On Tuesday night, sports fans across Canada will get to experience another unique phenomenon. A reality considered at one time to be an idealistic dream.
The Toronto Raptors, Canada’s inaugural and lone NBA franchise, will receive their championship rings, while raising their championship banner into the rafters of ScotiaBank Arena. The signature affirmation of last season’s historic victory run.
A lot has happened since the buzzer sounded in Game 6 of the NBA Finals, signifying that the Toronto Raptors had captured the NBA title over the Golden State Warriors. The team held a victory parade that brought over two million people to Toronto. Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green, both key pieces to the Raptors success, are now representing both of the Los Angeles franchises. And Kyle Lowry and Pascal Siakam both signed contract extensions to remain with the organization.
While this team lacks that foundational superstar, it compensates in the form of championship character. The chip on the shoulder will be apparent, from the opening tip against the New Orleans Pelicans throughout the entire season.
This is the new normal. This is Toronto sports. For those craving to return to the excitement and hoopla of the Raptors championship run, tonight will aim to fill that void.
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I was born in February of 1996, halfway through the inaugural season of the Toronto Raptors. In 1993, Toronto businessman John Bitove paid an expansion fee of $125 million USD to establish the 28th NBA franchise. Along with the Vancouver Grizzlies out west, it was NBA Commissioner David Stern’s attempt to open the borders, diversifying the portfolio of basketball franchises.
The first game of the Raptors franchise occurred at SkyDome, the home of the two-time World Series champions Toronto Blue Jays. In front of a small crowd of 33,306, the Raptors defeated the New Jersey Nets by 15 points, led by stellar performances of Alvin Robertson and Damon Stoudemire.
But the initial enthusiasm for a new franchise in Toronto, was met with subsequent uncertainty and doubt. Toronto, and Canada in general, is first and foremost a hockey country. Regardless of their performance, the Toronto Maple Leafs will always be the talk of the city. The hype surrounding the Blue Jays was still high, after winning their second consecutive World Series in 1993. Ask a sample of Torontonians certain basketball terms and phrases, and they wouldn’t know the answer.
Toronto residents easily can recollect the household names of Joe Carter and Doug Gilmour but would have to scratch their head to know who Alvin Williams was.
South of the border, the Canadian franchises were ostracized and shunned. While many were wishing Toronto and Vancouver well, the economic prosperity of American markets such as New York, Los Angeles and Chicago far outweigh any success of Toronto or Vancouver. The NBA was still enthralled by Michael Jordan and were beginning to embrace the greatness of stars such as Patrick Ewing, Reggie Miller, Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal.
With the non-existent basketball culture in Canada, coupled with the NBA’s desire to expand within America, the Vancouver Grizzlies moved to Memphis after six years in existence. The Raptors stayed as the lone Canadian team, about to undergo the long and arduous journey to national consciousness and relevance.
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I grew up in a sports family. My Father was a recreational golfer, my Mom was integral in Canadian tennis tournament operations. And my older brother got blessed with athletic genes, specializing in competitive tennis.
On TV, the main subject were big sporting events. Dinner conversations at the table with the family were about various sports issues. Playing video games such as NBA Live or NHL became a routine. It was through this where I got my first initial wave of love for Toronto sports teams, including the Raptors.
I remember rising from my couch to watch Vince Carter’s all-time unforgettable dunk at the Slam Dunk Contest. Little did I know at the time, but it would live on for years to be the biggest moment in the franchise’s history.
There were dark years for the Toronto Raptors franchise. Moments that were difficult to cover the team, when stars such as Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady and Chris Bosh would leave for warmer climates. But the Raptors gave me an avenue to follow and love the sport of basketball. The team provided inspiration, hope and belief that one day, enduring the troubling times would be worth it, when the franchise would become relevant. It only took 23 years of my life to make that happen.
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In 2013, the Toronto Raptors underwent a massive branding change. They brought new general manager named Masai Ujiri. They made significant in-season trades to bring the pair of DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry together. As social media ramped up its influence on daily society, phrases such as “We The North” and “The Northern Uprising Has Begun” became mainstream vernacular for basketball fans.
The Air Canada Centre, now ScotiaBank Arena, started to fill seats for basketball games. And the Raptors formed Jurassic Park, a mosh pit of enthusiasm and energy for fans outside the arena to watch the games on the big screen. Drake became the team’s global ambassador and Nav Bhatia was an overnight superfan sensation. The Raptors were starting to put a dent into the trifecta of the Toronto sports market.
As the Raptors became a consistent playoff team, fans across the country demanded more. They were tired of seeing LeBron James beat their team on a consistent basis in the playoffs. The fanbase yearned for a superstar that could lift this team to new heights. After getting swept by the Cleveland Cavaliers for a second consecutive year, Masai Ujiri had tough decisions to make. He would fire the NBA Coach of the Year Dwane Casey and bring in Nick Nurse. And he would trade DeMar DeRozan and Jakob Poetl for Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green.
A superstar, who was considered the best two-way player in the NBA, and a proven playoff performer were coming to Toronto.
Toronto, a city used to sports teams always falling short of expectations, did not know how to react. The regular season was filled with questions and skepticism. Was the “load management” strategy for Kawhi Leonard going to work? Will the experienced Raptor players such as Kyle Lowry, able to galvanize this team and perform in the adverse moments? We were about to find out.
***
2019 has been a difficult year for me personally. My Grandma, full of vigor and spirit, had to be moved from her lifelong residence to a senior’s home for long-term care. My brother was in a serious car accident, which led to a debilitating concussion. And my Dad, who never had any health concerns, would be in hospital with blood clots in his lungs. Instantly, life changed forever.
But through those difficult moments, there was a distraction that kept my faith and optimism strong. It was the Toronto Raptors. A team that every single time, elated my spirits and exceeded my expectations. When they were down 0-1 to the Orlando Magic, the Raptors rattled off four straight wins with dominance. Down 2-1 to the Philadelphia 76ers, Kawhi Leonard would put the team on his back to force a Game 7. Only to convert the only Game 7 buzzer-beater in NBA Playoffs history, sending Toronto into pandemonium.
Down 0-2 to the league-leading Milwaukee Bucks, it would be a complete team effort that would enable Toronto to win four consecutive games, including a crucial overtime victory on home court in Game 3. Sending the Raptors to their franchise’s first NBA Finals in its history.
There were skeptics about the Raptors chances in the NBA Finals. After all, they were taking on the Golden State Warriors, a team that was looking to win four NBA championships in five seasons.
But the mental fortitude and battle-tested identity, forged from conquering adversity throughout the postseason, propelled this team to championship glory. From the “box and one” defense Nick Nurse employed to sensational performances from Fred VanVleet, Kyle Lowry and Pascal Siakam in Game 6, the Raptors etched themselves into the annals of basketball history.
All the while this was happening, the city and country began to rally behind the Raptors. More people were wearing Raptors apparel and jerseys. People at local establishments and work offices were for discussing basketball in their daily conversations. The city erupted into pure elation once it was official the Raptors were champions. Cars were honking and stopped to take in the scene that was downtown Toronto. Fans were in constant jubilation to the early hours of the morning.
For once, a major Toronto sports franchise gave a city and a country something to be proud of.
***
The narrative surrounding the Raptors heading into the 2019/2020 season is that last year was a “fluke.” That it was Kawhi Leonard who was the sole reason the Raptors won the championship.
This only adds motivation and fuel to the current Raptors roster. This season is once again about proving the doubters wrong. Given that six of their seven players from last year’s championship team are returning, it is hard not to imagine the Raptors being a top-4 seed in the Eastern Conference. With the addition of OG Anunoby to their main rotation, the Raptors will continue to be a strong defensive force. If Siakam continues his development, coupled with the experience of winning a championship, the Raptors are out to surprise the NBA.
Tuesday night will be another example of the meteoric rise of basketball across Canada. Canadians, who never would think of tuning into basketball, are now beginning to love the sport. The energy is palpable as Canada begins to place basketball on a pedestal with the other popular sports this nation has to offer.
The Raptors represent the beauty of the North, as the entire country is united in their fervent support for a team that transcended the concept of what is possible. Most importantly of all, the Toronto Raptors have solidified the hope, faith and belief that I and so many followers possessed many years ago, that one day, we could revel in the magnitude of an ultimate Canadian basketball moment.
“We want to experience this moment here again and again and again,” Raptors President Masai Ujiri said.
The banner that will be raised is only the beginning of more unforgettable memories to come for the Toronto Raptors.
