Mix of Toronto Raptors hats & shirts, along with SGA shirt — My too many Toronto Raptors hats and different basketball shirts

If you’ve watched Ted Lasso, you’ll remember Dani Rojas constantly saying:

“Football is life!”

It’s meant to be funny.

But if I’m honest?

Basketball is life.

Growing Up in the Michael Jordan Era

I grew up playing basketball constantly.

Lots of pickup games with my brother & friends. Outdoor courts. School gyms.

I still remember playing in jeans during hot summer days — because you never know when you’re going to ball.

I grew up in the era of Michael Jordan and the original Dream Team — when the NBA exploded globally, basketball culture became bigger than just a sport.

The Toronto Raptors Changed Basketball in Canada

Live at Toronto Raptors Game - Starting Line-up intro

Growing up in Toronto, the Toronto Raptors are obviously my team.

From Vince Carter’s legendary Dunk Contest to the 2019 Championship run, the Raptors didn’t just win — they transformed basketball culture in Canada.

The 2019 title brought an entire country together.

Since then, the growth hasn’t slowed down.

Basketball in Canada rivals Hockey in participation, especially in major cities.

How the NBA Still Fits Into My Daily Life

Life gets busy.

Career. Family. Kids’ schedules.

I don’t get to watch every game live anymore.

But the NBA might be the best digitally-run sports league in the world.

Even if I miss a game, I’ll catch up the next day through:

Game highlights on YouTube
Segments from Inside the NBA
Articles on NBA.com, ESPN, Bleacher Report, SB Nation
Social media clips and debates

The league isn’t just about basketball anymore.

It’s about personalities.

From Charles Barkley saying whatever’s on his mind, to MVP debates, to the never-ending GOAT argument (yes — MJ vs. LeBron continues), the NBA thrives on storylines.

I also talk about these debates weekly on North of the Rim, where I dive deeper into NBA storylines beyond just highlights.

Because that’s the thing — basketball isn’t just a game.

It’s immersion into it’s unique culture.

Playing NBA2K Is Basically Therapy

I also play NBA2K regularly on PlayStation.

I’m not ultra-competitive.
I don’t rush to buy the newest version every year.

But playing one game of NBA2K every night.

It’s therapy.

It’s become a routine — either one game of 2K or one episode of a TV show before bed.

And my wife says no one falls asleep faster than me 😂

There’s something about running a virtual pick-and-roll or hitting a step-back three that just releases stress.

Maybe because it connects me back to being that kid on the outdoor court.

It Must Be the Shoes

Basketball doesn’t stay on the court.

It shows up in what I wear.

Raptors gear makes it into my weekly rotation — including a casual look I broke down in my Casual Friday outfit post.

I probably own too many Raptors hats.

And then the sneakers…

From Air Jordan 1 to LeBrons, to trying to get my hands on the Shai 001 in brown 😭 — basketball sneakers blur the line between performance and style.

The Game Is Growing — And That Matters

It's not just the NBA anymore.

The WNBA continues to grow — and Toronto is finally getting its own team, the Toronto Tempo.

I actually know someone who left her job to help launch it to the fans in the city. Cheering her on from the sideline for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Basketball is global. Men's league. Women's league. North America. International stars. It's bigger than ever.