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Sporting the best record in the NBA’s Eastern Conference, the Toronto Raptors have charged to the top of the standings on the strength of truly inspired team basketball. Zemgus Girgensons Jersey . In the hours before arguably their toughest test yet against LeBron James and the new-look Cleveland Cavaliers at the ACC on Friday night, the organization took time to pay tribute to Nelson Mandela, the personal inspiration of the man at the helm, Raptors General Manager Masai Ujiri. Marking the first anniversary of Mandela’s passing, The Giant of Africa presented by Bell was a pre-game celebration of the late former South African President and Nobel Peace Prize winner. Funds raised by the event will support both the Nelson Mandela Foundation and Giants of Africa, a not-for-profit organization founded by Ujiri in 2003 to continue to educate and enrich the lives of African youth. As he stepped to the front of the packed house gathered in the teams transformed upper level practice court (which had been rapidly transformed into a red carpet event space for the occasion), the first African-born General Manager in NBA history promised to refrain from firing up the crowd in advance of the impending game, recounting instead the way that meeting Mandela changed his life. Ujiri went on to share his personal reflections on Mandelas legacy, saying, I dont know where the world is going, but Mandela made the world a better place. And even though hes passed, he is going to continue to grow. Through whether it was poverty, diseases, or injustice, Nelson Mandela is a man that stood for us, and the world needs that. The world deserves that. Courtesy: Giants of Africa Twitter The GMs address was a prelude to a panel discussion moderated by TSN’s James Duthie featuring the evenings celebrity guests: a trio of NBA legends in Magic Johnson, Charles Barkley, and Dikembe Mutombo, along with UN Goodwill Ambassador and 1999 Miss Universe winner Mpule Kwelagobe. Much of the panel discussion revolved around the guests personal memories of meeting Mandela, as well as his lifelong determination to create hope and encourage global harmony. Courtesy: Giants of Africa Twitter For me it was a dream come true to meet someone who lifted the world up, taught us so much, inspired me to do what I do every day: look after my people on the continent of Africa. I learned all those lessons from this great man, said Mutombo. It was a group of 14 of us, we had many NBA officials there, and the person he called the name of was Mutombo!!! The NBA legends also touched on the Raptors remarkable run so far this season. After Barkley complimented Toronto, calling the city a clean New York, Johnson commended the team for being a reflection of the tenacity of their GM, and built the case for the Raptors to find success going forward. Theyre a real team, and all they have to do now is build on what happened last season in the playoffs. You always have to gauge yourself on the best, you use that as a barometer to [measure], Okay, where are we against Cleveland, Chicago, Washington? And, Johnson added to the roar of the crowd, the fan base is crazy. That arena last year in the playoffs was one of the loudest arenas Ive ever seen. Other notable guests at the event included Raptors alumnus Tracy McGrady, Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Jonathan Bernier, Maple Leafs President Brendan Shanahan, TIFF Artistic Director Cameron Bailey, Toronto Argos legend Michael “Pinball” Clemons, NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum, and Amadou Fall, Vice President of NBA Africa. Courtesy: Toronto Raptors Twitter In conjunction with the evening’s theme, limited edition The Giant of Africa t-shirts were sold by the Toronto Raptors Store powered by Real Sports Apparel, with proceeds supporting Giants of Africa. The shirts display messages inspired by Mandela’s five pillars: being a leader, fighting for freedom, creating a better future, committing to the community, and using sport to inspire change. Jeff Skinner Jersey . Three pitches later, he was hugging Mike Napoli at home plate after his teammates winning home run. Napoli and Ortiz hit consecutive homers with one out in the 10th inning and the Boston Red Sox rallied past Minnesota 2-1 Wednesday, sending the Twins to their fifth straight loss. Danny Gare Jersey . Or at least on everyone elses expectations. Costa Rica followed up its surprise win over Uruguay with another World Cup stunner on Friday, beating four-time champion Italy 1-0 to secure a spot in the next round and eliminate England in the process. http://www.officialsabresfanstore.com/authentic-ryan-miller-sabres-jersey/ . Here are some of the best from Week One and some to watch in Week Two: TOP PERFORMERS Anthony Allen, RB, Saskatchewan (176 YDS, 2 TD, 30 touches vs. Hamilton) - Powerfully-built back burst onto the scene in his CFL debut, after a couple of years in the NFL, playing 21 games with the Baltimore Ravens.DENVER -- Dillon Gee threw six scoreless innings and David Wright had one of New Yorks four RBI doubles as the Mets salvaged the final game of their series against Colorado, beating the Rockies 5-1 on Sunday. Gee (3-1) kept the Rockies off balance to run his scoreless string to a career-best 16 innings. The righty, 13-6 with a 2.66 since last May 30, surrendered six hits and struck out five, helping the Mets avoid being swept for the first time in a four-game series at Coors Field. Jhoulys Chacin (0-1) was rather rusty his first start this season, lasting five innings and giving up four runs. Chacin spent the first month on the disabled list with a strained right shoulder. Nolan Arenado ran his hitting streak to 24 games with a double in the fourth, the second-longest hitting streak in Rockies history. Justin Morneau accounted for Colorados only run with a ninth-inning homer off Jeurys Familia. After wasting a a 6-0 lead in Saturdays 11-10 loss, the Mets jumped to a 4-0 lead after four innings. Wright, Chris Young and Daniel Murphy had run-scoring doubles, while Curtis Granderson chipped in an RBI single. Lucas Duda added an RBI double in the seventh that increased the lead to 5-0. He also walked three times, including one intentional. Juan Lagares extended his hitting streak to a career-best 13 games with a single to start the game. Lagares originally had the day off, but was inserted into the starting lineup after Eric Young Jr. was scratchhed. Jack Eichel Jersey. Young was hit just below the right eye by a baseball in batting practice before the game. Hes day to day with a bruised cheek. Gee was pinpoint with his command, keeping the Rockies guessing among his curve, cutter and slider. He found himself in a sticky situation in the seventh, but the bullpen bailed him out. With two on and no outs, Carlos Torres got two outs and Scott Rice recorded the third to wiggle out of the inning. This was opening day for Chacin, who was shut down early in spring training after experiencing inflammation in his throwing shoulder. He was teams top right-handed starter in 2013, going 14-10 with a 3.47 ERA. Chacin struggled with his control throughout the game as he gave up eight hits and walked five. He threw 86 pitches before handing things over to the bullpen. NOTES: After Gee went hitless in three at-bats, pitchers for the Mets are now 0 for 51 starting the season. Its the longest hitless streak to begin a season since 1900, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. ... Gee is 7-1 in his last 10 road starts. ... Mets manager Terry Collins said Kyle Farnsworth remains his closer despite allowing Charlie Culbersons two-run, game-ending homer Saturday. ... Wright has a .384 average, 10 homers and 40 RBIs in 138 at-bats at Coors Field. ... To make room for Chacin on the roster, the Rockies placed C Wilin Rosario (viral infection) on the 15-day DL. ... OF Michael Cuddyer (strained left hamstring) began exercises in a pool. 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