Preseason Game 4: Nets at Raptors!

Fuque Les Nets!

• Bonjour! We are returning to preseason basketball tonight as the Brooklyn Nets are in Montreal, QC to do battle with an Atlantic division foe the Toronto Raptors
• Brooklyn is still reeling from their big blockbuster trade a few years ago that saw them give up some key draft picks for a year and a bit of Paul Pearce and Kevin Garnett. Though beams of sunlight are beginning to shine through the cracks as new Nets GM (and former Raptor) Sean Marks has slowly but steadily began to gather assets and develop young talent.
• A few former Raptors play for Brooklyn, DeMarre Carroll who the Raptors traded away before last season, Quincy Acy is back in the Boroughs and newly acquired Ed Davis was recently picked up as a free agent. Raptors drafted Davis in the 2010 Draft as a replacement Chris Bosh before trading him away in 2013 as part of the Rudy Gay deal
• Norman Powell injured his leg in the game against Melbourne United. A game that saw him score 25 points with some impressive dunks. The injury isn't serious, but he might sit out for precautionary reasons. OG Anunoby returns to the team tonight.

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Sloan - "Green Gardens, Cold Montreal"

Not sure what the weather is like in Montreal tonight, but here in Ottawa it's pretty agreeable. Though any Canadian city will have a tough task to convince outsiders that they're anything but an icebox. So might as well embrace it. Today's track is from the Canadian Fab Four, Sloan who hail from the East Coast of the Country. This one is from their 2011 album The Double Cross.

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Labatt Bleue

Labatt Bleue  est une bière canadienne blonde. Bouteille de style « long neck », de couleur brune, avec étiquette et capsule bleues.

Raptors Preseason record 2-1! Nets Preseason record 1-1!

Preseason Game 3: Melbourne at Raptors!

The State Of Your Preseason, Mate

• Raptors make their first appearance on their home court tonight as a globe trotting Melbourne team is in town for an exhibition game. Though you wouldn't know it, it's almost impossible to find any information about tonight's game
• OG Anunoby is still on leave from the team due to a loss in his family

Tonight's Raptor Track!

The Shins - "Australia"

I could have went super obvious here and picked "Land Down Under" by Men At Work, but that's not what i'm about. A little basketball info, a little drinky poo to try and a little bit of new music for everyone to discover

Tonight's Game Day Drink

Foster's

Nothing like a giant can of Foster's from deep down under to enjoy some preseason basketball with....can't wait until the regular season starts

Raptors preseason record 1-1!

Preseason Game 2: Raptors at Jazz!

How Hungry Are You?

(You might want to start tonight's song now)

• Raptors pulled out the win on Saturday against the Trailblazers 122-104. Though for the most part it was a showcase of the benches. Lorenzo Brown looked great scoring 10 points in 15 minutes. His contract is only partially guaranteed for the upcoming season, but more performances like that might change that
• OG Anunoby was excused from the game on Saturday and tonight due to a death in the family. We're thinking about him and his family in this tough time.
• The Jazz are looking forward to a successful season in 2018-19. With the 21st pick in this year's draft they selected Grayson Allen from Duke, who impressed in their first preseason game where he sunk all 4 of his 3pt attempts. Donovan Mitchell, who lost out on Rookie of the Year to Ben Simmons will be their starting point guard and they still have Rudy Gobert, the reigning Defensive Player Of The Year.

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Miles Davis - "So What"

Usually I try to pick a song who's artist or title shares a name with one of the teams or cities thats playing tonight. The Utah Jazz are a tough one....not many options there, same with San Antonio. At least the Jazz are named after a style of music, so I googled 'Best Jazz Songs' and chose the first that came up. I'm not surprised it's a Miles Davis jam

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Rye & Coke

Yeah baybaybay!! Usually this is the drink I kick off the season with, but the first game was in Vancouver so I gave them a nod. Tonight is a whisky drink and a beaut!

Raptors preseason record 1-0! Jazz preseason record 1-0!

Preseason Game 1: Trailblazers at Raptors!

Kawhi Leonard is a Toronto Raptor

It is that time of year again when the NBA season draws near! As far as off-seasons go, it's safe to say that no other team had a busier and more dramatic one than the Toronto Raptors. Let's recap.

• Shortly after getting swept by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Conference Semi-Finals, Dwane Casey was let go as Toronto's head coach. He would be replaced by long-time assistant Nick Nurse. Casey would win the 2018 coach of the year thanks to the regular season success of his time and sign a deal with the Detroit Pistons to be their new Coach
• Perhaps the biggest question of last year was what was going to happen with Kawhi Leonard and the San Antonio Spurs. After only playing 9 games last year rumours started to spin that Leonard wanted out of San Antonio. Shocking everyone the Toronto Raptors traded franchise Super Star DeMar DeRozan and Jakob Poeltl to the Spurs in exchange for Danny Green and Kawhi Leonard. 2 time Defensive Player Of The Year and Finals MVP in 2014.
• In a few other moves the Raptors picked up big man Greg Monroe on a one year deal and also parted ways with Lucas "Bebe" Noguiera who signed overseas
• Tonight's game takes place in Vancouver BC, in the Rogers arena where the Vancouver Grizzlies used to call home

Tonight's Raptor Track

Blind Melon - "Change"

I was gonna do David Bowie "Changes", but I feel Blind Melon's song hits the reasoning behind the moves the Raptors made a little better. Can't be afraid of change, things can't be the same forever, especially if you want different results

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Vancouver Special IPA

I did this last year and thought it was a fun adventure, so let's bring it back for another season.

So let's all sit back, with a Vancouver Special IPA, and enjoy some NBA basketball once again!

Kawhi Leonard is a Toronto Raptor

Playoffs Round 2: Game 4: Raptors (1) at Cavaliers (4)!

I Don't want this to be the final post I write this season. Stay alive Raptors. Let's do this..

• LeBron James is an absolute beast. There's really no other way to say it. We should all be sure to cherish the fact that we are seeing him do incredible things as they happen. That being said, The Raptors need to find a way to neutralize his scoring ability or take everyone else out of the picture. Otherwise, this season is done
• Masai Ujiri was fined $25,000 by the NBA for walking on the court and confronting a ref about the officiating. That's a President of a Basketball Club ladies and gents
• Fred Van Vleet was inserted into the starting lineup in replace of Serge Ibaka. Though the Raptors got off to a slow start, the minutes seemed to pay off down the stretch

Tonight's Raptor Track!

The Band - "Look Out Cleveland"

It's a Canadian group lamenting about Cleveland. Kinda like what we got going on in this game.

I don't understand how people cannot enjoy The Band

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Vodka Red Bull

Frig I can't stand the smell or taste of Red Bull but it does give you an energy boost. That's exactly what the Raptors need right now. Ram this game down their throats and stay alive!

Cavaliers lead series 3-0!

Playoffs Round 2: Game 3: Raptors (1) at Cavaliers (4)!

Well things are pretty grim around Raptor world these days. It's the playoffs though! Have to believe! Pull out all the stops! Take no prisoners! Raptors in Cleveland for game 3!!

• Raptors need to either find an answer for LeBron or let him go off and take care of his supporting cast. Can't have LeBron, Love and Jeff Green getting whatever they want.
• Serge Ibaka is missing. It's a fact. Dwane Casey needs to either figure out a different starting line up or pull Ibaka quicker if it's clear that the same woes are befalling him
• I said last game was a must win. Tonight. We. Must. Win.

Tonight's Raptor Track!

The Offspring - "Defy You"

Need some more pump up songs in this one! Offspring's "Defy You" from the album Conspiracy of One  is one of my all time favourites!

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Pregnant Wife

Don't be reading super into this one folks. A buddy of mine is coming with a bottle of gin. Mix that with lemonade and thats what they call it! A pregnant wife.

Cavaliers lead the series 2-0!

Playoffs Round 2: Game 2: Cavaliers (4) at Raptors (1)!

Sorry about missing game one. Had an old friend in town and was in no shape to Raptor Track! Raptors took care of the Wizards in 6 games, but dropped the first game of round 2 to the Cavaliers! Gotta get this next one at home!!

• Raptors led for the entirety of Game 1 in regulation time. And lost by one point in overtime. Must clean up turnovers, take care of the 3 point line and make your free throws!
• Where the Raptors have a deep bench and used it on Tuesday night, the Cavaliers kept their bench short. Larry Nance Jr, Cedi Osman and Jose Calderon all failed to see court time
• Raptors need to get this one. It's dangerous to go down 2 heading into Cleveland. Early start tonight 6pm!

Tonight's Raptor Track!

James Vincent McMorrow - "Cavalier"

McMorrow is an Irish singer/songwriter from Dublin. He has 3 studio albums to his name. The lead off track from his 2014 album Post Tropical is called "Cavalier". Perfect fit

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Budweiser

Well...it is the King of Beers!

Cavaliers lead the series 1-0!