Halftime Hype

I've decided to hold off on a post about the free agency until the end of July so there aren't as many pending moves as I write. My reconsideration also gives me a chance to get back to what I love most: op-ed analysis on the overlooked aspects of the game.

In the NBA, out of thirty professional teams, there are only a handful that we easily forget about. One of them happens to be the lone team outside the United States. The Toronto Raptors are probably the most isolated team in the NBA, if not in American pro sports. There are many intriguing teams to follow, but none quite like the Raptors. They are very easily the most invisible team in the NBA and mainly known as Chris Bosh & Co. It's difficult to recall any special memories in their franchise, or any memories at all. When they're mediocre, they stay unseen. When they're victorious, very few people take the time to notice. It's this lack of persona, a particular lacking of reputation, a minimal presence that ironically, had me interested.

It's no secret that they're probably the most distant team in the association since they're located across the border. The culture and industry of Toronto may indeed be too much for American fans to handle or at the very least, we can't relate to it. Interestingly enough, though, 49% of the city is made up of townspeople not born in the land of maple syrup. Being the most populous city in Canada, you could say it's the equivalent to a foreign New York City - except without all the fame. In other ways, you could say it's the heir to Beverly Hills, with its cleanliness, safety, and actually has the edge when it comes to diversity.

But there's nothing wrong with being so distinct. According to the Economist Intelligence Unit and the Mercer Quality of Living Survey, Toronto has been and continues to be one of the most livable cities. Maybe it's part of the culture to be low-key? Economically, despite the fact that it's stock market is the seventh largest, you can watch CNBC for days without hearing a word about the trades up north. Similarly, in basketball, we rarely hear any thoughts about the Raptors as analysts are often too busy obsessing over a Lebron James lay-up or East Coast rumors.


Downtown Toronto

History Lesson: Let There be Light
The franchise was officially born in '95, and as the case with all expansion teams, the first few years were tough. It seemed as though success wouldn't be in sight anyimte soon after kicking things off with a 21-61 season. Although, there was some light at the end of the tunnel. Damon Stoudemire went on to be awarded Rookie of the Year and the Raptors were one of the few teams to a capture a victory over the historically elite 72-10 Chicago Bulls. The follwing year, they performed slightly better, only winners of 30 games. Once again, however, they matched their feat of beating the league's best, defeating three Conference Finalists, and of course, the championship Bulls. Things didn't go much better for the Raptors in their third league in the association, the ultimate lowlight being a 17-game losing streak.

But the Raptors wouldn't be the league's trash much longer. After trading Antawn Jamison for VInce Carter on draft day, the team hat once harnessed the popularity of a JV team was no longer a force to be messed with. Soon enough fans were allso enthralled by the youthful Tracy McGrady, only to have him traded right when things were getting exciting. That didn't phase many though, as it appeared everyone was mesmerized by VC. This was no longer the dull squad of the past, as the Raptors scored league attendance records in 2000, 20001, and 2002. There was finally hope for the Raptors, coached by the legendary Lenny Wilkens. While the Lakers were en route to a championship three-peat, the Torontonians were satisfied with making the playoffs three years in a row. Low-keyness coming into play? Maybe.

One of the more memorable moments in franchise history cocured during the Eastern Conference Semifinals in 2000. The series had reached Game 7 and everything was on line in the closing seconds. Of course, Vince Carter would take the clutch shot. But as history has it, he misssed and many became furious upon news that he had attended his graduation the morning of the game.

Nevertheless, the 2000 Dunk Contest champ could only entertain for so long and the frnachise would never be the same afer his departure. Even with the All-Star presence of Chris Bosh, the squad still struggled. Only in the last couple of years has the team risen to a degree of vitality and typically make the highlight reels because of the show put on by their opponents. Today, if you check Wikipedia, and with many fans, you'll be enlightened to discover that this wasn't the age of Bosh, but rather the "Colangelo Era." There's a reason for knowing this history, though. One must observe just how dynamic the Toronto Raptors are and how they're (lack of) identity has transformed over the years. They may not be the most exciting team. They may not be the scariest bunch. They may not even have their own dignified ambiance (ex. Jack at Lakers games). At the end of the day, though, this isolated team rightfully demands attention.

Ed-Note: We Are All Witnesses...Sometimes
I've been thinking about writing a post devoted to the "Slam-gate" Scandal, but after listening to hours of talk radio and plenty of other blog posts, I have reconsidered. Instead, I refer you all to a post by J.E. Skeets in which he echoes a simple message: If the video hadn't been confiscated, we all would've been wooed for a week and gone back to our life. Would've been like the video below...



Ed-Note 2: Obama vs. Silva
From Charles Babington of the AP: L'AQUILA, Italy – President Barack Obama seemed pleased with the gift he received Thursday from Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, but it was bittersweet nonetheless. Silva gave Obama, a big sports fan, an autographed yellow Brazilian soccer jersey at the start of their morning meeting at the G-8 summit in Italy. During their banter, which reporters partly heard through a translator, Silva spoke animatedly of the June 28 soccer match between the U.S. and Brazilian national teams in the Confederations Cup series. The game was a crushing loss for the underdog Americans, who led at the midway point, 2-0, only to lose 3-2. Silva repeatedly said, "Yes we can," which was Obama's campaign catchphrase and apparently what the Brazilian president had in mind while his team trailed. Obama smiled gamely; if he felt Silva was rubbing it in a bit, he didn't let on."Hey, look at this," Obama said of the jersey, signed by the Brazilian team's players. "Beautiful. All right, wonderful. I like that." White House spokesman Robert Gibbs later said Obama ended his 30-minute session with Silva by patting the Brazilian's back and vowing, "we will not lose a two-point lead again."