It looks like the NBA are starting to gear up for the new season, by looking at each of the teams on their website.  And regardless of how much anti-Canadian bias Toronto basketball fans think there is, this does actually including reviewing the Raptors.  (Hey, at least we still have a team, unlike Vancouver.)

Here’s their take on the top 10 plays of the Raptors 2012-13 season.  Feel free to disagree in the comments section down below:

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• By English Paul
• August 27, 2013
• Comment

Just when you thought the Munenori Kawasaki angle had been beaten into the ground, here’s an interesting interview with the great man himself, courtesy of Yahoo! Canada.

If you have any tips or information about any of Toronto’s sports teams, please email me at [email protected]

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• By English Paul
• August 27, 2013
• Comment

Good afternoon everyone, enjoying your start to the working week?  Yep, I though not.  Let’s see if we can help you forget about it, even for just a few minutes, with our top Toronto athlete sightings of the last week:

1) PINBALL CLEMONS & MIKE BRADWELL

Now you’d think Mike Bradwell would know better.  You have to be careful around the ever-enthusiastic Pinball Clemons at the best of times, never mind when you’re just heading out to play a game.  The Argonaut’s wide receiver has been listed as day-to-day.

2) SWAYZE WATERS & CHRIS VAN ZEYL

Still with the Argonauts, Swayze Waters and Chris Van Zeyl headed out onto Lake Erie for a spot of fishing.  Don’t even try to convince me that Van Zeyl didn’t use his bare hands to catch his fish.

3) KEVIN PILLAR

I think it’s safe to say Kevin Pillar has had a less than impressive start to his major league career, when it comes to batting.  While in New York, the crew at the MLB fan cave decided to help out by teaching him the basics again.  Should we be at all concerned that the first lesson involved having to explain to the outfielder what he was holding?

4) LANDRY FIELDS

In preparation for the upcoming season, the Raptors Landry Fields headed to New York to plays some basketball.  I’m not entirely sure what’s going on here, but Fields is definitely smirking about something, while the woman interviewing him looks downwards.  Make of that what you will……

5) MAXIMILIANO URRUTI

After taking months to actually get Maximiliano Urruti to sign his contract with Toronto FC, there’s no stopping him now.  The Argentinian has even taken to accosting children and signing their t-shirts, whether they like it or not.

6) JAKE GARDINER

The Leafs Jake Gardiner enjoyed a night out with his brother and some cousins, before they all headed their separate ways for university and work.  What a good-looking family.  And by that, I mean the women.  And by that, I mean the one sitting down.

7) DAVE BOLLAND

The sooner Dave Bolland realises he’s no longer a member of the Chicago Blackhawks, the better.  There’s no excuse for fraternising with the enemy.  Even if they are female and wearing denim shorts………………..(thinking)…………………. Sorry, what were we talking about again?

If you have any tips or information about any of Toronto’s sports teams, please email me at [email protected]

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• By English Paul
• August 26, 2013
• Comment

Jose Bautista is often accused of being far too serious for his own good.  Although, while it doesn’t really bother me either me, can you really blame him with how this year’s gone?

In any event, it looks like the Blue Jays slugger has finally thought: ‘sod it, the season’s a bust. I may as well have some fun’.  And here’s the evidence, courtesy of April Whitzman, the Jays representative in the MLB fan cave:

Of course, you can almost guarantee people will now say Bautista’s joking around too much and needs to be more professional.  But hey, you’ve got to do something to keep yourself entertained when you’re losing a series to the lowly Astros.

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• By English Paul
• August 25, 2013
• Comment
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It was one of those nights for the Argonauts, as they lost their 100th Grey Cup rematch with the Calgary Stampeders.  However, more importantly, they also lost Ricky Ray to a shoulder injury, the severity of which, everyone is anxiously waiting to hear the results of.

If ever a situation called for Superman to come in and save the day, this was it.  Little did we know that not only was Superman at the Skydome, but he’s also an Argos fan:

However, even though it was great to see Dean Cain at the game, he isn’t really Superman.  He is currently in town for the Fan Expo and he was wearing a hat that a fan gave him at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

As such, without the necessary super powers, the actor could do little to help the Argonauts.  But what’s this?  There was another superhero in the house, who was actually prepared to go out on the field and challenge the villainous Calgary Stampeders:

Unfortunately, it was the newly-anointed Ben Affleck edition, rather than Christian Bale’s kick-ass version, resulting in the Stampeders easily trampling all over Batman, on their way to yet another score.  Don’t worry Ben, whatever happens, you’ll always have your performance as Daredevil to fall back on………

Photo credit: @seoulman773

If you have any tips or information about any of Toronto’s sports teams, please email me at [email protected]

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• By English Paul
• August 24, 2013
• Comment

With the NHL season fast approaching, Leafs fans are still divided on whether Dave Nonis gave up too much for Jonathan Bernier. (Ben Scrivens, Matt Frattin and a second round draft pick.)   However, there’s no denying the addition of the 2006 11th overall draft pick does strengthen the goaltending position.

NHL.com briefly caught up with Bernier, to ask him about competing with James Reimer and wearing the Leafs colours for the first time.  And when I say briefly, I mean briefly:

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• By English Paul
• August 23, 2013
• Comment

I thought it was just women who were obsessed by shoes, but apparently not.  It appears that NBA players, including the Raptors DeMar DeRozan, also own a ridiculous amount of footwear:

It’s often argued that a person’s compulsion is the ‘hobby’ itself, rather than whatever it is they’re actually obsessed with.  If true, maybe Dwane Casey can get DeRozan to transfer his addiction to maniacally doing everything within his power to help the team win during the upcoming season.

If the shooting guard can be half as successful as he is at collecting sneakers, the Raptors will be flying into the playoffs next April.

If you have any tips or information about any of Toronto’s sports teams, please email me at [email protected]

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• By English Paul
• August 23, 2013
• Comment

I realise and appreciate that Torontonians are extremely loyal and passionate when it comes to their Leafs, but there has to be limits, right?  Well, apparently not.  Meet Daniel Koziara, who is going to get married in a Leafs tuxedo:

What can I say, Koziara’s bride is one lucky lady.  His bride being Kelly Maher, who is co-host for ‘The Taz Show’ on FM96 in London, Ontario.

Call me a traditionalist, but I trust, hope and prey Koziara will at least take off that cap and put a different shirt on for his actual wedding.  Mind you at this point, nothing would surprise me.

Photo credits: @TazFM96

If you have any tips or information about any of Toronto’s sports teams, please email me at [email protected]

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• By English Paul
• August 23, 2013
• Comment

To call the Blue Jays 2013 campaign a disappointment, is actually a massive understatement.  Whether it’s the never-ending slew of inconsistencies and injuries to the starting rotation, J.P. Arencibia quitting Twitter, or this throw by Melky Cabrera, there’s been numerous moments where you’ve likely almost considered giving up on sports altogether.

(Note, I said ‘almost’.  None of us could ever truly stop following the local teams, hence why MLSE can continue to find new and wonderful ways to screw you out of your hard-earned money.)

Anyway, here’s the latest keystone cops moment, courtesy of yesterday’s 5-3 loss against the Yankees in New York:

Now admittedly, it would have been more appropriate if Rajai Davis had actually dropped the ball, but you know it’s bad when even your own uniforms are conspiring against you.  I’ll leave it to Brett Lawrie to have the final word on this season:

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• By English Paul
• August 23, 2013
• Comment

Uh oh.  Not content with upsetting J.P. Arencibia, it looks like Sportsnets Gregg Zaun has a new target for his unique brand of ‘constructive’ criticism: Toronto’s pedestrians!

To Toronto Pedestrians: If you are not a part of the traffic solution in the city, you are a part of the problem.

— Gregg Zaun (@greggzaun) August 22, 2013

Refresher course: This means don’t walk. Don’t even think about it. Cars hurt when they bump into you pic.twitter.com/h117zKGhLb

— Gregg Zaun (@greggzaun) August 22, 2013

This means walk. In other words, it’s YOUR turn progress on your way pic.twitter.com/wYxcwIGLvb

— Gregg Zaun (@greggzaun) August 22, 2013

Means 2 things, hence 2 symbols. IF you are already in the intersection, you have 4 seconds left. If not DON’T WALK!! pic.twitter.com/lffG4LmbCK

— Gregg Zaun (@greggzaun) August 22, 2013

This sign DOESN’T mean I can jump into the intersection because there are 4 seconds left. pic.twitter.com/Hib6Jiw9og

— Gregg Zaun (@greggzaun) August 22, 2013

cars share the roads with pedestrians and cyclists. Pedestrians don’t share the sidewalks do they. Be considerate. We are ALL in a hurry

— Gregg Zaun (@greggzaun) August 22, 2013

If you walk the streets with your IPOD blaring in your ears, look around once in a while. There are other people out there besides you

— Gregg Zaun (@greggzaun) August 22, 2013

I did not run into anyone. This is my alternative to road rage. Besides TO is a true melting pot. So many don’t speak Crosswalk Signs

— Gregg Zaun (@greggzaun) August 22, 2013

Personally, I think everyone (pedestrians, cyclists and motorists) is as bad as each other in Toronto, but I can totally appreciate Zaun’s frustrations.  Besides, you have to do something to pass the time away while the Blue Jays are in a rain-delay.

Photo credit: www.vimeo.com

If you have any tips or information about any of Toronto’s sports teams, please email me at [email protected]

You can also follow us on Twitter @bluetoro_ca and like us on Facebook

• By English Paul
• August 22, 2013
• Comment