Monday, January 31, 2011
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Photo Blog: A Night with the Raptors; Red Party 2011
By: _kristineanne
Of course, the Dance Pak was in full force, and brought a ton of energy to the event. Here's Gino with Kat ... sort of.
The party was emceed by Matt Devlin (always looking sharp in his red blazer) and Sherm. Here they are with Jay Triano thanking the crowd.
After a stroll, we found Linas who was more than happy to sign our hard hat:
Close by, we also found Leandro. How could you not love that smile?
As we were walking back to get some food, we caught up with Amir, who was extremely nice.
Right by Amir, Joey and Sonny were taking the opportunity to pose in front of the cameras.
Here's me with Joey a short while after.
Ed was hanging out in a very congested area of Muzik so it was difficult to get a good picture.
Here's Gino with Peja:
Although Jerryd was actually the first Rap we saw that night, we didn't get to meet him until much later as he was swarmed by huge groups of people most of the night.
I couldn't resist taking a picture with JYD. He was in a really good mood and took pictures with literally everyone in the building.
All in all it was a fantastic night, and a once in a lifetime opportunity for a Raptors Fanatic.
This past Christmas, me and the hubby, Fanatic Gino were fortunate enough to receive tickets to the 2011 Red Party from our brother, Fanatic Mark. The following is just a short recap of some of the highlights of the night.
First things first, the Raptors, MLSE, and the Team Up Foundation really know how to throw a fantastic party. Held at Muzik, guests were greeted by valet parking, delicious food, an open bar, and a chance to hang out with our favourite Raptors. It was a fanatic's dream come true. Here's a (poor quality) pic of the inside.
All guests had a chance to purchase a Raptors hard hat, which they could have autographed by whomever their heart desired. All proceeds went to the Team Up foundation. After the initial shock of being surrounded by all the players, coaching staff and brass, we finally got down to business and mustered the courage to approach the guys.
Our first target was none other than the REGend, who looked super fly in his red suit. Reggie's lovely wife was also with him, and the two are expecting a new little Evans every soon! Congrats to the happy couple!
Next, we caught sight of Jose, who was not as decked out as Reggie, but still looking good, sporting a red tie.
Demar was quite the popular guy, he was really hard to get to, and we were only able to get his autograph and snap this picture:
And where Demar is Sonny is never far away, so it's only natural that we saw him next:
After Sonny, we really got down to business. The main mission of the night was to find Andrea Bargnani, and get a picture with him. Those who know me know that I am a HUGE Il Mago fan. I'd practiced over and over what I would say to him when we met, and when the moment of truth finally arrived ... NOTHING. I panicked and couldn't think of a thing to say. I was afraid to even approach him. Thank goodness for Gino, who pushed me and made it happen. Once I got over the initial shock, of being near him, the shock of how incredibly tall he was hit me. I mean, I know he's 7 feet, but MAN Andrea's like a tree! But I would be lying if I told you I didn't get teary eyed after the encounter. NOTE: I am wearing high heels and still couldn't reach his shoulders.
Of course, the Dance Pak was in full force, and brought a ton of energy to the event. Here's Gino with Kat ... sort of.
The party was emceed by Matt Devlin (always looking sharp in his red blazer) and Sherm. Here they are with Jay Triano thanking the crowd.
After a stroll, we found Linas who was more than happy to sign our hard hat:
Close by, we also found Leandro. How could you not love that smile?
As we were walking back to get some food, we caught up with Amir, who was extremely nice.
We chatted it up with Amir for a bit, and just before we left him, he asked me to tweet him our picture ... so the next day I did, and he actually tweeted me back! This guy knows how to make the fans feel special.
Right by Amir, Joey and Sonny were taking the opportunity to pose in front of the cameras.
Here's me with Joey a short while after.
Ed was hanging out in a very congested area of Muzik so it was difficult to get a good picture.
Here's Gino with Peja:
Although Jerryd was actually the first Rap we saw that night, we didn't get to meet him until much later as he was swarmed by huge groups of people most of the night.
Here's Gino with Julian, who was probably our favourite Rap that night. He really took the time to talk to us and made sure we were having a good time.
I couldn't resist taking a picture with JYD. He was in a really good mood and took pictures with literally everyone in the building.
Jay was another elusive one. He was very busy the whole night meeting this person and that, being shuttled from place to place; but eventually, we caught up with the coach.
Those of you who keep a close watch of the Fanatics know that we have a small number whenever Livin' on a Prayer blasts during the third quarter. At the party, we were graced with none other than Matt and Jack singing our favourite tune. It took all of my willpower not to bust a move during the chorus :)
My courage grew as the night went on, so when I saw Andrea, Linas and Peja all together at one end of the room, I jumped into a picture with the three of them. Quite an awkward picture, but that's what makes it one of my faves.
This is one of the only pictures of the two of us that night. It was late into the party just before we left. Obviously, we're not as fresh as earlier in the night :p
And here's our hard hat at the end of the night, signed by everyone on our current roster (minus Solomon Alabi) and Jay Triano:
All in all it was a fantastic night, and a once in a lifetime opportunity for a Raptors Fanatic.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Raptors win, Raptors win, Raptors win!
By: Jonathan Joubran
Can you say, heart-warming? Spirit, dedication, pure hustle, spectacular effort, brilliant hard-work, great intensity and just flat out amazing determination sums up the play of the Toronto Raptors last night in Dallas. Although Dallas without Dirk, this was the first time Toronto beat Dallas IN Dallas since December 30th, 1999.
Lets be honest, did anyone think that Toronto would get a 'W' yesterday night in Dallas, when 1) We're under manned 2) We're on the road, and 3) Dallas has the second best record in the leauge.
They went in the game with no Andrea Bargnani, Sonny Weems, and the usual Reggie Evans and Peja. Jose was game-time with a bad right ankle, and did not play... just what we needed right? Amir Johnson was game-time with a sore back with also stiches above his right eye. Barbosa was also a game-time decision with a sore knee.. but both players decided to play & their effort was terrific as each scored 12 points.
So the Raptors had an 8-man rotation coming into the game.. but the injury bug decided to strike again for us, as Jerryd Bayless rolled his ankle.. then rolled it again in the fourth quarter to leave the game. Linas Kleiza got two pointless technical fouls, to eject him from the game. So now the Raptors are left with 6 players.. with two of them playing through injuries. Barbosa, Amir, Julian Wright, DeMar DeRozan, Joey Dorsey and Ed Davis. Each player played phenominal.
Although Julian had 0 points, the effort he brought to the floor, the plays where he guarded Jason Kidd, or Terry.. Julian Wright was indeed the Toronto Raptors X-Factor for the game in my opinion. He does all the intangable things that don't get on the stat sheet that every team needs.
DeMar DeRozan was sticking the mid-range jumper yesterday night, and also drove to the hole, exactly what we need from the second-year player. DeMar had 16 points.
Joey Dorsey played great.. starting to show he was a great pick up, with 7 points and 8 rebounds.
Ed Davis was the player of the game, as the rookie shined with 17 points, 12 rebounds, 3 steals and 3 blocks! By far the best game by Ed Davis as a pro, and the best game for the Toronto Raptors this season in general.
What THEY said (courtesy of Raptors.com):
Jerryd Bayless: "It’s a great team effort. I think everyone did their job. We’ve got to continue to hold our cool, there were T’s that were unnecessary but I think it was just the emotions of the game."
Jay Triano: "We said before the game that we’ve got to take care of the basketball with guys playing out of position. I thought we did a better job, even though we had some shot clock violations, but that is us trying to use the ball on the offensive end. Ed (Davis) stepped up, Amir (Johnson) played well and I thought all three of our bigs played extremely well. I love the way that we guarded at the end of the game."
Ed Davis: "Just tried to come out and give the team all the intangibles, the little things. Rebound, block shots, run the floor. Just all the small things."
The Toronto Raptors Fanatic Zone would like to send our warmest wishes to Jose, Andrea, Sonny, Amir, Barbosa, Reggie, Peja and Jerryd for speedy recoveries.. we need you guys!
Next up for the Raptors is the Houston Rockets on New Years Eve!
If you're on twitter, be sure to follow us, and use some of these neat hash-tags!
#Raptors #RTZ #FanSinceDayOne #LETSGORAPTORS #DieHardFan #FanaticZone #TorontoRaptors #GoRaptors #GoRaptorsGo
Until next time!
Can you say, heart-warming? Spirit, dedication, pure hustle, spectacular effort, brilliant hard-work, great intensity and just flat out amazing determination sums up the play of the Toronto Raptors last night in Dallas. Although Dallas without Dirk, this was the first time Toronto beat Dallas IN Dallas since December 30th, 1999.
Lets be honest, did anyone think that Toronto would get a 'W' yesterday night in Dallas, when 1) We're under manned 2) We're on the road, and 3) Dallas has the second best record in the leauge.
They went in the game with no Andrea Bargnani, Sonny Weems, and the usual Reggie Evans and Peja. Jose was game-time with a bad right ankle, and did not play... just what we needed right? Amir Johnson was game-time with a sore back with also stiches above his right eye. Barbosa was also a game-time decision with a sore knee.. but both players decided to play & their effort was terrific as each scored 12 points.
So the Raptors had an 8-man rotation coming into the game.. but the injury bug decided to strike again for us, as Jerryd Bayless rolled his ankle.. then rolled it again in the fourth quarter to leave the game. Linas Kleiza got two pointless technical fouls, to eject him from the game. So now the Raptors are left with 6 players.. with two of them playing through injuries. Barbosa, Amir, Julian Wright, DeMar DeRozan, Joey Dorsey and Ed Davis. Each player played phenominal.
Although Julian had 0 points, the effort he brought to the floor, the plays where he guarded Jason Kidd, or Terry.. Julian Wright was indeed the Toronto Raptors X-Factor for the game in my opinion. He does all the intangable things that don't get on the stat sheet that every team needs.
DeMar DeRozan was sticking the mid-range jumper yesterday night, and also drove to the hole, exactly what we need from the second-year player. DeMar had 16 points.
Joey Dorsey played great.. starting to show he was a great pick up, with 7 points and 8 rebounds.
Ed Davis was the player of the game, as the rookie shined with 17 points, 12 rebounds, 3 steals and 3 blocks! By far the best game by Ed Davis as a pro, and the best game for the Toronto Raptors this season in general.
What THEY said (courtesy of Raptors.com):
Jerryd Bayless: "It’s a great team effort. I think everyone did their job. We’ve got to continue to hold our cool, there were T’s that were unnecessary but I think it was just the emotions of the game."
Jay Triano: "We said before the game that we’ve got to take care of the basketball with guys playing out of position. I thought we did a better job, even though we had some shot clock violations, but that is us trying to use the ball on the offensive end. Ed (Davis) stepped up, Amir (Johnson) played well and I thought all three of our bigs played extremely well. I love the way that we guarded at the end of the game."
Ed Davis: "Just tried to come out and give the team all the intangibles, the little things. Rebound, block shots, run the floor. Just all the small things."
The Toronto Raptors Fanatic Zone would like to send our warmest wishes to Jose, Andrea, Sonny, Amir, Barbosa, Reggie, Peja and Jerryd for speedy recoveries.. we need you guys!
Next up for the Raptors is the Houston Rockets on New Years Eve!
If you're on twitter, be sure to follow us, and use some of these neat hash-tags!
#Raptors #RTZ #FanSinceDayOne #LETSGORAPTORS #DieHardFan #FanaticZone #TorontoRaptors #GoRaptors #GoRaptorsGo
Until next time!
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Raptors Back At It Tonight!
By: Jonathan Joubran
Yes, our Toronto Raptors are back in action tonight, in the final home game of 2010! Lets hope the Raptors can get back on track, and finish the 2010 year with a big bang! Tonight they square off against the Detroit Pistons.. whom I'm sure they are looking for some revenge on us, after what happened last time these two teams faced each other.
And also, the Fanatics will be there tonight! If anyone is at the game, check us out at section's 102/103 behind the net!
In addition, yesterday was one of the Fanatics birthday, if you see him tonight, greet him a happy birthday! Happy birthday, Cliff!
LETS GO RAPTORS!
Yes, our Toronto Raptors are back in action tonight, in the final home game of 2010! Lets hope the Raptors can get back on track, and finish the 2010 year with a big bang! Tonight they square off against the Detroit Pistons.. whom I'm sure they are looking for some revenge on us, after what happened last time these two teams faced each other.
And also, the Fanatics will be there tonight! If anyone is at the game, check us out at section's 102/103 behind the net!
In addition, yesterday was one of the Fanatics birthday, if you see him tonight, greet him a happy birthday! Happy birthday, Cliff!
LETS GO RAPTORS!
Friday, December 17, 2010
Raptors Rally With a Win!
By: Jonathan Joubran
Wow, what an incredible, fantastic game!!! Can you say amazing or what?! Fanatics were 8 man down, but I truly beleive we were louder than ever, it was phenominal. From the screaming and cheering, to the signs, our unique chants, and our dance moves, the Fanatics are truly the greatest Toronto Raptors fans the Air Canada Centre and Raptors organization has ever witnessed. With our fantastic cheering, The Raptors fed off our fanatic energy, and took the game with a score of 98-92! Phenominal play by forward Linas Kleiza who is really starting to show signs of consistency who played a team high 45 minutes today, grabbing a double double of 18 points and 12 rebounds. Il Mago was on point today, played absoloutley fantastic, getting yet another 30+ game in the point department, 32 points, 9 rebounds and 2 blocks. DeMar DeRozan had a quiet 14 points, but topped it off with a THUNDEROUS slam in the final minute of the game. Jose had a double double with 15 and 14, while Leandro scored 10 points off the bench, including a solifying three pointer in the dieng minute of the game to seal the deal! The full boxscore and highlights is here:
What THEY said:
Brook Lopez: ``Every game I have played against him he has gotten better, he is a fantastic player and is always a great challenge for me. Obviously, he is knock down shooter and he plays very well off that.'' In reference to Andrea
Jay: ``He was huge,'I think early when Andrea wasn't going, he made shots. I know he can shoot the basketball, I think the big thing for us today was his rebounding. He had a real hunger for the ball.'' In reference to Kleiza
Raptors are back at it this Sunday against the one and only L.A Lakers, but sadly the Fanatics will not be there, we are back at it Dec. 22 against Pistons!
Great game! Signing off, 'Till next time, and remember...
LETS GO RAPTORS!!
Wow, what an incredible, fantastic game!!! Can you say amazing or what?! Fanatics were 8 man down, but I truly beleive we were louder than ever, it was phenominal. From the screaming and cheering, to the signs, our unique chants, and our dance moves, the Fanatics are truly the greatest Toronto Raptors fans the Air Canada Centre and Raptors organization has ever witnessed. With our fantastic cheering, The Raptors fed off our fanatic energy, and took the game with a score of 98-92! Phenominal play by forward Linas Kleiza who is really starting to show signs of consistency who played a team high 45 minutes today, grabbing a double double of 18 points and 12 rebounds. Il Mago was on point today, played absoloutley fantastic, getting yet another 30+ game in the point department, 32 points, 9 rebounds and 2 blocks. DeMar DeRozan had a quiet 14 points, but topped it off with a THUNDEROUS slam in the final minute of the game. Jose had a double double with 15 and 14, while Leandro scored 10 points off the bench, including a solifying three pointer in the dieng minute of the game to seal the deal! The full boxscore and highlights is here:
What THEY said:
Brook Lopez: ``Every game I have played against him he has gotten better, he is a fantastic player and is always a great challenge for me. Obviously, he is knock down shooter and he plays very well off that.'' In reference to Andrea
Jay: ``He was huge,'I think early when Andrea wasn't going, he made shots. I know he can shoot the basketball, I think the big thing for us today was his rebounding. He had a real hunger for the ball.'' In reference to Kleiza
Raptors are back at it this Sunday against the one and only L.A Lakers, but sadly the Fanatics will not be there, we are back at it Dec. 22 against Pistons!
Great game! Signing off, 'Till next time, and remember...
LETS GO RAPTORS!!
PUTTING THE POSTER BOARDS TO WORK!
A Short Clip on how effective our "M-I-S-S" poster boards look on TV!
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