posted by Romy Aquino
It's Halloween and Toronto Raptors basketball is back y'all. No lockout, no shortened season, no sir...we have an 82-game season with a much improved roster from last year. The Toronto Raptors are a young team on the rise and have a solid starting five in Kyle Lowry, DeMar DeRozan, Landry Fields, Andrea Bargnani and Jonas Valanciunas. It doesn't stop there, Toronto has a deep second unit with the likes of Jose Calderon, Amir Johnson and John Lucas III. Now it all begins on Halloween night, and this is how the opening week looks:
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Four Steps In The Right Direction - Previewing the 2012-13 Toronto Raptors
posted by Mike Masaya
Raptors fans have a lot of questions coming into this 2012-13 NBA season and they deserve answers. After all the heat the Raptors front office took from the media and fans, was Jonas Valanciunas worth the 5th overall pick 2011? Although they are coming of another losing season, is the team finally adopting coach Dwane Casey’s “Pound The Rock” philosophy? These are some of the questions that have been answered in part resulting in a Raptors 5-1 preseason record and have given Raptors supports reasons to be excited.Monday, October 29, 2012
PODCAST: Hip Hoop Junkies & Hoop Heads North present RAPS TALK Ep. 29 (10.29.2012) Toronto Raptors Season Preview Edition
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Friday, October 26, 2012
Canadian Connection: Don't sleep on the Lakers Robert Sacre
posted by Romy Aquino
For the Los Angeles Lakers, no one's making more of Dwight Howard's preseason "general soreness" than North Vancouver's Robert Sacre. The big man has been filling in at the centre spot for the Lakers and is trying to crack that last roster spot. Thursday, October 25, 2012
NBA dans La Belle Province - a Montrealer's View of the Raptors-Knicks preseason matchup
posted by Mike Masaya
Regardless of what many may think about Montreal’s sport culture, our passion starts but goes beyond hockey. The proof is out there and you don’t even need to dig that deep to find it. Social media and local radio driven rallies organized to return the Montreal Expos back to the city, bring out hundreds of supporters. The MLB franchise moved from Montreal to Washington nearly ten years ago and it seems support is always growing, even among the city’s youth who were too young to remember the team or its players. Most Montrealers are more than content with the success and failures of Les Canadiens. Be that as it may, scores of Quebec Nordiques fans often make their presence known throughout various NHL arenas during hockey season, holding rallies in the stands and making it clear they want their team back. Since there is no NBA team to bring back to Montreal, fans are doing the right thing by letting the NBA know, “If you build it, we will come.” Showing them by selling out the 20,000 seats of the Bell Center for the second time in two years for an NBA preseason game.
Regardless of what many may think about Montreal’s sport culture, our passion starts but goes beyond hockey. The proof is out there and you don’t even need to dig that deep to find it. Social media and local radio driven rallies organized to return the Montreal Expos back to the city, bring out hundreds of supporters. The MLB franchise moved from Montreal to Washington nearly ten years ago and it seems support is always growing, even among the city’s youth who were too young to remember the team or its players. Most Montrealers are more than content with the success and failures of Les Canadiens. Be that as it may, scores of Quebec Nordiques fans often make their presence known throughout various NHL arenas during hockey season, holding rallies in the stands and making it clear they want their team back. Since there is no NBA team to bring back to Montreal, fans are doing the right thing by letting the NBA know, “If you build it, we will come.” Showing them by selling out the 20,000 seats of the Bell Center for the second time in two years for an NBA preseason game.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
TORONTO RAPTORS 104, MILWAUKEE BUCKS 95 - The "I Know It's Only Preseason" Report
More preseason basketball on Monday night as the Toronto Raptors pulled out their 104-95 win over the Milwaukee Bucks at their last home game of the preseason.
The "I Know It's Only Preseason" Notes:
Monday, October 22, 2012
PODCAST: Hip Hoop Junkies & Hoop Heads North present RAPS TALK Ep. 28 (10.22.2012) with guest Mike Masaya, our newest writer to HHJ
Also, take a listen to the podcast as we announce the winner of our giveaway courtesy of Moneyball Sportwear!
If you're new to the podcast, make sure you subscribe to the RAPS TALK podcast on iTunes.
Click here for the MP3 (right click "Save As...")
Subscribe to RAPS TALK, our audio podcast on iTunes
If you don't have iTunes, you can subscribe here
Check out our Facebook Page
Follow @hiphoopjunkies on Twitter
If you're new to the podcast, make sure you subscribe to the RAPS TALK podcast on iTunes.
Click here for the MP3 (right click "Save As...")
If you don't have iTunes, you can subscribe here
Check out our Facebook Page
Follow @hiphoopjunkies on Twitter
Sunday, October 21, 2012
THE WALKING DEAD! Amir Johnson of the Raptors a zombie for a day at Toronto's Zombie Walk 2012
So when you're a Toronto Raptor in the preseason, what else are you going to do on your day off in Toronto? Chill out...maybe play video games...or read a book...well, how about the Toronto ZOMBIE WALK? That's what the Toronto Raptors Amir Johnson did on his day off Saturday based his Twitter and Facebook Page.
Friday, October 19, 2012
Bon Jovi headlines at Raptors-Wizards preseason game, John Wall "Never heard of him."
posted by Romy Aquino
Going into last night, the talk was all about the debut of Kyle Lowry with the Toronto Raptors and the chance for the fans to get their first look at the likely Raptors regular season starting five of Lowry / DeRozan / Fields / Bargnani / Valanciunas. But despite a solid night for Lowry (14 pts/6 ast) and a sick throwdown by Valanciunas....most of the news that came out on Thursday morning was about Bon Jovi. Yes sir, Bon Jovi.
Going into last night, the talk was all about the debut of Kyle Lowry with the Toronto Raptors and the chance for the fans to get their first look at the likely Raptors regular season starting five of Lowry / DeRozan / Fields / Bargnani / Valanciunas. But despite a solid night for Lowry (14 pts/6 ast) and a sick throwdown by Valanciunas....most of the news that came out on Thursday morning was about Bon Jovi. Yes sir, Bon Jovi.
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Half way home - a look at the Toronto Raptors Preseason
Posted by Mike Masaya
For a lot NBA fans the preseason is the appetizer for the main course that is the regular season. For teams like the reigning champions Miami Heat, Western Conference champs Oklahoma City Thunder and newly stacked Los Angeles Lakers, it means even less, and serves more as a warm up than anything else. For the Toronto Raptors and their fans on the other hand, this 2012 preseason holds a lot more meaning than usual.
With what appears to be the first team in a while capable of returning to the playoffs since 2008 when they lost in 5 games to the Orlando Magic, this Raptors squad should be able to live up to those expectations. This preseason also has great value for the team as it allows 5th overall pick Jonas Valanciunas who spent a year overseas after being drafted in 2011, to find some type of chemistry with a Raptors team that has a slew of new players coming from a number different teams and playing styles. Add to that a new system being implemented by coach Dwane Casey, and you can see why the Raptors have to use every preseason game as an opportunity to get on the same page and evaluate their progress.
With what appears to be the first team in a while capable of returning to the playoffs since 2008 when they lost in 5 games to the Orlando Magic, this Raptors squad should be able to live up to those expectations. This preseason also has great value for the team as it allows 5th overall pick Jonas Valanciunas who spent a year overseas after being drafted in 2011, to find some type of chemistry with a Raptors team that has a slew of new players coming from a number different teams and playing styles. Add to that a new system being implemented by coach Dwane Casey, and you can see why the Raptors have to use every preseason game as an opportunity to get on the same page and evaluate their progress.
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
NASTY. Jonas Valanciunas fakes out Emeka Okafor for the one-handed jam
(video via NBA Orbit)
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It's time, Toronto... Kyle Lowry is ready to make his Toronto Raptors debut on Wednesday
These ain't your "Roko Ukic and Marcus Banks are your point guard backups" Raptors.
This season, Toronto has point guard depth which includes former Houston Rocket, Kyle Lowry, one of the biggest offseason additions to the team. Wednesday night will mark his debut with the Raps in a preseason game against the Washington Wizards at the ACC, as he's been on the bench due to injury. Although disappointed to lose out on the Steve Nash sweepstakes during the offseason, this may have been a blessing in disguise for Bryan Colangelo as he was able to acquire the 26-year-old Villanova product.
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
What's the true story? Sam Mitchell's response to the Jalen Rose "Body Slam" story
Ok, ok...you know the Grantland video that made the rounds on the internet where Jalen Rose was telling the story about his time with the Toronto Raptors and how then-Raptors-star, Vince Carter and 2007 NBA Coach of the Year Sam Mitchell got into a wrestling tussle, WWE-style? If not, let me refresh your memory: (video via The Grantland YouTube Channel)
Monday, October 15, 2012
It's Giveaway Time! The #MoneyballSocks Giveaway
Hoop heads, it's a giveaway week!
This week, the RAPS TALK podcast is giving away two pairs of sports socks courtesy of Moneyball Sportswear, the official uniform sponsor of the National Basketball League of Canada.
Step 1
First off, like Hip Hoop Junkies and Moneyball Sportswear on Facebook
Step 2
Follow @hiphoopjunkies and @iammoneyball on Twitter
Step 3
Check out the @hiphoopjunkies feed and retweet the link to the contest.
Step 4
Annnnd......once you follow all of those steps, tune into next week's podcast (October 22nd) for the winner via random draw!
Be sure you check out Moneyball Sportswear, the official uniform provider for the National Basketball League of Canada. They've got some great Tees, Shooting Shirts, Warmups, T-Shirts, Shorts and more!
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PODCAST: Hip Hoop Junkies & Hoop Heads North present RAPS TALK Ep. 27 (10.15.2012)....we're back!
Episode 27 of RAPS TALK (10.15.12) - It's episode 27 of the #RAPSTALK podcast where Sean, U-E and myself regroup to talk about the Toronto Raptors training camp here in Halifax, Toronto's offseason acquisitions, our thoughts about the preseason, the Jonas Valanciunas era and what the other Canadian talents of the NBA are up to so far this preseason.
Also, stay tuned to the podcast as Hip Hoop Junkies has a giveaway courtesy of Moneyball Sportwear!
If you're new to the podcast, make sure you subscribe to the RAPS TALK podcast on iTunes.
Click here for the MP3 (right click "Save As...")
Subscribe to RAPS TALK, our audio podcast on iTunes
If you don't have iTunes, you can subscribe here
Check out our Facebook Page
Follow @hiphoopjunkies on Twitter
Also, stay tuned to the podcast as Hip Hoop Junkies has a giveaway courtesy of Moneyball Sportwear!
If you're new to the podcast, make sure you subscribe to the RAPS TALK podcast on iTunes.
Click here for the MP3 (right click "Save As...")
If you don't have iTunes, you can subscribe here
Check out our Facebook Page
Follow @hiphoopjunkies on Twitter
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Hip Hoop Junkies welcomes Mike Masaya
In order to bring you fresh and more frequent content to Hip Hoop Junkies, we are proud to introduce our newest writer Mike Masaya, to the HHJ fam. Mike is based out of Montreal and is a big time hoops head. To help introduce Mike to the readers, I got a chance to ask him a few questions about the content he's going to bring the site, his thoughts on the Raptors and his favourite Vancouver Grizzly of all-time.
Romy (HHJ): First off, welcome to Hip Hoop Junkies….who is Mike Masaya?
MM: Born and raised in Montreal, Quebec I’ve been a basketball fan for as long as I can remember. Spending my entire childhood and adolescence on the outdoor courts, only taking breaks to eat. Luckily, my high school principal was a basketball referee and hoop junkie himself. He was so desperate for hoops, he herded students to participate in March Madness pools, which when I look back at it now, is pretty funny and likely only fueled my basketball obsession.
Romy (HHJ): First off, welcome to Hip Hoop Junkies….who is Mike Masaya?
MM: Born and raised in Montreal, Quebec I’ve been a basketball fan for as long as I can remember. Spending my entire childhood and adolescence on the outdoor courts, only taking breaks to eat. Luckily, my high school principal was a basketball referee and hoop junkie himself. He was so desperate for hoops, he herded students to participate in March Madness pools, which when I look back at it now, is pretty funny and likely only fueled my basketball obsession.
Saturday, October 13, 2012
TORONTO RAPTORS 82, DETROIT PISTONS 75 - The "I Know It's Only Preseason" Report
It's still only preseason basketball but Friday was all about Jonas Valanciunas for another night. The Toronto Raptors took on the Detroit Pistons at the Air Canada Centre and the young Lithuanian rookie was called by Coach Casey to make his first NBA start (which included no limited minutes). The Raptors took the preseason win 82-75 over Detroit.
The "I Know It's Only Preseason" Notes:
The "I Know It's Only Preseason" Notes:
Thursday, October 11, 2012
The debut is over, thirteen minutes of Jonas Valanciunas
It's over.....the most anticipated rookie debut in Raptors history... Well, it's definitely up there.
The Stat Line: 2 points (1-1), 2 blocks, 1 turnover and 13 minutes of raw Jonas Valanciunas.
The Stat Line: 2 points (1-1), 2 blocks, 1 turnover and 13 minutes of raw Jonas Valanciunas.
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Hoops Talk out of Halifax - Recapping the Raptors Training Camp Experience
Toronto Raptors Training Camp was in our home city of Halifax, Nova Scotia this past week and luckily for us...we got to witness an NBA training camp as media members. From talking to three young NBA rookies and their fears of rookie duties, to talking to John Lucas III and his visit to the Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia, to sitting in a room with some big time sports writers/media personalities.....this was a unique experience.
Monday, October 8, 2012
Hoops Talk out of Halifax with Dominic McGuire at Toronto Raptors Training Camp 2012 (Halifax,NS)
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Hoops Talk out of Halifax with Linas Kleiza at Toronto Raptors Training Camp 2012 (Halifax,NS)
Hoops Talk out of Halifax with John Lucas III at Toronto Raptors Training Camp 2012 (Halifax,NS)
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Hoops Talk out of Halifax with Chris Wright and Jerel McNeal at Toronto Raptors Training Camp 2012 (Halifax,NS)
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Raptors Win! ... Vs. The Raptors!
Raptors' training camp concluded in Halifax today with a spirited intrasquad game at the Halifax Metro Centre. The team has been in Halifax all week, with their training camp taking place at the Canada Games Centre. Ed Davis' play stood out in the scrimmage, putting up a double double (14 pts, 12 rebs). This included the highlight play of the afternoon, a fast break alley-oop slam by Davis from John Lucas III.
Friday, October 5, 2012
Hoops Talk out of Halifax with Jonas Valanciunas at Toronto Raptors Training Camp 2012 (Halifax,NS)
Hoops Talk out of Halifax with Amir Johnson at Toronto Raptors Training Camp 2012 (Halifax,NS)
Hoops Talk out of Halifax with Aaron Gray at Toronto Raptors Training Camp 2012 (Halifax,NS)
Check out our interview with Aaron at the end of Thursday's practice:
Stay tuned for more interviews from Raptors training camp here in Halifax!
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Hoops Talk out of Halifax with Jose Calderon at Toronto Raptors Training Camp 2012 (Halifax,NS)
Jose and the squad took a break from two-a-day practices and enjoyed the city of Halifax last night, and went out on the Halifax Harbour to do some whale watching. Check out Jose's pic from yesterday via his twitter account, @josemcalderdon8. Hopefully, they had a good time in the city.
Check out our interview with Jose at the end of Wednesday's evening practice:
Stay tuned for more interviews from Raptors training camp here in Halifax!
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Hoops Talk out of Halifax with Jamaal Magloire at Toronto Raptors Training Camp 2012 (Halifax,NS)
Check out our interview with Toronto native and Canadian ambassador to the team, Jamaal Magloire:
Stay tuned for more interviews from Raptors training camp here in Halifax!
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Hoops Talk with DeMar DeRozan at Toronto Raptors Training Camp 2012 (Halifax,NS)
Check out Sean Francois (Hip Hoop Junkies/Hoop Heads North) as he chats with DeMar DeRozan after morning practice on Wednesday:
Stay tuned for more interviews from Raptors training camp here in Halifax!
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Thursday, October 4, 2012
Check out HHJ/HHN on the Dino Nation Blog: The Starting 5 Podcast with James Borbath
Today, Sean Francois and myself joined The Starting 5 podcast with James Borbath recapping our experience at the Toronto Raptors training camp so far here in our hometown of Halifax. James has had previous experience with Raptors training camp when he attended camp in Ottawa.
In today's podcast, we talk about the Raptors' point guard situation, Landry Fields, Jonas Valunciunas, the maturity of Ed Davis and more Raptors talk.
Check it out:
The Starting 5 podcast with James Borbath
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In today's podcast, we talk about the Raptors' point guard situation, Landry Fields, Jonas Valunciunas, the maturity of Ed Davis and more Raptors talk.
Check it out:
The Starting 5 podcast with James Borbath
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Hoops Talk with Ed Davis at Toronto Raptors Training Camp 2012 (Halifax,NS)
Check out Sean Francois (Hip Hoop Junkies/Hoop Heads North) as he chats with Ed Davis after morning practice on Wednesday:
Stay tuned for more interviews from Raptors training camp here in Halifax!
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Hoops Talk with Landry Fields at Toronto Raptors Training Camp 2012 (Halifax,NS)
Check out Sean Francois (Hoop Heads North) and myself as we chat with Landry about hoops, Michael Jackson and Canada at the end of Day #1 practice:
Stay tuned for more interviews from Raptors training camp here in Halifax!
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Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Hoops Talk with Terrence Ross at Toronto Raptors Training Camp 2012 (Halifax,NS)
Stay tuned for more interviews from Raptors training camp here in Halifax!
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Hoops Talk with Quincy Acy at Toronto Raptors Training Camp 2012 (Halifax,NS)
We met up with a few players at the end of practice, including the Raptors second round pick and Baylor alum, Quincy Acy.
Stay tuned for more interviews with Terrence Ross and Landry Fields.
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Tuesday, October 2, 2012
First practice in the books as the Raptors Camp kicks off
Practice #1 is in the books.
The Raptors squad took the court for the first time today in Halifax. In a big facility like the Canada Game Centre, the were enough baskets to go around for this 18-man training camp roster. The rookie, Terrence Ross, was out shooting jumpers....Jose Calderon was working out with John Lucas III and Alan Anderson while Jonas Valanciunas was taking part in sideline workout activities (not on the court with his teammates), sidelined with the left calf injury.
The Raptors squad took the court for the first time today in Halifax. In a big facility like the Canada Game Centre, the were enough baskets to go around for this 18-man training camp roster. The rookie, Terrence Ross, was out shooting jumpers....Jose Calderon was working out with John Lucas III and Alan Anderson while Jonas Valanciunas was taking part in sideline workout activities (not on the court with his teammates), sidelined with the left calf injury.
Halifax,Toronto Raptors training camp is finally here
Welcome to Halifax, Nova Scotia. Home of the Toronto Raptors training camp.
This young, new-look Raptors squad will all get on the court for the first time today at the Canada Games Centre here in Halifax. The Raps are set for a busy four-day training camp that is capped off with an inter-squad game at the Halifax Metro Centre on Saturday afternoon.
Monday, October 1, 2012
Who's the new guy? Raptors New Face: Terrence Ross
Terrence Ross might surprise some people.
Being the eighth overall pick in this year's NBA draft was a bit of a surprise for the Raptors fan base, but the Raps front office stands by their pick and believes he has what it takes. Terrence Ross now just has to prove his worth in the upcoming season.
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