Looking Back At The Weekend...

April 7, 9:23 a.m. A tough and frustrating weekend for the Raptors as they dropped a back-to-back to the Bobcats and Nets respectively. Jason Richadson and Vince Carter did the most damage as the Raps find themselves a game under .500 for the first time since November 24. The Raps fell in love with the three ball the past two games and went a combined 7 for 39. The Raps have a couple of home games this week as they entertain the Bucks on Wednesday and the Nets Friday night. Rasho Nesterovic has stepped up big time. Big time. He's recorded three double-doubles in the last four games. His play over the past five weeks has been efficient and consistent. A goal of mine for the longest time has been to watch a game at Yankee Stadium. I've had the pleasure and good fortune of attending games at Wrigley Field, Fenway Park, Tiger Stadium, Comsikey Park, Dodger Stadium and Busch Stadium in St. Louis. The Yankees will move into a new ballpark next year. The cost? How about a whopping 1.5 BILLION dollars. I entered the ballpark and you can't help but feel the presence of history and greatness of baseball greats from generation to generation. The video board ran highlights ranging from Babe Ruth and Lou Gherig to Don Larson, Whitey Ford, Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris, Reggie Jackson, where do I stop? How can I stop? The Yankees however are in trouble. I don't like their pitching staff. But that is irrelevant. I loved Yankee Stadium. My first love is Wrigley followed by Fenway but for history and titles you got to appreciate what the Yankees have accomplished. I was looking forward to seeing Joe Girardi but he came down with a respiratory ailment and did not manage Saturday. He is a good man and will do an excellent job. But like any manager you have to have pitching. I caught up with Dewayne Staats , voice of the Rays who is extremely excited about Tampa's young pitching staff. If Tampa can keep these kids and not deal for the sake of baseball economics they have a bright future. I'm sure CBS is thrilled with a Memphis-Kansas showdown. I wonder if they're trying to arrange a North Carolina-UCLA consolation game and play that at 9 p.m. with the title game at 7 p.m. Another opinion, John Calipari will coach his last game at Memphis tonight. My feeling is he wants another chance at coaching in the NBA. A night after beating the Raps, Charlotte played host to a Boston team that rested Garnett, Allen and Pierce . The final: Boston 101 Bobcats 78. My man Leon Powe scored 22 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Dwight Howard went 1-8 against the Cavs but Orlando prevailed by 15. Philly wins on the road in Atlanta Friday night and get the Hawks in their building Saturday playing in front of a sellout of 19,775. The final: Atlanta 91 76ers 85. Willie Green went 1 for 11. No Arenas-No Jamison - Washington wins on the road in Chicago. Strange, strange happenings but that's why I love the NBA. My MVP Chris Paul bagged a triple -double as the Hornets won their 54th game as the Hornets beat the Warriors. "Onions Baby Onions" for the Mavs - a tough road win at Phoenix. Tough night at the office for Steve Nash. 4-17 -- 0-6 in the 4th. Hey, it happens. In the "Are you kidding me?" department. This quote from Isiah Thomas in today's NY Daily News on whether new boss Donnie Walsh should retain Thomas as head coach: "Hopefully, I'll be judged on the body of work," said Thomas, who is 54-105 as Knicks coach, including a 21-56 record this season. "Sometimes you have rough seasons. I don't think there is a coach coaching in this league who has had some longevity that hasn't experienced one like this." Wow. That's all I can say - wow. What in the world happened to the Nuggets? Brendan Haywood has stepped up big time for the Wiz. It appears to be a lock for Hakeem, Ewing, Riley and Dantley for the Hall of Fame. Big time props to the Jays. An impressive weekend. Jake Peavy is pitching some kind of ball. Before it's over I think the Braves can win the NL East. Our thoughts go to the family of former Cleveland Browns play by play announcer Gil Shanley who passed away over the weekend. He could call football like no one else. Questions/comments about the Raps/NBA? E-mail me at cswirsky@torontoraptors.com or call me at 416-815-6189. I have received hundreds of e-mails this weekend from fans around the world and I feel and sense your frustration. Hang in. The Raps need to get back on track and face a schedule that should be conducive toward that goal. Milwaukee is banged up and so is Miami. The Nets? Vince Carter be in town Friday? Despite his tremendous performance Saturday night he's playing through a damaged ankle. Once the Nets are eliminated will they shut him down? Drew Gooden is out with the Bulls? Will Flip Saunders cut minutes of his starters Sunday in Detroit? Always a pleasure.