TORONTO - The Raptors learned a little bit about themselves in a narrow defeat to the Chicago Bulls Wednesday, a game with playoff-type intensity and their third consecutive against an opponent directly behind them in the standings. On Thursday theyll learn even more. Despite the cloud of uncertainty that has followed them around from the moment general manager Masai Ujiri was brought in to put his stamp on the franchise, the Raptors have surpassed all pre-season expectations. They have navigated through early-season tank speculation, theyve come together after a momentum shifting seven-player deal and they continue to block out the noise emitting from the incessant batch of rumours surrounding their starting point guard. At 3:00 PM et Thursday afternoon all that noise will be muzzled until the offseason, all the uncertainty finally put to bed. Finally, they will all know where they stand, at least for the next couple months. So, with the big day rapidly approaching, will Kyle Lowry - the primary subject of trade speculation - be losing any sleep on the eve of the deadline? "Nope," scoffed the Raptors point guard, as that question was posed following his teams 94-92 loss to the Bulls. "Not at all." "Any other questions about that," he asked, daring the hoard of local media to try their luck again. There were no more questions. It was worth a try, after all, its the question thats on everyones mind. Will Lowry be wearing a Raptors jersey when the team hosts the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday? Still, it was a futile attempt to get a rise out of a player who has been relatively unshakable all season. Lowry, like the rest of his teammates, is fully aware of whats at stake as he waits to learn his fate. The upcoming deadline has been on the their minds, whether they care to admit it or not, but its not a subject thats welcome for discussion in the locker room. "Thankfully on this team, no, no ones talked about it, no ones mentioned it," said Patrick Patterson, ahead of the teams win in Washington Tuesday. "The only thing Ive seen is just stuff on Twitter, the internet, Bleacher Report, whatever, yada, yada, yada, rumours but as far as this group of guys from the coaching staff on down to each player on the roster, no one has mentioned anything." Patterson arrived in the trade from Sacramento on Dec. 9, along with Kings teammates Greivis Vasquez, John Salmons and Chuck Hayes. Since then, this team has gelled in a way that no one could have possibly imagined, going 22-12 with the new additions in uniform. Chemistry is a word thats been used to describe this group both on and off the floor and, as Ujiri has insisted, its something the Raptors general manager values above all else. Ujiri, in conversation with TSN.ca over the weekend, expressed a reluctance to disrupt that newfound chemistry unless the right deal comes along. Hes not alone. Dwane Casey wouldnt mind seeing 15 familiar faces in the locker room when he comes into work on Friday. "I like our guys," Casey said. "I know Masai is working 24/7 on the phones and looking at different scenarios. We talked a long time today. But I like our guys. If we (bring) our team back Im happy." "I always said since I came (here), the players will dictate where we go and the team will dictate where we go," Ujiri told TSN.ca on Sunday. "Thats kind of how its been." The players have spoken. The Raptors hold third place in the Eastern Conference, a 1/2 game in front of the fourth-seeded Bulls after Wednesdays loss. They were outplayed on both ends of the floor in the second night of a back-to-back. It was a brutally physical and fiercely competitive game in which seven technical fouls were handed out. The Raptors were down and out early but they fought back, as they have done time and time again, showing mental and physical toughness. Theyre a resilient bunch, theyve proven that, and they believe theyve earned the right to see this thing out. "I believe that nothing will (happen Thursday)," Patterson predicted. "No trades will be made due to the success that weve had since the (Sacramento deal)." "Why break up something thats been going so well," he asked, rhetorically. "None of us are talking about trades, none of us are talking about wanting to leave and everyone is happy with the current situation." John Randle Jersey . Bach, a 59-year-old German lawyer, was elected Tuesday as president of the International Olympic Committee. He succeeds Jacques Rogge, who stepped down after 12 years. Bach, the longtime favourite, defeated five candidates in a secret ballot for the most influential job in international sports, keeping the presidency in European hands. Brett Favre Jersey . With the suspension, Nigeria is unable to take part in any kind of international fixtures. FIFA had issued a warning to the NFF last week after the federation was served with court proceedings from the government that prevented the NFFs president from running the NFFs day-to-day affairs. http://www.authenticvikingspro.com/Dalvi...vikings-jersey/. The team said Saturday that the 36-year-old Robidas is expected to miss four to six months, jeopardizing his return this season. He was injured when he slid hard into the boards in the second period of a 2-1 shootout loss to Chicago on Friday. Fran Tarkenton Jersey . Sixteen teams have moved on. Sixteen teams have gone home. Custom Minnesota Vikings Jerseys .Y. -- Syracuses streak lives on -- barely.The 2014 NBA Draft will be a historic one for Canadian basketball, with as many as seven players from Canada - three of them as high as the first round - possibly selected. In the days leading up to the draft, TSN.ca and TSN Radio basketball analyst Duane Watson looks at some of the names that will be headlining the event. Tonight, Kansas star Andrew Wiggins of Vaughan, Ontario. Watch the 2014 NBA Draft on TSN, Thursday at 7pm et/4pm pt. Name: Andrew Wiggins From: Vaughan, Ontario Played: University of Kansas Height: 68 Weight: 200 Position: Small Forward 2013-2014 Stats: 17.1 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists Breakout Game: 41 points, 8 rebounds, 5 steals and 4 blocks in loss to West Virginia on March 8. Accolades: Big 12 Player of the Year, Second-Team All-American and First-Team All-Big 12. Draft Projection: First-overall selection Comparable NBA player: Paul George Depending on how intensely you have been following Andrew Wigginss career, the 2014 NBA Draft is the culmination of years of anticipation. A projected #1 pick before declaring for the University of Kansas, the Toronto-area native has lived with an unwavering level of pomp and circumstance from a young age. Is the hype justified? There is no way, even if he was the second coming of Michael Jordan, that he could live to those expectations in this information age. The overwhelming attention pundits have heaped upon him has also led to unwavering analysis of his game over the last year. “Not aggressive enough, limitedd offensive moves, turns over the ball too much,” etc.dddddddddddd While certainly founded for a 19 year old, his case wasnt helped playing in a structured Kansas system with other weapons alongside another potential #1 pick in Joel Embiid. However, Wiggins has exhibited significant talent, flashes of greatness and tremendous potential with a style of play that will excel at the pro level. The age-old mantra in the NBA is, “You cant teach height,” but the game has shifted more to small ball where big men are not as key. The fact you cant teach athleticism or defence should be looked at, both of which Wiggins has in spades. Elements of his offensive game are raw, but will develop as his mechanics are fine. His build is light, but he will add mass and muscle and while hes explosive off his feet with excellent body control. Wigginss physical gifts are beyond reproach - his mental game is the burning question. His casual attitude or passivity on court is what raises doubts among talent evaluators. There are times where he isnt a part of the play and off in a corner as opposed to imposing his will on the game in other ways. Is it a case of boredom or coasting? Either way, that concern is what may separate him from being a top pick or a number two. Does he have the potential to be an elite player? That is the multi-million-dollar question that the Cleveland Cavaliers will be asking themselves on draft day. If youve followed Wiggins over the years, you likely already have your answer. 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