RAPTORS PODCAST: RAPS TALK presented by HHJ & HHN Ep. 57 (01.30.2014)

Episode 57 of RAPS TALK (01.30.14) - Well, that was an eventful two weeks for the Toronto Raptors since our last podcast.  On this week's podcast we talk about All-Star Snubs, the Terrence Ross 51-point performance, the dunk contest, an amazing win in Brooklyn, JV's invite to New Orleans, DeMar's injury, Chuck Hayes' hustle and of course, our Wenningtons of the Week where we recap the best NBA Canadian performances from the past week.

NUMBERS DON'T LIE - RAPTORS 98, MAGIC 83 - The "Triple Double Doubles" Edition

posted by Romy Aquino

The Raptors have never been known to put a pounding on teams.  This season, the Raptors are finally winning games against lesser opponents in a dominant fashion.  Even with a shorthanded squad without DeMar DeRozan (ankle) and Patrick Patterson (broken nose), Toronto beat the Orlando Magic handily 98-83 to move three games over .500.

Jonas Valanciunas on Kevin Garnett's trash talk: "Tonight, I didn't understand English."

posted by Romy Aquino

Guarding Kevin Garnett isn't easy.  When Jonas Valanciunas and the Raptors went head to head with Garnett and the Brooklyn Nets, Valanciunas didn't back down to KG and posted a double double with 20 points and 13 rebounds in the 104-103 win.  Garnett not only is a physical threat but can also get in your head mentally with his verbal abuse.

What was the key for JV's ability to overcome Garnett's trash talk?  Valanciunas let the media know in his post-game interview.

"Tonight, I didn't understand English.  That was my key." 

Whatever works, Jonas.  He continues to develop in his second season in the league, averaging 10.4 ppg and 8.6 rpg for Toronto.

Today, Jonas was selected to participate in this year's All-Star weekend Rising Stars challenge in New Orleans.

(Via the Raptors press release)

The National Basketball Association announced Wednesday that Jonas Valanciunas has been selected to participate in the BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge at All-Star Weekend in New Orleans

He'll join the likes of sophomore players Bradley Beal, Anthony Davis, Andre Drummond and Damian Lillard in New Orleans.

Question is....why wasn't Terrence Ross selected?

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NUMBERS DON'T LIE - RAPTORS 104, NETS 103 - The "Where's Brooklyn At?" Edition

posted by Romy Aquino

The Brooklyn Nets have been rolling in the month of January, and Monday was their opportunity to get a step closer to taking the top spot in the Atlantic Division.  And with Toronto without their top scorer in DeMar DeRozan, the challenge became a little easier for the Nets.  But it was Kyle Lowry who stepped up again and helped the Toronto Raptors squeak out a 104-103 victory over the surging Nets.

31 for 51 - The NBA reacts to the Terrence Ross 51-point performance

posted by Romy Aquino

Terrence Ross came into last season as a rookie averaging 17 minutes of playing time and just 6.4 ppg but he made a name for himself when he won the 2013 Sprite slam dunk title.  Now midway through the 2013-14 NBA season, going into Saturday night's game against the Los Angeles Clippers, T-Ross had averaged just under 10 points per game and then...he exploded for a 51 point performance, tying Vince Carter's franchise record that was set back in 2000.  T-Ross made his name known again, and the NBA took notice.

NUMBERS DON'T LIE - CLIPPERS 126, RAPTORS 118 - "Terrence Ross is on FIYA!" Edition

posted by Romy Aquino

Now, that was a crazy game.  The Clippers and Raptors went all high octane offence and put up a total of 244 points at the ACC on Saturday night.  Even though the Clippers got the best of the Raptors and pulled out the win on the road, this night belonged to Terrence Ross who put a historic 51 points in the Raptors loss.  If you missed this one, make sure you check out the highlights.

NUMBERS DON'T LIE - RAPTORS 104, SIXERS 95 - The "Homecoming Triple Dub" Edition

posted by Romy Aquino

It was a homecoming for Kyle Lowry as he returned to his native Philadelphia, and he didn't disappoint his family and friends in attendance.  Lowry and the Raptors closed out the Sixers in the fourth quarter en route to a 104-95 over their Atlantic Division counterparts.  Both Lowry and DeMar put in their bid for an All-Star reserve selection with their performances on Friday night.

T-ROSS IS BACK! Terrence Ross to defend his dunk title in New Orleans

posted by Romy Aquino

We were all curious about the dunk competition but it's official, Terrence Ross will be back in the dunk contest at February's All-Star weekend in New Orleans.

(via Mike Gantner of the Toronto Sun)

Winning the dunk contest was one thing. Defending it is another. Terrence Ross is leaving nothing to chance. The sophomore swing man began working up some dunk options a couple of days ago.

NUMBERS DON'T LIE - RAPTORS 93, MAVS 85

posted by Romy Aquino

A much needed win for the Toronto Raptors after dropping three of their last four.  Former Raptors, Vince Carter and Jose Calderon made their return to the ACC but saw their Mavs early lead slowly deteriorate in the second half as the Raps pull out the 93-85 win.

NUMBERS DON'T LIE - BOBCATS 100, RAPTORS 95

posted by Romy Aquino

It was a full day of NBA basketball in honour of MLK day in the US.  The Raptors were looking to bounce back from a tough loss against the Los Angeles Lakers.  But the Raptors have a bad history with the Charlotte Bobcats with couple of the previous matchups decided on the final possessions and the Raps on the losing end.  Today was no different; after falling behind by as many as 30 points, the Raps couldn't pull out the miracle and lost 100-95 to Charlotte.

NUMBERS DON'T LIE - LAKERS 112, RAPTORS 106

posted by Romy Aquino
This was the stretch of games that Raptors had an opportunity to pile up a few W's with teams holding losing records.  Sunday afternoon against the Los Angeles Lakers was one of them.  The Lakers had a shorthanded roster without guys like Kobe, Nash and Steve Blake, so an early matinee against the Lakers was an opportunity to steal a season series win against the Lakers. However,  Nick "Swaggy P" Young and Pau Gasol didn't let it happen as the Lakers pulled out a 112-106 win.

The Celtics Kelly Olynyk puts on a clinic

posted by Romy Aquino
Friday night marked Rajon Rondo's long awaited return to the Boston Celtics.  Rondo's return against the Lakers was the top headline going into Friday night's game, but the big story after the game was Canadian baller and Gonzaga product, Kelly Olynyk.  The Celtics rookie centre had a monster line off of the bench for the Celtics: 32 minutes, a career-high 25 points (11-17), 5 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals and 1 block in the 107-104 loss to Los Angeles.

The Celtics coach Brad Stevens gave Olynyk extra playing time due to his stellar play, and played Olynyk the entire fourth quarter.

NUMBERS DON'T LIE - RAPTORS 94, WOLVES 89

posted by Romy Aquino
Now, that's how you bounce back from an ugly loss against the Boston Celtics.  The Raptors continued to play impressive basketball and pulled out a big win against Kevin Love and a tough Western conference squad.  The Raps move to two games over .500 and are 20-18 on the season, here are the numbers:

RAPTORS PODCAST: RAPS TALK presented by HHJ & HHN Ep. 56 (01.16.2014)

Episode 56 of RAPS TALK (01.16.14) - Well, Drake Night lived up to the hype.  On this episode of the RAPS TALK podcast, we talk Drake Night, Drake's intros, Drake's suit jacket, Drake's free t-shirts, the Toronto Raptors movement up the standings, DeMar DeRozan All-Star chatter, Anthony Bennett's potential move to the D-League and our Wenningtons of the Week where we recap the best NBA Canadian performances from the past week.

A Second Chance for Kyle Lowry's Sneakers

posted by Romy Aquino

Remember this guy?

Well that Raptor fan who got Kyle Lowry's sneakers stolen from him in Chicago, got a second chance to get a pair of Lowry's shoes.  This time, there wasn't a random Chicago fan playing the passing lanes to yank them from Toronto fan, Alan Vale.

Via Raptors.com:

Vale, along with his friend Francis, was invited to take in pregame warmups courtside on Monday. He was then taken to the players lounge for what he thought was an interview about his story, only to have Lowry arrive to personally delivered a pair of his shoes.

RAPTORS PODCAST: RAPS TALK presented by HHJ & HHN Ep. 55 (01.09.2014)

Episode 55 of RAPS TALK (01.09.14) - What is Drake Night exactly?  We discuss this and the Raptors past week on this week's RAPS TALK podcast.  The Raptors have managed to still hold a .500 record and hold down top spot in the Atlantic Division.  Seriously, who thought Toronto would be here at this point of the season?  This week, we talk about losses to the two top teams in the East, travel delays, Patrick Patterson, the Eastern Conference, #ReignOn and our Wenningtons of the Week where we recap the best NBA Canadian performances from the past week.

VIDEO: Chicago fan steals Kyle Lowry's sneakers from Raptors fan

posted by Romy Aquino
I must have missed this on the original broadcast, but I caught this on The Starters "Worst of the Week" on Friday.  After the Raptors 85-79 win over the Chicago Bulls on New Year's Eve, Kyle Lowry tossed his game shoes to a Raptors fan, only to get them intercepted not once but twice by a Chicago fan who quickly ran off with the goods.

Credit the random Chicago fan with two steals on that play.

RAPTORS PODCAST: RAPS TALK presented by HHJ & HHN Ep. 54 (01.02.2014)

Episode 54 of RAPS TALK (01.02.14) - Happy New Year, Raps fans!  The Raptors were rolling in December and have carried their winning ways into 2014 with a win over the Eastern Conference leading Indiana Pacers. On this week's podcast, we discuss the Raptors success on the road, Kyle Lowry's big game against the Knicks, Coach Casey's Coach of the Month honours, Jonas Vanlanciunas videobombs and our Wenningtons of the Week where we recap the best NBA Canadian performances from the past week.