Even though I’m gutted that Chris Bosh still has a chance to win another championship, that was one hell of a game last night.  Ray Allen was money when it mattered most, with perhaps the most memorable shot he’s ever hit in a long, distinguished career of clutch shooting.

In any event, it got me thinking and provided me with the impetus (i.e. excuse) to consider some of the best clutch shots in the history of the Raptors.  As such, I now present the Raptors top five game-winning shots and in true NFL network style, we’re going to count them down from five to one:

5) DEMAR DEROZAN VS ORLANDO MAGIC

Last season was a campaign of ups and (mostly) downs for our beloved Raptors.  One of the better ups was this buzzer-beater by DeMar DeRozan in Orlando.  Whether it becomes the catalyst for him to take his game to another level, remains to be seen.

4) CHRIS BOSH VS WASHINGTON WIZARDS

My sports-hate for Chris Bosh is well-documented on this website.  I actually didn’t like him, even when he was in Toronto.  I always felt like he was a fraud, masquerading as a franchise player for the Raptors. I never bought it and often found my case proven in the key moments of tight games.

Having said all that, I guess showing the above game-winning shot actually sabotages my argument, (which wouldn’t be the first time.)  In any event, nice shot Bosh.  Now if you could choke just enough on Thursday night to stifle the Heats chances of winning, I’d really appreciate it.

3) TJ FORD VS L.A. CLIPPERS

This was a big moment for the Raptors during the 2006/07 season, when they were on the way to their first ever Division title.  And to be able to prove they could win without Chris Bosh was huge, helped in no small way by shots like this one from TJ Ford.

(Apologies for my inability to find a shorter clip. Fast forward to the 1:20 mark if your pushed for time or just suffering from ADD.  Mind you, if you do suffer from ADD, the chances are you’ve already stopped reading, making this whole paragraph irrelevant.)

2) VINCE CARTER VS BOSTON CELTICS

Like Bosh, we can sports-hate Vince Carter as much as we want. However, unlike Bosh I think we can all still agree Carter remains the best player ever to wear a Raptors jersey.  His time in Toronto is jam-packed full of highlights, including this amazing buzzer-beater against the Celtics.

(For me, there’s something poignant about the commentator comment: “the stuff that legends are made of.”  Despite everything Carter’s achieved as a player, there will always be the feeling that he still had another level to take his game to.)

1) MORRIS PETERSON VS WASHINGTON WIZARDS

Now admittedly, I’ve only been following the Raptors since 2006, when I first came to Toronto.  As such, maybe that’s why this still remains my favourite moment as a fan.  In many ways, it personified the special season the Raptors had in 2006/07 and still sends a shiver down my spine.  Take a bow ‘Mo Pete’.

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• By English Paul
• June 19, 2013
• Comment

When I first heard the recent rumours about the Raptors potentially changing their team name and uniforms, I was unimpressed.  If the franchise had been more successful since entering the league, no one would care what they wore or were called.

However, then Rudy Gay decided to appear on the Jimmy Kimmel show last night:

Has it really gotten so bad that the Raptors can’t even win a frickin’ game of Skype scavenger hunt?  And losing to the former Mr Kardashian, Kris Humphries, just makes it ten times worse.

From Gay’s total lack of preparation (seriously, why would you decide to play from your mum’s house?!?!) to the look of utter despondency on his face as the contest was slipping away, I felt like I was watching a Raptors game.

I may now have to rethink my whole stance against revamping the image of the franchise.  Tim Leiweke and company have to do something to turn the Raptors fortunes around.

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• By English Paul
• June 10, 2013
• Comment

Subject to both sides agreeing to extend the time period, today is when MLSE will announce their plans regarding the future of President and GM Bryan Colangelo.  More specifically, new chief executive officer Tim Leiweke will be making the decision regarding the fate of the former Phoenix Suns GM.

Various rumours have been circulating regarding the decision, but for the most part, the Raptors have been extremely tight-lipped regarding Colangelo.  However, according to sources, the two-time NBA executive of the year will apparently be given one more season to turn the franchise around.

The main reason for this, is Leiweke’s unsuccessful attempts to lure Phil Jackson to Toronto.  While MLSE hired a head-hunting firm to find a list of possible replacements for Colangelo, the former Bulls and Lakers coach was always the preferred option.

Under these circumstances, Leiweke will likely decide to give Colangelo and vice-president Ed Stefanski another season.  The knock-on effect of this move will also secure the final year of Dwayne Casey’s contract.

Aided by the addition of Rudy Gay, the former Dallas Mavericks assistant was able to finish last season 30-28, after a disastrous start to the campaign.  Colangelo made no secret of the fact he would retain the services of Casey if he remained as the Raptors President and GM.

Updated: Latest reports indicate that while Colangelo will remain with the Raptors, he will now be leaving his position as President and GM and move over to the business side.

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• By T.O.I.N.S.D.R.
• May 20, 2013
• Comment

I’m sure you’ll remember the Raptors Amir Johnson attended the Blue Jays game on April 19th against the Yankees, to throw out the first pitch.  And the second.  And the third.

But even though things didn’t go exactly as planned, Johnson still decided to produce a video of the experience for our (unintentional) amusement:

Johnson’s throwing style appears to be better suited for on the cricket field, rather than the pitching mound.  To be fair though, I’d also be nervous throwing out the first pitch in front of 40,000 people.

And at least Johnson had the excuse of not actually being a professional baseball pitcher.  (Which is more than can be said for Brandon Morrow and Brett Cecil, who both endured nightmare outings in the 9-4 loss to the Yankees.)

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• By paul.taylor
• May 15, 2013
• Comment

No matter what your job is, everyone looks forward to that time of year when we get to go away on holiday for a hard-earned break.  Of course, if you’re a professional athlete, there’s less restrictions in terms of where you want to go.

Take, for example, the Raptors Quincy Acy and Terrence Ross, who decided to recover from a long season by travelling to Cabo San Lucas, which is in the Mexican state of Baja California Sur. (Apologies for the impromptu geography lesson.)

As if the picture of that beach wasn’t making me jealous enough, the Raptors teammates decided to play some football.  Here’s Acy intercepting a pass intended for Ross:

I can’t confirm either way, but rumour has it that Mark Sanchez was throwing the ball.

The fun didn’t stop there, as Acy also decided to go Dolphin riding:

In light of Jason Collins admitting he’s gay, some people may decide to speculate about Acy and Ross going away on holiday together, not that there’s anything wrong with that*.   However, just to set the record straight (no pun intended), Acy’s girlfriend also travelled to Cabo with the pair.

* Copyright of Seinfeld

And here’s the young lady in question with Acy.  At least I’m assuming it’s him, because you can’t actually see his face:

Here’s hoping the view of Acy’s back is a regular one for Raptors opponents next season, with the 22-year old and his teammates catching them flat-footed on yet another fast break.

Photo credits: @QuincyAcy

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• By paul.taylor
• April 30, 2013
• Comment

Amir Johnson has to be the most well-liked Raptors player in franchise history to wear the number 15 jersey. (I said ‘most well-liked’ not ‘best’, before anyone brings up Vince Carter.)

Johnson various antics have kept Raptors fans everywhere entertained, something that is appreciated, especially given the trials and tribulations of this past season.  Certainly, not many professional athletes could provide as much amusement by posting a photo of themselves settling into ‘flight mode’ on a plane:

I sure hope that’s a grimace and not a smirk he’s hiding, otherwise serious questions will have to be asked about what Mr. Johnson is getting up to underneath that blanket.

Photo credit: @IamAmirJohnson

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• By paul.taylor
• April 29, 2013
• Comment

When Bryan Colangelo (together with coach Dwane Casey) held his season-ending press conference with the media on Monday, it was surrounded by mystery and confusion. One of the biggest questions was why a decision had not yet been made about the future of the Raptors GM?

For many people, it seems pointless to drag out the process with so much to do during the off-season.  However, we may finally know why MLSE have held off on making a decision regarding Colangelo.

According to sources, the Raptors are interested in bringing Phil Jackson into the front office. Indeed, as the former Bulls and Lakers coach himself confirmed, he has been in talks with multiple NBA teams.

Whether the Raptors have any chance remains to be seen, but they could certainly prove to be an attractive proposition for Jackson, who won 11 NBA titles as a coach.  The Raptors can provide first-class facilities and, despite not making the playoffs for five season, have a loyal fanbase.

The team also has some key components to build around, including Rudy Gay, Amir Johnson and Jonas Valanciunas.  Finally, with MLSE in charge, money should be no issue.

Ultimately, if the Raptors attempts to lure Jackson to Toronto prove unsuccessful, expect them to bring Colangelo back.  Even though the former Suns GM doesn’t have a deal for next season, the club holds an option for what would be his eighth year.

Photo credit: www.lakerholicz.com

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• By paul.taylor
• April 26, 2013
• Comment

The Raptors campaign may finally be over (some would argue it was over weeks ago), but for certain people, the season never truly ends.  Take Blue Toro favourite Amir Johnson, who decided to get an early start on his off-season training programme:

Not exactly a Jordanesque workout is it?  I have no idea who Veezy is and I’m sure he’s a good guy, but I hope Johnson’s just easing into his off-season workout programme before finding tougher opposition to guard him.

Video credit: @thisisveezy247

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• By paul.taylor
• April 26, 2013
• Comment

As far as I’m concerned, one of the keys to enjoying life is to experiment and try new things.  In other words, go outside your comfort zone.

However, the Raptor’s Quincy Acy may not agree, especially if this tweet by Landry Fields is anything to go by:

That’s right.. The face of a man that ate an oyster for the first time.. @quincyacy instagram.com/p/YJaTITp9hy/

— Landry Fields (@landryfields) April 16, 2013

And just in case there’s any doubt about the rookie’s feelings, he posted the following response:

#Repost from the homie @landryfields …just tried Oyster for the first time..I almost didn’t make it… instagram.com/p/YJayi-gp6g/

— Quincy Acy (@QuincyAcy) April 16, 2013

If Acy can make the Hawks feel half as uncomfortable during tonight’s game in Atlanta, I think all Raptors fans will be happy.

Photo credit: @landryfields

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• By paul.taylor
• April 16, 2013
• Comment

Despite some high points during the season, it’s ultimately turned into another lost campaign for the Raptors.  And while people try to work out where it went wrong for Toronto’s NBA team, we may have the answer, or at least part of it, if this tweet from John Lucas III is anything to go by:

Late night now worktwitpic.com/cipg90

— John Lucas III (@Luke1luk) April 12, 2013

Is anyone else concerned by what appears to be the backup point guard’s lack of enthusiasm to work out?  Or perhaps this is what coach Dwane Casey gets the team to do on a regular basis?

Surely it would be more productive to get up and, oh I don’t know, actually move around? Maybe Lucas is just trying to work out what’s in his hands, in which case the Raptors 30-48 record suddenly makes more sense.

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• By paul.taylor
• April 12, 2013
• Comment