HoopsHype.com Rumors

DeMar DeRozan on the recent hiring of former Dallas assistant/former Minnesota head coach Dwane Casey as Raptors head coach: "I knew [Casey] from when I used to work out in Vegas during the summer. He was always there working out guys. He helped me out a lot. I've known him for the last two summers. He's definitely a good dude, a humble dude. I can't wait to get out there and work with him." On the organization's shift to a defense-first mentality that was reflected in the Casey hiring: "[Defense] is what we need. I think last year we could score with the best players in the NBA, but the only thing that killed us was the defensive end. That's a critical part in the NBA. Once you get that down and are a top five, top 10 defensive team, that'll take you far. SI.com

Toronto Raptors, Coaching, Dwane Casey, DeMar DeRozan 

DeMar DeRozan: NBA I miss you baby. Come back soon! Twitter

Toronto Raptors, DeMar DeRozan, Lockout 

Dwane Casey on the core players in Toronto: “Andrea (Bargnani) is definitely a piece of the core that we have to utilize. He’s our star. DeMar Derozan is definitely an athletic part of our core, Jose Calderon, Jerryd Bayless, James Johnson is in that group, and Amir Johnson. You’ve got the core now. The part you may have to add is a veteran piece, a veteran defender or whatever along with our draft pick is something that I’m sure Bryan and the staff are going to look at, but the core pieces are there to build on to use as building blocks. Those guys are the guys were gonna push, cajole, put an arm around, or whatever it takes to get to that next level.” Sports Radio Interviews

Toronto Raptors, Jose Manuel Calderon, Amir Johnson, Jerryd Bayless, DeMar DeRozan, James Johnson, Andrea Bargnani 

Holly MacKenzie: For those asking: I've been told more than once that the rumor of Flynn + #2 to Toronto for DeRozan + #5 is just that -- a rumor. Twitter

Minnesota Timberwolves, Toronto Raptors, Trade, Jonny Flynn, DeMar DeRozan 

Jose Calderon: "There are still missing pieces, but if DeMar DeRozan or Ed Davis become stars, then we are talking about a team like the Oklahoma City Thunder four years ago." EuropaPress

Toronto Raptors, Ed Davis, Jose Manuel Calderon, DeMar DeRozan 

This is a young Raptors team. What do you think of the team’s future? DeMar DeRozan: We have a lot of lot of players who will continue to get better and we can’t do nothing but continue to grow especially with us being so young and understanding what it feels like to lose and now we just want to better ourselves so we can start winning. HoopsHype

Toronto Raptors, DeMar DeRozan 

You had only attempted 46 three-pointers in the first 78 games. Is that the next part of your game that you want to expand? DeMar DeRozan: Oh yes, definitely. It will come through time. I really don’t stress about it. Because once it comes, that is another part of my game that will develop. Will work on that this summer a lot and come back ready next year. HoopsHype

Toronto Raptors, DeMar DeRozan 

Why, then, would Weems, at age 24, bother seeking a relationship via Twitter? Evans wondered aloud if Weems has grown tired of being a soloist while one of his closest friends on the team, 21-year-old DeMar DeRozan, spends quality time with a steady girlfriend. “DeMar’s been having a girlfriend for a while — it’s probably taking a toll on Sonny,” Evans said, a mischievous smile ever in place. “He probably thinks he needs someone.” Toronto Star

Toronto Raptors, DeMar DeRozan, Sonny Weems, Wilt Chamberlain 

Whether it's D'Antoni or Triano, the Raptors want to build around rookie big-man Ed Davis and second-year guard DeMar DeRozan. They're said to be open to moving Andrea Bargnani, who has been anything but an impact player since entering the league in 2007 as the No. 1 overall pick. New York Daily News

Toronto Raptors, Trade, Ed Davis, DeMar DeRozan, Andrea Bargnani 

Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan vows he's finished competing in the NBA's slam dunk contest unless the myriad of props that dominated Saturday's event are eliminated. Asked Tuesday if he thinks he was robbed when he didn't reach the final of the competition, DeRozan replied, "I think so." Blake Griffin of the Los Angeles Clippers won by leaping over a car to edge Washington's JaVale McGee in the last round. "I'm a dunker. Dunk contests, you go out there and dunk. I'm not into all the props and everything," DeRozan said at shootaround before Tuesday's game against Charlotte. "I try to come out with a creative dunk and do it and go from there. My fans liked it and you can see the reaction from a lot of people afterward. "If there's a dunk contest next year I'll do it. But not no prop dunk contest." ESPN.com

Toronto Raptors, DeMar DeRozan, All-Star 

Asked if he would reconsider, DeRozan said he would only compete again if the All-Star game is held in Toronto or if the rules are changed to eliminate props. "There's no telling what might happen next year," DeRozan said. "Somebody might use a trampoline." ESPN.com

Toronto Raptors, DeMar DeRozan, All-Star 

DeRozan expressed support for general manager Bryan Colangelo and hopes he remains with the Raptors. "Me personally, I love Bryan," said DeRozan to RealGM. "He drafted me and whatever happens I'll still support him. I hope (he comes back)." DeRozan also believes the Raptors have strong pieces already in place that are worth building around. "I know for a fact Bryan will do a great job with the key guys we have now to make us better." RealGM

Toronto Raptors, Bryan Colangelo, DeMar DeRozan 

Like most people, LeBron James expects Blake Griffin to take home the trophy in All-Star Saturday night's dunk contest. Griffin has been an athletic beast this season, and everyone -- including King James -- believes he has the best chance of not only winning the event, but doing so in an exciting fashion we haven't seen in years. "(Griffin's) explosiveness is higher than mine's ever been," James said. LeBron also called DeMar DeRozan his "sleeper," but it was clear that he, like the rest of us, sees Griffin emerging as the champ. FanHouse.com

Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat, LeBron James, Blake Griffin, DeMar DeRozan, All-Star 

Holly MacKenzie: DeRozan said he's got all of his dunk contest dunks. Said Dwight gave him some ideas, but he will not be putting on any superman outfit. Twitter

Toronto Raptors, DeMar DeRozan, All-Star 

DeRozan grew up in Compton. Got out of Compton, too. "I was doin' my walking and saw four or five little ol' gangsters hanging on a corner one day," Frank DeRozan, DeMar's father, said in a phone interview this week. "Probably shouldn't have said anything to them, but I did. This was when DeMar was at school at Compton High, so I said, 'Hey man, how come y'all not in school?' One li'l cat was going to pop his chest up, like 'Who you all? This don't concern you.' But two of the other guys were like, 'He's Deebo's dad.' " NBA.com

Toronto Raptors, Los Angeles, DeMar DeRozan 

"Deebo" was the nickname DeMar picked up from the tall character in the 1995 Ice Cube movie, "Friday." "They said, 'Look, Mr. D., DeMar's not in no gangs,' " Frank DeRozan recalled. " 'He's not getting involved with this crazy stuff that we're doing. Nobody will mess with him.' Some kids, if the others know he has a future and he's interested in doing something, they get a pass in their neighborhood. NBA.com

Toronto Raptors, Los Angeles, DeMar DeRozan 

DeMar DeRozan: Big ups to my bro @Brandon Jennings you know I'ma need you in the dunk contest for something. We back home so we gotta come up with something!!! Twitter

Milwaukee Bucks, Toronto Raptors, Brandon Jennings, DeMar DeRozan 

Sam Amick: League has offically added Toronto's DeMar DeRozan to dunk contest in place of Milwaukee's Brandon Jennings. Twitter

Milwaukee Bucks, Toronto Raptors, Brandon Jennings, DeMar DeRozan, All-Star 

The N.B.A. will add DeMar DeRozan to the slam dunk competition, which will be held during All-Star weekend. He will assume the spot vacated by Brandon Jennings, who is returning from a fractured left foot. DeRozan’s selection is expected to be announced on Thursday. New York Times

Milwaukee Bucks, Toronto Raptors, Brandon Jennings, DeMar DeRozan, All-Star 

DeMar DeRozan: Dang! I'm not in the dunk contest this year? Twitter

Toronto Raptors, DeMar DeRozan, All-Star