Calling all dunkers, hoopers and shooters! The NBA Finals are here and for the very first time, the Toronto Raptors will be representing the Eastern Conference against the defending champion Golden State Warriors.
Now we don’t know about you, but we are pretty sick and tired of seeing the Steph Curry and Kevin Durant-led Warriors winning year after year after year. So to help bring some extra luck to Kawhi Leonard, Drake and the whole city of Toronto, we have compiled NBA Finals predictions from some of the biggest Raptors fans around.
At shooting guard, from Alexisonfire and City & Colour, we have Dallas “Young Cardinal” Green. And at small forward, hailing from the hard-hitting tunes of Silverstein, we have Shane “Smile In Your Sleep” Told. Next, coming in as the tallest member of our Canadian crew, starting at center is PUP guitarist Steve “Mabu” Sladkowski. And lastly, rounding out our team of skilled b-ball prognosticators, at power forward, Seaway six-stringer Andrew “Airhead” Eichinger. (And yes, for those keeping score at home, we are clearly the point guard in this made up scenario facilitating the offense and assisting our teammates every step of the way.)
To check out what the diehard Raptors fans had to say about their team’s fate in anticipation of tonight’s game one tip, be sure to see their answers to the six questions below. Afterward, make sure to support all four amazing artists here, here, here and here. Go Raptors!
DALLAS GREEN - ALEXISONFIRE // CITY & COLOUR
How does it feel to see the Raptors in the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history?
Like many of us, I’ve been supporting this team since its inception. There have been so many tough years. It’s hard to stay positive when you’re rooting for an expansion team who’s in a different country than the rest of the league and gets treated as such. But we’ve stuck with them through thick and thin and now we get a chance to play for a championship. I couldn’t be happier.
Do you think the Raptors have a chance to win?
I absolutely do.
What will it take for Kawhi Leonard and the Toronto Raptors to beat the Golden State Warriors?
They just need to play their game. Don’t get caught up in the rat race trying to play like Golden State. Aggressive defense for four quarters. Make adjustments like they have throughout the entire playoffs. Oh, and give the ball to Kawhi [laughs].
How will Team Ambassador Drake impact this series? Positively? Negatively? Not at all?
I’ll be watching the basketball players.
Your NBA Finals prediction?
Raps in six.
Bonus Question: If the Raptors win it all, will you perform at the team’s parade?
No I will not because I’ll be swimming in Lake Ontario with a smile on my face.
SHANE TOLD - SILVERSTEIN
How does it feel to see the Raptors in the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history?
I’ve been a diehard fan since the team started in 1995 – the first basket by Alvin Robertson, the ridiculousness of them playing in the Skydome, I was at the game when they beat Michael Jordan. Hell, I had a Zan Tabak poster in my room, so this is really special. I rarely miss a game so I’ve watched some really terrible teams. Finally, to see the Raptors go all-in with some great players and take some chances, it’s paying off and I couldn’t be more excited.
Do you think the Raptors have a chance to win?
Absolutely. People forget the Raps beat the Warriors in both meetings this season including beating them by like 20 at home. And that’s WITH Durant. Not to mention Toronto has home-court [advantage]. And the Raptors have been playing more intense basketball than Golden State - I think because they’ve had to work harder to win, they’re going to have more drive than the Warriors.
What will it take for Kawhi Leonard and the Toronto Raptors to beat the Golden State Warriors?
If the Raptors can make those corner 3′s and rebound well - that’s gonna be the difference. Giving up second-chance points and not knocking down those big open shots makes it an uphill battle. If all else fails though, Kawhi will get the ball and you’ve seen what he can do in desperate times. I think the Raptors defense is underrated too. But it goes without saying they have to defend a team like Golden State and limit the damage. Ibaka, VanVleet, and even Powell off the bench have shown they can come in and shutdown teams - not to mention Siakam, Lowry… oh and former [defensive] man of the year, Leonard.
How will Team Ambassador Drake impact this series? Positively? Negatively? Not at all?
I love what Drake has done for Toronto in general - he really has put us on the map. But with the Raptors, it’s next level. No other team has an ambassador/fan/hypeman this famous, right in his prime and this excited about the team. And I love that he causes some distraction because it is going to affect the Warriors. You’re running up the court or shooting a free throw and the most famous rapper in the world is shit-talking you? A guy who you are probably a huge fan of (because who isn’t??). It’s definitely got potential to get under guys’ skin and at the same time he just revs up the whole arena and the players as well. I wouldn’t quite call him the 6th man – but he’s definitely going to be a factor. Plus, who else is going to relieve Nick Nurse’s shoulder aches and pains?
Your NBA Finals prediction?
I’m saying Raptors in six. Kawhi is the Finals MVP. Raptors win game one, lose in game two. Durant comes back in game three and plays awful and costs them the game. Raptors win game four and game six on the road and Kawhi averages 35 points a game. How’s that for specific?
Bonus Question: If the Raptors win it all, will you perform at the team’s parade?
I will be right alongside Drake with my extra small Damon Stoudamire jersey on from when I was 14. I hope everyone enjoys a screamo rendition of “God’s Plan.”
STEVE SLADKOWSKI - PUP
How does it feel to see the Raptors in the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history?
It’s amazing. I was at game six and the party felt like it was just getting started. The city and fanbase feel electric in a way that I’ve never seen before.
Do you think the Raptors have a chance to win?
Kawhi Leonard is a Toronto Raptor, so yes. Yes, I do.
What will it take for Kawhi Leonard and the Toronto Raptors to beat the Golden State Warriors?
Four perfect games of basketball. Not asking too much, to be honest.
How will Team Ambassador Drake impact this series? Positively? Negatively? Not at all?
I think that Drake’s influence on the team, and on the city of Toronto, is being unfairly maligned in the wake of the Eastern Conference Finals. First of all, boo-fucking-hoo to the city of Milwaukee and the Bucks, who banned Drake’s music on the radio in advance of the ECF and who were more crybaby than Reggie Miller was with Spike Lee at Madison Square Garden. To paraphrase the pitcher David Price: “You don’t like it? Play better.”
Second of all: It is hard to overstate how important it has been for Toronto’s civic identity, especially as someone who works in the arts, to have someone as massive as Drake shoutout and rep the city on a consistent basis. I’ve said this before, but I firmly believe that Drake’s superstardom has shone light in corners of Toronto’s cultural scene that otherwise were operating mostly in relative darkness and obscurity; whether you’re a rapper or a basketball player or a punk rocker or a painter… having someone like Drake be the figurehead for a city has only brought more eyes and attention to the city as a whole.
As for this series, I think Drake is going to check out the matchups and see what is needed from him just like Nick Nurse and Steve Kerr will for the Raptors and Warriors respectively. But I know he’ll be there courtside representing the city in a way that Torontonians, whether they say it or not, truly appreciate.
Your NBA Finals prediction?
If not now, when? Raptors in seven.
Bonus Question: If the Raptors win it all, will you perform at the team’s parade?
I certainly would love to but it feels unlikely. That’s totally fine with me as I’ll be dancing and drinking in the streets anyway.
ANDREW EICHINGER - SEAWAY
How does it feel to see the Raptors in the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history?
Fantastic. It’s been a long time coming for this team that’s been good for the last five or six years. The massive moves they made over the summer and during the season have obviously worked out and I’m so happy this is where we’ve landed.
Do you think the Raptors have a chance to win?
I definitely think the Raptors have a chance to win this thing.
What will it take for Kawhi Leonard and the Toronto Raptors to beat the Golden State Warriors?
All the pressure is on Golden State to continue their dynasty and the Raptors have been thriving in the underdog narrative all playoffs and their entire existence for that matter. If Durant and Cousins are out, the Raps can play quick and small. If they’re in, I’ll put my faith in Kawhi and Gasol guarding them. The Warriors have been known to turn the ball over and the Raptors have one of the best defenses and fast break offenses in the league. Whatever happens, everyone is counting us out and this group of veterans has found a way to win over the past few weeks when they’ve been in tough spots so they’re not going to go down easily. Kawhi will go off.
How will Team Ambassador Drake impact this series? Positively? Negatively? Not at all?
Everything that Drake has done for this team has been nothing but positive for the team, city and the country so I can’t see his impact being anything but positive. I think it’s great that one of the biggest superstars in the world cares this much about our team and knows how much this means to the city and everyone across Canada.
Your NBA Finals prediction?
Raps in seven. Kawhi MVP.
Bonus Question: If the Raptors win it all, will you perform at the team’s parade?
Probably not because realistically we would be raging in the streets with the rest of the city.
