I must admit. I have never really been a basketball fan. Yes, I guess I would be what you call a bandwagon jumper. But I would argue that I may have gotten caught up in the excitement BUT I am truly converted! Praise be Kawhi!

As a native Torontonian, I bleed blue and white. I have been a Maple Leafs fan my entire life! That being said, they haven’t won the Stanley Cup in my lifetime.

While at the office shortly after the first round against the Magic began I was chatting with a co-worker. He had asked if I was excited about the playoffs. I said that I had never been a basketball fan and that I couldn’t wait for the beginning of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

He had said that he’s always preferred basketball over hockey? That just didn’t compute with me?! How could anyone not LOVE hockey?? His words stuck with me and played over and over in my mind for days.

I missed the entire series vs. the Magic.

After another disappointing early exit by my beloved Toronto Maple Leafs from the 2019 NHL playoffs I was in search of something to fill that all too familiar void.

I started watching the Sixers series and it HIT ME! OOOOOH! THIS is what my co-worker was talking about… I get it now! Why did it take SO long?

The game is fast and the score can change in an instant. I must admit, I don’t quite get all the fouling rules as of yet but it’s coming to me.

When I snapped this mural shot I was downtown shooting an event at The Fifth during game one of the Warriors series. The city was electric! As I walked outside the venue I could hear the yelling and screaming of excited fans in the bars and pubs all around me. The Toronto Raptors won game one: 118-109 to take a 1-0 series lead.

I stand before you today, the converted.

LET’S GO RAPTORS! (clap clap, clap clap clap)