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This Week In Social: Raptors and Wizards Prepare For Playoffs

A social summary of yesterday's media availability, including more from everyone's favourite dinosaur, Paul Pierce.

Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

The Toronto Raptors begin their series with the Washington Wizards tomorrow morning. Judging by comments at yesterday's media availability from Masai Ujiri, Dwane Casey, and the players, there's certainly an expectation that the team has learned from last year's Game 7 loss to the Brooklyn Nets.

The common thread between this year's Wizards and last year's Nets is, of course, Paul Pierce. If the Raptors needed a face to take their frustrations out on, Pierce is it, and there's been no shortage of commentary around his statement that the Raptors don't have "it".

Pierce clarified his comments yesterday (in the most Paul Pierce way possible).

In discussion more related to basketball, Toronto's leaders were quick to compliment each other.

DeRozan did so in Tupac socks.

There were a couple tidbits from Dwane Casey, one of them semi-cringe-worthy if you like James Johnson.

Wizards head coach Randy Wittman, meanwhile, will not be oblivious to this bit of strategy, which could give the Raptors fits in a seven-game series.

That's enough serious talk, though. What's a playoff run without dancing Landry Fields?

Finally, the Raptors front office replaced the famous "Pound the Rock" banner in the locker room with this (seriously awesome) "Family First" banner. As Greivis Vasquez shows you, it's got pictures of the players and their kids, which is... well, making me a little weepy.

A video posted by #TeamVasquez (@greivisvasquez) on

Anything you take away from the comments from players and coaches? Are the Raptors taking Paul Pierce too seriously? Is that the last time we see dancing Landry Fields in a Raptors uniform? Hit us up in the comments.