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Sneaker hunting in Jurassic Park: 16 of the best kicks at the Raptors playoffs

By Andrew Oliphant| Photography by Joshua Best
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Playoff basketball has returned and so has the epic tailgate zone known as Jurassic Park. For the first time since 2019, fans can cheer on their team—and preen—in the company of other diehards. Here is some of the best Raps-repping footwear at Saturday’s reopening.

Sneaker hunting in Jurassic Park: 16 of the best kicks at the Raptors playoffs

Sneaker hunting in Jurassic Park: 16 of the best kicks at the Raptors playoffs
Joseph Anthony Ordoñez, a 42-year-old grocery store worker

“I like the old 5s, 4s and 3s. Nike released these sneakers when I was a kid; I’m buying them now.”

Kick check: Jordan 5 Retro Raging Bulls

 

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Sneaker hunting in Jurassic Park: 16 of the best kicks at the Raptors playoffs
Sneaker hunting in Jurassic Park: 16 of the best kicks at the Raptors playoffs
Jerome Cheng, a 37-year-old producer

“It’s my first day wearing these shoes. There’s no better way to come back to a Raptors tailgate.”

Kick check: New Balance 650R Aimé Leon Dore

 

Sneaker hunting in Jurassic Park: 16 of the best kicks at the Raptors playoffs

Sneaker hunting in Jurassic Park: 16 of the best kicks at the Raptors playoffs
Ronik Dhillon, a 7-year-old student

“I’m a superfan. I’m wearing my Raptors’ stuff and my Jordan shoes. I’ve had them for 10 months.”

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Kick check: Nike Jordan 1 mid

 

Sneaker hunting in Jurassic Park: 16 of the best kicks at the Raptors playoffs
Sneaker hunting in Jurassic Park: 16 of the best kicks at the Raptors playoffs
Sebastian Acevedo, a 19-year-old student

“I got these over the summer—they’re Raptor colours.”

Kick check: Jordan 4 Retro OG Fire Red

 

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Sneaker hunting in Jurassic Park: 16 of the best kicks at the Raptors playoffs

Sneaker hunting in Jurassic Park: 16 of the best kicks at the Raptors playoffs
Ziad Zeada, 29, unemployed

“I gotta come out in the red and black and white way. Jordan’s, classics.”

Kick check: Jordan 6-17-23

 

Sneaker hunting in Jurassic Park: 16 of the best kicks at the Raptors playoffs
Sneaker hunting in Jurassic Park: 16 of the best kicks at the Raptors playoffs
Braeden Carito, a 17-year-old student

“These shoes were inspired by Milwaukee Bucks player Giannis Antetokounmpo, but I’m wearing them because they look nice.”

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Kick check: Zoom Freak 2

 

Sneaker hunting in Jurassic Park: 16 of the best kicks at the Raptors playoffs

Sneaker hunting in Jurassic Park: 16 of the best kicks at the Raptors playoffs
Ralph Discoso, a 49-year-old janitor

“I’m wearing my red Puma shoes with a little bit of gold in the back. These are my sports shoes.”

Kick check: Puma RS-Fast Canada

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Sneaker hunting in Jurassic Park: 16 of the best kicks at the Raptors playoffs

Sneaker hunting in Jurassic Park: 16 of the best kicks at the Raptors playoffs
Nicole Celep, a 25-year-old grocery store manager

“I spent two hours online getting these Jordan 11s.”

Kick check: Jordan 11 Retro Playoffs Bred

 

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Sneaker hunting in Jurassic Park: 16 of the best kicks at the Raptors playoffs
Sneaker hunting in Jurassic Park: 16 of the best kicks at the Raptors playoffs
Aaron Reyes, a 22-year-old call centre representative

“They go well with the jersey, so I thought this would be a proper fit.”

Kick check: Nike Dunk Low University Red

 

Sneaker hunting in Jurassic Park: 16 of the best kicks at the Raptors playoffs
Sneaker hunting in Jurassic Park: 16 of the best kicks at the Raptors playoffs
Faisal Al-Khalili, a 22-year-old MLSE employee

“These were part of the first drop in 2019.”

Kick check: Nike LDV Waffle Sacai

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Sneaker hunting in Jurassic Park: 16 of the best kicks at the Raptors playoffs

Sneaker hunting in Jurassic Park: 16 of the best kicks at the Raptors playoffs
Glendon Wilson, a 33-year-old recreation coordinator

“I’m a big Jordan 1 fan so I figured they would be appropriate.”

Kick check: Jordan 1 Mid Gym Red Black White

 

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Sneaker hunting in Jurassic Park: 16 of the best kicks at the Raptors playoffs

Sneaker hunting in Jurassic Park: 16 of the best kicks at the Raptors playoffs
Glen Napao, a 28-year-old who works at Sobeys Corporate

“I’ve these Yeezy 350s for about 2 years now.”

Kick check: Yeezy Boost 350 v2 Black Non-Reflective

 

Sneaker hunting in Jurassic Park: 16 of the best kicks at the Raptors playoffs

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Sneaker hunting in Jurassic Park: 16 of the best kicks at the Raptors playoffs
Marcus Mendes, a 24-year-old who works in cannabis

“My Yeezys were a gift from a friend.”

Kick check: Yeezy 500 Taupe Light

 

Sneaker hunting in Jurassic Park: 16 of the best kicks at the Raptors playoffs

Sneaker hunting in Jurassic Park: 16 of the best kicks at the Raptors playoffs
Ming Leung, a 40-year-old bank director

“These are modelled after the Nike Jordan 1s, and they’re actually kids’ shoes.”

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Kick check: Nike kids trainers

 

Sneaker hunting in Jurassic Park: 16 of the best kicks at the Raptors playoffs

Sneaker hunting in Jurassic Park: 16 of the best kicks at the Raptors playoffs
Jennifer Groves, a 42-year-old usher

“I’ve got my Fred Van Vleet jersey on, my white-and-black Jordan’s and my Raptor’s jacket.”

Kick check: Jordan XXXV DNA 

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Sneaker hunting in Jurassic Park: 16 of the best kicks at the Raptors playoffs

Sneaker hunting in Jurassic Park: 16 of the best kicks at the Raptors playoffs
Francis Torres, a 29-year-old administrative assistant

“These are from Travis Scott’s collaboration with Jordan.”

Kick check: Jordan 4 Retro Travis Scott Purple

 

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And a bonus bling check
Sneaker hunting in Jurassic Park: 16 of the best kicks at the Raptors playoffs

Sneaker hunting in Jurassic Park: 16 of the best kicks at the Raptors playoffs
Julian Bartley, a 30-year-old sports merchandiser

“I won the replica ring at the square when the Raptors won the 2019 championship. It looks legit.”

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