Game 17 Raptors at Lakers

It's the Raptors annual crazy visit to the Lakers' homecourt in LA. This year they'll have to try and get an ugly win without their starting shooting guard DeMar DeRozan.

• DeRozan left the Dallas game on Friday with a tear in his groin muscle. While he travels with the team, it's unlikely he'll see any game time for at least 4 weeks.
• Last year around this time is when the Raptors' season started to turn around. It was before the Lakers game in LA when Masai Ujiri traded Rudy Gay to Sacramento for 4 solid bench players.
• The Lakers haven't been the same this year, with Kobe Bryant leading the team in struggles. Still the Lakers are still the Lakers and the Raptors cannot take this team lightly

Song Of The Day

The Distillers - "L.A. Girl"

The Distillers are a punk band from LA led by vocalist Brody Dalle who came from Australia. The Distillers are famous for hard hitting tunes and Dalle's distinct rough voice. "L.A. Girl" which could be autobiographical, is off their debut self-titled album. Check it out.

LA Boys Amir and DeMar are home!!

Game 16 Mavericks at Raptors Purple Night!!

Another big test for the Raptors at home as the surging Dallas Mavericks make their only visit to the ACC during the regular season. They'll be there to witness the Raptors re-don their throwback purple jerseys!!

• Raptors head coach Dwane Casey is very familiar with the Mavericks as he was an assistant coach for Dallas when they took home the NBA Championship in 2011. Mavs head coach Rick Carlisle then called then Toronto GM Bryan Colangelo and recommended Casey for the vacant Head Coach job in TO
• Tyson Chandler, who spent three years with the Knicks, has returned to Dallas and has been dominating other Western Conference teams. He also won a championship with the team in 2011.
• We'll likely see the return of Tyler Hansbrough for the Raptors tonight too. Who missed a few games with a shoulder injury

Song of the day

"Comin' Home" - City & Colour

Why am I picking a song by City and Colour? Why because the man behind the guitar is named Dallas Green! Get it City and Colour? Yeaaahh. He got his start as the guitarist/vocalist for Canadian hardcore group Alexisonfire and started City & Colour as an acoustic side project. With Alexisonfire wrapping it up a few years ago, this has been Green's main project. Dallas himself is a huge Raptors fan and can be seen at many home games! I actually met him at the ACC once in line for drinks on the floor level. It was my birthday and after a brief conversation he bought me a rye and coke. Good guy!

Purple Raptor Power!!

Game 15 Raptors at Hawks Post Game

The wins keep rolling in with the Raptors taking down the Hawks 126-115 on Atlanta's own court. Toronto has never started a season 4-1 on the road. They have now.

• Vasquez came alive in the 4th quarter, finding his stride from 3 hitting half his shots. People were unsure when Greivis would return to form. Tonight was the night.
• Lou Williams (the Eastern Conference player of the week) returned to his home town and former team of Atlanta and continued his hot streak.
• The Hawks have only lost twice at home this year. Their first home loss was to the Lakers
• The Atlanta home crowd was dead silent. For real. I'm sure it was damn near deafening for the Raptors who are used to a tempest of a home crowd

Song of the day

Simon & Garfunkel - "The Sound Of Silence"

This one is for the Atlanta crowd

Purple night this Friday!!

Game 13 Raptors at Cavaliers

The home stand is over and the Raptors head down to Cleveland to take on King James and his royal court. Will this be lucky 13 for the Raptors and get a win over LeBron? A feat they haven't accomplished since 2009. Let's look at a few pointers.

• Yes we haven't beaten Lebron James since 2009, but Cavs point guard Kyrie Irving is notorious for having bad games against us.
• Bruno and Bebe saw their first NBA action last night against the Raptors crushing victory over the Bucks. Hopefully that just whets their appetite and they work even harder now.
• Canadian Tristan Thompson is the lone Canuck on a Cavs team that traded away Anthony Bennett and Andrew Wiggins this past summer. He's been having some big games, let's see how he matches up against Patterson and Amir Johnson. They'll have to play big against the big Maple Leafer.
• Still no time table for a James Johnson return, he would have helped the Raptors slow down Lebron tonight.

Song of the day

Against Me! - "Cavalier Eternel"

No that's not a typo, it's how the song is spelled on the album sleeve. Against Me! are one of my favourite bands and this album ...As The Eternal Cowboy is high above most others on my "Albums I recommend" list. It's powerful, it's to the point, it's perfect. This whimsical acoustic track is found at the very end of the album, but it's one that always get's the ear's attention. 

Bruno!!!

Game 12 Bucks at Raptors

It's the last game of the Raptors mega-home-stand. We'll see the quite surprising Milwaukee Bucks come to town for a Friday night battle

• Jason Kidd is now the head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks. Raptors fans will remember him from last year's playoffs when he coached the Brooklyn Nets. Though him and Dwane Casey share a championship ring and are friends, look for Kidd to get an unfriendly welcome from the Toronto fans.
• Milwaukee has a very young, very talented team. Players like John Henson, Larry Sanders and Khris Middleton are having good years. Last year's draft gem Giannis Antentokounmpo (The Greek Freak, that Masai had his eye on) will be a player to watch and we also get our first look at this year's #2 draft pick Jabari Parker
• If you like fast, up and down, smashmouth Basketball this should be the game for you. Though Raptor's James Johnson is likely still out for this one.

Song of the day

System Of A Down - "Deer Dance"

There isn't a missed step on System Of A Down's 2001 album Toxicity. It stands high atop the list of my favourite albums with a sound unlike any that has been heard before. Love the energy of this song, with it's crunching guitars and catchy off-beat drums. Quickly goes from high to low, happy to sad. Great!!

Defend our territory!!

Game 11 Grizzlies at Raptors

The home stand continues with the Memphis Grizzlies visiting the Toronto Raptors. Grizzlies sit atop the Western Conference and the Raptors still hold the Eastern Conference title. This could be a preview of the NBA finals. I SAID COULD BE!!!!

• If this game were played in 2000 it would be the Naismith Cup. When the then Vancouver Grizzlies and the Toronto Raptors would square off and play in a different Canadian city to honour James Naismith the Canadian who invented the game of Basketball
• James Johnson (former Grizzly) will miss tonight's game after spraining his ankle during the Utah game trying to avoid the sideline cameramen. Landry Fields is also questionable for Toronto with an illness which means there could be a Bruno Caboclo sighting tonight!!
• Former Raptor and arguably the biggest name to play for Toronto Vince Carter makes his return being a member of the Memphis squad. The fan's will for sure let him have it, even as Toronto is planning a video tribute in his honour

Song of the day

Grizzly Bear - "Ready, Able"

Grizzly Bear are an indie rock band form Brooklyn, New York (f*ck Brooklyn) formed in 2002.  They play a blend of electronic and rock music with use of synthesizers, samplers and traditional instruments. "Ready, Able" comes off their 2009 album Veckatimest which got predominantly positive reviews from the music world's inner circle. It seems Grizzly Bear is currently on a break, but lead singer Daniel Rossen is hopeful and confident that the group will record a new album in the near future

Thanks Dr. Naismith!!

Game 9 Bulls at Raptors Prime Time!

Tonight marks the first time since 2004 that the Raptors have a regular season game broadcast in the US on TNT! Which means not only will the who's who of the Basketball world be at the game, the eyes of another nation will be watching. Regardless of that it's a Conference game and the Raps had better be ready for the still mighty Bulls.

• Derrick Rose (who happens to be one of my favourite non-Raptor players) is back from a variety of injuries and will step on the floor of the ACC for the first time in a few years. Rose vs Lowry should be a great battle with plenty of highlights.
• James Johnson was drafted by the Bulls back in 2009. We'll see if he can have another amazing showing against his former squad.
• Watch for Bull's rookies Doug McDermott and Nikola Mirotic to turn some heads tonight. Raptors bench needs to have another big showing.

Song of the night

"Bulls On Parade" - Rage Against The Machine

Should be Bulls AND Raptors On Parade!!! A big blasting song for an exciting night!! Rage Against The Machine were at the helm of the ship steering the Rap-Metal movement to new heights in the 90's. A perfect blend of political angst and hard hitting metal helped Rage become a household name. Of course this marriage wouldn't last and Rage disbanded in 2000, they were never meant to be on this world long anyway. I do miss Tom Morello making sweet sweet love to his guitar on stage during their shows though....this song features what sounds like a turntable scratching when it's actually Tom rubbing his fingers along the guitar strings while toggling between pickups all pumped through a wah-wah pedal.

SHOWTIME!!!

Game 8 Magic at Raptors

I Didn't write an entry the last time the Magic and the Raptors squared off as I was out of town, but Toronto has a chance to go 7-1 tonight so a blog there shall be!!

• It's been reported that the Raptors' starters have outscored their opponents 160-114 in just 63 minutes of play. That's a plus/minus of +46!! (Tom Haberstroh on twitter) Amazing!
• This is the second of three times these two teams will meet. Last time the Raptors won 108-95.
• The Magic still cannot be underestimated with guys like Tobias Harris, Elfrid Payton, Victor Oladipo and of course the monster in the middle Nikola Vucevic.
• It's Rememberence Day here in Canada. When we take time to remember all the soldiers lost in all the world's wars. Tonight in honour The Raptors will wear (sleeved) camo jerseys in the pattern of Canada's military.

Song of the Day!

"Magic" - B.O.B feat Rivers Cuomo

B.o.B is Bobby Ray Simmons Jr. a hip-hop artist form Georgia. His breakthrough came in 2010 when he released his album The Adventures of Bobby Ray which featured guest appearances by Hayley Williams, Janelle Monae and Bruno Mars. What also makes this album stand out it most if not all songs were primarily written by B.o.B himself. His songs have been connected with Basketball in the past as many Youtube compilation videos have been set against the backdrop of his tunes.

Lest We Forget

Game 7 76ers at Raptors

As of this writing the Torono Raptors sit alone atop the Eastern Conference with a 5-1 record. The best start in franchise history and the first time in that same history that the Raptors have been #1 in the East on their own. Tonight Atlantic Division rivals the Philadelphia 76ers make their first appearance north of the border. Here's a few points.

• It's no secret that the 76ers appear to be in "Tank Mode". Meaning their willing to have a few unsuccessful seasons for high payoffs come draft time. Don't be fooled though, they still have some big talent in guys like Michael Carter-Williams, Nerlens Noel, Tony Wroten and Joel Embiid. All young talents with bright futures ahead.
• Though it appears Nerlens Noel will be sitting this game out. No word on Toronto's Amir Johnson yet.
• Philadelphia lies at the bottom of the standings in the East with an 0-6 record, but it's the NBA and anything can happen. Raptors cannot snooze on these young 76ers

Song of the night

Ween - "Spirit Of '76"

The name 76ers comes from the forging of American independence in 1776, back when Philadelphia was the nation's capital. Because of such a monumental moment in history plenty of movies, shows and songs have been made inspired by it. Ween are a band who have written many songs in many different styles and their song "Freedom of '76" is one of their most well known. It comes off their infamous album Chocolate and Cheese and is said to be the first song that vocalist Gene Ween hit the high notes without digital technology.

That's Ween!

Game 6 Wizards at Raptors Purple Throwback Night!!

The Purple is back! Tonight marks the first of several games where the Raptors will honour their past and wear the retro purple-dino jerseys from 20 years ago. Perhaps the most hyped up night of this early season. And what better opponent than a conference rival and one that is destined to be force this year in the Washington Wizards?

• Tonight is also the first game in a staggering 7 game home stand for the Raptors. They are hoping to have an impressive record when it's all said and done.
• Amir and JV will likely dress and play for the Raptors tonight, which is joyous news. The Wizards have some talented bigs on their side in Marcin Gortat and one-name wonder Nene. We'll have to be at peak performance levels to compete with them.
• The Wizards added notorious Raptor killer Paul Pearce in the off-season and despite his age, he's added some serious shooting to this already loaded Washington team. Should be a good one!

Song of the night:

Googol Bordello - "Start Wearing Purple"

Started by Ukrainian born singer Eugenu Hutz, Googol Bordello got their start on the Lower-East side of Manhattan playing a unique style of music they dubbed "Gypsy Punk". So basically they play whatever they want. Most of their songs are different from one another, but the one that is very fitting with tonight's vintage jerseys? "Start Wearing Purple"

BONUS SONG!!!!

Again with the retro theme! Was Not Was' "Walk The Dinosaur"

Go Dinos!!!

Game 5 Raptors at Celtics

After a win against the short-handed Thunder last night the Raptors find themselves a little short-handed heading into Boston to face the Celtics tonight.

• Amir Johnson did not travel with the team due to his mysterious ankle injury and Jonas Valanciunas is likely not playing after getting whacked in the face by Sebastian Telfair yesterday. A facial contusion is what they're calling it, which is really a fancy word for a bruise.
• Boston is 1-2 after beating Brooklyn on Opening night and losing to Dallas and Houston.
• Last year the Raptors took the series 3 games to 1, but this year sees the Celtics adding a couple good players and losing few. Marcus Smart has been playing well and if Rajon Rondo can stay healthy the Celtics have a shot at the Eastern Playoffs

Boston's TD Garden is a notoriously difficult place for the Raptors to play and be successful. Last year saw them win for the first time at the Garden in 11 games

Tonight's song:

Boston - "Peace Of Mind"

Brad Delp was the iconic voice behind Boston, the classic rock group from the city that shares it's name. If you don't own their self-titled debut album, then that's the reason your CD rack or record shelf has always had that "incomplete" look. Really any song could have worked here from that record, but a Raptors win tonight, especially without our starting big men, would definitely give many Toronto fans some peace of mind.

Let's go boys!!

Game 4 Thunder at Raptors

Raptors return home tonight to protect the ACC against a Thunder storm. While the Oklahoma City Thunder are riddled with injuries, they are still a very capable team and the Raptors cannot sleepwalk through this game. Here are some things to note.

• Amir Johnson missed the game on Sunday against the Heat with a wonky ankle. That's a medical term. No word yet on his condition for tonight, but let's hope #15 makes an appearance.
• Thunder's superstar Kevin Durant has a 'Jones Fracture' in his foot. Along with Russell Westbrook, Anthony Morrow and Mitch McGary, KD will be missing tonight's game. They still have Serge Ibaka, Steven Adams and Perry Jones 3 who has really stepped up in KD's absence. 
• This is the Thunder's first visit to the ACC since all the Durant to T.O hype started last year after the Raptors were eliminated from the playoffs. Let's see how many times it gets mentioned.
• It should be mentioned that Kevin Durant is currently making his way around the net as an "Advice Animal" meme...if you don't know what that means click here. It might take too long for me to explain

Raptors are 2-1 after 3 games and the Thunder are 1-3 after 4 games. Should be a good one. These 2 teams had some intense battles last season.

Mastodon are an American heavy metal band formed in 2000. They are currently one of the biggest keeping hard rock and metal in the mainstreams collective conscious. Any one of their songs could be used to describe the home crowd at the Thunder's Chesapeake Energy Arena. One of the loudest in the NBA, though Toronto's ACC is quickly climbing the charts. The obvious choice here is "Blood & Thunder" the lead off track to their 2004 album Leviathan.

#KD2016!!

Game 3 Raptors at Heat

Fuckin' Miami

The streak continues. After 16 face-offs the Raptors have yet to defeat the Miami Heat. Keep in mind, plenty of those involved a guy named LeBron James. Tonight though, even without James, the Raptors came up short. Starting the season at 2-1.

• No Amir Johnson tonight landed Patrick Patterson in the starting line-up. But with no points or rebounds he had a rough night. T-Ross and Valanciunas also had rough nights, with Ross only seeing 16 minutes of time and JV missing some easy lay-ups at point blank.
• Bosh and Wade both had big nights. Wade even neared a triple double.
• Even though it's a loss it's always good to see the Raptors go down with a fight. Going down 107-102 isn't as bad as it could have been. Need to bounce back.
• Also we got to see Josh McRoberts tear his jersey due to a call that didn't go his way. 

Here's a link to the Vine

But anyway, as I was saying..

Fuckin' Miami

Thunder on Tuesday!!