Game 2: Raptors at Celtics

Raptors snag the W in the first game of their season and then head out for the first of many road contests this month. They are in Boston tonight to visit the division rival Celtics.

• It is a bittersweet day for Raptors fans as we get to see Toronto fan favourite Amir Johnson, however he will be sadly wearing the Boston green. Amir played 6 years in Toronto and embraced every aspect of the city. From Drake to Carribana to the Blue Jays to the fans themselves. Amir was impossible to hate and that included his well documented hustle on the court. Whether he was 100% healthy or not, thats what he always gave. He signed with Boston for 2 years. Nothing but the best for Amir.
• Valanciunas had a great game for Toronto in the home opener and scored a double-double. Other big contributions came from Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan. Good starts all around.
• Boston has only gotten stronger this off season. Not only adding Johnson, but also NBA champion David Lee. They still have last year's Sixth Man Of The Year candidate Isaiah Thomas. Add those to an already impressive young core and it's clear to see that the Celtics have an brilliantly bright future.

Tonight's Raptor Track!!

Motionless In White - "Devil's Night"

Oh yes it's Devil's Night!! Oh what a night!! Motionless In White are a Goth-Core Metal group from Pennsylvania. Scranton actually! I wonder if they ever opened for Scrantonicity II? Motionless In White have 3 studio albums under their belt. "Devil's Night" comes form their 2012 release Infamous.

Still looks weird....him in green

Game 1: Pacers at Raptors OPENING NIGHT!!!!

Raptors Christmas is finally here!!! The opening game for the 2015-2016 NBA season is upon and the Raptors open up at home against the visiting Indiana Pacers!!

• A Couple questions will linger game to game as this season progresses. What to do about DeMar DeRozan's contract? Raptors GM already said they won't discuss an extension until the season is over, and DeRozan's sure to be looking for max money. Is he worth a hefty contract? It's all up to how this season goes. For both him and the squad.
• Terrence Ross is another enigma, he is also up for an extension, but has yet to reach the full potential that Raptor fans have hoped for him. Maybe coming off the bench will ignite a fire in the young Washington Grad. Jonas Valanciunas is also hoped to take some great strides this year, but he signed a 4-year extension in the off-season...if he doesn't pan out, he may get traded.
• There is some new blood to keep an eye on too. Cory Joseph, DeMarre Carroll and Bismack Biyombo are all welcome defensive additions to the team, which is where many felt was the Raptors downfall last season, especially in the playoffs. 
• Indiana looks a little different this year too. Monta Ellis is their newest high profile addition, while they lost Roy Hibbert and David West in the off season. Paul George is back and if he can stay healthy all year long the Pacers have a good chance of reaching the Post Season once again.

Tonight's Raptor Track(s)!!

Metallica - "Jump In The Fire"

Metallica is my favourite band and this jam always gets me amped up!!!  This season will be a test and a grind for the Raptors, but I know they have no fear of jumping straight into that fire and showing the rest of the NBA that we belong in the Post Season and the discussion for the Eastern Conference title!

Straight Faced - "Let's Do This"

Yep it's Opening night! We get 2 tracks!!!

I know nothing about this band, and picked the song on the title alone! LETS DO THIS!!!!

LET'S GET ITTTTTT

Preseason 2015 Game 5 Timberwolves @ Raptors (Post Game)

Today's blog comes the day after the game because I was live in attendance!! The Raptors faced off against the Timberwolves in the Nation's capital! Ottawa came out to cheer on their boys. Here's a few points

• Sure the Raptors fell 89-87 to the T-Wolves, but it was a great showcase of all kinds of young talent. Plenty to be excited about in respect to our rookies Delon Wright and Norman Powell, who had a number of athletic plays.
• Tyus Jones continued to impress on Minnesota's side as well as last year's Slam Dunk Champion Zach Lavine. The two combined for 21 points.
• Kyle Lowry sat the game out along with Terrence Ross for the Raptors. Ross didn't make the trip to Ottawa after rolling his ankle in the previous game.

Last Night's Raptor Track

Capital Cities - "Safe & Sound"

LA indie pop duo Capital Cities had a huge hit back in 2013 with "Safe & Sound". Many people from outside of Canada aren't aware that Toronto is not our nation's capital city. It's good to see the NBA rolling through other cities in Canada where love of Basketball continues to grow. Next Canadian game is against the Washington Wizards in Montreal

Here's a few pics from the game that I took..

Preseason 2015 Game 4 Timberwolves at Raptors

Raptors are back home for the first time this season to play the 1st game in a two game series against the Minnesota Timberwolves

• Anthony Bennett will likely get some playing time against his old team. He had a monstrous jam in the game against the Lakers, hopefully the kid will continue to improve and maybe being cheered on by his countrymen will help
• This marks another homecoming as Toronto-born Andrew Wiggins is the Timberwolves focal point this season. Their management has brought in some seasoned veterans (KG, Andre Miller) and some exciting young talent (Zach LaVine, Tyrus Jones) to surround 2014's #1 overall pick.
• Speaking of #1 Overall picks, Karl Anthony-Towns was picked first overall in the 2015 NBA Draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves. Their fanbase is on board, jacked up and all in for a bright future ahead.
• This is also the first time we'll see the ACC's new court in action, complete with the Raptors' new logo.

Today's Raptor Track

Josh Ritter - "Wolves"

This album is fantastic. 2006's The Animal Years, really showcases Ritter's diversity and proficiency as a songwriter. "Wolves" is an unexpected sing along track near the start of the album. It is a good indication of the magic that awaits the listener.

ACC We're coming home!!!

Preseason 2015 Game 3 Raptors @ Lakers

The Preseason labours on and the Raptors find themselves in Ontario. Not that Ontario! Ontario, California where they have the Los Angeles Lakers waiting for them. Let's look at some details

• Alot of homecoming here for the Raptors squad. DeMar DeRozan, Delon Wright and Norman Powell all hail from the Golden State and i'm sure they'll all be jacked to play in front of friends and family. Funny note, I almost included Amir Johnson in that list...forgot that he signed with Boston for a moment there...
• We'll also get to reunite with last year's 6th Man of The Year award winner and former Raptor Lou Williams who signed with LA in the offseason. Looouuuuuuuuu...
• The tides are changing a little in Laker Land. Kobe is still around, but there are a plethora of questions concerning his playing time and health. It appears the idea is for him to pass on the torch to the young crew they have assembled there in Jordan Clarkson, Julius Randle and D'Angelo Russell.
• This game will be televised at 10pm on NBA TV, so hopefully we'll get to see some of the players who sat out last televised game like James Johnson and Anthony Bennett.

Today's Raptor Track

Steve Earle - "Justice In Ontario"

Steve Earle has always had a penchant for politcally charged songs and kicking ass. This one is about a few cases of vigilantism in Ontario, Canada. Firstly the Black Donnelly's who were a family of Irish immigrants with mob ties that were famously gunned down and their farm razed without anyone ever brought to justice for the crime. Then he relates to a more modern tale from Port Hope, ON where a man was killed in a bar and the wrong men were sent to prison for the crime. It's kinda like his version of "Hurricane"

HE DIDN'T EVEN STRETCH DOE!!! DOE.....

Preseason 2015 Game 2 Raptors at Warriors

After a dominating showing in Vancouver, the Raptors head down the coast to take on the Golden State Warriors in San Jose, California.

• Rumour is this game is not televised anywhere (but why?). Here's hoping there is still an online stream somewhere that can be watched
• Looks like Kyle Lowry is sitting out for the Raptors, hopefully it's just rest as an injury this early in the season would be worrisome.
• James Johnson, Lucas Nogueira and Anthony Bennett all sat out on Sunday vs the Clippers. No word yet on whether any of them will see any playing time tonight
• Fresh off their 2014-2015 Championship season, this is the Golden State Warriors first preseason game since beating the Cavaliers back in June. Like the Clippers the Warriors line-up remains relatively unchanged. David Lee has been moved to Boston and they picked up Ben Gordon during the offseason.

Today's Raptor Track

Dionne Warwick - "Do You Know The Way To San Jose"

As mentioned above tonight's game (10:30est) is being played in San Jose. This song was written for Warwick by Burt Bacharach and Hal David. Thought Warwick viewed it a silly song, it won a Grammy for best Contemporary-Pop Vocal, Female. She laughed all the way to the bank

TV Blackout!!! (but, why?)

Preseason 2015 Game 1 Clippers at Raptors!!

And we're back!!!!!! The preseason starts today for our beloved Toronto Raptors!!! As in past years our boys enjoyed their training camp out in Vancouver, BC so that is where they will welcome the Los Angeles Clippers to start their preseason. It's a new year and a new look! Let's go over a few key points!!

• Raptors lost a few fan favourites in Greivis Vasquez, Lou Williams and Amir Johnson. GV was traded to Milwaukee for a future round draft pick. Lou signed with the Los Angeles Lakers and the toughest pill to swallow is Amir Johnson signing with our division rival Boston Celtics. They will all be missed
• A door doesn't close without a window opening and the Raptors also added several key players to the roster this year. DeMarre Carol signed with Toronto on Canada Day. We'll also be welcoming Bismack Biyombo and Luis Scola. Speaking of Canada, for the first time ever the Raptors signed 2 Canadian players to their roster over the off-season, former San Antonio Spur and NBA Champion Cory Joseph and 2013 #1 overall pick Anthony Bennett. As well as our rookies Delon Wright and Norman Powell, Raptor fans have alot to be excited for.
• The Clippers on the other hand don't look that much different from last year. All-Stars Blake Griffin and Chris Paul return for another year. DeAndre Jordan, who was supposedly looking forward to pursuing free agency this summer, is also back with the Clippers after re-negging on a lucrative offer from the Dallas Mavericks. His first trip to Texas should be interesting. Former Raptor Chuck Hayes is also on the Clipper's squad this year after his deal with the Rockets fell flat. Not sure he'll get much playing time behind Jordan and Cole Aldrich. Last but not least notorious Raptor killer Paul Pearce is on the Clipper squad this year. Hopefully the site of him ignites some rage in Toronto's blood and we get a taste of that killer instinct early and chase it all season long
• To go along with the new roster looks both teams also have new uniforms and logos that are being displayed this year. 

Today's Raptors Track

RKL - "We're Back We're Pissed"

Rich Kids on LSD (RKL) were a punk band from California formed in the early 80's. They've been credited with inspiring many later punk groups like NOFX, The Offspring and Green Day. This is the mentality I want from the Raptors...we're not that nice, cute, dino team from Canada anymore. We're back and we're pissed.

WE THE NORTH!!!