Raptors Unveil New Uniform

by RaptorsHQ - Archives on Sep 25, 2008 12:00 AM EDT in Feature Stories

JC8 and CB4...Back In Black

Remember Toronto’s original jerseys?

You know, those hideous pin-striped purple things?

Well the jersey, much like the team of late, has come a long way.

Earlier this evening Howland and I took in the unveiling of the Raptors’ newest jersey, a very chic yet Canadian take on the team’s vestments, and were quite impressed with how things turned out.

Yes, most expected a new third, black jersey, but to top it off, a small Canadian flag has been embroidered on the back near the players’ names as well.

From GM Bryan Colangelo:

"We are very excited about the concept of our new alternate jersey which brings black back into prominence while enhancing our staple color red," said Bryan Colangelo, president and general manager of the Raptors. "The inclusion of a maple leaf on the jersey is a tribute to all of Canada who we proudly represent."

The new uniform, which will be worn a minimum of six times on the road, will be showcased on two special occasions at Air Canada Centre during
the team's home opener Friday, October 31 and then again New Year's Eve.

The uniform will be an alternate road jersey and will make the Raptors the only team in NBA history to have a country specific element on their jersey.

As you can see from the photo above, this could easily become a very popular selling jersey, just based on the colour scheme alone.

And yes, a far cry from the original snarling cartoon Barney.

Devlin gets the party started...

Matt Devlin got things started by introducing the evening and gave a small recap as well of the various off-season moves. From there it was on to Jose and CB4, the only two Raptors in attendance, who showed off their Olympic treasures of silver and gold. The two answered questions about their Olympic experience and Jose assured all, including Bosh before the gold medal game apparently, that his prior groin injury was not serious. (Jose went on to explain later in media huddles that he was not feeling any ill effects from it either.)

Things concluded with numerous photo sessions and a chance for some lucky fans to get up close and personal with the two players.

Besides the jersey unveiling however, there was something else quite interesting that stood out in my mind. Many times during Devlin’s questions, Jose and Bosh would joke back and forth, one playing off the other’s sense of humour. In fact, the banter the two got me thinking about the Ford trade again and how perhaps Jose all along was better suited to be CB4’s running mate.

I can remember back to when the first "trade TJ" comments starting coming out and with them seemed to be legitimate concern over whether or not Bosh would react negatively if his Texas-mate was dealt. Everyone assumed that Bosh and Ford were best friends forever, and that moving one would create malaise regarding the other.

Raptor medalists...

However as we’ve seen in the past year via his various Youtube and TV appearances, Chris Bosh is a quirky guy. In fact, he has a very specific sense of humour and personality and watching him interact with Jose today, a similar personality, I’m wondering now if these two weren’t always a more natural fit.

That’s not to say that TJ and Chris aren’t best friends or won’t be going forward, but it is to say that today’s event made me realize just how much off-court chemistry Jose and Chris seem to already have…and have maybe had for a while.

The jersey evolution...

The other thing that was quite evident was just how excited Bosh was to have O’Neal on board. Said Bosh: "I was just playing with him in practice today and man…he’s big, he blocks everything."

It’s always great to see players anxious to start the season, especially with new additions, and I’m thinking that Monday’s media day will reveal many more such comments.

Even the Raptor got down with the new uniforms...

Finally, the one central theme about the upcoming season from both players seemed to be talks of chemistry. While most of the core remains the same from last year, JO and Jose’s permanent placement into the starting line-up shuffles the deck a bit and the additions of folks like Hassan Adams and Roko Ukic mean that there will still need to be some degree of "gelling" done early on.

The hope of course is that the majority of this bonding occurs early in the season (or in fact by the end of training camp in Ottawa) and with a number of the Raptors working out together recently and at times during the off-season, hopefully this process is expedited.

Otherwise the new black jerseys could take on an all new meaning…

FRANCHISE

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Comments

I cannot wait to see this current incarnation of the Raptors start the season. I don't know how many games I'll get to see this year, being in L.A, but I hope to get out and see them live when they come down to play the Clips and Lakers.

This team looks strong on paper, and I anticipate JO not suffering through another injury laden season because the guy has had to go through a full season in over two years. He should be hungry to prove all those naysayers out there wrong, and I think he will exceed even our own expectations and post numbers close to 20,10 and 2blk per game.

Secondly, Kapono will be the starter this year, and having an O'Neal in the paint again will jack his numbers up substantially. Having Kapono and Calderon on the wings will be deadly, when taking into account how much attention teams will have to allocate to the two big guys in the post.

If the teams stays injury-free (a token comment because it applies to all teams) and the bench pays at least passably (I mean you Bargnani), then this team should finish in the top four spots and advance to the second round (at least) of the big show.

But they have to play the games, so we'll see what happens over the next 82 +.

by RobZ on Sep 25, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

lovin' the "toronto" on the front

by axl on Sep 25, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

(bowing down)

Not sure how you guys keep grabbing these types of exclusives but dont stop!

Photos are fantastic, especially the1 with the 3 jerseys. However this is just getting me even more excited for the season to start!

by fromlongrange on Sep 25, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

These photos seem like something a top-rated Raptor blog should be posting. LOL.

by Geoff on Sep 25, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

The men in Black?

I see this coming..

by renato on Sep 25, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Man, Bosh is RIPPED.

by SonicSuper on Sep 26, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

raps

by dame on Sep 26, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

SonicSuper, I noticed that as well when I watched this presentation live on Raps TV yesterday. Bosh has definately put some work in over the summer! He looks a lot stronger. O'Niel has also looked in top shape in pics we've seen this summer. I'm hoping the days of the Raps getting pushed around are over! LOL

Also, I was impressed by Matt Devlin, he seems to be born with an announcer's voice! Getting excited!

by MAS on Sep 26, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Ahhh remember when there were thoughts that Jose would never resign in Toronto after the whole Garbo issue, and that Bosh would demand a trade if we got rid of TJ. How quickly things change in less than 12 months time.

by Ustation on Sep 26, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Didn't all the teams in the US have an American flag on their jerseys for a while? When the war started?

I like the jerseys and the maple leaf. Nice touch.

I was thinking they should add little flags of the players home countries on the front right shoulder ... Jose with a little Spanish one etc. show the league that the raps are international.

by utes on Sep 26, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

uhhh...they didfn't really stray too much from the EXACT SAME JERSEY WE ALREADY HAVE EXCEPT BLACK

by DayOner on Sep 26, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Death to Smoochie

by DayOner on Sep 26, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

wow that new jersey made me wanna go see them play even MORE now! gotta get one for keeps!

by Kevin on Sep 26, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

BLACK and RED. I can't believe the lack of imagination and courage to try something more creative and colourfull. Which teams dosn't have a black and red jersey? bunch of sheep.

by ZoneD on Sep 27, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Mitchell vows to stop cursing
http://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/507385

I know it's a very very minor thing but still I don't get it, do pro players even care whether a coach uses profanity or not? I'd say absolutely not, and even a single second he spends refraining himself is one second he will not be focusing on the game.

by Sergi P on Sep 28, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

I disagree, I think someone who curses to much is more prone to be angry, heated and tuned out, which causes decisions to be made on emotion rather than reason.

Striving to being a better person helps greatly to becoming a better coach, in my opinion.

Words are very powerful and the negative effects of constant cursing and shouting are underated, those kind of words after a time period tend to discourage rather than encourage...Ball players are people first.

Personally, I don't like to hear someone cursing at me all the time, I can handle your occasional profanity but I have to say that I commend this step by Mitchell and to be honest it will make him a better coach because he will be focused on thought, reason and clarity and not on heated emotion.

I'm sure Sam has been told this before by many who are close to him and I think the decision to publically come out on it is a good stepping stone towards his maturity as a person and coach, and that can only be great news for the raptors.

Trust me, don't underate this vital step towards success.

peace

by Grounded on Sep 28, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

wow..!!nice uni4m,my favorite combination, but its better if we see that playing in the coference finals and grab the nba trophy...go guys nothing is impossible, boston make the impossible and why you couldn't.....

by jhersky on Sep 29, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

I always said that the media always overblew Bosh's relationship with Ford. Just because of their birthdays and home towns, everyone believed that they automatically had chemistry. I'm not so sure about that. I mean, I think they were good around each other, but I never got the sensation or feeling that they were really close in a Jose-Garbo kinda way.

by Kinnon Yee on Sep 29, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

These jersey's look better than the OKC jersey's. WAY BETTER!!!!

by Erica Smith on Sep 30, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

just loving the raptors new black and red jersey i have to see one of those games life....especiallly to see Jermaine Oneale and chris bosh together it offf the hook

by carol royer on Oct 5, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions