Game 55: Raptors at Hawks!

Big Moves! Big Changes!

• Well it's been an eventful trade deadline on Toronto's part. The biggest deal involved the Raptors trading Jonas Valanciunas, Delon Wright and CJ Miles to Memphis for Marc Gasol.
• Greg Monroe and Malachi Richardson were also shipped out to Brooklyn and Philly respectively to clear some space
• In some lighter news Danny Green has been named to the 3 point contest at the All Star Game.
• Hawks were quiet at the deadline. Miles Plumlee is still out indefinitely due to a knee but the rest of the team is relatively healthy

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Weezer - "My Name Is Jonas"

On the day that was set to be JV's return to the lineup we stand here today to find that the Lethal Lithuanian has been shipped of to Memphis. He's been part of the scenery since 2011, and one of my favourite Raptors, ever. So Jonas, thank you. Delon and CJ you will also be missed. But JV this one is for you. You will not be forgotten

Tonight's Game Day Drink

Brandy De Jerez

I don't want to understate the arrival of Marc Gasol, the Spanish Bull. He's ours now. A Toronto Raptor. He's being brought in to take us further in the post season than we've ever been. So tonight let's enjoy a Spanish brandy that is produced in the "Sherry Triangle" in Spain.

Raptors 2nd in East 39-16! Hawks 12th in East 18-35!

Game 48: Grizzlies at Raptors!

Back On The Hardwood!

• Yes it is true! I am back in the country and it's game time! Heaps have happened in the 10 game span I was away so lets take a look!
• Raptors have signed former Golden State Warrior Patrick McCaw! He comes with a championship pedigree and will wear #1 for the team
• Kyle Lowry has made is return from injury and has been playing back to his All Star self. He recently had an injection to cope with lower back pain. We'll keep an eye on that one.
• OG Anunoby is out for personal reasons and Jonas Valanciunas is still about a week away dealing with his hand injury.
• The Grizzlies are down Chandler Parsons, Kyle Anderson and Canadian Dillon Brooks

Tonight's Raptor Track!

The Displaced - "Grizzled Greg"

Don't really know much about these guys, but it's nice easy song to ease back into this with!

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Tribal IPA Golden Bear Mapua

Just coming back from New Zealand I had the opportunity to try a bunch of Craft Brews while there. Tribal IPA comes from the Golden Bear Brewery in Mapua, NZ. Delightful

Raptors 2nd in East 34-13! Grizzlies 14th in West 19-26!

Game 22: Raptors at Grizzlies!

Naismith Cup Redux!

• In another era these two teams matching up against each other was known as the Naismith Cup. Back when the Grizzlies were in Vancouver (1995-2000) they would play a regular season game in a different Canadian City in honour of James Naismith the Canadian who invented the game
• The Grizzlies have surpassed expectations this year and were on top of the Western Conference standings just a few games ago. Mainly because of the outstanding performance of their point guard Mike Conley. That's not taking anything away from players like Marc Gasol, Garrett Temple and Jaren Johnson Jr. The coaching of JB Bickerstaff deserves some credit too
• Chandler Parsons and Canadian born Dillon Brooks are out tonight for Memphis as are Norm Powell and Greg Monroe for the Raptors. Greg sits with a sore back

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Nina Simone - "Memphis in June"

It's a far cry from June, but the vocal power of Nina Simone can make you forget even the harshest of Winter weather.

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Polar Beer

Yes that says Polar BEER. No it's not a Grizzly bear, but referencing a bear nontheless! Drank this alot during my time in Iceland

Raptors 1st in East 17-4! Grizzlies 4th in West 12-7!

Game 52: Grizzlies at Raptors!

It's Super Bowl Sunday, but that doesn't mean we can't find time for hoops! Raptors looking to make quick work of the visiting Grizzlies so they can get to where they need to be watch the Eagles take on the Patriots later today!

• CJ Miles is listed as questionable for this game as he missed the last 2 with knee soreness, other that all Raptors are available
• The Grizzlies on the other hand are missing quite a few players, Tyreke Evans, Mario Chalmers, Chandler Parsons and Mike Conley will all sit for the struggling Memphis squad
• Marc Gasol is in, but his name has been thrown around alot in trade rumours. February 8th is the trade deadline. Keep an eye on Memphis and the big Spaniard.

Today's Raptor Track!

The Holdsteady - "The Bear & The Maiden Fair"

This one brought to us by the 3rd or 4th season of Game Of Thrones? I Forget, but the episode definitely featured a huge Grizzly Bear!

Today's Game Day Drink!

Viewer's Choice

Maybe a bit of a cop-out, but it's Super Bowl Sunday! There should be plenty of options at your disposal tonight! Beer, wine, mixed-drinks and even some champagne for later! Cheers!

Raptors 2nd in East 35-16! Grizzlies 12th in West 18-33!

Game 23: Raptors at Memphis!

20 years ago whenever the Raptors and Grizzlies faced off it would be known as the Naismith Classic and it would be held in a different Canadian City each time. Of course that was when the Grizzlies were playing in Vancouver as 1 of the only 2 teams in the NBA situated outside of the US. Today only the Raptors remain as the Grizzles folded up shop and moved to Memphis in 1999. Will we ever see another Vancouver NBA team? Here's hoping, but only time will tell!

• Things haven't been a dance around the maypole in Memphis lately. After a disastrous start the organization fired head coach David Fizdale, and it has been hinted that they are listening to trade offers for Marc Gasol. Toronto has been one of the teams that those rumours are linked to.
• Mike Conley is out for the Grizzlies too. Another point of contention for Memphis fans is the highly paid point guard has spent plenty of time on the injured list instead of on the court
• Raptors are still without Delon Wright and Lucas Nogueira. Toronto is hoping to remain mostly healthy heading into the holidays, but they have a 4 game road swing to get out of the way first. It starts tonight in Memphis

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Joe Jackson - "Memphis"

Joe Jackson has been mainly known for his roots and inspiration of the New Wave scene of the late 70's and early 80's before shifting over to a more Jazz infused style. "Memphis"is off the soundtrack to the 1983 movie Mike's Murder which Jackson composed the music for

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Ambear Red Ale

For tonight's game day drink I needn't look much further than the glass in my hand. My wife picked up a Cameron's Brewing Sampler on her way home and the AmBEAR Red Ale is one of the options. This frothy, amber beer is best served cold. Sure the bear on the can is more Black Bear than Grizzly and Cameron's is a Canadian brewing company and not in Tennessee, but work with me here! It's a BEAR people!

Raptors 3rd in East 15-7! Grizzlies 12th in West 8-16!

Game 46: Raptors at Grizzlies!

:(:(:(:(

When was the last time I talked about the Raptors winning? Let's leave that 4 game losing streak behind us and get a W tonight! Raptors in Memphis to take on the Grizz.

• DeRozan will be sitting tonight as he is still dealing with a sprained ankle. Patrick Patterson did come back last night and definitely made an impression bringing energy and shooting the 3. All in all the Raps only lost to the Spurs by 2
• Everyone is good to go for Memphis. Except Brandan Wright and Troy Daniels. Memphis are a big defensive team. Jonas and Bebe (Or the VN Towers as I call them) need to be on their A game
• After this the Raps get a bit of a break and head home for a 3 game home stint, Need to get this one though. No more BS

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Chuck Berry - "Memphis" (featuring John Lennon)

The great Chuck Berry makes his first appearance on Raptortracks! Another fun video for this song is the one where he's performing with John Lennon and Yoko Ono on the Michael Douglas show. Halfway through the song, Yoko feels she's not getting her creativity out and just starts worbbling into the mic. The look on Chuck's face.....haha oh man...so good. Ah hell, i'll just link it here.

Raptors (still) 2nd in East 28-17! Grizzlies 7th in West 26-20!

Game 18: Grizzlies at Raptors!

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!