Hip Hoop Junkies and Hoop Heads North present the RAPS TALK Audio Podcast - Episode 2 (11.29.10)

The Hip Hoop Junkies and Hoop Heads North fam recently got together and decided to start our own hoops audio podcast entitled "RAPS TALK".  Raps Talk is a roundtable discussion based on the Toronto Raptors.  This is where we'll talk about how terrible the Raps are (or how good they are), what curse word Jay Triano used in the latest press conference  and what else has been happening around the NBA.  We're a panel of four dudes based out of Halifax, Nova Scotia and we plan on bring the podcast on a weekly basis.

Below is Episode 2, where we talk about the Raps recent winning (and losing) streak, our thoughts on the recent lineup changes, what we thought of Stojakovic and Bayless' Raptors debut and we also bounce around the NBA and talk some Lebron and ROY predictions.

RAPS TALK, EPISODE 2 (11.29.2010) 
Panel: Romy Aquino, U-E Sampang, Sean Francois and Ryan Dickison


And in case you missed Episode 1, take a listen here.

EPISODE 1 (11.23.2010)


You can subscribe to our feed on iTunes, here's how:

1. Open up iTunes
2. Go to ADVANCED>Subscribe to Podcast...
3. Enter the following URL: http://feeds.feedburner.com/RapsTalk
4. Hit OK and you're set!

Please let us know what you think of the podcast in the comments section below.

Hawks Handle the Reggie-less Raptors - HAWKS 96, RAPTORS 78

written by Ryan Dickison
 
HAWKS 96, RAPS 78
Leading into Sunday’s game against Atlanta, the Raptors had won seven of their previous nine home afternoon games. The Hawks meanwhile, rolled into Toronto on a back-to-back coming off a win on Saturday over the New York Knicks.

Those Inconsistent Hawks Roll into the T-Dot

This afternoon, the Raptors look to avoid a losing streak when they face off against the 10-7 Atlanta Hawks who started off the season 6-0.  Whether it was a easy schedule to start the season or not, the Hawks have been somewhat all over the place.  So much so, that Coach Larry Drew called them out earlier this week, calling their performance "embarrassing".  The call out may have worked as they bounced back last yesterday with a win over the Knicks.

The Old Guys Prevail - CELTICS 110, RAPTORS 101

CELTICS 110, RAPS 101
I think we all saw this coming.  The Celtics were looking for revenge after losing to the Raps last Sunday afternoon, and the old guys prevailed last night.  The Celtics also had a body back that they were missing from last Sunday's game too.  Rajon Rondo.  Rondo and the Celtics dominated immediately in the first quarter, building a 31-20 lead after one quarter.  The Raps on the other hand, struggled to put out a consistent effort in the 9-point loss to the Celtics.

FROM HALI TO T.O. - Hip Hoop Junkies takes a trip from Halifax to Toronto

So this past weekend I took a short little vacation to Toronto to catch a couple of Toronto Raptors games. I caught two great Raptor wins, with victories over both the Rockets and the Celtics. I was also able to check out All Access with Sonny Weems and DeMar DeRozan (hosted by RaptorSpace Kat) at Real Sports. Check it out...



Make sure you check out previous videos on our Youtube channel, HipHoopJunkiesTV

Bargnani, Boards & Bayless - RAPTORS 106, SIXERS 90

RAPS 106, SIXERS 90

Can you say four-game winning streak?  It looks like Raptors have gained a new level of confidence in themselves after wins against the Celtics, Rockets and now two wins against the Sixers.  Reggie Evans grabbed a career-high 22 boards last night, which was two shy of Donyell Marshall's team record of 24.  It's kind of crazy that Evans was traded from the Sixers back in June in '09 for who?  Jason Kapono.  I guess we can easily say that the trade worked out okay for the Raps.  Evans also had 12 points to go with his bucket full of boards in his first double double of the season.

Hip Hoop Junkies & Hoop Heads North - RAPS TALK Ep. 10 (Nov 23/10)

Check out the latest episode of RAPS TALK (Episode 10) where we discuss the last week with the Toronto Raptors. This week, we discuss the Raps' recent win streak, the newest Raptors Peja Stojakovic and Jerryd Bayless and the latest on the rook, Ed Davis. We also welcome another member to the crew, Ryan Dickison.




Make sure you check out previous videos on our Youtube channel, HipHoopJunkiesTV

Amir 3000 Seals the Deal - RAPTORS 102, CELTICS 101

written by Ryan Dickison

RAPS 102, CELTICS 101
The Toronto Raptors entered Sunday’s game against the Boston Celtics with a few familiar faces missing from their usual rotation. Jarrett Jack, David Andersen and Marcus Banks were sent to the Big Easy in a 5-player deal for combo-guard Jarryd Bayless, shooting guard Peja Stojakovic and cash considerations.

It's Always Sonny in Philadelphia - RAPTORS 94, SIXERS 86

RAPS 94, SIXERS 86
Well, that wasn't too bad.  The Raps ended their four game road trip with a 2-2 record, including a 94-86 win over the Philadelphia 76ers last night.  Sonny Weems put up a career high 25 points, playing a team-high 41 minutes.  The Raps had decent night offensively, and one thing that is quite apparent is that the Raptors' success this year depends largely on Andrea Bargnani's offense.  If Andrea Bargnani is having an offnight, it's going to be tough for this team to win games.  Bargs had a season-high 30 points on 12 of 18 shooting to lead all scorers.  Toronto had an impressive fourth quarter outscoring the Iguodala-less Sixers squad 25-15.

Hip Hoop Junkies & Hoop Heads North - RAPS TALK Ep. 9 (Nov 16/10)

It's a new NBA season and we're back it again for another season of Toronto Raptors vlogs.  It's been a rough start for the Raps, with the team racking up a pile of losses to start the season.  So this week, Sean, U-E and myself had a roundtable discussion about both the pleasure and the pain of this 2010-11 Toronto Raptors team.



Big ups to Jeorge for the camera work!

Make sure you follow the three of us on Twitter:
@romyaquino, @uesampang and @seanfrancois

"It was a hell of a ride." Matt Devlin talks with Chris Bosh

Chris Bosh hasn't been overly impressive with the Miami Heat so far averaging just 14 points per game to go along with 6 boards/game. Matt Devlin had the chance to talk with Chris Bosh when the Raptors visited the Miami Heat over the weekend. Bosh talked free agency, what didn't work with the Raptors, what he would have done differently and what he loved about the city of Toronto.


What did you think of the interview?

Raps Take Tired Talents to South Beach - HEAT 109, RAPTORS 100

 HEAT 109, RAPS 100
Coming off a hard-fought battle against the Orlando Magic the night before, the Raps had another tough test against former teammate, Chris Bosh, and the Miami Heat last night.  But Bosh didn't get a chance to stick it to the Raptors last night, finishing with just 12 points and 6 boards in only 22 minutes due to foul trouble.

Win.....Number......2!!! RAPTORS 110, MAGIC 106

RAPS 110, MAGIC 106
Going into this game, I had little faith that the Raps could pull out more than one win on this four-game road trip.  And I really didn't think this would be the game the Raps would win.  But DeMar DeRozan helped lead the Raps to a victory with his career-high 26 points (8-13) to go with his 7 boards and 2 assists. 

Oh, Those Bargnani Turnovers - BOBCATS 101, RAPS 96

written by guest blogger, Ryan Dickison

BOBCATS 101, RAPS 96

Wednesday’s game against the Charlotte Bobcats began with an Andrea Bargnani turnover and ended on an Andrea Bargnani turnover. In the words of Alanis Morissette, isn’t it ironic, don’t you think??   

In what was a must win game for both teams opening this young season with a 1-6 record, the Raptors looked to establish Bargnani early which led to an impressive 5 of 6 shooting from the field for 10 of the 22 first quarter Raptor points. It was important for the first unit to get out to a strong start after falling behind by double digits over the course of their 5-game losing streak. Unfortunately for the Raptors, their other four starters didn’t contribute much at all. DeRozan picked up three quick fouls that kept him on the bench for the majority of the first half, making him a non-factor until late in the fourth quarter. Linas Kleiza appeared to have been hampered by his sore Achilles tendon, contributing little with 4 points on 2 of 7 shooting in only 17 minutes of action. Jarrett Jack had more turnovers than assists (6/5) and Reggie Evans wasn’t much of an offensive threat as per usual.

Catch the liveblog of the Raptors-Warriors game tonight on TheScore.com!

 

Sitting at home watching the Raps-Warriors game tonight? Catch Romy Aquino of Hip Hoop Junkies on the liveblog of the Raptors-Warriors on TheScore.com and join the conversation!

Here is the link:

Liveblog on theScore.com

Matt Devlin and Jack Armstrong sing "Living on a Prayer"

What happens when you're on a four-game West Coast road trip and you're stuck calling a Toronto Raptors team that can't pull out a win?

This happens.



Thank god, that road trip is over.

WTF - Jay Triano Droppin' Bombs

After dropping their second game on their West Coast road trip, Jay Triano expressed his frustrations by dropping an 'F' bomb on live television. Somebody better tell Jay that there's still 78 games left to play....including their next game against the Lakers. It's gonna be a LONG season. (via Slam Online)