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TORONTO - After 10 days of anticipation -- and fear that, because this is the Raptors, something could and likely would inevitably go wrong -- the news Toronto fans had been not-so-patiently waiting for was finally made official Wednesday. Andrea Bargnani is no longer a Raptor. For the organization, its exasperated fan base and the former first-overall pick himself, this new beginning has been a long time coming. For Masai Ujiri, the franchises fifth and newest general manager, this was the first order of business. A move that once seemed impossible was one the Raptors prized executive knew he had to make a reality before he can truly begin to put his fingerprints on this roster. "He always had spurts where he showed brilliance and showed a complete game and then sometimes he struggled," Ujiri said of Bargnani, succinctly summing up what Raptors fans have come to realize after seven years of watching the seven-foot enigma. "I felt it just came a point in time where both sides [needed to] move on and start all over again." In exchange for Bargnani, who will get his long awaited fresh start with the Knicks, Toronto receives sharpshooting forward Steve Novak, veteran centre Marcus Camby and guard-forward Quentin Richardson -- both of whom may never play for the team -- in addition to a first-round pick in 2016 and two second-round selections; one in 2014, the other in 2017. For a plethora of reasons, Bargnani had fallen out of favour in Toronto. Four of his seven seasons with the Raptors ended prematurely due to injury, including each of the last three. In each of the previous two campaigns he missed more games than he played. Naturally his durability, conditioning and toughness have all been questioned while his defence and rebounding have remained well below what is expected from a seven-footer being paid over $10 million annually. His three-point shooting, once seen as and perhaps still believed to be his strength, has been on the decline over the past four years. He may succeed in New York. He may not. For all of his skill and upside, which is still applicable even at the age of 27, this was a no-brainer for Ujiri. As a result, the return for Bargnani -- while greater than most expected -- doesnt necessarily indicate whats next for Ujiri and the Raptors. "Were beginning to kind of see a little bit and thats based on gathering as much information as you can, talking to teams and all that staff," said Ujiri, who continues to play his cards close to the vest. "So you get to paint the picture a little bit in your head but I dont think thats something I can discuss at this time." Once again Ujiri preached patience, a strategy that worked quite well for him in Denver. The Atlantic Division picture has been painted pretty clearly. New York and Brooklyn are swinging for the fences while the Celtics and 76ers have gone all in on what they hope will be speedy rebuilds. Then there are the Raptors, smack dab in the middle. Without a definitive path and without the urgency to declare one. If youre looking for Ujiri to commit to a direction -- one way or the other -- you may be out of luck, at least for now. Rushing into anything is just not his style. "Im looking at this situation and were going to take it as it comes and see what comes our way," the Raptors GM stated. "Were going to be aggressive out there but were also going to see what we have on our team instead of doing something stupid. If something reasonable comes our way and we feel that its something thats going to help the Toronto Raptors than well do it but other than [that] this is our team and well keep plugging away." "We have to continue studying the team and studying whats out there," he continued. "What are we going to do, throw players away? Were not going to do that. I think winning is what you want to build around." That is not good news for those pushing for a complete tear down, otherwise known as a "tank job." If Ujiri has a direction in mind hes keeping it to himself, but the reigning executive of the year does appear to be comfortable keeping his options open, rolling with the punches and allowing the market to dictate the optimal course of action. Asked if he would be content heading into the regular season with this roster, as its currently constructed, Ujiri indicated he would be "completely fine with that." Ujiri made a name for himself with the Nuggets, where he built a winner on the fly, reading and taking advantage of trends in the market, making the most of the assets he had at his disposal. If its not broke, dont fix it. Expect him to deploy a similar tactic in Toronto. "For me, patience is the key. I think we all have to be patient. 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LeBrun: Over the last 48 hours, hes taken in the home-and-home between the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche with Jamie Benn and Matt Duchene being the obvious targets. Nike Shoes From China Outlet . They were putting most of their energy into a record-setting offensive display. CHICAGO -- If you want to end a drought, come to the Windy City.After 111 years, Ireland secured their first win over the All Blacks at Soldier Field, a wonderful place that has spent the past couple days celebrating the Cubs first World Series triumph in 108 years.This was the best test match seen this year. As the skyscrapers of Chicago loomed large over the historic ground, Ireland and New Zealand played an epic with the cheer greeting Henshaws 76th-minute score to hand this city yet another moment of sporting history -- a 40-29 Irish triumph.When Ireland first played the All Blacks in 1905, it was at the old Lansdowne Road in Dublin. This was an altogether different occasion, as the heroic men in green played under the beating Chicago sun to create their own slice of history.From one to 15, they were immense. Jonathan Sexton was masterful at fly-half, while Rob Kearney repaid Joe Schmidts faith to put in the most assured performances at fullback. Then there was the relentless effort from Henshaw in defence. Thats before anyone mentions Conor Murray, who was outstanding and the best player on the pitch.Then there was the pack, headed by the brilliant Jamie Heaslip, with the green machine keeping the All Blacks pack at bay. Before the match, Ireland formed a No. 8 formation to face the Haka in honour of the late, great Anthony Foley. The pack emulated his warrior spirit by putting in tackle after tackle and ensuring that anything wearing black was to have the hardest of tasks to break them down.All week, Ireland talked about the opportunities on offer at Soldier Field -- the opportunity to experience Chicago, the opportunity to have another crack at beating the All Blacks and the opportunity to make history. They ticked all three off the list with a performance focused on intelligent rugby and unwavering focus. They did not put a foot wrong in the first half and moved the All Blacks from left to right.Then came the black wave in the second 40. That relentless, punishing, blink-and-you-miss--it attack in which the flattest of passes are thrown and defenders are left spinning on the spot.ddddddddddddThe introduction of TJ Perenara was the moment when the game swung in the All Blacks favour. Aaron Smith looked out-of-sorts at scrum-half, and that pace with which they played throughout the Rugby Championship was strangely lacking. But Perenaras introduction after 45 minutes signalled the shift up in gear.Ireland did their best to hold on to the lead, with Conor Murrays penalty after 59 minutes giving them a bit more of a buffer, and around the 73rd minute mark, the All Blacks machine was in top gear and Ireland looked like they were on the back foot.But then came the turnover, the kick forward by Simon Zebo and the 5-metre scrum with four minutes left. The wonderful Murray managed to get the ball to Henshaw, and history was made.It was the focus that was so impressive. The record 62,300 crowd watched enthralled, but Ireland never looked rattled. The All Blacks went for them in the fourth quarter of the game, but Ireland always managed to have a foothold. It was Schmidts rugby ethos personified -- one of intelligent rugby and sticking to processes.Chicago will be in for another night of celebration after a week when it has gone into overdrive for the Cubs. The Irish flags flew at Soldier Field, those in green bounced up and down, and for the second time in a week, folks pinched themselves and remembered loved ones who missed out on the opportunity to see history made, and smiles broke out from ear to ear while tears flowed.On Friday, Chicagos river was turned blue in honour of the Cubs, and who knows, they might bring out the green dye used on St. Patricks Day.Tonight Chicago will be painted green with the partying going on long into the night. The Windy City is officially the new capital of sporting theatre and the place where sporting dreams come true. ' ' '