Preseason Game 4: Pistons at Raptors!

We are finally home in Toronto for the first time this preseason! It's the Detroit Pistons who have come to play as the game gets under way at 7pm!

• How different do the Pistons look this year? Nothing has changed drastically. Detroit did pick up Avery Bradley from Boston trading Marcus Morris to get him. Though he tweaked his ankle earlier this year, so it's likely that he's out
• Andre Drummond sat the last game out with pink eye (yikes), but according to Pistons head coach and GM Stan Van "The Man" Gundy, he will play. It's always a fun battle down low with Drummond and Valanciunas
• OG Anunoby has been cleared for 5 on 5 action and is not listed as out for this game, so it could be the debut of the Toronto rookie

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Poisonblack - "Piston Head"

We get our song from Finnish heavy metal band Poisonblack tonight and their song "Piston Head". Track 1 on their 2011 song Drive.

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Pistonhead - Flat Tire Lager

Pistonhead are created and distributed from Swedish based Brutal Brewing co. Here's a description of Flat Tire from their website: A balanced and rich malt body and balanced, slightly marked bitterness. Centennial and mosaic varieties of hops give the beer a fresh floral aroma with hints of tropical fruit and citrus.

Preseason Game 3: Raptors at Trailblazers!

While they're not playing at 1am on a weeknight in this one, it's still a late game as The Raptors are on the West Coast for a match up with the Portland Trailblazers! Oregon yo.

• Though he missed last game due to sore ankle it has been reported today that Norman Powell has agreed to a 4yr $42 Million Contract Extension with the Toronto Raptors. Considering the hype around this guy, his potential ceiling and what we've already seen on the court, this is a very very good deal for Toronto. Praise Masai.
• Lowry sat for the last game to have a little rest. Nothing to worry about, though i'm going to assume DeRozan or Ibaka, maybe both will rest tonight. No word yet though.
• Not much has changed in Portland over the offseason. The Blazers still have their studs Lillard and McCollum. They still have Jusuf Nurkic after acquiring him in a trade last year with the Nuggets, which i'm sure was only to stop the confusion with Nikola Jokic.

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Al Stewart - "Katherine Of Oregon"

Al Stewart was a Scottish singer/songwriter from Glasgow. He knew Yoko Ono before she met John Lennon and even shared a flat with a young Paul Simon. Quite a Forrest Gump here. "Katherine Of Oregon" comes from his album A Beach Full Of Shells released in 2005

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

McTarnahan's Amber Ale

This is one of Portland Brewing's 2 offerings, the other one being an IPA with an Elephant on it. I like elephants. And I like Beer. The Amber Ale sounds like a nice refreshing ale to kick back and enjoy a good match with. Pick me up a 6 pack would ya?

https://www.portlandbrewing.com/

Preseason Game 2: Clippers at Raptors!

Yeah I know officially the game is booked as a home game for LA, but I got it backwards on Sunday so i'm switching it up for tonight's header. Raptors are still in the Island State as they face the new look Los Angeles Clippers in Honolulu, Hawaii.

• Raptors won the first match-up between these two teams on Sunday. It was a good showcase for the young talent trying to make the team on both sides
• Fred Van Vleet and Delon Wright looked good for the Raptors as did Norman Powell. Though we knew he's going to turn out pretty well. Hopefully we get to see more of Alfonzo McKinnie, KJ McDaniels and few others tonight
• The Clippers have an interesting rookie prospect in Milos Teodosic. Though he's 30 years old he's considered a rookie because it's his first year in the NBA, having played the majority of his career in Europe

Tonight's Raptor Track!

The Strokes - "Hawaii"

The Strokes have always seemed to just bounce off me. Never a huge fan and no real disdain for them either, but lately i've been checking them out more and more. I Like what I hear. "Hawaii" was the b-side to the single "Jukebox" released in 2005.

Tonight's Game Day Drink

Great Lakes Alberta Clipper

Sure it comes out of Ohio based brewing company Great Lakes, but it is called Alberta Clipper and at 7.8% abv it'll likely get you drunk. It's a late game so don't have too many of these, but it's the drink of choice as the NBA Preseason Hawaii games finish up tonight

BruNo? BruYes!

Preseason Game 1: Raptors at Clippers!

HOOOOWEEEEOOOOOOO it's basketball season again! And this year the Raptors are kicking things off in Hawaii!! There's been a few changes so let's take a look at the rundown as the Raptors take on the Clippers tonight!!

• It's a new season and with every new season there are new changes. Patrick Patterson has signed in OKC. PJ Tucker is now a Houston Rocket. DeMarre Carroll has been traded to the Brooklyn Nets and Cory Joseph has been traded to the Indiana Pacers for CJ Miles.
• With the 20th pick in the draft the Raptors selected OG Anunoby who last played at Indiana University. OG was slated to be a top 10 pick but fell to the Raptors after some injury issues. No word on whether he'll play tonight.
• The Clippers have been through a few changes as well, namely Chris Paul who was traded to Houston for a myriad of players including Lou Williams, Sam Dekker and Patrick Beverly.

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Israel Kamakawiwo'ole - "Somewhere Over The Rainbow"

As tonight's game is coming from Honolulu, Hawaii I figured i'd play a song from one of their favourite sons. Big IZ was an acclaimed ukelele player and singer, though due to his weight issues he passed away at the age of 38. Scenes from his funeral are in the below video. His ashes being spread into the Pacific Ocean.

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Spiked Hawaiian Punch

It's a new feature here at Raptors Tracks! Nothing better than kicking back while watching a game and having a cold drink. So to go with the games i'm gonna make a friendly drink suggestion. Tonight's is simple enough. Some spiked Hawaiian Punch

Playoff Series 2: Game 4 Cavaliers at Raptors!

Do or Die Time Boys!!

Well it's game 4 and the Cavaliers have a 3-0 advantage in the series....you gotta fuckin' get em now

• Kyle Lowry missed game 3 with a sore ankle. This might be the last game of the year so I would expect him to play tonight
• The Raptors had a better showing on Friday night. Holding a lead into the 3rd quarter until the Cavs barrage of three pointers continued with Kyle Korver...fuckin guy...leading the charge
• Raps need a win today to extend their season. Though game 5 will take place back in Cleveland which hasn't been an easy place for anyone to play

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Lenny Kravitz - "It Ain't Over 'Til It's Over"

Playoff Round 2: Game 3 Cavaliers at Raptors!

Protect Home Court!!!

After a poor showing and a loss in game 2 The Raptors are hoping to bounce back against Cleveland tonight on their home court for game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals

• LeBron James seems to be un-goddamn-stoppable. But I don't appreciate him trying to clown the Raptors. Next time he spins the ball before he shoots it I hope Ibaka puts him on his ass
• Kyle Lowry injured his ankle in game 2. It didn't keep him down for long, but it has been reassessed for tonights game. Everyone knows Lowry would need to amputate a limb to keep from playing, but anything can happen
• Dwane Casey and his coaching staff had better figure out a plan to keep these Cavs at bay, or it's going to be a short series

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Schoolhouse Rock - "3 Is A Magic Number"

Picked this one for more than one reason. First of all it's a badass song. Secondly it's game three, at home anything can happen and it needs to happen for a little optimism and lastly The Raptors need to makes some threes to keep up with Cleveland's onslaught of shooting. LET'S GO RAPS!!!

Playoff Series 2: Game 1 Raptors at Cavs!

ROUND TWO BITCHES!!!

Raps took care of business in round 1 eliminated the Bucks in less than 7 games for the first time in franchise history! Now no one is giving them a snowball's chance in hell against the Cavs in round 2...except me

• The Cavaliers took care of the Indiana Pacers in a 4 game sweep and have been waiting for us since April 24th.
• Though they looked like they were slipping since the All-Star break, losing the 1st seed and resting their star players, the Cavs came back with force in the first round. Their new additions of Deron Williams, Derrick Williams, and Edy Tavares (Raptors 905 alumni) seemed to fit in well
• Raptors need to swing the ball out of double teams, hammer down on defense and release the Norm!

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Coheed & Cambria - "Here We Are Juggernaut"

This is a great song to go along with facing great adversity, David & Goliath. Looking death in the eye. Laughing at danger and breaking all the rules!