The Toronto Raptors mascot probably didn’t envision things getting this real this fast on Sunday night. Per CBS,
One of the best running gags in the NBA is Robin Lopez’s feud with every single mascot in the NBA. This feud has now gone international as with the Blazers traveling to Toronto tonight, Lopez had a run-in with the Raptor.
As you can see in the Vine below, the Raptor may have struck a cord with Lopez by choosing to wear a wig that resembles the big man’s curly hairstyle. A fellow mascot comes to defend the Raptor briefly before ultimately running away.
Asked after the game what Lopez thought of the whole act:
Where does the Raptor rank on your least favorite mascots list?
He’s up there. He’s putting himself up there. Right now, I think he and Hooper from Detroit, they’re in the top tier. They’re really on my enemies list.
What happened tonight?
He was taunting me during warmups. He never got up the courage to actually go after me, but I can tell he was thinking it over in his head.
Would you have respected him more if he had actually come at you?
Completely, completely. You know, I’d respect him as much as one can a raptor.
This running gag is great, my only wish is that the mascots would actually fight back. It’d be awesome to see a Raptor throwing some haymakers.
Stay tuned, this rivalry isn’t going away.