hes sure to strike fear in the eyes of the leagues

TORONTO - Second chances are rare in life, let alone in the NBA. Calgary Flames Pro Shop . The Raptors are confident that newly re-acquired forward James Johnson will take advantage of his. In a surprising roster move early Thursday morning, Toronto finalized an agreement to bring back the 27-year-old free agent at a reported $5 million, fully guaranteed, over the next two years. Toronto first acquired Johnson from the Bulls in exchange for a first-round pick (which was used on Heat point guard Norris Cole) during the 2010-11 season. The following campaign was a turbulent one for Johnson as he butted heads with new head coach Dwane Casey over his role in the teams offence, ultimately leading to a late-season benching. That summer, the Raptors flipped Johnson to Sacramento for a second-rounder (used on UConn product DeAndre Daniels last month). He played briefly for the Kings and spent the start of the 2013-14 campaign in the D-League before joining the Memphis Grizzlies and reviving his career, averaging 7.4 points and 3.2 rebounds in 52 contests last season. Now, with a winning environment in place and a need at the small forward position, one that Johnson addresses, Casey and the Raptors have put the past behind them, believing the five-year vet will do the same. Having met with Casey, the Raptors are convinced Johnson has matured and recognizes the importance of this opportunity. It could be his last shot. The number one thing with James, and weve had long discussions about that, is his role, Casey told reporters in Las Vegas, where his team is practicing ahead of their upcoming Summer League tournament. He understands that now, which is great. In this business, theres never a person who youll say, Hey, Ill never coach that guy [again]. Hes had his issues in the past, general manager Masai Ujiri reiterated, but havent we all? We will help him get over them and this is a good opportunity for him. He has to take advantage of it. Newly re-signed point guard Kyle Lowry is a good example of what one can accomplish given the chance to redeem themselves. Lowry clashed with Casey over playing time and philosophy during his subpar first season with Toronto before breaking out in a more defined role last year. I think hes grown up, Lowry said of Johnson Thursday morning. You get to the certain point, even myself, you get a maturity level that, it comes with age. I think hes going to be able to understand, listen, Im a lot older, Im more understanding of life and coach isnt going to make me this or make me that. At the end of the day, youre playing for the players, your teammates and the organization. I think coaching him will be fine. They will get along well. Lowry and DeMar DeRozan, a good friend of Johnson, were advocates of bringing him on board. Johnson - a big, versatile, defensive-minded forward - is the type of player the Raptors had been clamouring for and could alleviate some of the pressure from DeRozan and Terrence Ross, who were exposed by Joe Johnson and the Nets wings during their first-round playoff loss. Johnson, as you may recall, is a second-degree black belt, undefeated in seven MMA fights and 20 kickboxing matches. With a 6-foot-9, 245-pound frame, hes sure to strike fear in the eyes of the leagues top perimeter players, assuming he buys into his role as a defensive stopper. When Dave Joerger, Johnsons former coach in Memphis, was asked about the forwards reputation for occasionally trying to do too much on the offensive end, he joked, I just let him do too much. I just say, Go, wreck it, Joerger had told TSN.ca back in December. I think hes changed his body. I think that hes able to sidestep guys, hes able to get by guys with his first and second step and then gather and finish around the rim, where I think maybe earlier in his career - carrying a little bit more weight - he wouldnt get past the first defender. I just think hes a lot quicker. The Wake Forest product appeared in 87 games as a Raptor, starting 51, over parts of two seasons, averaging 9.1 points and 4.7 rebounds. Wholesale Flames Jerseys .Y. -- Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire will have less time to remain eligible for the Hall of Fame ballot under changes made Saturday. Calgary Flames Store .com) - The Oakland Athletics needed to rely on a lot of young pitchers to win an American League West title this season. https://www.cheapflames.com/ . The Raptors two leading scorers were never able to co-exist the way they hoped or the team had envisioned, but individually DeRozan was thriving, in the midst of a career season.SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- The Sacramento Kings have signed first-round pick Nik Stauskas to his rookie contract. Kings general manager Pete DAlessandro made the announcement late Tuesday night. Sacramento selected the Etobicoke, Ont. native out of Michigan with the eighth overall pick in Junes draft. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. The 6-foot-6 Stauskas averaged 17. Fake Flames Jerseys. .5 points last season on the way to winning Big Ten player of the year honours. He shot 44 per cent from 3-point range in two years in college and improved his ball handling and defence considerably in his second season after taking over a major share of the playmaking role with the departure of point guard Trey Burke to the NBA. ' ' '