The OVO Raptors | OVO Athletic Centre / March 18, 2019 by Hussein Abdullahi

Toronto Rapper Drake and the Raptors have renamed their training facility to the OVO Athletic Centre. Formerly known as the BioSteel Centre was opened in 2016 and is one of the top premier facilities in the NBA. The OVO Brand has become a staple-head fro the Toronto Raptors. Over a 5-year span Drake and the Toronto Raptors have developed an authentic partnership. In 2013 Drake was introduced as the Raptors Global Ambassador, 2 months later Toronto was selected to host the 2016 All-Star weekend. Now Toronto has eclipsed into an emerging sports market and a top-tier team in the NBA. Its exciting times for the Toronto Raptors as they clinched a berth spot for the 2019 NBA playoffs, and with the rebrand of their storied facility.

Toronto Raptors training facility is called the “OVO Athletic Centre”. Toronto Rapper Drake and the Raptors have a lasting partnership that stemmed from 2013. (Photo by: MLSE)

“Sports are central to the culture of OVO and have the great quality of connecting people from all walks of life. This facility represents our commitment to invest in the future of sports and young athletes in Toronto.”

— Oliver El-Khatib

Drake has been very influential in rebranding the raptors ball club as well as launching the “We The North” campaign. The nature of their partnership has impacted the culture of basketball across the Canadian landscape. The main objective has been to create a winning basketball culture here in Toronto as well as make social contributions to underprivileged communities in the GTA. The Welcome to Toronto program has donated $1 million to refurbish basketball courts in Toronto. $2 million was donated to Canada Basketball, which will be used to develop basketball programs across Toronto. Canada Basketball program has been progressively moved into the conversation as a prominent international program. This summer they will compete in the 2019 FIBA World Cup in China.

“Drake and OVO are an important part of our city’s landscape, our team’s identity, and our plans to bring a championship to Toronto.”

— Masai Ujiri

The Toronto Raptors will use the Welcome Toronto program to give back to fans, the community, and the game of basketball. (Photo by NBA)

Drake has been very influential in reinvigorating the Raptors brand as well as launching the “We The North” campaign. This culture-crazed phenomenon has catapulted Toronto’s entertainment scene into another bracket. Toronto Raptors “Drake Night” has become a fan- favoured event for Torontonians; the atmosphere is one of a kind. In January 2018 Drake announced “Welcome Toronto”, which featured 6 OVO-themed home games every season. The Raptors will play in OVO uniforms and the black and gold designed home court. This season the Toronto Raptors have shown their ability to be a force in the eastern conference, with the rebrand of their practice facility should give them the momentum they need heading into their playoffs. Can this be the year? Let’s see what else plans the Toronto rap icon has in stores.

Thanks: Toronto Raptors, Welcomeovo, MLSE, NBA

Figure: Drake

Lakers Playoff Run Delfates | End of LaBron? / March 11, 2019 by Hussein Abdullahi

After the All-Star break, The LA Lakers has failed to come together as a ball club. In their last 10 games, the Lakers are 3-7 and now are out the playoff contention. It’s time that the Lakers organization divert their energy towards off-season acquisitions. Currently, the Lakers sit 10th in the Western Conference and are 5.5 games behind the San Antonio Spurs at the 8th seed. With 18 games left in the season, the Lakers must finish with a 15-3 record to secure a playoff berth. The Lakers biggest challenge this season was playing without their star leader in LeBron James.

Earlier in the season LeBron James had suffered a groin Injury that left him sidelined for 17 games. This was LeBron’s lengthiest injury of his career. The Lakers went 6-11 without James, which ultimately drove them out the playoff hunt. During LeBron’s absence the Lakers struggled immensely to find their identity. Right before the trade deadline rumours circulated around the Lakers organization to trade for All-star Forward Anthony Davis in exchange for everyone except LeBron James. Unfortunately, the Lakers failed in their pursuit of Anthony Davis and found themselves losing 4 of their 5 games heading into all-star break.

“I think injuries have played a big part of our team as far as our continuity both offensively and defensively, but I think we can get back into it. ”

— LeBron James

On Monday night the Lakers fell to the Los Angeles Clippers 113-105. In their last 12 games the Lakers have posed a 3-9 record. The harsh reality of LeBron James not to be playing in the playoffs has become a rarity because over his last 8 seasons James has competed in the NBA Finals. The Lakers continue to dig themselves a deep hole and will pretty much need a miracle if they want to secure a playoff spot. This might be the first time LeBron James hasn’t competed in the playoffs since his 2005 season. During his sixteen seasons no other NBA player has as much mileage as James, he’s athletic inclination was at an all-time high.

The Lakers have fought an uphill battle this season plagued by injuries and dysfunction. Ultimately, as a result the Lakers organization have failed to meet the expectation for this season, when playing in a big market like Los Angeles or New York, you must hold your franchise to a certain standard of excellence. The last time the Lakers competed in the playoffs was in 2013, with that being said I think it’s time for change. It starts with the off-season acquisitions, Magic Johnson needs to hire a new coach and recruit talent to the city on angels.

“We gotta win games, but it starts with us not turning the ball over and us being better from the free-throw line. These are two things that have not been very good for us in the first half of the season.”

— LeBron James

Its time the whole culture of the Lakers organization, according to sources, rumours have circulated around the league about to possibility of hiring a new head coach. Potential candidates include Tyron Lue, Mark Jackson, Brian Shaw, and Coach K. We are hopeful that the Lakers will sign 2 max players over the summer that will compliment LeBron James and his ball club. Lakers will continue to pursuit Pelicans forward Anthony Davis but it all depends on what the Lakers have to give up. One thing is for sure that the Lakers learnt a valuable lesson; LeBron James doesn’t guarantee you a trip to the NBA finals. It would be in the Lakers best interest to rest James for the remainder of the season and rebuilding their roster over the off-season.

Thanks: Bleacher Report, NBA, ESPN

Athlete: LeBron James