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The Raptors Have Changed the NCAA Forever!

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  • The Raptors Have Changed the NCAA Forever!

    According to this online article from Yahoo Sports:

    Bumbling Raptors

    Interesting article. Not news to us, but a nice acknowledgement. Which begs the question. Has Raptors management been aware of this process? I assume so since they have long been involved with Canada Basketball (almost from the start of the team as I recall).

  • #2
    The opening line is an instant classic:

    In 1995, the Toronto Raptors began playing in the NBA. You may not have noticed

    Comment


    • #3
      Been a lot of articles like this the last few months. It's nice to see. The Raptors having an unexpectedly good year, even considering the mediocre talent in the conference, has given the team a lot of attention.

      With the number of Canadians playing basketball increasing, I'm sure we'll continue to see lots of them playing in the NCAA, and in the NBA. A successful Raptors team would definitely help to mimic the Vince Carter effect, inspiring young kids to take up basketball.

      I had been disappointed that the Raptors hadn't been able to make the playoffs the last few years while the Leafs struggled (last year aside), but this could be the year. If the team makes the second round, they'll have somewhere between 4 and 7 home games, and could provide a lot of entertainment.

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      • #4
        I guess it's better than nothing, but I still marvel sometimes at how the US treats every other country as if they live in an isolated wasteland.
        The tone of the article is so condescending and I don't even think he realizes it

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        • #5
          I also like the last line, "And college hoops can thank the long, lowly Raptors, of all teams, for the inspiration."

          lol.
          Heir, Prince of Cambridge

          If you see KeonClark in the wasteland, please share your food and water with him.

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          • #6
            I would say they should be crediting the players rather than the "lowly" franchise.. in particular Vince Carter. Hardcore fans like ourselves know better, but much in the same way that Wayne Gretzky transformed the landscape of hockey in Los Angeles and USA, Vince Carter transformed the popularity of basketball in Toronto and Canada. When you're 4 or 5 years old, you're relatively oblivious to the ugly side of Vince's time with the Raptors. You didn't read all the articles and when you went to games and he got hurt (again), you were upset and wondered why people were booing. Going further you can probably thank the powers who acquired Carter for us. If we had gone ahead with say Antawn Jamison, this team would never have taken off from a popularity standpoint.

            Sure, having a local team helps, but it's not like the popularity of soccer has skyrocketed since Toronto got an MLS team. On the other hand the people who brought in Defoe, Bradley, etc from Europe are going to see more Canadians playing soccer 10-15 years from now. A decade from now people might be talking about those guys as inspirations for why they decided to take soccer more seriously.
            your pal,
            ebrian

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            • #7
              i hope ignorant fans can now see the long term effect Vince Carter had to this city and basketball in Canada. All the kids from the GTA that were growing up idolizing him have now grown up and are invading the NCAA & NBA.

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              • #8
                RepTdot wrote: View Post
                i hope ignorant fans can now see the long term effect Vince Carter had to this city and basketball in Canada. All the kids from the GTA that were growing up idolizing him have now grown up and are invading the NCAA & NBA.
                I wouldn't generalize people as "ignorant". Many fans FULLY understand the impact VC had on basketball in Canada. That's not the issue. The issue was with him 'quitting' on the Raptors organization (which in term looked like he quit on the city and fans).

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                • #9
                  RepTdot wrote: View Post
                  i hope ignorant fans can now see the long term effect Vince Carter had to this city and basketball in Canada. All the kids from the GTA that were growing up idolizing him have now grown up and are invading the NCAA & NBA.
                  The other thing is, there's no way to tell how much of this was Vince himself, and how much was just having the Raptors franchise around
                  "Stop eating your sushi."
                  "I do actually have a pair of Uggs."
                  "I've had three cups of green tea tonight. I'm wired. I'm absolutely wired."
                  - Jack Armstrong

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                  • #10
                    Axel wrote: View Post
                    I also like the last line, "And college hoops can thank the long, lowly Raptors, of all teams, for the inspiration."

                    lol.
                    You can't argue with the truth.
                    The name's Bond, James Bond.

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                    • #11
                      Can't wait for this to really pay off in 2016 at the Olympics. I know we have to play our way in, but it should be a breeze with a roster composed entirely of NBA players. Canada will quickly become the #2 team in international basketball. The talent is undeniable. Canada isn't just producing more players, it's producing some of the best players.

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                      • #12
                        Primer wrote: View Post
                        Can't wait for this to really pay off in 2016 at the Olympics. I know we have to play our way in, but it should be a breeze with a roster composed entirely of NBA players. Canada will quickly become the #2 team in international basketball. The talent is undeniable. Canada isn't just producing more players, it's producing some of the best players.
                        That might be a little optimistic.

                        But I like it!
                        The name's Bond, James Bond.

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                        • #13
                          I was disappointed after reading the article title, I thought it'd be about the Raptors having 10x the amount of scouts at the NCAA tournament games than other teams or something.

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                          • #14
                            RaptorsFohEva wrote: View Post
                            That might be a little optimistic.

                            But I like it!
                            I know it sounds optimistic, but what other country can field a 12 man roster of all NBA players? Canada will be easily able to do that in summer 2016. In fact, Canada will have to turn down some NBA players. That's how competitive team Canada will become. I envision a rivalry with the USA similar to Olympic Hockey, except with the USA having the advantage.

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                            • #15
                              Would be highly surprised if they came together for a medal run in 2016 but I could see a very strong team by 2020.

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