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Muggsy tries to make point
Will push to make starting lineup
"I'm not out to steal anybody's thunder, but to grow you have to compete,'' said Bogues, who yesterday signed a one-year deal with the Raptors.
Under terms of the NBA's collective bargaining agreement, the 12-year veteran will earn the league minimum of $1 million US.
Bogues, 34, is the NBA's career leader with a 4.36 assist-to-turnover ratio. He ranks 12th with an 8.0-assist average, sixth among active players.
Williams, 25, had a 2.04 assist-to-turnover ratio with the Raptors last season. It's Williams' job to lose as training camp tips off Oct. 5, but don't be surprised if Bogues gets meaningful minutes.
There are those in the NBA who think the 5-foot-3 Bogues is a better fit than Williams because of Bogues' ability to run the floor and distribute the basketball.
In the past, teams have capitalized of Bogues' height disadvantage by posting him up. This year, players will be limited when backing into the post under a five-second rule.
"It's the nature of the game to compete,'' Bogues said. "I've been through this before. Alvin's a nice young man and I'm sure he wants to grow. I'll definitely help him as best I can.''
An original member of the expansion Charlotte Hornets in 1988 --- he was a teammate of new Raptors guard Dell Curry -- Bogues was dealt to Golden State last year primarily because of concerns about his knees. But Bogues says he's healthy. In fact, the only games he missed with the Warriors were because of chicken pox.
"It was an easy decision for me (to join the Raptor as a free agent) because I like what the Raptors are doing,'' he said. "A couple of teams offered me deals, but the situation in Toronto is great.
"They have a good mix of character veterans and a nice blend of athletic youngsters. If we can stay healthy, we'll be a dangerous team.''
BRIEFLY: The Raptors are looking to add a player for training camp and are interested in journeyman Antonio Lang, who played with the Raptors in their summer league ... Draft pick Alek Radojevic is expected to sign his rookie-mandated deal next week ... Vince Carter will be honoured tonight by his alma mater, Mainland High School in Daytona Beach. The NBA's rookie of the year has donated $10,000 to the school.
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