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Raptors

Raptors beat Hornets in over-time: Team continues to grow

As the saying goes, winning cures all ills.  However, it also helps if you have teammates that actually like being around each other.  Whether it was intentional or not, one of the benefits of GM Bryan Colangelo building a young roster is that, as well as gradually gelling as a team on the court, they also grow together as friends off the court.

You only have to look on Twitter most days to find evidence of the players hanging out or joking around together, such as this photo taken before yesterdays game in New Orleans:

From listening to the Raptors post-game show after the win, people were frustrated by how DeMar DeRozan, Amir Johnson and company allowed a struggling team like the Hornets to come back from a 13-point deficit and force overtime.  However, keep in mind that the Raptors were, themselves, a struggling team until recently!

Also, after several fourth-quarter meltdowns earlier in the season, I’m just happy they are now winning games, no matter how they’re doing it!  Don’t think the team is resting on their laurels though.

Despite the advantages of having a young squad who can grow together, it still helps to have a veteran presence on the team.  Showing his leadership skills, Jose Calderon took to Twitter to compliment his team and sum up his feelings about how he played against the Hornets:

Accepting the blame for a bad performance shows what a stand-up guy Calderon is.  At least Landry Fields was on hand to make him feel better:

I’m the first to admit I always try to look for the positives where the Raptors are concerned but I truly believe this is a team that gets on well together, which can only be of benefit down the line.  As the season continues, look for them to continue to improve.

They most probably won’t make the playoffs in 2013, but the Raptors are being built to contend for the long-term.  And depending on how this season pans out, they may just save Colangelo’s job yet.  (Cue collective groan from Raptors nation.)

Photo credits: @eddavis32

Meltdown

Toronto Raptors lose sixth straight to Brooklyn Nets

Wow. It’s getting pretty ugly in Raptor land isn’t it?  At 4-19, and on a six-game losing streak, the Raptors now own the second-worst record in the entire NBA.

The team was only able to suit up eight healthy players* for last nights defeat at home to the Nets.  The fans are at breaking point and calling for heads to roll.  With the exception of the delightful Raptor mascot of course.

* I bet there’s nights’ when Hugh Hefner has more bodies to work with.

No prizes for guessing which two people in particular Raptors Nation want to see booted out of town:

Bryan Colangelo & Andre Bargnani

I know this is a bit of a foreign concept for Toronto sports fans in general, but if you were actually able to look at the positive side, the Raptors fought hard last night and put in a solid effort despite only having eight players available. (Ed Davis in particular looked impressive with 24 points and 12 boards.)

Also, there were no further injuries to add to an ever-growing list that must be giving fans flashbacks to the Blue Jays 2012 campaign.  And let’s not forget the unexpected news that Amir Johnson (one of the more hard-working members on the roster) only had to serve a one-game suspension despite flinging a saliva-filled mouth guard at one of the officials*.

* I can’t even be bothered to find the refs name.  But they don’t really deserve the publicity anyway after their over-reaction to Johnson just wanting the damn ball.  (Copyright Keyshawn Johnson.)

Don’t get me wrong though, I realise that no matter how optimistic I want to try and be about the Raptors, this picture pretty much sums up their playoff hopes for the 2012-13 season as well as confirming how well they’ve been playing:

Jose Calderon & Andrea Bargnani raptors exSTINKt
Combo

Blue Toro’s top pictures & stories of the week

I can’t decide if it’s been a busier seven days than usual in the Toronto sports world or if I’ve just been working harder than I normally do…………………(thinking)……………..yeah, it’s probably the latter.  In any event, here’s Blue Toro’s top pictures and stories of the week:

1) The week kicked off with a photo of a Roberto Luongo Maple Leafs jersey apparently on display in a Toronto-based sports store.  It turns out it was just a marketing ploy to increase sales.

However, this hasn’t stopped rumours circulating that Luongo will join the Leafs whenever the lockout (eventually) ends.  With opinion is divided, one person in Vancouver made their thoughts on the goaltender perfectly clear:

2) Actually, talking of the NHL lockout, some fans still haven’t been deterred from spending their money on merchandise.  Take, for example, the Maple Leafs supporter who purchased an eraser and then proudly displayed it on Twitter:

It certainly begs the question of how long before the 2012-13 season is completely erased?  (Oh come on!  You knew it was coming!)

3) If the season does get cancelled, a lot of the blame will (quite rightly) fall firmly on the shoulders of Gary Bettman.  Everyone was both amused and frustrated by his 22-second news conference earlier this week.  However, we’ve since found out why he was so eager to get out of there before anyone learned the truth:

Let’s just hope we don’t find out he’s ’the chosen one’s' father.  Although it would explain why Sidney Crosby hasn’t been penalised for spending time with ‘the dark side’ (i.e. the owners) during these negotiations.

4) The New York Post caused a storm by publishing a picture of Derek Jeter with the headline ‘Derek Eater’.  However, after another photo of Jeter appeared soon after, looking as slim as ever, the Post was slammed from all corners.

One possible theory was that Jeter never actually got that big and the Post, desperate for a story on a slow news day, merely found an unflattering photo of Jeter to publish.

We’ll have to remember that in case we’re ever struggling for news.  In fact, by some strange coincidence, we’ve just unearthed a recent photo of Jose Bautista, who also appears to be struggling with his weight as he recovers from a wrist injury:

I guess I could be worried about any negative criticism but then I remembered how small our readership is so I think we’re in the clear.

5) Let’s be honest, the Raptors are having a nightmare so far this season.  Ranking near the bottom of the standings, people are questioning their talent and ability to close out games.

Fortunately, this lack of magic is only confined to on the court.  Here’s Ed Davis eating a floating ice cream without the use of his hands:

If only there was some way for Davis and the rest of the Raptors to make the basketball float in the air when they’re playing.  Hold on a minute……

6) Sticking with the Raptors, everyone loves former fan favourite Morris Peterson.  And this week, I discovered conclusive proof to the theory that ‘Mo Pete’ often had to provide upfront support to a couple of mostly useless lumps during games:

(Actually, that one’s more likely to get us into trouble that the Bautista picture.)

7) After the flurry of activity that has taken place since the Blue Jays season finished, the MLB winter meetings were always going to be anticlimactic.  However, one Jays fanatic was particularly morose after the lack of action this week in Nashville:

Seesh, there’s just no pleasing some fans!

8 ) I suppose it’s only fitting that we end this week’s edition by returning to the ongoing NHL lockout, which is fast approaching the point of no return.  Optimism was high earlier in the week that talks between the two sides were going well

Just remember, no deal will be agreed without the presence of these two individuals:

Enjoy your weekend………if you can.

Raptors

Raptors Ed Davis eats a floating ice cream

It is often claimed that the NBA has the best athletes in the world.  Capable of mesmerising crowds, their skills and ability have at times been described as ‘out of this world’.

Unfortunately, the Raptors have received no such accolades of late, mostly because of their struggles on the court this season.  However, we’re glad to report this apparent lack of talent doesn’t extend to off the court, as per this photo Amir Johnson took of Ed Davis last night appearing to eat some ice cream without his hands:

If only there was some way the Raptors could make the basketball float in the air.

Photo credit: @IamAmirJohnson

Groupie

Raptors DeMar DeRozan signs authographs at Yorkdale Mall

We now interrupt our regularly scheduled programming to bring you that rarest of commodities; a feel good story featuring your Toronto Raptors.

After entering the season with high hopes, the Raptors have so far endured a nightmare campaign.  To say the locals are riled is an understatement and the criticism is beginning to get ugly, especially towards Andrea Bargnani.

However, DeMar DeRozan, one of the few positives so far from the 2012-13 season, took time out yesterday to go to Champs Sports in Yorkdale mall for a signing session, accompanied by teammate Ed Davis.

For anyone who considers these events a waste of time, consider these following tweets and photos taken by people who got the chance to meet DeRozan:

 

 

And it’s not just the fans who feel the positive impact of events such as these.  If DeRozan is lucky enough, he’s going to have two women fighting over him:

Don’t worry girls, I’m sure he will be more than happy to make time for both of you.

Photo credits: @DeMar_DeRozan & @Nedata