States reign as the three-time FCS national champion was pushed to the limit by South Dakota State on Saturday, but freshman R.Man Utd increased the pressure on Arsenal in the race for the top four with a 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace on Wednesday. An early Damien Delaney own goal and a cracking effort from Matteo Darmian means United close the gap on Arsenal in fourth to just one point, although the Gunners have a game in hand.Louis van Gaals men were rarely troubled by a lacklustre Palace side, who looked to have one eye on Sundays FA Cup semi-final against Watford and didnt register a single shot on target. Attention now turns to The Emirates on Thursday evening where Arsenal take on West Bromwich Albion, live on Sky Sports 1. Morgan Schneiderlin, Wayne Rooney and Anthony Martial celebrate after Damien Delaneys own goal Julian Speroni was making his first start of the season for Palace as Alan Pardew made seven changes. The goalkeepers first task of the night was to pick the ball out of his net.Darmian latched onto a nice flick from Marcus Rashford down the left and fizzed a cross into the middle. It was a hopeful cross, but Delaney turned it into a good one as he clumsily turned the ball into his own net with his right foot. From that moment Palace were never in the game as United controlled proceedings through Wayne Rooney, who excelled in a deeper role. He was feeding the front three of Rashford, Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard fruitful service and all that was lacking was a killer instinct in front of goal, otherwise the scoreline could have become very one-sided.Martial was denied on 23 minutes by a save from Speroni and the Palace stopper had to be even more alert seven minutes later to brilliantly tip away a fearsome shot from the right edge of the box by the lively French attacker. Louis van Gaal bbelieves Manchester Uniteds latest win over Crystal Palace keeps them in with a chance of clinching a top four spot Delaney nearly doubled his tally of own goals for the night on 32 minutes as he accidentally turned a Martial cross towards his own net but his blushes were spared as the ball drifted the wrong side of the post.ddddddddddddUnited had won their previous three Premier League home games by a 1-0 scoreline but always looked capable of finding further breakthroughs and it came on 56 minutes.A corner could only be cleared out to Darmian and under little pressure from the Palace defence, he controlled the ball and rocketed a thunderous half-volley into the net via the far post, scoring his first United goal in spectacular fashion. Alan Pardew admits his side may have had one eye on their FA Cup semi-final clash with Watford after losing 2-0 to Manchester United Rooney was searching for his 100th Premier League goal at Old Trafford for Manchester United and the closest he came to getting it was on the hour mark but his side-footed effort from 20 yards was blocked away by Pape Souare two yards from his goal-line. Speroni saved a Rashford effort just before the striker was substituted to a standing ovation on 63 minutes as United saw the game out very comfortably. Uniteds sixth successive Premier League win at Old Trafford puts pressure on Arsenal as they prepare to face West Brom, live on Sky Sports 1 HD on Thursday.Player RatingsManchester United: De Gea (6), Valencia (6), Smalling (7), Blind (7), Darmian (8), Lingard (7), Schneiderlin (7), Mata (7), Rooney (8), Martial (7), Rashford (7)Subs: Fellaini (6), Herrera (6), Memphis (6)Crystal Palace: Speroni (7), Kelly (5), Mariappa (6), Delaney (4), Souare (6); Jedinak (5), Cabaye (6), Lee (6); Zaha (7), Adebayor (5), Sako (4)Subs: Mutch (6), McArthur (6), Wickham (6)Man of the match: Matteo Darmian Cheap Bruins Jerseys Wholesale Sabres Jerseys Red Wings Jerseys From China Wholesale Canadiens Jerseys Wholesale Lightning Jerseys Cheap Maple Leafs Jerseys Discount Hurricanes Jerseys Blue Jackets Jerseys Outlet Adidas Devils Jerseys Cheap Islanders Jerseys Rangers Jerseys From China Discount Flyers Jerseys Discount Penguins Jerseys Discount Capitals Jerseys Wholesale Blackhawks Jerseys Cheap Avalanche Jerseys Cheap Team USA Hockey Jerseys Cheap Stars Jerseys Wholesale Wild Jerseys Discount Predators Jerseys Discount Blues Jerseys Discount Ducks Jerseys Adidas Coyotes Jerseys Flames Jerseys Outlet Wholesale Oilers Jerseys Discount Sharks Jerseys Cheap Canucks Jerseys Golden Knights Jerseys Outlet Authentic NHL Winter Classic Jerseys ' ' '