My Back to School Raptor Wishes

Unfortunately this upcoming school year marks the end of my high school career, which means I get to face the vague, yet daunting task of "moving on". Though I'm not overly gloomy about my future, I am, as of now, flirting with the "find-the-light-switch-in-the-dark" game. But I guess my pupils will eventually dilate, and I will be able to find that light switch -that is, if there is one to start off with.

As school rolls around, I find myself reminiscing the days of elementary school, when students would scribble their wishes and goals. The truth is, nostalgia hurts, and the more I try to refrain from thinking about it, the more it hammers me. So I'm compiling my short list of Raptor wishes while I begrudgingly witness this flying "summer" pass by.

1. Bosh. Chris Bosh. The ultimate question of "Where will he go?" is such a sorrowful topic for Raptor fans considering how that turncoat Vince Carter strutted away from this team in 2004. When my buddies openly discuss about Bosh, I try to act off-hand and casual about his situation. I reluctantly stifle my true sentiments for I am afraid they'll ridicule me for my passionate attachment with the team's franchise player. When they ask me about what will happen if Bosh departs the Raptors, I would unassumingly mutter something like, "Well, whateverrrr, it's not like we're that bad without him". But here at the refuge, equivocating is not an option.

In a way, yes, the Raptors won't perform THAT horrendously without Bosh. But anytime you witness a Raptor player develop and prosper into a skilled and seasoned veteran, you have an odd, yet unexplainable affection towards him. And it disgusts me in the fact that "experts" effusively analyze Bosh's destination in 2010 based on speculation (nothing). They clamber and burrow beneath the ground, ready to pounce on any subtlety in Bosh's speech, movement, or behaviour. Then they wildly extrapolate that one nuance into interminable bleak possibilities. I was stunned that ESPN didn't indite tomes of books on the implications of Bosh passing New York 30,000 feet up in the air on his jaunt to Africa.

If Bosh leaves Toronto, it would show his implicit dismissal of Bryan Colangelo's efforts and his detachment towards Raptor fans (especially all after all that torrid love we have been giving him). We were all victims lashed by the deadly Carter scourge, and to gape at the departure of another franchise player would be the same as to take a bite out of our already shortened life span. If for some preposterous reason to why you're reading this Chris, please stay, for the sake of our health!

2. Over the years I've come to realize that wishes never come true (at least mine don't). As a result, I am taking careful contemplation on my wishes, hoping not to squander these opportunities. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see the Raptors win 50 games, heck, even 82 games, but these concrete wishes are inexplicably hurtful and scornful when they don't come true.

This off-season for the Raptors has been fraught with delightful surprises as the magician (can we call him that?) Bryan Colangelo has been masterful with his potent tricks. All this roster revamping is pleasant and refreshing, especially after a horrible season. But I am, however, wary of the fact that nine (potentially ten considering Matt Carroll) players are acquired this off-season. That's 60% of the roster! Will integration of these players be a problem? Will team chemistry be a dilemma?

As a teenager would remark, "this team looks sick!" - that is, on paper. And just like last season's acquisitions, it seems that all of the nine players acquired in this off-season fit into system: Evan's much needed toughness, Hedo's passing, shooting, and decision making abilities, DeRozan's spryness, and etc. ; however, how the players on the team will interact with each other is still shrouded in mystery. I just hope that Bryan Colangelo has provided the right reactants to form the desirable products, and that team chemistry will not impede the Raptors' future success.

3. Let's face it, injuries are inevitable. But instead of submissively yielding to fatalism, we can at least try to wish for the best. Let's hope that the newly hired strength-and-conditioning coach Francesco Cuzzolin will take strong preemptive measures to prevent the players from sustaining injuries. However, in the event that injuries do occur, let's also hope that the Raptors' trainer Scott McCullough will be able to mitigate the severity of those injuries with his experience and expertise. That's the least we can do.

A quick calculation indicates that 50 days are still left until Raptor season starts. For me, this will be a period of spiritual exculpation as I will patiently dwell in this refuge, where all of my basketball wrongdoings will be purged. Hopefully, the Raptor Deity will absolve me of my sins and will condescend to grant my wishes.

Wow, 50 days feels like a lifetime for me; I've always feared and opposed rapid time progression, but this is one time in my life that I'm inclined to twirl the hand on the clock.

Welcome to Raptors Refuge!

As a Raptor fanatic who has been following the Raptors for the last decade, I have finally decided to blog about my opinions and interests about this team. Since this is my first post on this blog, I will share with everyone my past experiences about the game.

My dad first introduced me to basketball in 1994 (I was only two years old at that time) when he brought me and mother to Tucson, Arizona, where he attended the University of Arizona, the college that Damon Stoudamire played for four years. During that year, the Mighty Mouse rallied the Wildcats to a thrilling run to the Final Four, and my dad proudly claims that he met Damon -I suspect "met" was just a mere exchange of words by the two- during a parade. Even to this day, my dad still rambles on about this, but I guess it's normal for dads to occasionally act cool. Unfortunately, I never saw Damon suit up for the Toronto Raptors since he left Toronto for Portland in 1998, while I ensconced in Toronto one year after in 1999.

During my time in Toronto, my fervor and passion for the game intensified. But this time, however, my dad wasn't the only benefactor, for my classmates and peers also offered much clout. My dad contributed his part by babbling and jabbering away about the players and how sparkling their plays were every time we sat in front of the television. And on the court, I joined throngs of people who played the game even though the courts were so rudimentary that most of them didn't rims And we would often tirelessly aim at the "squares" while lumbering around chasing for the half-deflated ball. It was a tedious, yet pleasant sight, and as the years pass, I would find myself pensively recalling those days when basketball topped everything else. Considering those circumstances that encompassed me, I was bound to be enamoured with the game.

The first Raptor game that I saw was Toronto at Utah in 1999. Believe it or not, the first player I knew on the team was not Vince Carter, but rather Charles Oakley. While I was watching the game, I was amazed at how easily Charles Oakley hits his seventeen foot jumpers. And this amazement engendered my passion for the team, as I have now. Since then, I have always steadfastly stuck with the Toronto Raptors. It disgusts me when my peers dismiss or even defame the Raptors, yet I could never conjure a quick retort as I would always end up saying, "Well! Uhh...guess what? [insert team] sucks more! Ha!".

After a decade of following the Raptors, one thing is evident: it offers escapism and protection, much like a refuge. There are times when I find myself frustrated and embroiled in difficult situations, and my only recourse would be the Toronto Raptors. It seems as if the Raptors provide me with some sort spiritual, incorporeal shelter that I can resort to. Without the Raptors, my physical and spiritual level would not be the same as they are today. Now, you may think this whole refuge thing is absurd, but it's true (though I may be exaggerating) - it does alleviate a lot of my problems, or so I think. And that was the basis for the name, Raptors Refuge.

Though I am only an amateur blogger and though you may not be experiencing any stressful situations, I hope my posts will tickle and amuse, yet at the same time, enlighten those who come here. Let Raptors Refuge be your place for moderation of your everyday distresses and afflictions!