Drake catches flack over Raptors love

TORONTO — By now, Drake’s relentless grandstanding on behalf of his beloved Toronto Raptors is to be expected. And so too, then, is the wrath of Milwaukee Bucks’ fans now excoriating the Canadian rapper for a series of escalating taunts.

The off-court beef has been equal parts invigorating and infuriating for fans of both teams.

When it comes to rallying and riling the fans, Drake has proven his worth time and again, says the marketing director of the U.S.-based athlete marketing platform opendorse.

“Drake’s in a league of his own right now,” Sam Weber, adding some Toronto fans may be tired of their team cast as the “Toronto Drakes.”

The Drake sideshow has even inspired one bookie to take bets on the possible shenanigans that could unfold at Saturday’s game. Will Drake step onto the court? Will the NBA publicly warn Drake regarding his on-court behaviour? Will Drake be removed from Game 6 by security?

VanVleet dazzles after son’s birth

MILWAUKEE — Fred VanVleet’s breakout performance in Game 5 of the NBA Eastern Conference final had the city of Toronto buzzing, but for the Raptors point guard it was just another crazy night in a whole string of them.

VanVleet provided a huge boost of scoring off the bench with a playoff career-high 21 points Thursday night as the Raptors posted a 105-99 win at Milwaukee and moved within a win of their first ever appearance in the NBA Finals.

The win, though, is just another highlight of a joyful, tiring week that started when VanVleet and longtime girlfriend Shontai Neal welcomed a son, Fred Jr., on Monday — one day after the Raptors pulled out a nervy 118-112 double-overtime win at home to cut the Bucks’ lead in the series to 2-1.

The surprising news that Fred Jr. was on his way — his due date was May 31 — had VanVleet scrambling to get back to his hometown of Rockford, Ill., in time for his son’s birth. After spending time with his family, VanVleet managed to fly back to Toronto in time for Toronto’s 120102 win in Game 4.