There is nothing left to say. Nearly 72 hours after Game 5 ended, the Toronto Raptors and Indiana Pacers will eventually tip off, and there’s been far too much time to talk, think, speculate, and chew nails since the last game ended. That’s not a fault of those involved – it’s what the playoffs are, and may Shammgod have mercy on beat writers filling three days (!!) between Spurs-Thunder games at one point. But would I forgive you for glossing over this notes and quotes post entirely? Not at all. Just go read the proper game preview if you do.
Have you heard the Raptors need to start hot?
This has been talking point A1 all week, and while there’s no tangible answer or fix for the slow starts, the Raptors are at least keenly aware they should, you know, not be bad to start games. Head coach Dwane Casey leaned on a highly relatable comparison…horse racing.
Casey digs into his roots when talking about a good start: it’s like the Kentucky derby. When they pull those reins you better be ready.
— Chris O’Leary (@olearychris) April 29, 2016
But are the Raptors mudders? I believe they’ve proven that they are.
Speaking of races, ummm, OK, Indianapolis?
Only in downtown Indy pic.twitter.com/0eMJYcTdLI
— Mike Ganter (@Mike_Ganter) April 29, 2016
Scola to carry Argentina flag
Raptors forward, international basketball veteran, FIBA Americas superstar, and all-around great dude Luis Scola will carry the flag for Argentina at the Olympics this summer. That’s a huge, awesome deal.
Luis Scola says he found out he was Argentina’s flag-bearer at the Olympics via Twitter: ‘After the 10th Tweet I declared it official’
— Michael Grange (@michaelgrange) April 29, 2016
“It’s just something very special,” Scola told Chris O’Leary of the Toronto Star on Thursday. “I knew there was a chance it was going to happen. But (Wednesday) when I found out, it was like I cannot believe this is happening. I cannot believe that I’ll actually be there and carrying the flag in front of a whole country, with the support of a whole country.”
You ain’t no gold
After Patrick Patterson had the best possible response to Indiana’s #WeTheGold shirts for Game 6, DeMar DeRozan came through with that high-level apathy.
DeRozan told about We the Gold shirts: “Who the gold? … (Shakes head) Man, I don’t care, I’m not wearing it.”
— Ryan Wolstat (@WolstatSun) April 29, 2016
And, uhh, State of Basketball or whatever? OK, guys.
Gettin set to tape for Snet…standin near the box office in Indy. People are walking up & still buying tix. Man just paid $100; club level
— Eric Smith (@Eric__Smith) April 29, 2016
Views
The 7:30 tip-off means Jurassic Park opens up at 5:30. If you can’t get there and don’t have TSN, there’s always the movie theatre, which actually seems like it would be an awesome way to watch a road game.
Tonight! Watch the @Raptors in Game 6 for $6 at select Ontario theatres. https://t.co/ghsYt1vpZa #WeTheNorth pic.twitter.com/k4tPi9NGgO
— Cineplex (@CineplexMovies) April 29, 2016
Sadly, nobody asked players about Views, or at least didn’t tweet about it. I actually think Drake slipped them “Hype” at the end of the third quarter to help turn things around on Tuesday.
OK, let’s play now. Thanks.
