The Raptors are playing the Clippers tonight at 10:30pm (EDT). It is a late start for people who have jobs or responsibilities involving early mornings. Most of us will probably fall asleep around the second quarter while looking for a remote that is definitely wedged in the sofa.
There is also a home game against the Pelicans this Friday that starts at 8:30pm. This is an hour later than the usual 7:30pm tip. My uncle says 8:30pm is when the world should be winding down, but the NBA schedule does not care about his sleep hygiene or his preference for quiet evenings.
The Ja’Kobe Variable
Ja’Kobe Walter is currently providing some intrigue. This season has been predictable, which is a polite way of saying we often know exactly how the losing will happen. Walter is a break from that routine.
He plays with a certain energy that makes you forget our collective trauma for a few minutes. It is nice to see a young player who has not yet been worn down by the weight of expectations. He is like a new pair of socks before the elastic starts to give out.
Jurassic Park or PBS?
People are asking which version of the Raptors will show up tonight. Some hope for the "Jurassic Park" version from the Bulls game, while others fear the "Barney and Friends" version we saw against the Suns. It is a coin toss, but the coin is sticky and might just land on its side.
The Clippers are a professional basketball team that exists in Los Angeles. They have many players who used to play for other teams, including our team. It is a strange cycle of basketball life.
Observations from the Sideline
Kyle Lowry turned 40 recently. It feels like a significant number for a man who spent so much time hitting the hardwood floor for our amusement. I remember when he was younger, and I also remember being younger. Time is mostly just a series of box scores and back pain.
Lowry is the "Unc" of the franchise now. Seeing him turn 40 makes me want to stretch, but I probably will not. I will just sit here and contemplate why the game on Friday is so late.
If the Raptors win tonight, it will be a pleasant surprise. If they lose, it will be exactly what the schedule suggested would happen. Either way, the sun will probably come up tomorrow, although in Toronto, it mostly just looks like a gray light bulb.