Kevin Love on Jerryd Bayless "He has the ability and the chance to be a very good player in this league"

Tonight, the Toronto Raptors travel to Minnesota to face off against Kevin Love and the Minnesota Timberwolves.  Kevin Love was recently on Bill Simmons' podcast, ESPN's The BS Report earlier this week and Simmons asked Love who he thought is a guy in his generation that is going to break out , but hasn't yet.

Guess who was his first answer?

Want to catch the Blake Show? The Breakdown can hook you up...

Have you been waiting for the Blake Griffin show to come to Toronto?  The Youtube dunking sensation and his Los Angeles Clippers will be in the T-Dot on February 13th to face off against the Raps.  It will be the first time we'll get to see NBA All-Star slam dunk contestants, Blake Griffin and DeMar DeRozan, go head-to-head before the All-Star break.

Our friends at The Breakdown with Dave and Audley are holding a contest where you can win tickets to see the matchup on February 13th.  All you have to do is record a video on what your favourite Blake Griffin dunk is and why.  The grand prize is a Toronto Raptors flip cam and a pair of game tickets.  All you have to do is send your video to Dave and Audley for a chance to win!

Click here for further details.

Hip Hoop Junkies and Hoop Heads North present the RAPS TALK Audio Podcast - Episode 5 (01.24.11)

Episode 5 of RAPS TALK (01.24.11) - After a long layoff, the guys from Hip Hoop Junkies and Hoop Heads North reunite for another podcast. In this episode, Romy, Sean and U-E discuss the last week for the Toronto Raptors, the end of the three-point streak of 986 consecutive games and DeMar DeRozan in this year's slam dunk contest. In "The Bounce" section, the guys look at their picks for the NBA All-Star game, the Carmelo trade talks and cap it off with some Vince Carter - future Hall of Famer talk.  Make sure you subscribe to the podcast on iTunes.

Click here for the MP3

T DOT O - Kardinal Offishall's "The Anthem"

If you've ever been to a Raps game this season and watched when the players first come out onto the court, you'll always hear "T DOT OOOO, REPPIN EVERYWHERE I GO" blasting in the ACC.  Well, in case you don't know the track...it's Kardinal Offishall's "The Anthem" track, which is the new anthem for everything Toronto.

The video has a few cameo appearances with Cabbie,George Stroumboulopoulos, Russell Peters, and other Toronto personalities. Definitely check out the official video below.

Ryan and Jamie present "Rap-It-Up"

A couple of Haligonian friends to Hip Hoop Junkies, Ryan and Jamie have put together their first episode of their Toronto Raptors-focused podcast entitled "Rap-it-up", take a listen...


Rap it Up - Episode 1

Peace Out, Peja - Raptors part ways with Stojakovic

Peace out, Peja.

The Raps have waived Peja Stojokavic after his two month stint in Toronto.  Peja played just two games for the Raptors and averaged 10 ppg.  And it looks like he'll be heading to the injury-riddled Dallas Mavericks once he clears waivers.  As Rap fans, we had a little faith that Peja would be here for the long-term, and here we are, watching Peja walk.  Peja didn't provide much value to the franchise, and at 33, he didn't have a role with the young and rebuilding Raptors.

Canadian Hoops Content: northpolehoops.com

The basketball culture is continuously growing here in Canada.  From guys like Steve Nash to Joey Haywood to Myck Kabongo, Canada is making noise in the basketball world.  And to help cover the basketball scene from Vancouver to Halifax, the latest site to show Canada some love is North Pole Hoops (northpolehoops.com), which was launched earlier this week.  Tariq Sbiet, the national editor of North Pole Hoops, is hoping that his site will ensure Canadian basketball players/teams at all levels are getting exposure.

Whether you follow the Toronto Raptors, the CIS, the Quebec Kebs or my local Citadel High Phoenix, this site will have it covered.  Definitely check out North Pole Hoops for your Canadian hoops coverage.

Put Up Your '10' for Number 10

" Excited to be back in the Dunk Contest!"

That's the latest post that DeMar DeRozan posted on his Facebook page today.  You got it...DeMar DeRozan will be making his return to this year's Sprite Slam Dunk Contest, as he's been selected to replace his Compton homie, Brandon Jennings. It'll be nice to see some type of Raptors representation at this year's All-Star game, and it will also give the young DeRozan a chance to redeem himself after losing to Nate Robinson last year.  He'll have some tough competition as Blake Griffin has been blowing up on the highlight reels.


Does he have what it takes to take the crown? Or is the Blake Show going to take it home?

Check out the DeMar highlight reel, y'all.

Back to the Future with Steve Nash

Hello, McFly? Anybody Home?

Very cool "Where Amazing Happens" commercials coming out from the NBA. The NBA goes back in time to British Columbia in 1996 to visit a young Steve Nash. Check it.

Can't Catch A Break - HORNETS 85, RAPTORS 81

HORNETS 85, RAPS 81


Line of the Night:  David West 23 points (10-18), 10 boards, 2 steals, 2 blocks


Glaring Stat of the Night:  Emeka Okafor alone, matched the Raptors on the offensive glass with 12 offensive boards. The Hornets had a total of 19 offensive rebounds which led to 15 points.


Where the game was won.....or lost:  It came down to a couple of Amir Johnson possessions in the closing minute where Amir couldn't convert down low.   The officials had a few questionable calls in the fourth quarter as well, and these calls weren't in the Raps' favour.  Andrea Bargnani struggled, shooting 4 for 17 from the field for just 11 points.

Raps sign Sundiata Gaines to a 10-day contract

The Raps have signed point guard, Sundiata Gaines, to a 10-day contract today.  The New Yorker most famous for making the successful leap from the D-League into the NBA last season, will play behind Jose Calderon and Jerryd Bayless at the point guard spot.  Gaines made highlights last season when he had a huge game-winning three against the Cleveland Cavaliers when he played for the Utah Jazz.

Let's hope he can impress Colangelo enough to keep him on for the rest of the season.  Check out his story from last season:

Young Onez do the "Cat Daddy"

I don't know if the Cat Daddy is the new Dougie but here's Amir, DeMar, Sonny and Joey Dorsey doing the "Cat Daddy" at the local Best Buy. Enjoy.

The Luke Harangody Highlight Reel (Celtics vs. Raptors)

Who was the star player for the C's last night? Paul Pierce? Ray Allen?

Nope. Luke Harangody.

In case you missed last night's game, here is the Luke Harangody highlight reel from last night's matchup against the Raps. It's nicely packaged into a five minute Youtube video. Enjoy.


(via RedsArmy.com)

"LUUUUUKKE!!" CELTICS 122, RAPTORS 102

CELTICS 122, RAPTORS 102
You know that things aren't right when a guy like Luke Harangody puts up career numbers against your team.  The Celtics' rookie who averages around 2 ppg put up a career high 17 points and career-high 11 boards in last night's 20-point Celtics win.  The Celtics layed it on the Raptors hard in the first quarter, going up 34-22 after one, and continued the onslaught in the second quarter where Nate Robinson scored 10 of his 15 points.  The C's were able to keep the starters minutes to a minimum last night as none of the Celtics starters with the exception of Glen Davis played over 30 minutes.  Paul Pierce led the Celtics with 20 points and Ray Allen had 17 points going 3 for 4 from three point land.

Well, this Team Canada won last night... RAPTORS 120, CAVS 105

RAPTORS 120, CAVS 105
While most Canadians were watching the World Juniors last night, a few of us hoop heads were watching the Raptors matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers.  And this was just a game the Raptors had to take.  A Lebron James-less Cavs team on a losing streak was exactly what the Raps needed to get their first win of 2011.  Jose Calderon made his return after sitting the game against Chicago and put together a double double against the lowly, lowly Cavs.  Calderon had 20 points and 17 dimes in his return.  Julian Wright had a career night, scoring 15 points, grabbing 9 boards and dishing out 5 assists as the Raps ended their three game losing streak