Due to the weather, we didn't get out of Milwaukee until about 7 PM. The drive was just plain miserable as we encounter snow and rain for the entire trip. To make matters worse, my girlfriend was battling a vicious cold and wasn't the greatest of company on the way there.
After approximately 12 hours of being in a car, we arrived in Toronto at 7 AM. Luckily, the Days Inn was kind enough to let us check in early and get some sleep.
For a recap of what we saw in Toronto, see the bottom of this page. For now, let's discuss the start of the 2nd half of the tour...the Toronto Raptors.
The Air Canada Centre (yes Centre, not Center) is located in downtown Toronto, just a few blocks away from the Skydome (I refuse to call it the Rogers Centre) and the CN Tower.
Here, we would meet up with Sandra Farfan, who immediately took us courtside and allowed us to watch the Raptors warm up as well as mingle with the fans.
I mentioned to Sarah that this was a tough game to schedule because the Raptors play on only Fridays and Sundays. Her response was that Saturday's are reserved for the Toronto Maple Leafs and Canada's focus is on Hockey on Saturday night. Nonetheless, the Raptors draw a good crowd too, currently at #6 on the NBA attendance list.
Next, we met up with Lara Brown, who was kind enough to give me a Chris Bosh jersey.
The Raptors showed even more generosity by treating us to brunch at their restaurant.
From the restaurant, we had quite the view of the warmups. When the players came out for warm-ups, the players actually threw t-shirts out to the fans. Midway through warm-ups, the players all lined up for the national anthem. Here, they play both the American and Canadian national anthems. The players then resumed warm-ups. This was a bit odd, as the national anthems are played at the end of warm-ups in all of the other arenas I've visited.
While eating, I noticed on the pre-game show that they were showing a new logo for the Blazers. This somewhat disgusted me as I feel that the Blazers have/had one of the best logos in the league.
Banana bread
The Raptors had some of the best music in the league, provided by DJ "4 Korners."
At most sporting events, video cameras are NOT allowed. However, they kept showing messages here that video cameras were indeed allowed. No camera flashes were allowed here however. We would also learn that this day would be the final day of in-arena All-Star voting.
This guy was walking around with a backboard attached, allowing fans to take shots at the portable hoop.
See if you notice all of the Maple Leaf banners hanging from the rafters. At the very end, you can spot 2 for the Raptors; one for their inaugural season and one for their division title last year.
"Raptor" watches the team huddle
The Raptors also provided us with 2 free tickets. Ready for tip-off
Chris Bosh became one of my favorite players after watching his intensity in this game. He went after every loose ball and didn't seem to let up his intensity even for a second during his 55 minutes of playing time. It was especially humorous in the beginning of the game Adrienne mentioned to me that Bosh didn't look to be too good of a player...he finished with 38 points and 14 rebounds.
Spot the alley-oop going to Bosh. Best sign of the day read "OH MY BOSH!"
Jose Calderon out in front of everyone. He is quite the personality up here in Toronto. Every time he makes a 3-pointer, he puts his thumb and index finger together and holds up the other 3 fingers for "3." The PA announcer adds to the fun, when he, in a Spanish accent, will yell "UNO, DOS, TRES" or "Jose Calderon para dos" or "Gracias Jose Calderon!"
I quickly gained the feeling that this would be the loudest arena in basketball. Now, not every arena I've visited have been full houses, but of all of the other full ones, this was the loudest. This was enhanced because at random points throughout the game, the cheerleaders/dancers would appear in various spots of the upper bowl (known as Loud CIty) and get the fans furthest away from the action yelling and screaming for t-shirts. I LOVE this aspect as the fans in the "nosebleed" seats are often forgotten about. At this arena however, these fans were having as much fun as any other.
Brewery within the Air Canada Centre
Free Playstation, but the game was so exciting that everyone was ignoring it.
Set of Raptors TV
Shot of the full court
On rollerblades
Poor kid in front of us got beer spilled on him.
The Thunderstix are in full effect here also.
Martell Webster from outside
Brandon Roy going to the rack for 2 of his career high 33 points.
Bobble-head camera. Fans are shown on the big screen and encouraged to act like they are a bobblehead. Hysterical!
So as you know, after this game I would be making a drive a approximately 10 hours back to my home in Milwaukee, and would be at work at 7 AM the next morning. So of all of the games, I wanted this one to end quickly. A great game once again went down to the wire. The Raptors lead by 4 with just 23 seconds left to play. Travis Outlaw shot a 3 pointer & was fouled by Jamario Moon (watch this 27 year old rookie in the dunk contest). The shot somehow went in and the foul would give Outlaw one more shot and a chance to tie the game. He made it. Overtime.
Notice period #5
The teams exchanged buckets throughout the overtime period, but the Raptors appeared to be in control, leading 104-101. Martell Webster took a 3 point attempt, missed but Brandon Roy got the rebound. He fired up a 3 pointer from what appeared to be approximately 26 feet away with a hand in his face...and made it! Double overtime.
Notice period #6
& the fans are staying for all of it. They were rowdy when the Blazers would shoot free-throws, however the place was dead-quiet when the Raptors would shoot. This was encouraged by the PA announcer, who would say "Chris Bosh at the line, SHHHHHHHHHHHooting two."
Bosh and Calderon made some key baskets in the 2nd overtime and the Raptors finally got the win, 116-109.
At the top of the arena, the names of the streets were listed so that you could make sure that you headed out of the correct exit. Nice little touch.
The size of the city of Toronto would surprise you. It is said to have one of the top ten skylines in the world.
The CN Tower itself is said to be the tallest building in the world.
Views from the top of the CN Tower
SkyDome below
Lake Ontario
In case you're running away from a fire, here's the exit
The glass panes show what is below (they are constructed to endure the weight of 14 hippos).
Fountain by the CN Tower.
All Internet addresses in Canada end in .CA rather than .COM. Even when I tried to use Google, my laptop automatically defaulted to www.google.ca
Black squirrels everywhere.
Ice skating
Strangely enough, this building was for LEASE. You would think it would be some sort of historical building, but you could essentially put anything you want in here.
Elephants on parade.
Tim Hortons is more popular than McDonalds in Toronto.
But McDonalds is still there. Notice the Maple Leaf on the logo.
Hockey Hall-of-Fame
Downtown Mall - Eaton Centre
Some interesting bars they have up there...
More and more precipatation on the way home...but finally, at about 3 AM, I got into my apartment. I would make it into work a mere 4 and 1/2 hours later. Now I'll get a nice little break of two weeks. My goal is to contact the balance of the teams during this hiatus, but unfortunately I'm still lacking the SPURS, ROCKETS, SUNS, and BUCKS. If anyone knows anyone in any of these organizations, please let me know. Florida is up next!
Thanks to Scott "Moisturizer" Bellmyer, Jeff Scott, Mark Myers, Lara Brown, Sandra Farfan, David De Freitas, Jim LaBumbard.
