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!

Playoffs Round 1: Game 6: Raptors (1) at Wizards (8)!

Game 6 in Washington, DC. Raptors can wrap this series up and get ready for round 2! Need more of what worked in the fourth quarter Wednesday night and if they do this one should be in the bag.

• Raptors have announced that Fred Van Vleet is available tonight after missing most of the first round with a separated shoulder. The bench mob has been good, but has been lacking that little bit of fire that FVV brings to the second unit
• Wizards announced that Otto Porter JR will miss the remainder of the series after having a small operation on his leg.
• Delon Wright and Jonas Valanciunas gave the Raptors a huge push in the fourth quarter in Game 5. The Wizards are having a tough time adapting to Dwane Casey's various line ups

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Black Sabbath - "The Wizard"

Recently picked this album up on Record Store Day! Black Sabbath's self-titled debut. It's been on my want list for some time. Basically the first ever Metal album. This track came a little unexpected with it's aggressive guitar riffs and Ozzy Osbourne on harmonica!!

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

McHugh's RoadTrip IPA

Raptor's back on the road again and need to take a W away from home to wrap this one up. McHugh's is an Irish brewery and winery. Their Road Trip #4 is inspired by old fashioned New England IPA's

Raptors lead series 3-2!

Playoffs Round 1: Game 5: Wizards (8) at Raptors (1)!

We're back home and we're tied! It's come to this. This is why home court advantage is so important. Neither team has lost at home. Let's not start tonight. Get this one for the entire city of Toronto and Canada!

• All major Toronto sports teams play tonight. The Blue Jays host the Red Sox and The Maple Leafs are in a do or die game 7 in Boston against the Bruins. Raptors looking to regain the lead against the Wizards! TFC and Marlies also in action tonight.
• Fred Van Vleet practiced and looked good, but will not go tonight. OG Anunoby turned his ankle after getting hit by Ibaka and landed on by Gortat. He's a tough kid. He'll play tonight
• John Wall injured his ankle in the last game as well, but closed out the game and no update on it at this time. Probably walked (ran) it off.

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Rage Against The Machine - "Know Your Enemy"

This has nothing in relation to either team name or city, but it's a fantastic pump-up song! Also it's good advice to any team or anyone looking to over come a villain. You have to know your enemy. Their strengths. Their tactics. Most importantly their weaknesses and exploit them.

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Taster's Choice

Doesn't matter what you're having tonight. Whatever it is, make you sure you raise a toast to the memory of those fallen in the recent attack on citizens in Toronto. And raise another one for the heroic first responders of that magnificent city!

Series tied 2-2!

Playoffs Round 1: Game 4: Raptors (1) at Wizards(8)!

We have a series folks. Wizards took game 3, their first at home in the post season. Raptors looking to take this last one and get back that home court advantage for game 5.

• Looks like Van Vleet's injury is a little more serious than originally anticipated. He suffered a seperated shoulder after taking a nasty pick in the last game against Miami. He sits tonight
• The Wizards took advantage of OG and Valanciunas in the pick and roll. Forcing the slower JV to come out and contest Wall and Beal, which gave them easy jumpers. Lets see how the Raptors coaches will adapt to that
• The Raptors bench, which has been the difference maker all season, struggled on Friday night. We need them back to true form, getting in lanes, causing turnovers and passing the ball

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Anti-Flag - "Sodom, Gommorah, Washington DC"

Anti-Flag are a politically driven punk band out of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This one is off their lesser known album The People Or The Gun.

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Coors Light

Gotta go back to the silver bullet, sponsoring the Raptors and bringing it home!

Raptors lead series 2-1