Here are five thoughts on the Toronto Raptors seven-game loss to the Brooklyn Nets in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. Russell Bodine Jersey . 1. JOE JOHNSON (Nets): If I had to pick the guy that was the MVP on this Series, No doubt in my mind it was him. Forget his numbers for a second which were impressive to say the least. It had more to do with his presence and the inability for the Raptors to find a viable/consistent solution to overcome his vast talents. Bottom line, hes a very difficult cover and his strength, post skills, passing ability, creativity off the bounce and distance shooting make him a fascinating and gifted offensive player. Give him credit, He took on all the challenges and made the adjustments and was the difference in this series. 2. STATEMENT: Thanks again! You - the fans have made a wonderful statement across the North American sports landscape and in the NBA community that Toronto and the country of Canada is a growing and vibrant hoops hotbed and will be heard from for generations to come. Cant tell you the impression its made on folks all across the NBA. Utterly remarkable to say the least. Great Opportunity for Raptors President and GM, Masai Ujiri, to now build from a position of strength in his retention and recruitment efforts as he formulates his vision for the long term success of the franchise. A step forward. Long way to go though - yet you can start to see the light. 3. KYLE LOWRY: No idea what will happen with him regarding his future with the Raptors. Im hopeful they can work something out. Ill say this though, the man has really impressed me this season. Every day he left everything out there on the floor for you and competed like few players ever have in a Raptors uniform. For that, we should be grateful and impressed at the same time. Hes been a joy to watch this season and an inspiration to so many young players that can learn from his sheer will and effort that you can overcome a whole lot if you give it your all. He came up short but the man is a winner. Fingers crossed it all comes together and hes back in Toronto. 4. MARCUS THORNTON (Nets): In a Game 7, many times you need that guy that just comes out of left field that gets you over the hump particularly when youre the road team. Give coach Jason Kidd credit, he played a great hunch and it paid off huge dividends for him. His perimeter shooting, creativity, rebounding and overall explosiveness were the edge the Nets sorely needed to pull off the road win in a deciding game. He was lousy in the early part of the series after playing quite well since being acquired from Sacramento but Coach Kidd showed renewed faith in him and was justly rewarded for it. Joe Johnson was the MVP but he was the difference. 5. DWANE CASEY: Actions speak louder than words. Three years and each year his teams have gotten better and he has grown each year as a head coach. As good a coach as he is - and hes a very good one - hes an even better man. Class act. He did an outstanding job this year and when I reflect over the three year period he has been consistent and stayed true to his core beliefs which I truly respect. He led a team this year that had many limitations (as we could all plainly see in this Series) to 48 wins, an Atlantic Division title and came up a bit short to a much more experienced, talented and deeper Nets team. Yes - Were all bitterly disappointed in the loss of this series yet when you take time to reflect, this organization has a true leader who is bright, steady and wont be out-worked by anyone. When I evaluate a coach, I always point to year three as my barometer of where you truly judge them. Theyve had more than enough time to get things the way they want and now you want to see that vision unfold before you. He has proven beyond a shadow of a doubt in my mind that hes more than deserving of being the head coach of the Raptors and when I evaluate him against his peers Im quite impressed. As a former coach, I think I have a pretty decent feel when I compare/contrast coaches strengths/weaknesses and when I look at coach Casey I see a man who has rolled up his sleeves, paid his dues and is truly a right fit for the task of the challenges that lie ahead for the organization. Hes a coachs coach and I can tell you flat out that the men in his profession not only truly like him but all respect him tremendously. Happy for his success. Good man. Good things do truly happen for good people. Phillip Gaines Jersey . It will then be back to business once the puck drops as the two clubs battle for key points in their respective playoff races. Watch the game live on TSN Canadiens and listen on TSN Radio 690 starting at 7:30pm et. Custom Buffalo Bills Jerseys . Clevelands manager had just watched his team lose 5-3 to Kansas City, which completed a 2-6 homestand and dropped the Indians 2 1/2 games behind Detroit in the AL Central. http://www.authenticbillsfanaticfootball.com/authentic-harrison-phillips-bills-jersey/ . It will then be back to business once the puck drops as the two clubs battle for key points in their respective playoff races. Watch the game live on TSN Canadiens and listen on TSN Radio 690 starting at 7:30pm et.Chris Coleman has said he was honoured to sign a new two-year deal that will see him stay as Wales manager through to the 2018 World Cup. Coleman was appointed to the role in January 2012, replacing the late Gary Speed, and has been rewarded with a new deal after leading his country to their first major finals since the 1958 World Cup.The 45-year-olds previous contract was set to expire following the conclusion of this summers finals in France. He told Sky Sports News HQ: I am delighted that we have reached an agreement and I have the honour of leading my country in another campaign. Coleman shakes hands with Football Association Wales president David Griffiths (left) and FAW chief executive Jonathan Ford after Mondays announcement I look on it as an opportunity to improve on my first campaign [World Cup 2014 qualifying] which wasnt a successful one. We have got it all to look forward to but we have to build on what we have achieved so far. Its a big challenge but its one that we can conquer, thats for sure.The former Fulham and Real Sociedad boss, capped 32 times for his country, won six of his 10 European Qualifiers, including an impressive 1-0 home victory over Belgium, as Wales clinched second place and automatic qualification to this summers showpiece. Wales players carry Coleman aloft after securing qualification to Euro 2016 Wales begin their Euro 2016 Pool B campaign against Slovakia on June 11 in Bordeaux. They then face England in Lens on June 16 before tackling Russia in Toulouse four days later. Coleman said in March that there had to be changes behind the scenes in Welsh football for him to commit to another deal.He revealed agreement had been reached over those issues, with both himself and the FAW giving ground.It was very important that everything came to a conclusion before we embark on this journey in front of us, and we can concentrate on whats made us strong, he said. Wales unveil squad Chris Coleman has unveiled his provisional 29-man squad for Euro 2016 It wasnt a case of looking at what weve done. We need to keep on improving things and pushing each other before we even get to the players. Sometimes youve got to concede a little bit to get certain things you want.I think both parties showed real meaning in trying to get the deal done. The FAW showed that they really waanted me and I showed them that I wanted to stay. Trent Murphy Bills Jersey. .It went on a bit longer than we anticipated. But we wanted to do the right thing and Im happy to be sitting here knowing that Im going to get another campaign under my belt. Coleman celebrates after Wales qualified for Euro 2016 FAW chief executive Jonathan Ford said: We wanted to acknowledge the fantastic work Chris has done with his staff in ensuring qualification to the Euros in France this summer.I think it sends a fantastic message to everyone involved, the players, backroom staff, all the staff at the FAW.There is no one better qualified than Chris to lead Wales into its first World Cup in 60 years. Coleman hopes he can lead Wales to a World Cup before the end of his contract We wish him the best for Euro 2016 and he carries all our hopes and expectations for the World Cup campaign as well.Wales head to Portugal on Tuesday for a pre-Euro 2016 training camp without star man Gareth Bale, who is preparing for Real Madrids Champions League final with Atletico Madrid in Milan on Saturday. Joe Ledley is still hoping to make the Euro 2016 squad But midfielder Joe Ledley will join the squad as he attempts to recover in time for France after fracturing his leg in Crystal Palaces final Premier League game of the season. Also See: Wales unveil training squad Ledley doubtful for Euro 2016 Wales can be a football nation Euro 2016 squads Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys Wholesale Authentic Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Wholesale China Jerseys Wholesale Wholesale NFL Jerseys Stitched NFL Jerseys China Womens NFL Jerseys ' ' '