Wednesday, January 30, 2013

RUDY HEADS NORTH: Rudy Gay to the Raptors, Calderon and Ed Davis part ways

Well, it's officially official.

As rumours were flying around all week, the Toronto Raptors have landed Rudy Gay.

The Toronto Raptors announced Wednesday they have acquired forward Rudy Gay and centre Hamed Haddadi from the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for guard Jose Calderon, forward Ed Davis, a second-round draft choice in 2013 and cash considerations. The Grizzlies traded Calderon to the Detroit Pistons for forwards Austin Daye and Tayshaun Prince. “This is the type of deal we have been looking for to take our team another step forward,” said Raptors President and General Manager Bryan Colangelo. “Rudy Gay is a dynamic wing that elevates our talent level significantly.

Monday, January 28, 2013

PODCAST: Hip Hoop Junkies & Hoop Heads North present RAPS TALK Ep. 39 (01.28.2013)


Episode 39 of RAPS TALK (01.28.13) -  It's episode 39 of the podcast and Sean makes his return from his trip out to San Francisco.  This week we catch up on the last week of the Toronto Raptors, talk Kevin Durant's desire to play with the Raptors, NBA All-Stars, #TeamJackDaniels and we also have our regular segments "Hoop Heads Humour of the Week" and "The Wenningtons of the Week."  

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...")

Friday, January 18, 2013

"AIR GRAY" - Aaron Gray throws it down on the Brooklyn Nets

posted by Romy Aquino
Sooo.....the Raptors have lost three straight including a close one against the Bulls, the Bucks and another tough loss against the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday night.  Aaron Gray got the start against the Nets and the centre who averages 2.1 ppg....threw down a vicious dunk that got the Raptors bench to geek out hard.  Check it out.


We love this dunk so much.....we created a new "AIR GRAY" t-shirt for all of you to enjoy.  Get one now!

11837752-104454228

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Podcast:  Subscribe to RAPS TALK, our audio podcast on iTunes  If you don't have iTunes, you can subscribe here
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Thursday, January 17, 2013

Kevin Durant: "Believe it or not, I wanted to play for the Toronto Raptors"

posted by Romy Aquino
Don't get mad Raps fans.  Kevin Durant was on the Dan Patrick Show today and a little Toronto Raptors shoutout came up in the interview.  Apparently, when asked what team he wanted to play for growing up, it was the Toronto Raptors.  Why?  Mostly because of Vince Carter and because he liked those jerseys.  Yep, those old school purples with the red dinosaur.

KD, it's not too late...Toronto would be more than happy to have you on the team.

In case you missed it, here's the interview:


HIP HOOP JUNKIES linkage!
Twitter:  @hiphoopjunkies
Facebook: 'Like' us on Facebook!
Podcast:  Subscribe to RAPS TALK, our audio podcast on iTunes  If you don't have iTunes, you can subscribe here
Mobile App: Hip Hoop Junkies mobile app

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Pound the Rock Stars of the Night - Toronto Raptors 106, Brooklyn Nets 113 - The 'Brooklyn Way' Edition

posted by Mike Masaya

POUND THE ROCK STARS - On a nightly basis, no matter how good or bad the Raps play, no matter if they blow out a team or if they get blown out and no matter if they win or lose, these are the Raptors with the best 'Pound the Rock' status for the night.

FINAL SCORE:   RAPTORS 106 - NETS 113    SEASON RECORD: 14W-24L

POUND THE ROCK STAR #1: KYLE LOWRY
LINE: 21 pts (5-7), 4-5 3pt, 7-7 FT, 2 ast
It has been hinted by Kyle Lowry himself that the coaching staff strongly suggested he become more passive in his role with Raptors. With various injuries to a number of players resulting in a decent run to end December it became clear that team basketball is the team’s only real chance at making a push to the 8th spot in the East. The hashtag #ShareTheRock began to trend on Twitter as fans were happy to see the number of assists increase per game creating fast break opportunities which allowed everyone to touch the ball on offence at least once. With Lowry only playing 15 minutes I wonder if I would have preferred less points and more assists. However with the pace of last night’s game the 7 Free throws and 71% shooting percentage was key to staying in the game.

Monday, January 14, 2013

PODCAST: Hip Hoop Junkies & Hoop Heads North present RAPS TALK Ep. 38 (01.14.2013)

Episode 38 of RAPS TALK (01.14.13) - Sean's in Cali for the week to catch his Niners, so U-E and Romy got you covered for this week's episode of the RAPS TALK podcast.  This week the crew discusses the Raptors continued success, the Rudy Gay trade rumours, Steve Nash, Honey Nut Cheerios and we also have our regular segments "Hoop Heads Humour of the Week" and "The Wenningtons of the Week."  

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...")

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Pound the Rock Stars of the Night - Toronto Raptors 90, Philadelphia 76ers 72 - The 'Stay Classy' Edition

posted by Mike Masaya

POUND THE ROCK STARS - On a nightly basis, no matter how good or bad the Raps play, no matter if they blow out a team or if they get blown out and no matter if they win or lose, these are the Raptors with the best 'Pound the Rock' status for the night.

 FINAL SCORE: RAPTORS 90, 76ers 72 SEASON RECORD: 13W-22L 

POUND THE ROCK STAR #1: AMIR JOHNSON LINE: 19 pts (6-11), 7-8 FT, 12 reb, 5 ast
In his last 4 games including the win against Philadelphia Wednesday night, Amir Johnson is averaging 13 points and 7 rebounds above his usual 8 points and 5 rebounds making the most of his starting role. Crashing the boards and making wise decisions on offense when it came to shooting or passing turned Amir into the leader on the court. Even with DeMar often being labelled the leader by default due to his scoring ability, this Raptors roster leaves room wide open for players like Amir to carry the team on any given night when the matchup allows it.

POUND THE ROCK STAR #2: JOSE CALDERON LINE: 14 pts (7-12), 11 ast
Anchorman Ron Burgandy would be proud of Jose Calderon ‘keeping it classy’ as he apologized about tossing an alley-oop to Landry Fields with seconds left in the game up 16 points all while ignoring his coaches wishes to dribble out the clock. In what I’m sure even Jose thought would be a tough guard matchup the Raptors defense was outstanding forcing a total 13 turnovers leading to a number of fast break buckets or free throw attempts. It was also fun to watch at least 4 players touch the ball during offensive possessions at certain points and should remain one of their keys to success for the rest of the season. With one day off between each of their next 2 games the Raptors can make a push to be the unanimous 10th seed in the East which is currently shared with Orlando and Detroit at the moment, and hope that Boston and Philadelphia start to struggle.

POUND THE ROCK STAR #3: DEMAR DEROZAN LINE: 19 pts (8-15), 3-3 FT, 5 reb
As long as DeMar continues putting up these types of numbers and role players do their share the Raptors could finish the month with an 8-8 record. It would still leave them 9 games below .500 and I honestly hope I’m wrong and would like to see them do better. The Raptors should also hope I’m wrong because February has some tough games on the schedule with only 2 games against the Wizards and 1 against the Cavaliers with the rest against the likes of the Clippers, Heat, Knicks and Grizzlies to name a few. Not to get ahead of ourselves, but this is how the Raptors will need to approach the rest of the season. Win the winnable games, win the close ones and get lucky when they can. With DeMar playing well all 3 scenarios are possible. 

SHOUTOUTS TO THE 76ers: THADDEUS YOUNG LINE: 16 pts (6-12), 4-6 FT, 7 reb, 3 ast Thaddeus Young is one of those Forwards in the NBA that are constantly improving their game while consistently remaining under the radar. Improving in every statistical category since being drafted in 2007 the 76ers are lucky to have been able to hang on to him for so long. Had Andrew Bynum been healthy and part of the mix this might be a completely different team. Until then the 76ers will have to remain balanced in their scoring and grind out every game for the rest of the season. As long as Thaddeus keeps improving the way he has so will the team.

 Next up for the Raps: vs Charlotte (Friday)

Photo via National Post

Monday, January 7, 2013

PODCAST: Hip Hoop Junkies & Hoop Heads North present RAPS TALK Ep. 37 (01.07.2013)

Episode 37 of RAPS TALK (01.07.13) - It's a new year and the Raptors went into the new year right with some W's.  The podcast trio is back to discuss the Raptors recent wins, if Jose Calderon should stay or be traded, review NBA TV Canada's "Open Gym, Episode 3" and we also have our regular segments "Hoop Heads Humour of the Week" and "The Wenningtons of the Week."  

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...")

Saturday, January 5, 2013

Pound the Rock Stars of the Night - Sacramento Kings 105, Toronto Raptors 96 - The 'It Wasn't Even This Close' Edition

posted by Romy Aquino
POUND THE ROCK STARS - On a nightly basis, no matter how good or bad the Raps play, no matter if they blow out a team or if they get blown out and no matter if they win or lose, these are the Raptors with the best 'Pound the Rock' status for the night.

FINAL SCORE:   KINGS 105, RAPS 96    SEASON RECORD: 12W-21L

POUND THE ROCK STAR #1: KYLE LOWRY
LINE:  24 pts (5-10), 4-7 3pt, 10-12 FT, 4 ast, 3 reb 
This wasn't pretty.  Friday night's Raptors didn't look like those red-hot Raptors from the past ten games but more like the Raptors from the first twenty.  Kyle Lowry did his best to get the Raps back in this in the second half but this team as a whole struggled.  Lowry had 24 points on the night and nailed 4 triples, but this game was all about the big man struggles stopping DeMarcus Cousins.

Thursday, January 3, 2013

Pound the Rock Stars of the Night - Toronto Raptors 102, Portland Trail Blazers 79 - The 'Grateful Colangelo' Edition

posted by Mike Masaya
POUND THE ROCK STARS - On a nightly basis, no matter how good or bad the Raps play, no matter if they blow out a team or if they get blown out and no matter if they win or lose, these are the Raptors with the best 'Pound the Rock' status for the night.

FINAL SCORE:   RAPTOR 102, TRAIL BLAZERS 79    SEASON RECORD: 12W-20L

POUND THE ROCK STAR #1: TERRENCE ROSS
LINE: 26 pts (8-14), 6-9 3PT, 4-6 FT, 5 reb
How many Raptors draft picks over the last several years have been met with optimism? I’ll wait. The answer is not many. With Bryan Colangelo’s job perhaps hanging on by a thread, the Raptors have gone on a of 8 of 9 win streak capped off last night with a career high 26 points by their 8th overall 2012 draft pick Terrence Ross. With the 9th place Celtics on a 4 game losing streak and the 8th place 76ers winning only 2 of their last 5 games, the 10th place Raptors are thankfully moving in the opposite direction. Now only 2.5 games out of the 8th spot hope is returning to Raptors Nation and Terrence Ross has a lot to do with that.

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Hip Hoop Junkies, a Toronto Raptors / NBA / Canada Basketball blog based out of Halifax. Home of the #RAPSTALK Podcast - "Hoops Talk out of Halifax"

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