Nebraska

Nebraska is also the name of a 1982 album by Bruce Springsteen, widely considered one of his best. However, the home fans were generally entertained as the team managed to thrive off the often well attended Air Canada Centre putting up a record of 22-19 at home. The USS Nebraska was named in honor of this State. The Raptors inability to win on the road (11-30) and generally poor defense made Sam Mitchell's first year as head coach unimpressive. State Song: Beautiful Nebraska. Shooting from beyond the arc was a big part of the Raptor's game as Toronto had the second best three point percentage after the Phoenix Suns. It is located on the edge of Tornado Alley. However, GM Babcock held on to Marshall, who eventually scored 12 three pointers in a game versus the Sixers on March 13, tying an NBA record.

Nebraska generally has cold winters and warm summers. There was much speculation that Marshall would be traded before the trade deadline since he was up for free agency in the up coming season. The religious affiliations of the people of Nebraska are:. Veterans Jalen Rose and Donyell Marshall also shined on an otherwise lackluster team. The five largest ancestry groups in Nebraska are: German (38.6%), Irish (12.4%), English (9.6%), Swedish (4.9%), Czech (4.9%). After the trade that saw Carter leaving, Chris Bosh stepped up to take the helm of franchise player, and performed admirably in his sophomore campaign; he ranked 10th in defensive rebounds for the season. Apart from Bosh's emergence, the restructuring looked to take a bit of a hit with rookie 8th first round draft pick, Rafael Araujo, struggling to keep a spot in the line up during the Raptor's half-hearted run for a playoff spot during the last month of the season. The racial makeup of the state is:. The two Williams also saw few minutes, and were generally under utilized until the end of the season.

According to the Census Bureau, as of 2003, the population of Nebraska was 1,739,291. Mourning did not show up to Toronto, forcing Babcock to buy out the remainder of his contract, leaving Mourning free to sign with the Miami Heat, where he had spent 7 years of his career prior. Nebraska is known for its agriculture, especially beef and corn (aka maize). From that deal, the Raptors received Alonzo Mourning, Eric Williams, Aaron Williams and two future first-round draft picks from the New Jersey Nets. The Bureau of Economic Analysis (http://www.bea.gov/) estimates that Nebraska's total state product in 2003 was $66 billion. Per capital personal income in 2003 was $30,179, 24^th in the nation. The trading of the Raptors franchise player, Vince Carter finally came to fruition mid-season ending his 7 year tenure with the team. Nebraska is one of the six states of the Frontier Strip. Thus, much of the 2004-2005 season's action played itself out off the court.

Indeed, one of Nebraska's mottos is "Where the West begins", and a local legend even has it that the West begins precisely at the intersection of 13th and O Streets in Lincoln (where it is marked by a red brick star). Subsequently, their star player Vince Carter, demanded a trade during the off season. The eastern portion of the State could be considered part of the "Midwest", while the western and central portions are part of the "West", although the distinction between these regions is somewhat fluid. With new general manager, Rob Babcock, and new head coach, Sam Mitchell, it was evident that restructuring of the organization was in operation. In regional terms, Nebraska is located in the Great Plains, at the westernmost extent of the Grain Belt. Record: 33 Wins - 49 Losses. The state has 93 counties; see List of Nebraska counties. Rob Babcock was named GM on June 7, 2004.

The largest city in Nebraska is Omaha, and the capital is Lincoln. He was replaced with Sam Mitchell, a former NBA player who had been an assistant coach of the Milwaukee Bucks the previous two seasons. Nebraska is bordered by South Dakota to the north; Iowa and Missouri to the east, across the Missouri River; Kansas to the south; Colorado to the southwest, and Wyoming to the west. Immediately following the season, on April 17, head coach Kevin O'Neill was fired after making some remarks which were taken to question the team's commitment to winning. See List of Nebraska Governors. The star individual performers were Carter, with 22.5 points per game, Donyell Marshall, who led the team with 10.7 rebounds per game, and rookie Chris Bosh, a 6-10 forward-center who averaged 11.5 ppg and 7.4 rpg and was named to the rookie all-star team. For the last four elections, Republicans have won all of Nebraska's electoral votes, and no Democrat has carried the state since Lyndon Johnson. The Raptors finished up the season 3 games out of the eighth and final playoff spot.

Since 1991, two of Nebraska's five electoral votes are awarded based on the winner of the statewide election; the other three go to the highest vote-getter in each of the state's three congressional districts. Grunwald had been the GM since 1997. In effect, the Assembly (the house) was abolished; as noted, today's Nebraska state legislators are referred to (especially by themselves) as "Senators". With eight games to go in the regular season, the Raptors fired Glen Grunwald, the general manager on April 1. Finally in 1934, due in part to the budgetary pressure of the Great Depression, Nebraska's unicameral legislature was put in place by a state initiative. The team then suffered through a nine-game losing streak in February, dealing them a serious blow in the standings. Nebraska's unicameral legislature today has rules that bills can contain only one subject, and must be given at least five days of consideration. After 50 games, though, they were 25-25 and in position to make the playoffs.

Votes in these committees were secretive, and would sometimes add provisions to bills that neither house had approved. The Raptors were inconsistent throughout 03-04, partly due to injuries to key players Jalen Rose, Rod Strickland, Alvin Williams and Vince Carter, with Davis traded early in the season for Rose. Unicameral supporters also argued that a bicameral legislature had a significant undemocratic feature in the committees that reconciled Assembly and Senate legislation. Record: 24 Wins - 58 Losses. Norris argued. if anyone can add to this please do. For years, United States Senator George Norris and other Nebraskans encouraged the unicameral referendum. At the end of the disastrous season (a year marred by defensive breakdowns that still occur today), Wilkens was unceremoniously dumped, ending a three-year stint with the team that started with so much promise but ended with too much disappointment.

The Nebraska legislature can also override a governor's veto with a 3/5ths majority, in contrast to the 2/3rds majority required in some other states. This was the year that Wilkens overtook Bill Fitch for the lead in most losses by a NBA coach, with his loss total getting dangerously close to his win total. The senators are elected with no party affiliation next to their names on the ballot, and the speaker and committee chairs are chosen at large, so that members of any party can be (and often are) chosen for these positions. Almost right from day one, the Toronto media went straight for the jugular when it came to Wilkens, chastizing him for his inability- or, perhaps, unwillingness- to really clamp down on his players when he had to (The Toronto Star's Dave Perkins once wrote that all Wilkens could do during a game where the Raptors self-destructed was sit and stand, instead of yelling at his players like Perkins says he should have been doing). Nebraska's Legislature is also the only one in the United States that is nonpartisan. However, right from the beginning of the season that optimism was lost: Carter went through a series of injuries, Davis started to express disinterest in Toronto (reportedly because his wife could not land a TV job in Toronto) and Wilkens' laissez-fair attitude created a team that lacked the motivation and spirit of the previous years' teams. Although this house is known simply as the "Legislature", its members still call themselves "senators". The 2002-03 season began with the same optimisim that the Raptors furnished in three straight playoff appearances.

Nebraska is the only state in the United States with a unicameral legislature, that is a legislature with only one house. Record: 42 Wins - 40 Losses; eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. As an example in Nebraska, Monowi, which in the 1930s had a population of 150, now (2005) has a population of one. Ben Wallace and Jerry Stackhouse's performances overwhelmed the offensively-limited Raptors. "Rural flight" as it is called has led to offers of free land and tax breaks as enticements to newcomers. However, the injuries to Davis and Carter were highlighted in the 3-2 series loss to the Detroit Pistons. Between 1996 and 2004 almost half a million people, nearly half with college degrees, left the six states. In spite of an injury to Antonio Davis in January and a subsequent injury to Carter, the team made a record comeback to clinch a playoff berth.

89% of the total number of cities in those states have fewer than 3000 people; hundreds have fewer than than 1000. The first half of the season ran well with expected contributions from the starters and the improvement Morris Peterson and Keon Clark. Nebraska, in common with five other Mid-West states (Kansas, Oklahoma, North and South Dakota and Iowa), is feeling the brunt of falling populations. Expiring contracts had also been traded away, so unless the Raptors succeeded with their 2001-2002 lineup, it was unlikely they would remain a very competitive team. [1] (http://www.rootsweb.com/~neresour/OLLibrary/Journals/HPR/Vol06/nhrv06pc.html). Although the team was guaranteed a powerful starting line-up for one season, it was a dangerous gamble as overall player salary almost reached the cap, making significant free-agent signing impossible. The adoption of national prohibition in 1918 with Nebraska as the thirty-sixth state necessary to make prohibition a part of our constitution. The Raptors' exciting playoff performance attracted even more fans and put unprecendented trust from the owners on Grunwald. In an attempt to satisfy Vince Carter so that he would resign with the team, long-term contracts were given to Alvin Williams, Jerome Williams and Davis, and former All-Star center Hakeem Olajuwon was signed, to provide Carter with a good supporting cast.

The National Arbor Day Foundation is still headquartered in Nebraska City. Record: 47 Wins - 35 Losses; eliminated in the second round of the playoffs. Arbor Day began in Nebraska. The series came down to the last 4 seconds of Game 7, when Vince Carter missed a fadeaway jumper, losing the series by 1 point. At that time, the capital was moved from Omaha to Lancaster, later renamed Lincoln after the recently assassinated President Abraham Lincoln. Philadelphia took full advantage of its mismatch at center whereas Toronto counteracted with a fast-break offense with their shorter but quicker players. Nebraska became the 37th state in 1867, shortly after the Civil War. Toronto's was much more balanced with Carter, Williams and Davis providing much of the offensive game and Chris Childs and Jerome Williams providing the defensive pressure.

Many of the first farm settlers built their homes out of sod because they found so few trees on the grassy land. The Sixers relied on Allen Iverson and Dikembe Mutombo for their respective offensive and defensive abilities, along with steady help from Aaron McKie and other teammates. In the 1860s, the first great wave of homesteaders poured into Nebraska to claim free land granted by the federal government. The next series against the Philadelphia 76ers was a landmark of exciting, entertaining play, and the best playoff performance by the Raptors so far. The territorial capital of Nebraska was Omaha. These, however, were non-factors, as it was abundantly clear that the Raptors were vastly superior to the overhyped, undertalented Knicks. The Kansas-Nebraska Act became law on May 30, 1854 which established the US territories of Nebraska and Kansas. The Raptors were also lucky, as Larry Johnson was shut down by a career-ending injury and Marcus Camby was plagued by his family kidnap.

Much of the history of the State is the story of the impact of the Nebraska farmer. In addition, Charles Oakley's remarks incited Vince to "play it like a man", and steady contribution from Antonio Davis prevailed over the less-focused Knicks. Nebraskans have practiced scientific farming to turn the Nebraska prairie into a land of ranches and farms. Wilkens was credited for having Williams defend shooting guard Allan Houston and Carter defend small forward Latrell Sprewell, the two major offensive threats of the Knicks. Once considered part of the Great American Desert, it is now a leading farming state. Toronto beat New York in the first round . Nebraska a midwestern State of the United States, Nebraska gets its name from a Native American (Oto) word meaning "flat water", after the Platte River that flows through the State. As predicted by analysts, the team clinched a playoff berth without much difficulty.

Chokecherry Places, Essays from the High Plains, Merrill Gilfillan, Johnson Press, Boulder, Colorado, trade paperback, ISBN 1-55566-227-7. Therefore, Raptors management decided to trade McGrady to the Magic during the 2000 offseason for a first-round draft pick in a sign-and-trade deal. Lincoln Stars, United States Hockey League. Furthermore, McGrady's natural position is at shooting guard, the same position as Carter. Omaha Beef, Arena Football. Although McGrady and Carter showed impressive improvement at the same time, much of the media and fan attention was focused on Carter, who dunked more often and thus was more entertaining to fans. Creighton Bluejays, college basketball. The loss of former star small forawrd Tracy McGrady was also a factor in the Williamson trade.

Lincoln Saltdogs, minor league baseball. As Vince familarized himself with the shooting guard position and played less time at small forward, Christie became expendable and was traded for small forward Corliss Williamson. However, he was a disappointment and was traded during the season for defensive workhorse Jerome Williams. Omaha Royals, minor league baseball. Jackson was later traded to give more minutes for Williams. Nebraska Cornhuskers, college football. He scored three quarters of his points in the 4th quarter during regular season. Columbus area. The season marked the development of Alvin Williams as a clutch performer.

Norfolk area. In addition, the team finally found a true point guard, when Grunwald signed veteran playmaker Mark Jackson to a 4-year deal with the team. Scottsbluff-Gering area. Playoff failures led Grunwald to replace Butch Carter with Lenny Wilkens, who was a Hall-of-Fame coach and player with more than 30 years of coaching experience. North Platte area. Record: 45 Wins - 37 Losses; eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. Hastings area. This was also the first season at the Air Canada Centre, after four years of games at the cavernous SkyDome.

Fremont area. Increased attendance and change of fan base also helped contribute to the decline of the Toronto Blue Jays. Kearney area. Progressive team improvements and the rise to fame of Vince Carter attracted many fans around Toronto, many of whom were not previously basketball fans. Grand Island area. However, without significant playoff experience, the Raptors were swept by the New York Knicks in the playoffs. Lincoln metropolitan area. Rotation of Antonio, Oakley and Willis in the front court and the maturation of both Carter and McGrady helped the team make its first ever playoff appearance.

Omaha metropolitan area (including Bellevue, Papillion, and La Vista). In the backcourt, Butch Carter rotated Carter, Christie, Williams and Dell Curry at the shooting guard position and Williams and Muggsy Bogues at point guard. Interstate 680 (North Omaha loop). Thus, during the 1999 draft, he decided to trade first-round draft pick Jonathan Bender for veteran power forward Antonio Davis from the Indiana Pacers, who had been forced to play off the bench behind teammate Dale Davis. Interstate 480 (Metro Omaha loop). He also knew that the aging Willis and Oakley would eventually have to play fewer minutes or risk injury. Interstate 180 (Lincoln spur). Grunwald decided that the solution to the Raptors' lack of a true point guard and a strong front court presence would have to come from mature veteran players.

Interstate 129. Record: 23 Wins - 27 Losses (a shortened 50-game schedule). Interstate 76. Although the team did not make the playoffs, many were optimistic with the brilliant performances from the Rookie of the Year Vince Carter and a much improved McGrady. Interstate 80. The new coach Butch Carter, besides doing an excellent coaching job, also helped develop the young players on the team, especially future All-Star Tracy McGrady. No Religion – 9%. With those two holes temporarily filled, the team won more games than ever before.

Non-Christian Religions – 1%. Kevin Willis, another veteran acquired from trade, solidified the center position. Other Christian – 1%. Alvin also showed improvement, on the offensive end. Roman Catholic – 28%. This was an excellent move, as Christie greatly refined his defensive game and became one of the elite defenders in NBA. Other Protestants/general Protestant – 21%. The coaching staff temporarily solved the lack of a true point guard by rotating Dee Brown, Alvin Williams and Doug Christie to play the position.

Presbyterian – 4%. However, Oakley's leadership proved crucial to the success of the 1998-1999 Raptors. Baptist – 9%. Many thought the trade would hurt the team, since he was trading away a promising prospect for an aging veteran. Methodist – 11%. Grunwald showed his better management ability than his predecessor by trading Camby to the Knicks for proven veteran Charles Oakley, whose tough mentality and playoff experience helped the maturity of the young players. Lutheran – 16%. Record: 16 Wins - 66 Losses.

Protestant – 61%