(SportsNetwork. Dodgers Erik Goeddel Jersey .com) - Chemistry studies the composition and properties of substances and other forms of matter. The interaction of one personality with another measures the success, or lack thereof, within a team or business. Toronto Raptors president and general manager of basketball operations Masai Ujiri has been at the Bunsen burner since taking the job almost two years ago and the Raptors ended a five-year playoff drought in 2013-14. The Raptors are currently the top team in the Eastern Conference, and now the skys the limit north of the border. Ujiri inherited a Raptors team that last tasted postseason action in 2008, and pulled a few strings to a team-record 48 wins, an Atlantic Division title and the third seed in the East. DeMar DeRozan spearheaded the Canadian revival with a career-high 22.7 points in 79 games and earned himself an All-Star nod. The Brooklyn Nets, however, ended Torontos hopes of moving forward by eliminating DeRozan and the Raptors in seven games in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals. DeRozan and the Raptors were left with a bitter taste in their mouth, which is why the 2014-15 season is expected to be even better. So far that has been the case, but Torontos fearless leader has been lost the past 16 games with a serious groin injury. The Raptors and their fans held their collective breath when DeRozan went down with the injury Nov. 28 in a 106-102 loss to the Dallas Mavericks. Hopefully hes not out long, Raptors coach Dwane Casey said at the time. Caseys wish was not granted and DeRozan has been out since with a torn left adductor longus tendon. There were big shoes to fill and Casey added, The next guy has to be ready to step up. Who would be the one to take over? Kyle Lowry has been the adhesive that holds the Raptors together as evidenced by an 11-5 mark without DeRozan scoring off screens and burying wing shots. Lowry took over the team lead in points with 20.7 ppg, with DeRozan still second at a 19.4 ppg clip, and is averaging team highs of 22.8 points and 8.9 assists over the past few weeks. Lowry has scored 20-plus points in five straight games (27.2 ppg) and is shooting .515 in that time. The Raptors are fourth in the NBA scoring (108.6) and shooting .469 from the field with DeRozan sidelined. Sprinkle in some much-needed contributions from reserve guard Lou Williams and big man Jonas Valanciunas, and the Raptors are right where they want to be. Another Atlantic Division title appears to be in the cards for Toronto, one of only seven teams in the league with single-digit losses (24-8). Things are about to get even better for the Raptors. Or are they? DeRozan was back at practice Thursday and is nearing a return to the floor. He will most likely wait until a six-game homestand next week, but is eager to join his teammates. It may seem like Im patient, but I go crazy watching the games or being at home and not able to do my normal routine that Id be doing if I was playing, DeRozan said after his first full practice since the setback. So its tough. Its not an easy thing at all. DeRozan is taking it day-by-day and isnt trying to rush his body. He is not looking too far ahead and has admitted its been tough watching instead of playing because hes never been hurt this serious in his career. DeRozan feels right at home on the court and understands patience is key with such a competitive mindset. Hes frustrated, but has been pleased with the teams success. I always knew we were a resilient team, we can fight through anything, overcome anything, DeRozan said. Its great to see my teammates come in after the game and tell me We cant wait until you get back. To me it looks like theyre just holding it down like theyve been doing. The Raptors did not fold without DeRozan, whos been working with the training staff to get back as soon as possible. If it was DeRozans choice, he would have been back last week. Casey isnt expecting any immediate wonders when DeRozan returns. He cant come in expecting to be a 19-, 20-point scorer, first game, second game, Casey said. Its going to take a while to get his rhythm back. Weve got to be patient with that. It wont be as hard scheme-wise or offensively, because the offense is kind of built around him anyway. Nothing has changed from that standpoint. Toronto will face another test Friday in Golden State against the NBA-best Warriors and could use DeRozan. The Warriors are first in the NBA in field goal percentage (48.2) and tied for second with Toronto in points (108.1). Theyre also first in opponents field goal percentage (42.0) and second in blocks (6.38) and defensive rebounds (35.2). Golden State has not lost to an Eastern Conference opponent (9-0) and is unbeaten in the last nine games at home versus the Raptors. After losing to Chicago to open the trek, the Raptors are 2-1 on the western portion of the jaunt and suffered a 102-97 overtime loss in Portland on Tuesday. They will close this trip (2-2) Sunday against the Phoenix Suns and lead the NBA in scoring on the road with 111.1 points per game. The upcoming stay at Air Canada Centre next week should be nice with the likely presence of DeRozan. His patience has paid off and now its time to lead again instead of sitting anxiously behind the scenes. Dont expect a dropoff in production for the Raptors with one of the top guards in the NBA returning to what has been a prosperous season. Dodgers Jackie Robinson Jersey . A broadcast source said the deal is for five years. The agreement calls for a minimum of 17 regular-season games as well as the East and West Division finals being broadcast annually on ESPN, ESPN2 or ESPNEWS. Dodgers Austin Barnes Jersey . The former Edmonton Oilers defenceman was with the St. Louis Blues in training camp on a professional tryout. Whitney, 30, had four goals and 13 points in 34 games with the Oilers last season. http://www.cheapdodgersjerseysauthentic.com/?tag=dodgers-brian-dozier-jersey .com) - Eric Fehrs goal 42 seconds into overtime lifted the Washington Capitals to a 5-4 come-from-behind victory over Columbus, halting the Blue Jackets seven-game win streak.Philadelphia, PA (SportsNetwork.com) - In his classic Velvet Underground song Who Loves The Sun, the late, great Lou Reed told us all the reasons why not everyone cares for that glowing orb in the sky. Im not sure if Dan Craig has ever heard that song, but he could relate with the sentiment. Craig may have the most important job when it comes time for the leagues annual Winter Classic. As the NHLs senior director of facilities operations, it is Craigs job to make sure the ice holds up outside among the elements and one of his biggest enemies in this fight is plain old sunshine. This year, of course, the New Years Day tradition is being held at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. The air temperature for the outdoor battle between the Chicago Blackhawks and Washington Capitals shouldnt be a problem for Craig and his team, as the thermometer isnt expected to climb above the mid-40s. The problem instead could be too much sun as forecasts are calling for little cloud cover Thursday afternoon when the Blackhawks and Caps are scheduled to do battle in the nations capital. Sunny days can cause the ice surface to melt ahead of the contest, something Craig and his crew will be diligent of as we creep closer to game time. However, the sunshine also could present an issue during the contest, as players may have to battle the glare reflecting off the surface. It was the latter problem which caused one of the NHLs many outdoor games last season -- a late January clash between the Devils and Rangers at Yankee Stadium -- to be delayed for over an hour. We could see a similar delay on Thursday but only because Craig puts a great deal of pressure on himself to ensure the players get to partake in something that looks and feels a lot like a normal NHL game. Its a game, and thats one of the things I never lose sight of, and within hockey operations, within our world, we never lose sight of it, Craig recently told NHL.com. This is a regular-season game and I want the guys to be able to play this as any regular-season game. As the novelty of the Winter Classic and other outdoor gammes continue to wear off, one of the most interesting aspects of this NHL phenomenon is the amount of preparation that goes into making these events work. Dodgers Tony Cingrani Jersey. Thanks to Craig and his handpicked ice crew, the league has a group of guys who are completely dedicated to getting the most out of every possible scenario Mother Nature throws their way. When there was heavy rain falling in D.C. on Christmas Eve, Craig and a few members of his team stayed in the area to monitor the situation. As the day of the event draws nearer, the crew is ready to spring into action at a moments notice to combat whatever issues happen to arise. I have guys on this crew now that have been here for six or seven years, and theyre very much aware that they can get a text message at 6 oclock in the morning that says, Get on the bus and get over here, Craig said. The key word for what Craig does is vigilance. Pulling off an outdoor hockey game is a battle right up until the moment the puck drops. Come Wednesday or Thursday, new obstacles could turn up and wreak havoc on Craigs plans because every day has the possibility to present an unexpected challenge. We wake up in the morning and whatever Mother Nature throws at us, thats what were prepared to deal with, Craig said. You dont know if you have things left to do. The checklist is prepared for tomorrow as a lead up to practice day, but you only have a couple rehearsals because come Thursday there is no more rehearsing. So, when youre watching the Winter Classic and youre wondering why the ice looks sloppy or why theres so many delays, just remember that isnt for a lack of trying on the NHLs part. In Craig, the league has found someone who is as dedicated to making the outdoor game feasible as you could imagine anyone being. And his team deserves a large share of the credit for what has become a special and surprisingly successful tradition for the NHL in the 21st century. For the sake of all the people who work so hard to make the Winter Classic work, lets hope the clouds cover up that pesky sun come New Years Day. cheap falcons jerseys cheap ravens jerseys cheap bills jerseys cheap bears jerseys cheap bengals jerseys cheap cowboys jerseys cheap lions jerseys cheap texans jerseys cheap colts jerseys cheap jaguars jerseys cheap chiefs jerseys cheap rams jerseys cheap dolphins jerseys cheap vikings jerseys cheap saints jerseys cheap giants jerseys cheap jets jerseys cheap eagles jerseys cheap steelers jerseys cheap 49ers jerseys ' ' '