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Showing posts with the label Toronto Raptors

Toronto Raptors, Say It Loud: Interview with Savanna Hamilton

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The concept of community has evolved this year. So many conditions have been equally restricted, and hopes for simple freedoms and joys that we "used to" experience are felt collectively. Here in Toronto. Across Canada, and worldwide. Fortunately, on July 30, one of the joys that returned after a four month pandemic-hiatus was the basketball season...and our hometown reigning NBA champion Toronto Raptors are now in the middle of the Eastern Conference semi-finals against the Boston Celtics (who won tonight's game 102-99 and are now leading the series 2-0). As a part of the sports community, we are all engaged in the events taking place within the NBA. It is a part of our daily routine. As members of the global community--and citizens of this city in particular--we all have a role to play in terms of supporting, endorsing, and translating the messages and wishes of our officials. This includes government representatives in some cases, but also of the community leaders and

Toronto Raptors, Say It Loud: Interview with Artist Mark Stoddart

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Mark Stoddart, an innovative UK-born Torontonian has had a deep creative connection to global, political, and revolutionary movements since high school. A humble and natural leader, his messaging has consistently contributed to conversations in support of Black lives, cultural awareness, and social justice. His design acumen and skillful ability to translate history into art has him now, once again, with his vision focused on the development of his city's identity. He has again positioned himself to interrogate social injustices and systemic inequities through his creations. In the current state of unrest, and through his love for basketball, Mark has continued to stand by and stand up for everything he believes in, and has communicated his social commitment through a new series of designs on display by Toronto Raptors players. Released earlier this month, the unique images, co-designed by Mark and Toronto-based photographic artist Adeyemi Adegbesan were launched at the first game

Toronto Raptors, Say It Loud: Interview with Jamaal Magloire

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As of this afternoon, the Raptors defeated the Brooklyn Nets 117-92, and are currently 3-0 in their Round 1 playoff series. The original concept of continuing the NBA season amidst the global pandemic was slightly awkward in theory, even just thinking of the logistics and energy with the crowd-less games at Walt Disney World Resort’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Most importantly, since the season temporarily paused back on March 11, there have also been countless incidents (aside from the pandemic) to bring cause for concern, apprehension, and doubt. It’s been a few weeks now, and the return of the season has become a welcome distraction, much like the Michael Jordan documentary “The Last Dance” provided entertainment and normalcy back in April/May, the season is beginning to feel refreshing. Familiar. Enjoyable! In addition to the good vibes, there’s also the familiar feeling of validating and imminent victory looming in Toronto. If you’re able to overlook the relative silence,

Musicians Celebrate the Toronto Raptors' Reign with Caribbean Vibes

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King Ujah Raptor fever has been fantastic! So fantastic, that it's going to be sad to see it pass and hard to fill the void of excitement and pride that NBA fans across the country have been feeling lately. For the past few years, each season has manifested increased energy and fan support from Torontonians, Canadians, and basketball fans around the globe. As the momentum carried on into the post-season with playoff games and a heightened realization that our hometown NBA squad could potentially bring us to the Finals, the creativity from supporters only increased. Heading into the Eastern Conference Finals, and eventually the Finals, the fanfare continued to elevate in crowd sizes, paraphernalia sales, and wild and uncontrollable antics of joy from inside the Scotiabank Arena, to outside in Jurassic Park, and in recording studios across the GTA. Now that yesterday's victory parade has come and gone and the festivities have "officially" come to an end (for now

Masai Ujiri's "Giants of Africa" Documentary at TIFF

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God bless Masai Ujiri. I knew that I had to see the documentary based on the Toronto Raptors' president's organization " Giants of Africa " as soon as I heard it would be featured at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) this year.  As a fan of the Toronto Raptors , one can't help but be proud to see how in just a few years the team has transformed into a powerhouse within the NBA. The fan base has expanded exponentially, media coverage, merchandise, awareness, and overall excitement for the Toronto home team has been electrifying to say the least. Basketball lovers around the world have witnessed the phenomenon that is "Jurassic Park," and viewers outside of our country have taken notice of the Raps in a real way. Masai is a huge part of this change , and this energy, and his influential hand has touched more than just the world of professional sports. Giants of Africa--the organization--is exactly what people in positions of

The Narrative of Basketball & The Raptors Reporters

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I am a writer and communicator at heart, and am always seeking to see what is written about a particular event, individual, or phenomenon, how it is communicated, and then I essentially base my experience on the delivery and execution of the surrounding media. I see almost everything through a journalist lens, by default. I enjoy basketball. I admittedly haven't always been a hardcore fan, but this year I am closer than I've ever been. It all started with the NBA lockout in the summer, discovering that I had NBA TV, and then listening to updates from Derek Fisher and David Stern and the subsequent reporting of the breaking news as it unfolded. From NBA TV, I was drawn to TSN, and SportsNet, and to the web, and to the blogs, and to the Fan 590, and then I realized that I had officially become interested in what would happen next! It was a daily curiosity. I became fascinated by the side story of the players, the negotiations, the speculation, the union, the press conferences, a