Raptor Kyle Lowry’s Valentine Gift to Toronto & All Things All-Star

Having reached the All-Star break, teams have dispersed in what is an extended break this season. All save for the lucky few who’ve been voted or invited to participate in the annual All-Star festivities.

While the first place Atlanta Hawks have sent a third of their team to participate in New York the second place Toronto Raptors have just a single representative in Kyle Lowry.

Note: The Hawks have 5 players and legend Dominique Wilkins participating in events. The only event they don’t have someone featured in is the Slam Dunk.

Lowry’s inauguration:

This season Kyle Lowry has grown as a player and a leader which was best demonstrated during the 21 games DeMar DeRozan was out injured. Arguably no Raptor beside Amir Johnson could use this break more than Lowry given the toll the extra workload has taken on his body. But, observing how much Lowry is enjoying the festivities vindicates fans who saw fit to rally and vote Lowry in deservedly as a starter.

He appeared on Jimmy Fallon, had a candid interview with ESPN’s Bill Simmons and an All-Star press conference. Do yourself a favor and watch the video’s Zarar posted and I’ve linked above, especially the latter two.

While watching these interviews I kept thinking how different Lowry appears now than when he first arrived in Toronto. In 2012-13 the demeanor the baby faced assassin displayed on the court was not too distant from what he seemed like off the court. Now he appears so much more at ease with who he is and it shows outwardly. Perhaps it was the natural transition in maturity or fatherhood, however something Bill Simmons said resonated with me.

“It’s kind of the perfect city for you though, because you were under appreciated for a couple of years. And even this summer they talked about marquee free agents and you were kind of this next level. Meanwhile I watch basketball and I’m like if I had money I’d go sign Kyle Lowry“

Lowry’s response spoke volumes

“I think I stayed in the right situation.You say under appreciated but I love it. I love Toronto and they showed me the attention I wanted, and it seemed to work out great”

While some people feel this weekend is mostly a popularity contest that doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of things, I feel it does. It’s important for players, especially of Lowry’s ilk who demonstrate loyalty to receive it back. The vote in accomplished that and Raptor fans will reap his undying repayment for the duration of his time here.

In his interviews he has appeared laid back, humorous and intelligent repeatedly speaking of how much he loves Toronto, Canada, his team and the Raptor fans. He has embraced the role of ambassador and I found myself proud that he was our representative as he spoke of his excitement for next year when these festivities will move North of the border.

Tonight Lowry will compete in the Taco Bell Skills competition and my gut tells me he’ll approach it with the same tenacity he does everything. I remember coach Casey saying in Lowry’s first training camp that he hates to lose even one drill, it’s innately in him to want to win. So, he’ll try to win because he’s a competitor, but he has extra motivation to win as a gesture to say thanks for voting him in.

Then he’ll lace up his sneakers for Sunday’s big event as a starter. We’ll have no idea how many minutes he’ll play, and since it’s his first All Star Game it’s difficult to guess. In coach Budenholzer’s interview he basically confirmed his players indicated at some point Sunday they want to embrace this rare experience by simultaneously coming on the court.

That’s a good thing from where I sit, because aside from how well the Hawks have played I have hopeful visions for next year when Toronto will host the All-Star weekend. If the Raptors achieve their goal of continual growth one would imagine there will be a upper tier free agent addition this summer. Then the possibility exists for Toronto to have multiple representatives in the Sunday game. Should my dream become reality the difference would be unprecedented as these Raptors would be entering an All Star game on their home court. Looking back at the playoffs, imagine how loud the ACC would be if 3 Raptors walked onto the court together at the All-Star Game in Toronto!

For a franchise still in it’s infancy in comparison to the “Mecca” of New York, imagine the historical significance of something like that occurring.

Weekend Events & Notes:

BBVA Compass Rising Stars:

The reformatted World versus U.S. game was more entertaining than previous years as there was National pride at stake. The World won and Canadian Andrew Wiggins won the MVP (despite the heckling from the Brooklyn crowd).
Upon receiving the award Wiggins said “this” (MVP award) was for the World team and most importantly for Canada! (Man, I love that kid).
As per above, I found the pregame interview with the captains quite humorous as Victor Oladipo cockily continued his talk that the U.S. would win. In response Wiggins coyly responded how excited he was to play with his World team mates some of whom he’d played with at the Hoops summit. For those unaware Wiggins was on the World team with Schroder, Embiid and others who beat the States 2 years in a row which was a first.
When asked about the All Star Game coming to Toronto, Wiggins got a huge smile on his face and said he has a goal of playing on the Sunday in his home town and will be working hard to earn that right. (I did note he avoided Rick Fox’s question about whether he would enter a future dunk competition, though he did say Zach LaVine has something other worldly planned).
Here is his post game media interview

State Farm Saturday Night: Event details and participant listed here via nba.com

Degree Shooting Stars:

Is it just me or does anyone else find it really crazy Chris Bosh is part of the 2-time winning team? (must be Dominique Wilkins and Swin Cash’s shooting)
Prediction: Bosh’s team won’t 3-peat. My initial instincts said father and son Curry, but I just can’t go against Russell Westbrook who is teamed with Penny Hardaway and Tamika Catchings. It won’t surprise me if Westbrook hits the half court shot on his first attempt. Then again I’ve never seen Westbrook play without that repressed anger, so he might not be as inspired.

Taco Bell Skills Challenge:

Keeping up with all the players who have pulled out has been a challenge:
Out: John Wall, Michael Carter-Williams, Jimmy Butler (Lowry’s first round opponent)
Replacements Patrick Beverley, Elfrid Payton, Dennis Schroder (who is now Lowry’s first round opponent)
Should Lowry beat Schroder he’ll play the winner of Trey Burke vs. Brandon Knight
The big change this year is the actual course will feature both players on court simultaneously, and they have to finish by running the length of the course with the ball and hit a 3-point shot

Prediction: As the NBA Game Time crew discussed the advantage goes to speedy players who can shoot 3-pointers which gives Isaiah Thomas the edge. However, if he falters on the passing portion watch for Lowry to pull it out Hey, I didn’t vote every day to get him to All-Star weekend to turn my back on him now!

Foot Locker 3-Point Contest:

Many are calling this (not the Slam Dunk) the premiere event of the night and for good reason. The 8 player field is the deepest ever assembled. The first round shooting order determined by a blind draw is listed below (Belinelli automatically shoots last as returning champion). The video of Kenny Smith drawing the names and accompanying Game Time crew prediction of three who move on is kind of funny.
1. Wesley Matthews
2. J.J. Redick
3. James Harden
4. Kyrie Irving
5. Stephen Curry
6. Klay Thompson
7. Kyle Korver
8. Marco Belinelli
Prediction: Thompson, Curry and Korver NOTE: I changed my mind several times, I mean come on. My bottom 3 was easier: Irving, Belinelli and Redick. I kept going back and forth on Matthews and Harden who shoot early allowing them to put pressure on the others, but ultimately I went with who I thought has the purest shot. Either way, this will be exciting.

Sprite Slam Dunk:

Contestants:

Zach LaVine
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Victor Oladipo
Mason Plumlee

This season the dunk competition returns to the previous format including two rounds, two advance, 2 dunks each and only 3 chances to make your dunk. The judges will be the only voters.
There’s been quite a bit of trash talk (Oladipo & Plumlee both said they expected to win, LaVine simply said I won’t lie I’m confident).
Many predict LaVine can’t lose. Andrew Wiggins was the most excited I’ve ever seen him in predicting LaVine will win. Warning: if you don’t want to ruin the surprise, don’t watch the following video. (It’s from a high school dunk competition!)

Prediction: I’m calling for a performance the likes of which we haven’t seen since Vince Carter with LaVine destroying the competition and Antetokounmpo surprising everyone by taking second.

TTOTambz Tips:

Raptors first game back will be versus Atlanta. Toronto remains the only team to have beat the Hawks twice. The Hawks have lost 2 games in a row twice (early) and were 3-3 in their final 6 games prior to the break. To say this is a big game is an understatement.
In the last ten games Atlanta’s record is 7-3, Toronto’s is 8-2
LeBron James fans and media pundits are back on the band wagon loudly proclaiming the Eastern final should be Cleveland versus Chicago. Since J.R. Smith, Iman Shumpert and Timofey Mozgov joined Cleveland they have posted the 4th best offense. James claims it is their improved defense that is winning them games, however the reality is they ranked 23rd on defense prior to the trades and now rank 23rd! Meanwhile everyone has been talking about how poorly Toronto was playing defensively yet they rank 18th.
Strength of schedule over last 25% of games:
- Cleveland: 44.3%,
- Toronto: 51.8%
- Washington: 47.3%