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Viciousd_2005-01-20

Raptors HQ - Vicious D

Apr 20, 2009 May 30, 2012 146 2191

Current lead co-author for Raptors HQ.
Former writer for Hoops Addict.

Other major interest: Japanese Culture

Born and raised in Toronto (North York).
Got into basketball thanks to my younger brother.
Day Job: Technical Support Specialist for the Blackberry line at Rogers.

You can follow me on Twitter as well @RapHQVicious

a fan of

Toronto Blue Jays Major League Baseball Team

Toronto Raptors National Basketball Association Team

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Toronto FC Soccer Team

Roger Federer Tennis Player(s)

Calgary Flames National Hockey League Team

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Raptors HQ In the Books

The NBA and NFL both had lockouts.  66 games later, and I'd have to say the NFL season came out better.

In what many are calling yet another in a long line of disappointing seasons, the Raptors find themselves without a playoff spot, hoping for a draft pick, and looking to "rebuild". However, Kinnon Yee takes some time to go back and look at his expectations coming into this season.

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5 comments  | 

Raptors HQ Down to Three - Toronto @ Detroit (3 in the Key)

I wonder if Bradley Beal is willing to pose in compromising photos...

It's a battle of bottom feeders as Casey's Heroes head to Detroit to battle it out for more ping pong balls. The season's mercifully coming to an end as Kinnon Yee ponders aloud about the next season.

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13 comments  | 

Raptors HQ Get the Tanking Back in Order - Toronto @ Atlanta (3 in the Key)

Can the Raptors find a way to waive this guy?  He's seriously putting a dent in our tanking efforts. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-US PRESSWIRE

With their surprise Friday the 13th victory, the Raptors head into Sam Mitchell's back yard for a home-and-home back-to-back series with the Hawks. Kinnon Yee looks at how the Raptors can get the tank train back on the rails.

Poll
How can we get the tank back in the game?
Send Dwane Casey on "extended vacation"
47 votes
Tie leg irons to our centers and power forwards
4 votes
Get the Dance Pack to play the rest of the season
26 votes
Bring Milt Palacio out of retirement
22 votes
Bring Bargnani Back (Thanks MAS11!)
20 votes

119 votes | Poll has closed

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10 comments  | 

Raptors HQ Hit Me With Your Best Shot (Please?) - Boston @ Toronto (3 in the Key)

Yup, Jimmy Hart was the "Mouth from the South" but Sam Mitchell would have given him a run for his money...
NOSTALGIA!!

Boston trots into Toronto looking to extend their four game winning streak and Toronto seems to want to oblige. With our hometown heroes sporting various injuries, Kinnon Yee takes a look at tonight's game.

Poll
How was Dwane Casey's performance for 2011-2012?
Great! The Leafs probably need him
63 votes
Not bad. He needs to work on his player rotations
37 votes
Okay. Wish he could get more offense out of this group
17 votes
Horrible. Is Butch Carter still available?
3 votes

120 votes | Poll has closed

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16 comments  | 

Raptors HQ Raptors Go for Four - Cleveland @ Toronto (3 in the Key)

OK, the NBA doesn't use these balls, but the image in my head always thinks they do.

Another game at home, and the Raptors face a lottery bound team that they've suddenly surpassed over the past week. Kinnon Yee takes a look as the Raptors enter into the final 11 games of the year.

Poll
Where will the Raptors finish in the Eastern Conference
10th. Oh god, I can't believe they'll finish 10th
39 votes
11th.
21 votes
12th.
19 votes
13th.
13 votes
14th.
1 votes
15th. I believe in miracles.
7 votes

100 votes | Poll has closed

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12 comments  | 

Raptors HQ Reading Tea Leaves - Charlotte @ Toronto (3 in the Key)

Worth taking a chance on next year?  Weems says the Raptors aren't interested in him, but I think they should give him a look.

MJ's team is in town to take on the Toronto Raptors. The Bobcats have tanking to an art form this year and it may just be enough for the Raptors to show up to beat the Bobcats. Kinnon Yee breaks down tonight's matchup.

Poll
Who would you like to have on your 2012-2013 Raptors
Sonny Weems. Lithuania's new local dunk champion
7 votes
DeMar DeRozan. Rookie with untapped potential
55 votes
Both. Let's get those Young Gunz (Onez?) back together
39 votes
Neither. I don't want any reminders of the past few years.
35 votes

136 votes | Poll has closed

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13 comments  | 

Raptors HQ Trading Away Your Big Man - Denver @ Toronto (3 in the Key)

I've been asking myself this question all season.

16 games are all that remain, and the Raptors find themselves hosting one of the most balanced and interesting teams in the West... One which is still try to adjust to life after trading away their big man.

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38 comments  | 

Raptors HQ Raptors vs. Knicks - Drama in "Gotham" (3 in the Key)

The Knicks have won three in a row and look to continue the momentum at home as the Raptors go to New York for a visit. Kinnon Yee takes a look at the Knicks recent troubles and return to form over the last three games.

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42 comments  | 

Raptors HQ Raptors vs. Cavaliers - Youthful Indiscretions (3 in the Key)


It's round 3 of the Raptors vs the Cavaliers and while most people are firmly in the "tank" camp, Kinnon Yee looks at a former Raptor hanging up his shoes: T.J. Ford.

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8 comments  | 

Raptors HQ RaptorsHQ Rapid Recap - Toronto Raptors 85 - Houston Rockets 88

- Oh, it was close, but it was far from beautiful. The Raptors managed to get back into the game after giving up a rather sizable lead to start the game. Each quarter, they made inroads against the Rockets, but just could never overcome "the hump"

- It wasn't pretty to start off with as the Rockets jumped out to a 12 point lead thanks to some efficient shooting and Kyle Lowry. Lowry would be a constant threat to the Raptors and finished with 26 points to lead all scorers

- Turnovers were what buried the Raptors in the first half and it wasn't until Jamaal Magloire entered the game that the Raptors seemed to "wake up".

- How about this for a lineup to finish with: James Johnson, Linas Kleiza, Leandro Barbossa, Amir Johnson, and Anthony Carter. With a lineup like that, you'd think there were massive injuries to the Raptors in this game.

- However, what it came down to it seems is defense. Dwane Casey went with his strongest defensive lineup and DeRozan could not look more dejected at the end of the game. His box score of 17 points on 6-14 shooting was not terrible, but when it came down to defense, Casey preferred putting James Johnson against Kevin Martin.

- James Johnson managed to harass Martin throughout and caused the Rockets Ace to shoot a terrible 3-15 for the night. Nevertheless, players like Chandler Parsons made hustle plays down the stretch and it was all over for the Raptors.

1 comment  | 

Raptors HQ 3 in the Key - Raptors' Game-Day Preview vs. Pistons

It's been over 10 years since the Raptors and Pistons met in the playoffs. Both teams are looking to rebuild in the draft but still develop the pieces they currently have. Kinnon Yee looks at a battle between two lottery bound teams in the East.

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10 comments  | 

Raptors HQ Tip-In: "Hobbled" - Spurs Defeat Raptors 113 - 106

Tony Parker let loose on the Raptors as they failed to materialize a win in their back-to-back home games. The Raptors kept it close for the most part, but to Kinnon Yee, the most disturbing part is the fading identity that seemed to be established earlier in the year.

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84 comments  | 

Raptors HQ 3 in the Key - Raptors' Game-Day Preview vs. Celtics

It's another game against the Celtics as the Raptors hope the third time is the charm. Kinnon Yee looks at the recent spotlight on Jeremy Lin and wonders where the Raptors equivalent is?

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58 comments  | 

Raptors HQ Tip-In: Out Gunned, Atlanta beats Toronto 100 - 77

The Hawks managed to thrash the Raptors from the second quarter forward. What was harder to watch was a 33 year old shooting guard with back issues completely school our wing players. Kinnon Yee looks at how T-mac bit into our hometown heroes.

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18 comments  | 

Raptors HQ Tip-In: "Heart", Toronto beats Utah 111-106 in 2OT

It took double overtime and a lot of headache to determine the outcome of this game. The Jazz and Raptors left everything on the floor and in the end, the Raptors took it. Kinnon Yee recaps an emotional one

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167 comments  | 

Raptors HQ RaptorsHQ Rapid Recap - Phoenix Suns 96 - Toronto Raptors 99

- It wasn't pretty, and you couldn't call what the Raptors played for a lot of the game "defense" but there were definitely highlights and enough for the Raptors to take it and beat the Phoenix Suns

- To start off, Andrea Bargnani's return was a massive boost for the club as he poured in buckets in the second half. If you were wondering if the Raptors missed Bargs presence, you just had to look at this game to see the impact. All in all, our returning "power forward" amassed 36 points to get the Raptors over the hump

- Oh, and defensively, Bargnani was still a step slow coming back from his injury. However, he managed to pull in 6 boards and play very impressive pick and roll defense with Jose Calderon. Yup, that's your two worst defenders from previous years being huge troublemakers for the Suns' pick and roll schemes. (Something that will be an emerging storyline from Casey's first year as coach)

- James Johnson also managed to even out some boneheaded plays with some effective offense. He crashed the offensive glass and managed to find 18 points on some very effective shooting and second chance points.

- Until the second half got rolling though, it was Leandro Barbosa who sustained the Raptors and barraged the Suns with 3 pointers. Once again, Barbosa showed why the Raptors simply can't depend on DeRozan for any kind of consistent offense or defense.

- On the other side, Robin Lopez was ejected for nudging an official in the first half and Steve Nash even picked up a technical after arguing a missed call.

- The Suns got a lot of scoring from Marcin Gortat and Hakim Warrick, both of which abused the Raptors individual defenders for most of the game.

- Overall it's a great win, and a great release of pressure as the Raptors travel to Utah to face the Jazz

10 comments  | 

Raptors HQ 3 in the Key - Raptors' Game-Day Preview vs Celtics

Slow vs slower. In a game which threatens to be the slowest paced game of the year, it'll be a battle between the Raptors and Celtics in Boston. With both teams at 4 wins, this could be a very important turning point for the Celtics who still have playoff and championship aspirations.

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60 comments  | 

Raptors HQ Tip-In: The Soft, Chewy Center, Washington beats Toronto 93-78

Coming in the middle of the back-to-back-to-back sequence is this game against the Wizards. A lot of people called this game a "trap" game as the Wizards came into the game 0-8. Kinnon Yee says we should have expected it, and that this loss shouldn't have surprised anyone.

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102 comments  | 

With some of our readers waiting for word on Aaron Gray, the news report today is not surprising. Gray has undergone surgery to repair his rapid heart rate and will be out for at least two weeks.

As some people have noted, Gray's interior play could help the Raptors to score and open up opportunities when the offense is stagnant.

We hope that Aaron Gray has a speedy recovery and can return to active duty soon

5 months ago Viciousd_2005-01-20_tiny Raptors HQ - Vicious D 0 comments

Raptors HQ 3 in the Key: Raptors' Game-Day Preview vs. Cavaliers

Our Raptors come home for their second home game! A game where the Raptors probably won't be counted as the underdogs. Kinnon Yee takes a look at tonight's game and looks at how the Raptors are playing "exciting" basketball

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42 comments  | 

Raptors HQ 3 in the Key: Raptors' Game-Day Preview vs. Pacers

David West comes into town with the new look Pacers.

One down, a bunch more to go. You may have heard that the Raptors beat the Cavaliers, but Kinnon Yee is conflicted, and probably will remain so for the rest of this year. Here's why.

Poll
How much would you pay Jose Calderon to stay in Toronto?
Nothing. Get him out of town with the first offer that comes in.
22 votes
$3 million and not a penny more. 2 years plus player option
74 votes
$4-5 million. 2 years plus player option. He deserves at least this much.
115 votes
Jose's done a great job. I insist we re-sign him for the exact same money
18 votes

229 votes | Poll has closed

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64 comments  | 

Raptors HQ 3 in the Key - Raptors' Pre-Season Preview vs. Celtics

There's a lot to like from Preseason Game One, but with the Raptors doing the dance with the Celtics yet again, the Raptors will need to bring more of the same to stay competitive. Kinnon Yee takes a look at what's in store for the Raptors.

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109 comments  | 

Sorry about delays for our Media Day coverage. The Media day started out really late with some delays for the players coming out of practice. We'll have more tonight, but for now, we've got a lot of pictures up on Facebook. Continue to like and post comments and we'll have some articles up about the day soon

6 months ago Viciousd_2005-01-20_tiny Raptors HQ - Vicious D 18 comments

Just when Raptors Media Day couldn't get any more busy, the Raptors announce that Anthony Carter is officially a Raptor.

I've liked Anthony Carter for his veteran savvy, but the point guard section is going to be pretty crowded this year. No further details about length of contract have been disclosed yet. We'll get you more details later today

6 months ago Viciousd_2005-01-20_tiny Raptors HQ - Vicious D 97 comments

Raptors HQ The Man in the Middle - MLSE Now Owned by BCE, Rogers, and Larry

Three Kings of MLSE (Left to Right) - George Cope (BCE), Nadir Mohammed (Rogers Communications), Larry Tanenbaum (MLSE)

Photo Courtesy of MARK BLINCH/REUTERS

What happens when the crown jewel of Canadian Sports goes up for grabs? Kinnon Yee returns with analysis on what kind of deal this "big deal" is.

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6 comments  | 

Raptors HQ Media Day Monday - Soliciting More of Your Questions!

We've got Media Day coming on Monday, so expect us to be there to have our own brand of unique coverage!

What we'd like to do is to give you, our readers, a chance to give us some questions to ask the players, management, and coaches when we have the chance. We'll try and get through as many as possible, but please keep in mind that the media scrums will take care a lot of the general "lockout" questions.

We're expecting a pretty full house on Monday and even newly acquired players like Rasual Butler should be on hand.

Humourous questions are always welcome!

11 comments  | 

Raptors HQ Chill - A Call for Peace in Raptors Nation

 

After watching Raptorsnation go nuts for the past few days after the draft, Vicious D look at the bigger picture and asks us just to take a little step back.

 

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131 comments  |  1 recs | 

Raptors HQ 3 in the Key: Raptors' Game-Day Preview vs. Heat

Last game of the year!  With the Raptors taking on the Heat, it's a fitting cap to a season that began with Chris Bosh's departure.

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15 comments  | 

Raptors HQ 3 in the Key - Raptors' Game-Day Preview vs Knicks

It's gameday against the New York Knicks, who have secured their first playoff spot in years.  With the Raptors winding down the season, there still seems to be a lot of fight left in our plucky team. 

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22 comments  | 

Raptors HQ 3 in the Key - Raptors' Game-Day Preview vs Bucks

I'd want Evans back in a Raptors uniform.   I shudder to think about our defense if he leaves.

Raptors basketball is winding down as the Bucks look to make a push towards the playoffs.  However, the Raptors core still has lots to work towards as the season winds down.

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19 comments  |