Five Tiny Tidbits On: The Toronto Raptors

It's hard to believe, but the NBA season is just around the corner. So come with us now as we present five tiny tidbits on each team, just to get you in the mood. Today we continue with the Atlantic Division, so do us a favor and send your tips to [email protected].

• 1. How's It Going, Mr. Peterson? Morris Peterson is the NBA's current Ironman with 360 consecutive games played and counting. AC Green has the all-time record with 1,192. Peterson, who majored in child development at Michigan State, established Mo's Maniacs in 2002, in which he invites at-risk youth to attend home games. — (Thanks to Kid Canada).

• 2. Ten-Four, Good Buddy. Chris Bosh is known by the nicknmae CB4, for his initials and uniform number, but also for the 1993 film CB4, described as "a rockumentary, covering the rise to fame of rappers MC Gusto, Stab Master Arson, and Dead Mike." (It was written by and stars Chris Rock and was ahead of its time, even though it's still not very good.)

• 3. From Across The Pond. Not only did the Raptors make Andrea Bargnani the first European ever to be drafted No. 1 overall, they also made Maurizio Gherardini the first European ever to serve as Assistant GM of an NBA franchise. He was the GM of Benetton Treviso from 1992 until being hired by Toronto this summer. Coincidentally, this is the same team that Bargnani (and fellow new Raptor Jorge Garbajosa) played for — as did Toni Kukoc, Bostjan Nachbar, Zeljko Rebraca and Tyus Edney. — (Thanks to Kid Canada).

• 4. Buiilt Ford Tough. T.J. Ford is the only former University of Texas basketball player to have had his jersey retired by the school. The only three other Longhorns to have received the honor are Earl Campbell, Ricky Williams and Roger Clemens.

• 5. The Glory That Is Rome. The only Italian-born player in the NBA, Andrea Bargnani is a fierce fan of Roman soccer club S.S. Lazio.