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ORLANDO - Magic centre Nikola Vucevic was a wide-eyed 18-year-old when he first met college teammate DeMar DeRozan. Born in Switzerland and raised in Belgium, Vucevic had been in the U.S. for just over a year and spoke very little English as he and DeRozan began their freshman season - DeRozans lone season - at the University of Southern California. When he was at SC, he was young, DeRozan said of seven-footer. He was coming over, just learning the game. Everything was so new to him. But was he any good? He barely played, DeRozan joked. Vucevic missed the first eight games that year, waiting to have his amateur status confirmed by the NCAA. Logging just 11 minutes per game the rest of the season, he averaged just 2.6 points and 2.7 rebounds. So, no. He wasnt all that good. Not yet. Meanwhile, DeRozan went on to star for the Trojans, alongside Bulls forward Taj Gibson. The Raptors would draft DeRozan ninth overall that coming summer. Vucevic entered the league two years later, a 16th overall pick by Philadelphia, later flipped to the Magic in a four-team deal that included Dwight Howard, Andre Iguodala and Andrew Bynum. Again, he was an afterthought. On Saturday they squared off in Orlando. Faces of their respective teams. Two teams going in opposite directions. DeRozan, an All-Star. Vucevic, still a couple years behind, a budding star and the recipient of a brand new four-year, $53 million contract extension. Vucevic threw the first punch, scoring six of his teams first 11. One of the premier rebounders in the NBA, the 24-year-old has diversified his game. His first bucket was a smooth 15-foot jumper. He followed it up with a put-back layup and a dunk. By the time intermission rolled around, Vucevic had his Magic were ahead by three, shooting a sparkling 52 per cent. He had the Raptors on the ropes. What did Dwane Casey have to say at halftime? I can’t repeat it, he said after the game. But it was one of those things where we had to remind them: If we’re serious about being a playoff team you come out and have a serious, business-like approach each and every night. I don’t care if you’re playing a junior high team, you come out and perform. Message received. On the back of DeRozan, the Raptors scored 38 points in the third quarter. Their All-Star guard poured in half of his game-high 26 points. I knew I was bigger than [Evan Fournier] and I knew I could get in the post, he said following his teams decisive 109-95 win Saturday. As long as I could get my shot off I feel like every shot I take will be a good shot, and I was just trying to take advantage of that. Bouncing back from a 4-of-16 performance in Wednesdays opener, DeRozan took control. He was responsible for 10 of Torontos impressive 48 free-throw attempts, logging just 29 minutes in the contest. His crafty up and under move put the Raptors up by 10, their largest lead at the time, with just under three minutes left and they never looked back. DeMar did a heckuva job in the post against Fournier, Casey said. And that was the difference in the ball game. As per usual, Vucevic was quietly dominant. He finished with a double-double of 15 points and 12 rebounds before fouling out late in the fourth. He was frustrated, but such is life for the emerging star. His Magic have now dropped eight straight to the suddenly red-hot Raptors, yet to break 100 points in any of those meetings. Theyve started the season 0-3 for the first time in nine years. On the other end of the spectrum you have DeRozans Raptors. 2-0 for the first time since 2008, the year DeRozan and Vucevic shared the court at USC. Meeting with NBA royalty Even for those with the immense talent and good fortune required to play basketball at the highest level, its not everyday you come face-to-face with a legend in the sport. Shortly after the Raptors arrived in Orlando Friday afternoon, players were surprised to learn that Oscar Robertson, Hall-of-Famer and one of the all-time greats, would be a guest speaker at their team meeting. Setup by senior consultant Wayne Embry, also an NBA icon and longtime friend of the Big O, the historical significance of this meet and greet was not lost on Caseys young team, despite the fact that none of his players were alive to watch Robertson play live. Thats the great thing about the computer, said the Raptors coach. We have some students of the game. We have some sharp young man from that standpoint. They werent around to see him play and most of their parents probably barely saw him play, but hes the history of the league and before you can go forward you gotta know what came behind you. Im always preaching that and that was a good example. Its always great talking to one of them legends, one of them pioneers that shaped the way the league is today, said DeRozan, who admitted he was a bit starstruck after meeting Robertson for the first time. It was just great to hear from him, ask him a couple questions and get his input on playing back then and how much the game has changed. So you definitely gain more of an appreciation for the love of basketball. Robertson, 75, is a 12-time All-Star, an MVP and NBA champion. His 14-year career came to an end in 1974. He averaged a triple-double in his second season, hovering around one throughout most of his time in the league. Heres a man that was 6-foot-5, Casey said of Robertson, who attended Saturdays game, in town to promote prostate cancer awareness. He was LeBron-size back in the day, before weight training was big and did a lot of the same things. We just didnt see a lot of it. [The players] were in awe of how big he was, how he spoke about competing, how he spoke about being a good teammate and doing things as a team. When he throws out the names of players that he played with it definitely gives you goosebumps, DeRozan said. Guys who came way before we did. Weve got to appreciate them. They played in a different era and they played in a lot worse conditions than us. Sometimes we forget about what they went through, with all the luxuries we have now and everything. So its definitely, definitely humbling when you talk to somebody like that. Robertson and Embry were teammates in Cincinnati before Embry became a general manager and signed Robertson to the largest contract of his playing career with the Bucks. That was a lot of history sitting in the room last night, Casey said. I hope the players took a lot out of. Mesut Ozil Jersey . He learned about pressure and expectations at the 2010 Games in his hometown of Vancouver. His next mission is to build on that experience at his next Olympic appearance in Sochi, where he plans to ride the momentum from the teams strong start to the season. Marvin Plattenhardt Germany Jersey .Y. - For once, Clayton Kershaw was glad to see a long shutout streak end. http://www.germanysoccerpro.com/Joshua-Kimmich-Germany-Jersey/ . The move is retroactive to Aug. 1. Hosmer was originally hit on the hand in the first inning of a July 20 loss to Boston. He has played most of the time since, but missed a few contests due to the injury, then departed Thursdays win over the Twins and had tests that revealed the fracture. Julian Draxler Jersey . According to a report from CSN Bay Area, the 49ers are bracing for 6-8 game suspension for their outside linebacker. Niklas Sule Jersey . Sixteen teams have moved on. Sixteen teams have gone home.SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Jim Harbaugh welcomes a sit-down with 49ers CEO Jed York and general manager Trent Baalke to discuss the future — his future — after a season that will end in two weeks without a playoff berth for the first time during his four-year tenure.Harbaugh said Monday no meeting is scheduled and wouldnt say whether he should be the one to initiate it.Im always available to talk to the owner and general manager, of course, Harbaugh said a day after the Niners were eliminated from playoff contention with a 17-7 loss at Seattle. Everybodys been head down, everybodys been focused on the season — players, coaches, front office. Thats been our approach.Theres an uncomfortable vibe around team headquarters given the uncertain future of Harbaugh, who has one season remaining on the $25 million, five-year contract he signed in January 2011. Especially with two remaining home games at Levis Stadium, where the 49ers (7-7) have hardly established much of a home-field advantage.Harbaugh acknowledged how much his unsettled position might be taking the focus off of his players.I would rather talk about how proud I am of them. Theres been a lot taken away from them and the way theyve been playing, he said. I hate to keep contributing to that.Now, Harbaugh wants to end this disappointing year on a positive note. San Francisco hosts San Diego on Saturday night then finishes the season at home against NFC West-leading Arizona on Dec. 28.We have a lot to play for. Play these next two games like our lives depend on it, Harbaugh said. So, playing for a winning season, playing for each other, playing for the team, playing for the honour of the game.Several big-name 49ers also might be playing their final games in a San Francisco uniform, including franchise all-time leading rusher Frank Gore, wide receiver Michael Crabtree, linebacker Ahmad Brooks and defensive lineman Justin Smith if he decides to retire.Gore sustained a concussion Sunday but Harbaugh said he reported to the teams facility Monday doing well.Frank is in today. They said hes feeling good, as good as can be expected, Harbaugh said.Never one to offer an excuse for why things went wrong, Harbaugh nevertheless has dealt with key injury losses. That list includes linebackeer NaVorro Bowman, who was unable to return from the devastating left knee injury from last Januarys NFC championship game at Seattle that required surgery.dddddddddddd San Francisco also missed linebacker Patrick Willis down the stretch, nose tackles Glenn Dorsey and Ian Williams and centre Daniel Kilgore, among others.Im sure they factor in. How much I dont have a specific answer, Harbaugh said.Given the injuries and disappointment of a lost season, there will be questions about key positions on both sides of the ball and few jobs necessarily safe.The character of this team has always been there, no matter what people think, we dont really care, right guard Alex Boone said. It doesnt matter, there are no excuses —we need to execute better. Proud of the way guys fought, we will watch the film and it is what it is. We will continue to fight though, we cant give up.Seahawks coach Pete Carroll, Harbaughs longtime coaching rival in the NFL and college game, said on his radio show Monday morning that the embattled Harbaugh seemed to appreciate his counterparts support leading up to Sunday given the constant speculation on Harbaughs job status.I talked to him before the game and he came up and said something just about the week and comments that were made during the week and he was grateful somebody took a stand for him, I think, Carroll said.Safety Antoine Bethea hopes to see the team stick together for the home stretch.Finish the season strong and go into the off-season with our heads held high. No quit, he said. We are eliminated from the playoffs, but we will see who will come to work these next two weeks and give it all for each other.NOTES: Harbaugh didnt rule out RT Anthony Davis, who has missed the last four games with a concussion, returning Saturday against the Chargers. ... Brooks (dislocated thumb) could have a tough time playing if he cant use his hand and push people to do his job, Harbaugh said. He is another player who might not be back in 2015. ... Two key rookies, RB Carlos Hyde and LB Chris Borland, were scheduled for MRI exams on their injured ankles.___AP Sports Writer Tim Booth in Seattle contributed to this report.___AP NFL websites: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP_NFL Authentic Steelers Jerseys Authentic Cowboys Jerseys Authentic Raiders Jerseys Authentic Chiefs Jerseys Authentic Eagles Jerseys Authentic Redskins Jerseys Authentic Falcons Jerseys Authentic Ravens Jerseys Authentic Browns Jerseys Authentic Cardinals Jerseys Authentic Bills Jerseys Authentic Panthers Jerseys Authentic Bears Jerseys Authentic Bengals Jerseys Authentic Texans Jerseys Authentic Broncos Jerseys Authentic Lions Jerseys Authentic Packers Jerseys Authentic Jets Jerseys Authentic Dolphins Jerseys Authentic Patriots Jerseys Authentic Jaguars Jerseys Authentic Titans Jerseys Authentic Chargers Jerseys Authentic Giants Jerseys Authentic Saints Jerseys Authentic Buccaneers Jerseys Authentic 49ers Jerseys Authentic Seahawks Jerseys Authentic Rams Jerseys Authentic Vikings Jerseys Authentic Colts Jerseys ' ' '