In this week’s edition of RaptorBlog Radio, we discuss Rudy Gay’s first five games as a Raptor, the myth of the NBA “closer,” Jonas Valanciunas returning to form, Tyler Hansbrough being a fake tough guy, a potential Andrea Bargnani trade and Terrence Ross’ chances in this Saturday’s dunk contest.
Awesome image courtesy of theScore’s Toby Fowlow
The #LetRossDunk movement has served its purpose, as it was finally announced on Thursday night that the Raptors rookie will take part in this year’s Sprite Slam Dunk Contest on All Star Saturday night (February 17) in what actually looks like a pretty solid six-man field.
Representing the East in the 2013 #SpriteSlam at #StateFarmSaturday: @t_dotflight31 of the @raptors.twitpic.com/c1pt15
— 2013 #NBAAllStar(@NBAAllStar) February 8, 2013
Ross becomes the fifth Raptor to be included in the event after Vince Carter (2000), Tracy McGrady (2000), Jamario Moon (2008) and DeMar DeRozan (2010, 2011).
To celebrate the occasion, I thought I’d remind everyone how the 22-year-old earned his entry, and why he’ll go into the competition as one of the favourites. On that note, here are the 10 best dunks of Ross’ rookie season thus far…
If it wasn’t obvious coming into the game, it should be painfully obvious after this game. The Celtics are a veteran playoff team and the Raptors are an inexperienced, surefire lottery team…albeit without an actual lottery pick.
Now let’s get to some thoughts on the game…
It would have been difficult to script a better first game in the Rudy Gay era…
Toronto is the new #LobCity
— Nate Jones (@JonesOnTheNBA) February 2, 2013
First, here is Rudy Gay’s first field goal as a Raptor:
