Titles by Alex Wong

<p><strong>The improbable story of the birth of modern-day pro basketball in Toronto</strong></p><p>In just over 25 years, the Toronto Raptors have evolved from an intrepid expansion team to an NBA champion. But for all the triumphs of the past decade, the beginning looked a bit different. When the franchise began its first season in 1995, a pro basketball team in Toronto was viewed as an experiment. There was no playbook to follow, and very few people gave them a chance to succeed.&nbsp;</p><p>In&nbsp;<i>Prehistoric</i>, irreverent Raptors voice and culture writer Alex Wong explores the franchise&rsquo;s fascinating and unconventional inception through 140 original interviews with those involved with the team&rsquo;s very beginning, examining the process of how the team came up with their name and logo inspired by the blockbuster film&nbsp;<i>Jurassic Park</i>, taking a behind-the-scenes look at the drafting of star point guard Damon Stoudamire, telling the backstories of a group of misfits who formed the first-year roster, and providing an in-depth look at the team&rsquo;s opening night victory at the SkyDome and the expansion franchise&rsquo;s signature win over Michael Jordan and a 72-win Chicago Bulls team.&nbsp;</p><p>The Raptors boldly and intentionally pursued a much different audience in a hockey-first town. The result is a team who went through the necessary growing pains and eventually captured the heart of a city, as told in this essential origin story through the lens of the people who were there to help lay the foundation for a thriving modern-day basketball franchise in Toronto.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>The improbable story of the birth of modern-day pro basketball in Toronto</strong></p><p>In just over 25 years, the Toronto Raptors have evolved from an intrepid expansion team to an NBA champion. But for all the triumphs of the past decade, the beginning looked a bit different. When the franchise began its first season in 1995, a pro basketball team in Toronto was viewed as an experiment. There was no playbook to follow, and very few people gave them a chance to succeed.&nbsp;</p><p>In&nbsp;<i>Prehistoric</i>, irreverent Raptors voice and culture writer Alex Wong explores the franchise&rsquo;s fascinating and unconventional inception through 140 original interviews with those involved with the team&rsquo;s very beginning, examining the process of how the team came up with their name and logo inspired by the blockbuster film&nbsp;<i>Jurassic Park</i>, taking a behind-the-scenes look at the drafting of star point guard Damon Stoudamire, telling the backstories of a group of misfits who formed the first-year roster, and providing an in-depth look at the team&rsquo;s opening night victory at the SkyDome and the expansion franchise&rsquo;s signature win over Michael Jordan and a 72-win Chicago Bulls team.&nbsp;</p><p>The Raptors boldly and intentionally pursued a much different audience in a hockey-first town. The result is a team who went through the necessary growing pains and eventually captured the heart of a city, as told in this essential origin story through the lens of the people who were there to help lay the foundation for a thriving modern-day basketball franchise in Toronto.&nbsp;</p>

<div><p><strong>A nostalgic romp through modern NBA history as documented by basketball&#39;s most iconic and innovative magazine covers</strong></p><p>Every magazine cover is the result of a series of intentional decisions. <em>Cover Story</em> shares the behind-the-scenes stories of these deliberate choices, which led to the most iconic basketball-related magazine covers during a period from 1984 to 2003.<br /><br />Through 100-plus interviews conducted with writers, editors, publishers, photographers, creative directors, and the players themselves, the book explores Michael Jordan&rsquo;s relationship with Sports Illustrated, Shaquille O&rsquo;Neal and the hip-hop generation&rsquo;s impact on newsstands, the birth of SLAM and the inside stories of their most iconic covers, how the 1996 USA women&rsquo;s basketball team inspired a new era of women&rsquo;s sports magazines, the competition among publishers to put high school phenom LeBron James on the magazine cover first, and much more.</p><p>Offering an immersive look at some of the most impactful moments in a golden era for modern basketball, this engaging read will appeal to basketball fans, pop culture enthusiasts, and those who want to take a deep dive into understanding how the individual components of a classic magazine cover come together.<br /><br /><strong>Features&nbsp;four full-color inserts showcasing a collection of notable magazine covers!</strong></p></div>

<p><b>Relive the Toronto Raptors&#39; unforgettable 2019 NBA Championship run!</b></p><p><i>We The Champs</i> takes you inside the Raptors&#39; historic season, from the acquisition of Kawhi Leonard to their thrilling victory over the Golden State Warriors. Experience the excitement of key playoff matchups, including the classic Game 7 against the 76ers and the series comeback against the Bucks. Discover in-depth profiles of Leonard, Lowry, Siakam, and other fan favorites who led Toronto to its first NBA title.</p><p>This commemorative edition captures the team&#39;s changing identity, chemistry, and determination. Perfect for Raptors fans of all ages, this is the ultimate celebration of a landmark moment in Canadian sports history. <ul><li>Relive every game-winning shot</li><li>Go behind the scenes with exclusive player profiles</li><li>Celebrate Toronto&#39;s historic championship</li></ul></p>