The homestand continues as the Toronto Raptors welcome back their one time fellow country team in the Vancouver Grizzlies, who have since moved to Memphis!
The Grizzlies are riddled with injuries tonight and are missing 6 of their 15 players. Vince Carter is out with a hip injury, Mike Coneley is six weeks with his back, Zach Randolph is out for personal reasons, Chandler Parsons his knee, Ennis calf and Wright ankle.
For the Raptors only Sullinger and Delon Wright are injured. The game against Philly gave some of our starters time to rest and we saw VanVleet, Bruno, Bebe, Norman and Jakob Poetl get court time.
Jonas Valanciunas came down awkward on his ankle in the game against the 76ers too and Raptor nation collectively held their breath. Thankfully he was back on the bench after a quick check in the locker room. If he goes tonight expect limited minutes.
Tonight's Raptor Track!
Yo Gotti - "Grizzly"
Maybe next time i'll do Grizzly Bear
Raptors 2nd in East 11-6! Grizzlies 4th in West 11-7!
Raptors are back home in Toronto the day after the 104th Grey Cup! Congrats to the Ottawa Redblacks! Visiting Toronto today are the Philadelphia 76ers! Let's take a look!
The 76ers hold the worst record in the East, but not the entire NBA. That honour belongs to the Dallas Mavericks.
The Sixers will be without their rookie of the year prospect Joel "The Process" Embiid. I Didn't think we were allowed to give ourselves nicknames, I thought that automatically designated us with some real shitty nickname like "Sheet Stain" or "Weebit". Embiid is on a minutes restriction and didn't travel with the team
Sixers still have a bundle of exciting young talents in players like Nerlens Noel, Jahill Okafor and Dario Saric
Tonight's Raptor Track!
Eve - "Philly, Philly"
Haven't heard much from Eve lately, first heard of her back in 1998 when she signed on with Dre's Aftermath entertainment group and later with DMX Ruff Ryders. It appears she most recently had an album in 2013. This song is from her 1999 album Let There Be Eve.
Raptors 2nd in East 10-6! 76ers 15th in East 4-13!
Happy Black Friday! Whatever the hell that means. People pushing, people shoving and the girls that try to look pretty. That's basically my understanding of it. Raptors close out their roadtrip tonight in Milwaukee and hope to end on a high note with a win over the Bucks
Nothing but improvement in Milwaukee's world. Jabari Parker is finally healthy and having a great season, plus the Bucks added Matthew Dellavadova from last year's Champion Cavalier team. Also Mirza Teletovic and Tony Snell have been added
In an odd turn Bucks' coach Jason Kidd has been benching Greg Monroe as of late with no real reason. Milwaukee don't have too many other bigs on the roster especially one that can match up with Jonas Valanciunas
DeMarre Carroll and Cory Joseph both had a fantastic game on Wednesday. It's that kind of production the Raptors need from their complimentary players in order to compete in this league
FORMER RAPTORS ALERT: Steve Novak, the Milwaukee native, was included in the trade with New York that banished Andrea Bargnani from Toronto forever. Novak played a year with Toronto before being traded to Utah.
Tonight's Raptor Track!
The Both - "Milwaukee"
The Both is a duo made of Aimee Mann (formerly of 'til Tuesday) and Ted Leo (Of Ted Leo & The Pharmacists). To this date they've only released one album, a self titled effort made in 2014. The first single and video off the album was called "Milwaukee"
Game 4 of the 5 game road trip is almost under way. The Raptors are hoping to get out with a winning record to dot hat they'll need to beat the Milwaukee Bucks this weekend and the Houston Rockets tonight.
Houston has made some big additions this season. After losing Dwight Howard to Atlanta Clint Capela has be awarded the starting center postition. But he's surrounded by some serious fire power. Ryan Anderson, Eric Gordon and Canadian Tyler Ennis are all new to the Rockets this year, along with James Harden who is now their one true point guard
The Rockets also have a new coach in Mike D'Antoni. Known for his offensive strategies he most recently coached the Lakers and the Knicks
Donatas Montejunas, JV's fellow Lithuanian countryman, had been holding out for a good offer from the Rockets as he is an RA this season. Today it was announced that Houston has pulled it's latest offer....which I guess means he's unrestricted now....we do need a 4 y'know....
Tonight's Raptor Track!
Soul Coughing - "Houston"
From New York, New York Soul Coughing had most of their sunshine years in the 90's. Probably best known for the song "Super Bon Bon", this song is off their 1998 album El Oso. It's called "Houston" and it's today's Raptor Track
Raptors 5th in the East 8-6! Rockets 5th in West 9-5!
I'm sure anyone interested in the NBA heard about the abyssmal call to end the Kings-Raptors game in Sacramento's favour last night, so I won't go into details. Just another day in the life of a Raptors fan.
Tonight they're in Los Angeles to take on the top of the league Clippers
It appears the Raptors will launch a protest against the NBA after the circumstances of last night's game. Not sure what could come of it, but at least it's something
The Clippers as I mentioned own the best record in the NBA and sit atop the Western Conference. Tonight they'll also get Wes Johnson back who has been out with an ankle injury
It's another tough back-to-back for Toronto, but hopefully some of that anger can be used to secure a key road win tonight at the Staples Centre
Tonight'sRaptorTrack!
Metallica - "Here Comes Revenge"
Not only do the Raptors have revenge on their mind which they're willing to take out on anyone in their path, but Metallica released their 10th studio album on Friday Hardwired...To Self-Distruct. So far I like what I hear...this is a fitting song from the record
Raptors 5th in the East 8-5! Clippers 1st in the West 12-2!
Game number 13! Will be unlucky as the Raptors roll into Sacramento to take on a team that always seems to have our number or will Toronto get another win on this 5 game road trip?
Lucas Noguiera missed the game in Denver as his wife was delivering their first child! Bebe is expected to play tonight in Sacramento
Terrence Ross had arguably one of his best games of his career and hit a dagger three in Overtime in the game against the Nuggets. Raptors will need that kinda of play on a consistent basis
Though they always seem to trounce us things are all not well in Kings land. All kinds of trade rumours swirl overhead with names like DeMarcus Cousins and Rudy Gay being tossed around. Or maybe another Head Coach's head will roll. Time will tell
Tonight's Raptor Track!
Linkin Park - "Wretches & Kings"
Love the chugging drum and bassline in this one. Linkin Park usually had no problem pumping out songs to get people amped. This one is no exception. Not sure what these guys are doing now, though I think Chester is done with Velvet Revolver, maybe they'll be back around
The back to back from hell is behind us yes, but things haven't eased up for The Raptors yet. Tonight they face the Denver Nuggets on their turf and playing at altitude is always a grind.
Last time these two teams faced each other it was a shoot out. The Raptors eventually edged out The Nuggets, but it wasn't easy
Will Barton got hurt in that first game and new coach Mike Malone has started Canadian Jamal Murray on several occasions, with veteran Jameer Nelson getting the start lately. Malone has also replaced Nikola Jokic in the starting line up with Kenneth Faried
The game against the Warriors was lost by only 4 points. The Raptors understand they need to tighten up the D and limit the opposing team from getting big quarters against them if wins are going to start piling up
Tonight's Raptor Track!
The Movement - "Mile High"
The Movement are a reggae band from North Carolina. Though they don't really consider themselves rasta or roots reggae, more infused with rock and hip-hop along with elements of Hip Hop. Denver is known as the "Mile High City" and it's usually a disadvantage for other teams to play there due to the effects that high altitude can have on conditioning.
Raptors 5th in East 7-4! Nuggets 10th in West 4-7!
Valiant effort last night by the boys in Red, but they came up a bit short to the 2016 Champs Cleveland Cavaliers. It doesn't get any easier i'm afraid as the Raptors return home to face the Golden State Warriors.
This is the first true look the Raptors will get at the Warriors since signing Kevin Durant in the off season. The Warriors aren't off to as hot a start this year though and currently sit at 8&2.
Hopefully DeMarre Carroll will get some time tonight to guard KD as he sat last night due to rest on one game of a back to back
It's Drake night at the ACC so the Raptors will be wearing their very sleek OVO inspired black and gold jerseys. KD is close to Drake so it must be by design that Drake picked his one visit to Toronto to host the game...show him what this city is all about before another look at free agency
Tonight's Raptor Track!
Drake - "Back To Back"
It's just too perfect,,,,
Raptors third in East 7-3! Warriors second in West 8-2!
Only 10 games in and we're seeing the Champs for the second time in this early season! Raptors on a 3-0 run as they roll into Cleveland tonight!
DeMar DeRozan was named as the Eastern Conference Player of the Week recently and rightfully so. He's had 8 games with 30+ points to start the season.
Raptors are on the first game of maybe their toughest back-to-back ever. Tonight in Cleveland to face the defending champs and then back home tomorrow where the Golden State Warriors wait for them. We're going to find out what they're made of.
DeMarre Carroll did not play on Saturday against the Knicks, likely due to keeping an eye on his knee on a back-to-back. Not sure if he'll go tonight. Norman Powell will likelt go in his stead
Tonight's Raptor Track!
J. Frank Wilson & The Cavaliers - "Last Kiss"
Perhaps the best known cover of our time is Pearl Jam's "Last Kiss". It was originally written by Wayne Cochrane back in 1961 and covered several times. A few bands that did versions were Wednesday, Trent Dabbs, the aforementioned Pearl Jam and these guys J.Frank Wilson & The Cavaliers.
Raptors 3rd in East 7-3! Cavaliers 1st in East 8-1!
Sorry about the non-post for the Charlotte game last night, my power was out and had to watch the game at the local pub instead. Raptors won however 113-111 with DeRozan getting ANOTHER 30+ point game. I'm telling ya guys.
Tonight The Raptors will become the Toronto Huskies and honour their history along with the history of the entire NBA. The first ever NBA game was played 70 years ago in 1946 in Toronto. It featured the then Toronto Huskies hosting the New York Knickerbockers. While the Huskies only lasted the one year, the Knickerbockers have a long storied lifespan in the NBA and are now known as simply The Knicks
Both teams are on a back-to-back as I mentioned the Huskies beat the Hornets last night and The Knicks lost to Boston
People say The Kings like to fire/hire their coaches, but the Knicks are on their 4th head Coach in 3 years. Jeff Hornacek came over from Phoenix to see what he can do with the enigmatic New York squad
Plenty of new faces on the Knicks too. Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah signed in the off season from Chicago. New York also got Brandon Jennings and Courtney Lee. Carmelo Anthony, who was ejected in last night's game, is on his 6th year with the team.
It's a celebration of the League's history tonight, so expect a full house with many famous faces. Also expect some excitement from the referees too, i'll just leave it at that
Tonight's Husky Track!
Husky - "History's Door"
Now that's a perfect track for a historic night where the Raptors are donning their Huskies jerseys. I believe the floor at the ACC is going all Huskified too. Husky is an Australian band from Melbourne. They have 2 albums to their name and have opened for such acts as Gotye, Neil Young, The Shins and Dallas Green.
Huskies 2nd in East 6-2! Knickerbockers 10th in the East 3-5!
We've still got Basketball to enjoy. Remember that friends.
Raptors are in Oklahoma City to take on the surging Thunder, who Toronto faces for the first time in a long time without Kevin Durant
Valanciunas is day-to-day with a knee contusion. He missed Sunday's game against the Kings, which the Raptors lost and it appears he might miss tonight. Poeltl started in his stead and we're getting to see how the young front court handles pressure as Jakob, Siakam and Bebe should all see significant playing time
Russell Westbrook is playing like a man possessed. There's really nothing much else to say there, he's averaging a damn near triple-double.
Sunday was also the first game that DeMar DeRozan didn't crest 30 points. Still played well and I expect him to have another good game tonight
Tonight's Raptor Track!
Boys Like Girls - "Thunder"
Not sure what the dealio is with this song. It's from a couple years ago, but I can honestly say i've never heard it. Boys Like Girls eh? Let's see what they're all about...
I will try to most more consistently on game days. I didn't do one for the Heat game on Friday because I was en route to Toronto to attend the game LIVE!! WOOO With my balls out!!!
The Kings are not having the start they were hoping they would. It's another year and another new coach in David Joerger, but the Kings find themselves with a 2-5 record.
Despite the record the Raptors have historically had their problems with the Kings and their former teammate Rudy Gay. Valanciunas has another tough task in front of him as he'll be matching up with DeMarcus Cousins.
DeMar DeRozan had another 30+ point game on Friday night. The only other player to start a season with 5 straight 30+ point games? Michael Jordan.
Tonight's Raptor Track!
Kurtis Blow - "Basketball"
Some rough news today as hip-hop legend Kurtis Blow suffered a heart attack, but survived. He credits the LAPD police officers and first responders for saving his life. Refreshing in this day and age. Why haven't I picked this song on here before? Unknown, but here it is today!
Raptors hit the road for the first time in this early season to take on the Wizards in Washington, DC. Washington's Marcin Gortat has called this a must win. We'll see about that
It's Washington's home opener and the Wizards are 0-2. So I guess I can see why Gortat would say such a drastic thing so early in the season. The Raptors lost to the Wizards in the preseason and the 3-ball was a big factor in that
There's a new coach in town for the Wizards. Gone is Randy Whitman and in his stead is former OKC Thunder coach Scott Brooks
Raptors almost gave up a huge lead to the Denver Nuggets on Monday night, but were able to hold on and close them out. We'll see what Dwane Casey has in store to prevent such a thing from happening tonight
Tonight's Raptor Track!
John Mellencamp - "To Washington"
Here's one from a bygoned era of yesterday. Remember when all of America and most of the world as alight with politcal fervor when W. Bush was first elected back in 2000? It inspired a myriad of anti-war and protest songs. one can only hope that a similar uproar would come to fruition if a certain republican candidate gets elected next week. If anything good could come out of that situation...Back in 2000 John Mellencamp, one of America's favourite sons, grabbed his guitar and had something to say about the state of the White House in his song "To Washington"
