Michael Holian

Michael Holian

Joined: Nov 29, 2014

I've been hooked on basketball ever since the days when Larry Johnson and Stacey Augmon of UNLV dismantled Duke to win the NCAA championship. When the Fab Five came on the scene, it was over! I cover my hometown Toronto Raptors for HoopsHabit.com, transforming one hockey fan at a time. The power of first-ever Raptor, Vincenzo Esposito, continues...

Jan 17, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Zach LaVine (8) dunks the ball during the second half against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center. The Timberwolves won 113-105. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Minnesota Timberwolves: Prepare To Take Flight At All-Star Weekend

Jan 29, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; The Milwaukee Bucks huddle before the first quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Orlando Magic at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Milwaukee Bucks: Spreading The Wealth Paying Huge Dividends

Jan 31, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Andrew Wiggins (22) is guarded by Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) during the second quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Minnesota Timberwolves: Center Stage Awaits

Apr 1, 2013; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks mascot Bango performs prior to the game against the Charlotte Bobcats at the BMO Harris Bradley Center. Milwaukee won 131-102. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Milwaukee Bucks: Stabilizing The Future

Dec 2, 2014; Sacramento, CA, USA; Toronto Raptors head coach Dwane Casey gestures from the sideline against the Sacramento Kings during the second quarter at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

A Toronto Raptors’ Investigation: The Dwane Casey Files

Dec 21, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors head coach Dwane Casey(L) congratulates forward Terrence Ross (31) against the New York Knicks at the Air Canada Centre. The Raptors won 118-108. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Toronto Raptors: Starting Lineup Optimization

May 4, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors line up for the anthem against the Brooklyn Nets in the first half of game seven of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Hawks vs. Raptors: Friday Night Lights

Jan 10, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward James Johnson (right) and guard Kyle Lowry (left) defend against Boston Celtics guard Evan Turner (11) during the first half at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Toronto Raptors: The Restoration Project

Nov 26, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) dribbles the ball as Atlanta Hawks guard Jeff Teague (0) defends during the first half at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Toronto Raptors: It’s Time For A Reality Gut-Check

January 2, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Toronto Raptors guard Louis Williams (23, left), center Jonas Valanciunas (17, center), and forward Patrick Patterson (54, right) react on the bench during the fourth quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Raptors 126-105. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Toronto Raptors: Issues That Must Be Addressed

May 4, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; The Toronto Raptors playoff slogan flag is passed down before the start of their game against the Brooklyn Nets in game seven of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

Ringing In The New Year, Toronto Raptors Style

Nov 28, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard Terrence Ross (31) looks on against the Dallas Mavericks at Air Canada Centre. The Mavericks beat the Raptors 106-102. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

Toronto Raptors: The Perplexing Existence Of Terrence Ross

Apr 19, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors fans display a banner during the game against the Brooklyn Nets in game one during the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. The Nets beat the Raptors 94-87. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

A Toronto Raptors’ Christmas Story: It’s A Wonderful Life

Nov 11, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward Patrick Patterson (54) celebrates after making a three-point shot against the Orlando Magic at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Magic 104-100. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

Toronto Raptors: Respect Is Overdue For Patrick Patterson

Dec 17, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) jumps to score past Brooklyn Nets forward Joe Johnson (7) in the fourth quarter at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Peter Llewellyn-USA TODAY Sports

Toronto Raptors: The Baby-Faced Assassin, Kyle Lowry Belongs In MVP Discussion

Mar 26, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas (17) makes the basket against the Boston Celtics in the first quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Toronto Raptors: Jonas Valanciunas Transforming Before Us