It's Time.

While the NBA season officially started yesterday, I'm taking in the Raptors home opener tonight. But you can always count on the good people at Brand Jordan to get your mind right. The new "Break to Build" spot features Team Jordan members Derek Jeter, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul and the newest to the fam Dwayne Wade.


If you play sports on any competitive level this will get you amped, and if you don't, it will get you amped for the season. If the the editing, the score, the energy don't do anything for you, then... maybe you need to find another hobby.

10 Bold Predictions for the Raptors This Season.

Fifteen years.

Fifteen years of NBA basketball in Toronto, it seems like just yesterday. With another season, comes another set of predictions and expectations. Are we settling for the same thing? Check out my top 10 boldest predictions for the Raptors on AOL.

Tammy Sutton-Brown > You.

While much of the WNBA love is reserved for Candace Parker, there's someone from my backyard that needs to some shine. As a professional basketball player, Tammy Sutton-Brown has an occupation not too many Canadians (men or women) can brag about. Currently playing in the WNBA Finals she also plays in Europe during the offseason. I profiled her briefly previously in Sway Magazine, but recently travelled to Indianapolis to take in the WNBA Eastern Conference Championships as her Indiana Fever were playing against the Detroit Shock. Check it out here on AOL Sports Canada.

The Stanley Cup > Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy.

For the uninformed, the Larry O'Brien Trophy is awarded to the NBA champions every year and was named after the former NBA commissioner. For the less informed the Stanley Cup is the trophy bestowed upon the best team in the NHL and is named after the former Governor General and hockey enthusiast. Growing up Canadian, the Stanley Cup is one of those iconic things you are just familiar with, like the golden arches. My earliest memory is Mike Bossy of the New York Islanders jubilantly hoisting the cup over his head in the early '80's. Conversely, Magic Johnson and the Lakers holding the Larry O'Brien Trophy and getting drenched by champagne is stuck in my psyche. While each trophy holds it's own significance with it's respective sport, the Stanley Cup only stays with the winning team for the year of their reign, they don't get to keep it, so it's time is limited. Furthermore, each member of the winning organization gets to have the Cup for one day, which makes up for interesting pictures like this...


The above photo was taken at Mario Lemieux's house this summer. Aside from being one of the NHL's best, he's also principal owner and Chairman of the Pittsburgh Penguins. This is how they get down folks! A book came out in 2001 entitled "Why is the Stanley Cup In Mario Lemieux's Swimming Pool?: How Winners Celebrate With The World's Most Famous Cup" which clearly illustrates that this isn't the first time the Cup has taken a dip in "Super Mario's" pool. A simple Google search of the Stanley Cup Trophy pulls up pics of players drinking out of or eating from the Cup, even sleeping with it, never mind the women posing suggestively with it, and those are the pics we have seen! When it comes to the Larry O'Brien it's mostly parade day pics and locker room stuff, nothing special, nothing risque. Is it because each NBA Champion gets their own trophy so there is no sense of urgency or significance? Or is it the hockey players passion to covet and obtain such an iconic symbol that drives them to go crazy?

With the Cup, there is only one, (or three rather), but if the Cup could talk, I'm quite confident there would be a number of NSFW stories and TMI to be shared. Can our good friend Larry O say the same? Likely not, which is why The Stanley Cup > The Larry O'Brien Trophy.

Kinda NOT Like A Big Deal - Jerry Stackhouse Gets Dunked On.

When Lebron James got dunked on, aside from the fact the Nike reps handled it poorly, it was a big deal. But seriously, Jerry Stackhouse a 15 year NBA vet, who's at the end of his career and doesn't even have an NBA contract gets dunked on and it's news? He's a 35 year old man, who's knees have left him, trying to stop John Wall a young buck going to the hole. If this is Sports Centre worthy then allow me to send in my 1-on-1 video of my 12 year old nephew beating me at 21.

Please.

Don't Criticize... Hyperize!

Another video I love. Mo Williams, Kevin Durrant, Rashard Lewis and Andre Iguodala are straight west coastin' on this one. Of course DJ Quik is behind the beats, (and lyrics I'm sure), but all these guys come off with a smooth delivery. Throw in some retro styling and I'm already on my fourth view. I wish Mo would rock that jheri curl this season! LOL

Complete & Utter Randomness 4.

One of the best videos I've posted on this blog, not hoops related but when watching this video I was hit with an immense sense of serenity and peacefulness. Words are words, but the video speaks for itself.

Enjoy.