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TSN Raptors Reporter

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DETROIT - As the Raptors continued their historic start to the campaign, the basketball world got a glimpse of the franchise's future with the release of the team's new logo on Friday, a look that has been introduced to mixed reviews.

Feeding off of last spring's wildly successful "We the North" campaign, which was originally scheduled to be unleashed this season, the Raptors' primary symbol will feature a red circular border encasing the team name in white lettering and a silver basketball with claw prints inside.

Toronto Raptors Logo

"Last year during the playoffs, 'We the North' became a rallying cry for this team, and all of our fans," Raptors president and general manger Masai Ujiri said in a press release. "Our new logo represents that attitude and will be an important part of our identity starting next season."

The team is set to debut its new look to begin the third decade of Raptors' basketball next season - a year in which Toronto will host the NBA's All-Star Game - but not everyone is on board with the rebrand.

Originally launched by the club in a short video Friday afternoon, a black and white version of the team's new "shield" flashed across the screen, sparking a bit of a stir on social media, as it seemed to bear a striking resemblance to the Brooklyn Nets' logo.

Adopted by the Nets upon their move to Brooklyn, their logo shares the same circular shape, also utilizing a basketball in the centre with white lettering around the border. A simple and clean look, it's a trend that has been popularized throughout professional sports in recent years.

The consensus in Toronto's locker room ahead of Friday's road contest with the Pistons could be described as indifference, verging on disapproval.

Dwane Casey had not seen the new logo but indicated he'd be content with whatever they gave him to wear on his shirt. Amir Johnson and Landry Fields both appreciated the clean look. But not everyone was impressed.

"Nope," responded a prominent Raptors' player bluntly after being asked if he liked the new logo he'll be wearing next season. "At least I don't have to pay the bill."

However, most of the team acknowledged that the logo itself is less important to them than the actual colour scheme, which they approved of, and the jerseys, which won't be unveiled until this coming summer. Several Raptors' staffers, including Ujiri, insisted that once everyone - fans and players alike - see the team's new uniforms they'll come around.

In addition to the regular home and away jerseys, they'll also wear a black and gold alternate inspired by Drake, their global ambassador, and the colours of his OVO brand.

"I think people are going to be floored with what we have in store for next season," the Toronto-born rap artist said ahead of Drake Night on Wednesday. The team said he played a big part in the redesign, in conjunction with Sid Lee, the same creative services agency that is responsible for the 'We the North' campaign.

"It's gone really well. We have some exciting things in the works. It's going to be a full rebrand."

Ultimately, as Ujiri has reiterated even prior to the team's recent success, it doesn't matter what logo they have across their chest as long they are winning.

"Anything you do, for me, is all based on winning," Ujiri had said on media day ahead of the 2013-14 campaign, his first with the organization. "You can have the best name, worst name, you can have any colours you want if you have the right basketball players."

TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS

Friday's win, Toronto's fifth straight, followed a familiar formula.

The Raptors eased their way into another contest against inferior competition, surrendering 31 first-quarter points to the Pistons, who shot 50 per cent in the frame.

After closing the first half on a 22-11 run, thanks in large part to the contributions of their bench, they took control in the third quarter, outscoring Detroit 29-18.

"I give our bench a lot of credit, they came in and did the job," Casey said after his second unit poured in 59 points in Toronto's 110-100 victory. "I'm really, really excited about the way they're coming in and establishing a style of play, establishing an identity that you need with your second unit."

Six players scored in double figures, including three off the pine. Jonas Valanciunas led the way with 17 points in a tough match-up against Andre Drummond, handing the 5-22 Pistons their 12th straight home loss at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

THE DUNK

With just over seven minutes to go and the Raptors up 18, James Johnson put the exclamation point on his team's win.

Driving baseline, Johnson skied over Drummond, an elite shot blocker, in one of the most electric plays of the season. Best to let him describe it.

"That was nasty, right? I cocked that joint back and banged on him."

"That was a big part of the game," said the reserve forward. "It was a big play, it boosted us up a little bit. Teams like Detroit, you've got to have plays like that so you don't let them back in the game."

It was a big play alright. Less than a minute later, Drummond's frustrations would boil over. With Johnson driving into the lane again, Drummond turned into him with his shoulder. As veteran tough guy Chuck Hayes intervened, a skirmish ensued next to the Pistons' bench.

Greivis Vasquez held back Johnson, who has been known to have a temper, as Patrick Patterson and Greg Monroe stepped in and exchanged a couple of shoves.

"I love it," Casey said of the scuffle. "No harm. Drummond did what he was supposed to do and James and Chuck and Pat did what they're supposed to do, which is stand up for their teammates. No harm, I've seen far worse than that in the old days."

Drummond was assessed a flagrant foul on the play and techs were assigned to Hayes, Monroe, Patterson, as well as Drummond.

"That's basketball, man," said Johnson, still emotional after the game. "We're competitors out there, man. I don't expect anything less from anyone if you really want to win, man. Everybody really wants to win out there, frustration sets in a little bit but other than that, man, no hard feelings.

"Our team, we're built for that," he continued. "We've been brothers since the first day of pre-season. We go hard for each other. I do that for anyone of them, just like you seen Chuck, Pat and [Vasquez] do that for me. We're all a group, we're all brothers, we all love each other and that's the big reason for our success."