TORONTO - The Raptors havent had an All-Star player since Chris Bosh left town but that could change this February, especially if coach Dwane Casey has his say. "Im pushing our guys," Casey said after practice Friday, making the case for his backcourt duo, Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan, to get voted in as first-time All-Stars. "I dont know if we can get two [but] Im going to push two and hope to get one, because both guys are playing at a high level." The Raptors coach initially broached the subject in Miami on Sunday. "Theyre playing like All-Stars," he said. "You look at the other guards in the East and theyre right there with them." Since then, he has been busy campaigning to his peers. "All my friends, all the coaches, [Ive] talked to them about it, texted them, they did me the same way when they were trying to get their guys in last year," Casey admitted. "Ill beg the coaches, bribe them with lunch or dinner, whatever, when we have a coaches meeting," he joked. "But its what we should be doing as an organization, and we are doing it as an organization and Im doing it with the coaches." More than likely, Miamis Dwyane Wade and Clevelands Kyrie Irving will get the nod from fans to start in the backcourt for the Eastern Conference. The leagues coaches will then vote in the reserves, two backcourt players, three frontcourt and two wild-card spots (players at any position). Theres a legitimate case to be made for both Raptors guards to represent the East as reserves in the annual midseason showcase, taking place on Feb. 16 in New Orleans. DeRozan is 13th in the NBA in scoring, averaging a career-best 21.2 points per game. He has made notable strides as both a passer and a defender, once considered to be holes in his game. Hes recorded five or more assists in eight of 34 games after doing so 12 times last year and accomplishing that feat in just five contests combined over his first three seasons in the league. "Look at what hes doing," Lowry said of his teammate. "He leads our team in scoring, hes done a great job of being our go-to guy, hes been a complete professional and he gets better every single night." Lowry has been Torontos most valuable player, carrying the team at the point guard position. In his eighth season, Lowry is averaging career-bests in points, assets and steals while shooting his highest percentage from three-point range. His career-best streak of 24 consecutive games with six or more dimes recently came to an end, topping his previous high of eight straight. Hes fourth in the league in assist-to-turnover ratio. "Look at the stat sheet after he plays," said DeRozan, making the case for Lowry. "Any given night he gives you 16 points, 11 rebounds, nine assists, somewhere around that margin every game. Thats just what he [does]. He goes out there and plays hard, hes scrappy, hes a bulldog when hes out there on that court. Hes definitely a leader, he definitely wants to win, I see it in his eyes." True to character, both players were hesitant to make their own case but neither could downplay what the honour of being named to the All-Star squad, alongside the leagues best, would mean to them. "It would be an unbelievable, phenomenal thing, it would be humbling," Lowry admitted. "Im sure if either one of us [makes] it, it would be a great time and a great accomplishment and achievement to tell our families and our kids one day." Lowry made sure to follow up that statement with a reminder that he, DeRozan and the rest of the team remain far more concerned with their collective success than individual accolades. The Raptors recent success could be the very thing that nets them their first All-Star since Bosh was named to the team in 2010. "We deserve it," Casey said proudly. "Our record, were ranked at the top of our division, were number four in our conference so we do deserve All-Star ranking and All-Star consideration with our players, because those guys are playing at a very high level." Entering Fridays slate of games, Toronto is one of just four teams in the East with a record at or above the .500 mark. As a team, the Raptors have gone 11-5 since the early-December trade of Rudy Gay with both Lowry and DeRozan - the teams two leading scorers - playing key roles in the resurgence. Although his percentages have dropped slightly, DeRozan is taking the same amount of shots as he was pre-trade and hes averaging nearly two more assists per contest. Lowry is tied for fifth in the league in assists since the trade was made on Dec. 8, averaging 8.4 to go along with 17.6 points. While Lowry may be more deserving of the honour given his value over replacement this season, DeRozan should have a favourable shot at earning recognition from the leagues coaches. DeRozan is highly thought of as a hard working, evolving player and has been universally praised by opposing coaches this season, whereas Lowry has developed a reputation for being somewhat combative. "Kyles showed hes a positive leader," Casey said of his point guard, who - in the final year of his contract - came into training camp with a renewed focus, in the best shape of his career. "I think that was the biggest question among coaches around the league, could he be a positive leader and be productive on the court. Hes done that." "I think theyre [both] very well respected. DeMar has been playing at a very high level, being very efficient, not just a volume shooter, so hes done that. Everything those guys have [done have answered] the questions about them as players. Plus on top of that theyve put us at the top of our division." The Raptors backcourt duo, or at least one of them, could be the beneficiary of a weak Eastern Conference. Unlike the loaded West, the conferences player pool reflects its overall inferiority. Their primary competition figures to come from Washingtons John Wall (19.7 points, 8.7 assists), Orlandos Arron Afflalo (21.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists), Atlantas Jeff Teague (16.8 points, 7.9 assists) and Indianas Lance Stephenson (13.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 5.2 assists). All-Star starters will be announced live on the TNT broadcast Jan. 23 and the reserves will be revealed a week later, also on TNT. . First Mat Latos gave up a triple, ending his bid for a complete game. Then closer Aroldis Chapman gave up another triple, sending the game into extra innings. [url=http://www.footballcowboysgear.com/authentic-orlando-scandrick-cowboys-jers... Scandrick Cowboys Jersey . He just doesnt want the Thunder to make a habit of it. "Were very prideful. Were going to keep fighting to the last possession," Brooks said after watching his team pull out a come-from-behind 115-113 win at home against Denver. h... . During Wednesday nights game in Calgary, Ashton drove Smith into the boards from behind. He was assessed a two-minute penalty on the play and then a further five minutes for fighting after engaging with Calgary defenceman Shane OBrien, who took Ashton to task for the hit. [url=http://www.footballcowboysgear.com/authentic-orlando-scandrick-cowboys-jers... Scandrick Youth Jersey .Y. -- Stevie Johnsons days of colourful -- and sometimes questionable -- touchdown celebrations appear to be over. Tr... Aikman Womens Jersey . As a sprawling list of 70 players reported for medicals with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Friday morning, coach Ron Wilson made it clear that many of them shouldnt get too comfortable.ATLANTA -- Dominic McGuire scored no points in only his second start of the season. He drew plenty of praise, though, for his defence and rebounding as a surprise fill-in for Stephen Curry. McGuire, a forward making a start in the backcourt, had 15 rebounds and led Golden States defensive efforts against Joe Johnson as the Warriors answered a late comeback by Atlanta to beat the Hawks 85-82 on Wednesday night. "Just incredible," Warriors coach Mark Jackson said of McGuire. "He embodies everything weve preached about since Day 1, and I thought the important thing is to make a statement and to start the guy that has done everything weve asked him to do." David Lee scored 22 points, including the go-ahead basket with 30 seconds remaining. The Warriors took the lead early in the second period and protected the lead until Zaza Pachulia scored on a follow-up shot after a miss by Teague with 52 seconds remaining for a 78-78 tie. Lee drove past Pachulia to score with 30 seconds remaining to give the lead back to Golden State. Donta Ellis had 24 points and eight assists, while Lee had 12 rebounds for a double-double. McGuire, a fifth-year player from Fresno State, held Johnson to 18 points on 6-of-17 shooting. Curry missed all but the final 3 seconds of the game due to a strained tendon in his right foot. Jackson said he knew after Wednesday nights loss at Indiana he was going to move Ellis from shooting guard to point guard against Atlanta. He said he was "tossing and turning" as he tried to pick a new starter at shooting guard. The surprise choice was the 6-foot-9 McGuire. "I knew exactly what I was going to get from him: Great defence, goes after every rebound, even down the stretch," Jackson said. McGuire called his assignment on Johnson "nothing special." "The same thing I do every game: I just get down and play defence," McGuire said. "If Im out there long enough, Im going to get rebounds, thats guaranteed." The Hawks were held to a season-low 33.7 per cent shooting as they missed 61 of their 92 shots from the field -- many from long range. Hawks coach Larry Drew issued a familiar criticism of his players shot selection. "We settled tonighht, particularly the first half," Drew said.dddddddddddd "I thought we settled for way too many jump shots. Weve got to be smarter and understand the flow of the game. Its one thing if youre making shots, but if youre not making shots from the perimeter you cant just settle for jump shots." The Hawks also were hurt by poor shooting on free throws, making only 16 of 26 attempts. The Warriors made 16 of 17 free throws. Josh Smith, who had 14 points and 10 rebounds, made only five of 20 shots from the field and four of eight free throws. He made only two of 11 shots in the final period. "I thought we missed a lot of point-black shots with nobody around," Johnson said. "Im sure well bounce back and have to get the next one, but it was definitely a tough loss for us." Pachulia had 13 points and 16 rebounds for Atlanta, Jeff Teague had 15 points. Marvin Williams, who had 11 points and 12 rebounds, was a third Atlanta starter with a double-double. Johnson returned after missing two games and the All-Star game with tendinitis in his left knee. He wore wraps on each knee and said his left knee was "a little stiff" at times. Johnson appeared to lack explosion when he missed a layup in the first half after managing only a tentative jump toward the rim. "I wouldnt say I was 100 per cent, but I was decent," Johnson said. Johnson sank a jumper on the first possession, but it was his only basket of the half. He missed his last seven shots of the half but regained his form as he delivered Atlantas first three baskets, including a 3-pointer, in the second half. The Hawks set a season low by making only 32.6 per cent of their shots from the field in the first half. The Warriors led 48-38 at halftime and 64-61 after three periods. Notes: Hawks C Al Horford said he has been cleared to begin rehabbing from his surgery for a torn left pectoral muscle. ... McGuires 11 rebounds in the first half were a high for any Golden State player this season. The Warriors had a 33-18 advantage in rebounds in the half and set a season high with 53 rebounds for the game. The Hawks had 50. ... Hawks F Vladimir Radmanovic reported to Philips Arena, but was sent home with an upset stomach. cheap nfl jerseys cheap soccer jerseys ' ' '