The NFL is investigating whether Incognito harassed or bullied Martin

DETROIT - As the Raptors continued their historic start to the campaign, the basketball world got a glimpse of the franchises future with the release of the teams new logo on Friday, a look that has been introduced to mixed reviews. Fake Balenciaga Shoes . Feeding off of last springs 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. 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 NBAs 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 teams 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, its a trend that has been popularized throughout professional sports in recent years. The consensus in Torontos locker room ahead of Fridays road contest with the Pistons could be described as indifference, verging on disapproval. Dwane Casey had not seen the new logo but indicated hed 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 hell be wearing next season. At least I dont 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 wont be unveiled until this coming summer. Several Raptors staffers, including Ujiri, insisted that once everyone - fans and players alike - see the teams new uniforms theyll come around. In addition to the regular home and away jerseys, theyll 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. Its gone really well. We have some exciting things in the works. Its going to be a full rebrand. Ultimately, as Ujiri has reiterated even prior to the teams recent success, it doesnt 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 Fridays win, Torontos 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 Torontos 110-100 victory. Im really, really excited about the way theyre 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 teams 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, youve got to have plays like that so you dont let them back in the game. It was a big play alright. Less than a minute later, Drummonds 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 theyre supposed to do, which is stand up for their teammates. No harm, Ive 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. Thats basketball, man, said Johnson, still emotional after the game. Were competitors out there, man. I dont 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, were built for that, he continued. Weve 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. Were all a group, were all brothers, we all love each other and thats the big reason for our success. Cheap Balenciaga . -- Chris Tillman paid no attention to the Baltimore bullpen as it started to stir in the ninth inning. Balenciaga Shoes Sale . The Arena das Dunas in the northeastern city of Natal sustained minor damage during the protests, but demonstrators stayed away on Sunday and officials said the stadium passed its first test, with only minor adjustments needed going forward. https://www.fakebalenciaga.com/ . -- Victor Bernardez tied the game with his second goal in the 95th minute and the San Jose Earthquakes drew 3-3 with Real Salt Lake on Saturday night.DAVIE, Fla. -- Jonathan Martins new lawyer says harassment of the Miami Dolphins tackle came from more than one teammate. The abuse went far beyond the traditional locker-room hazing, including a malicious physical attack and daily vulgar comments, lawyer David Cornwell said Thursday. He was hired this week to represent Martin, who left the Dolphins last week. His agent then complained to the Dolphins that Martin had been harassed, and they suspended guard Richie Incognito. The NFL is investigating whether Incognito harassed or bullied Martin, and whether their teammates and the organization mishandled the matter. Incognito has long been regarded as among the NFLs dirtiest players, and has had brushes with the law. A police report that surfaced Thursday said a female volunteer at a Dolphins charity golf tournament in May 2012 complained that Incognito harassed her. According to the report filed in the Miami suburb of Aventura, the woman said Incognito touched her inappropriately with his golf club, leaned close to her as if dancing and then emptied bottled water in her face. Incognito was not charged. The Dolphins declined to comment Friday. Cornwell is a lawyer who has represented the NFL and several prominent players, including Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. He also was a candidate in 2009 to become executive director of the NFLPA, a job that went to DeMaurice Smith. Cornwells statement alleges an unidentified Dolphins player threatened Martins sister in vulgar fashion. The lawyer said the facts "are not in dispute." "For the entire season and a half that he was with the Dolphins, he attempted to befriend the same teammates who subjected him to the abuse with the hope that doing so would end the harassment," the statement said. "This is a textbook reaction of victims of bullying. Despite these efforts, the taunting continued. ... "Eventually, Jonathan made a difficult choice. Despite his love for football, Jonathan left the Dolphins. Jonathan looks forward to getting back to playing football. In the meantime, he will co-operate fully with the NFL investigation." The Dolphins and Incognitos agent didnt respond to requests for comment on Cornwells statement. Some say Martin, a Stanford graduate who went about his business quietly, handled the situation well. But pro football is a macho world, and some players believe Martin should have responded more firmly. "Is Incognito wrong? Absolutely. Hes 100 per cent wrong," New York Giants safety Anttrel Rolle said. Fake Balenciaga For Sale. "No individual should have to go through that, especially in their workplace. "But at the same time, Jonathan Martin is a 6-4, 320-pound man. I mean, at some point and time you need to stand your ground as an individual. Am I saying go attack, go fight him? No. I think we all understand we can stand our ground without anything being physical." Cornwell disagreed. "Jonathan Martins toughness is not at issue," Cornwell said. "The issue is Jonathans treatment by his teammates." The Dolphins (4-4) will play for the first time since the scandal broke Monday night at Tampa Bay (0-8). At least 75 reporters and cameramen tracking the case were in the locker-room after Thursdays practice, but receiver Brian Hartline said the scrutiny wont prevent the team from playing well. "It almost heightens your awareness," he said. "You know its going to take away from your focus, so it does the exact opposite. You overcompensate to make sure you stay aware of the game." Dolphins players have robustly defended Incognito. Hes now a notorious national villain, but teammates praise his leadership and loyalty. Theyve been less passionate in their support of Martin, saying he and Incognito behaved like best friends. Martin is with his family in California to undergo counselling for emotional issues. A senior partner in a New York law firm was appointed by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to investigate possible misconduct and prepare a report. While Martin has been a starter since the first game of his rookie season, he developed a reputation in the NFL for lacking toughness. That impression might have been reinforced by the way he handled his issues with Incognito, current and former teammates acknowledge. "A lot of people might look at Jonathan Martin and think that hes soft because he stepped away from the game, and say, Why dont you just fight him?" said Seattle Seahawks receiver Doug Baldwin, who played with Martin at Stanford. "Well, if you look at it with common sense and being logical, what options did Jonathan Martin have? "He could fight Richie Incognito. He could go and tell on the players, which we know in the football locker-room doesnt go over too well. Or he could remove himself from the situation and let the proper channels take care of itself. And I think he made the intelligent, smart choice without putting himself or Richie Incognitos physical abilities in danger." ' ' '