The new basketball season has arrived, and what better way to get things off than by looking at the 2019 NBA Champions, the Toronto Raptors? Here are eight essential facts about the Raptors that you should know if you want to be a fan.
Basketball Team of a Nation
The Raptors are the NBA’s only Canadian team, and their victory wasn’t just for Toronto — it was for the entire country. When the squad competed in the finals in June, public viewing parties were held in 50 cities and towns across Canada.
The Other Team from Canada
In the past, Canada had two NBA franchises. Both clubs debuted in the NBA in 1995, however the Vancouver Grizzlies struggled to match the Raptors’ success and were eventually sold to Memphis, Tennessee, where they are now known as the Memphis Grizzlies.
Raptors beat Memphis to win their 50th game and claim the Eastern Conference’s No. 2 seed – Sportsnet.ca
(AP photo by Kevin C. Cox/Pool)
A Championship Ring with a Lot of Glitter
With 640 diamonds, the 2019 Raptors championship ring is the most expensive and extravagant ever manufactured in the NBA! Kyle Lowry, the team’s six-time all-star point guard, assisted in the design.
What Is the Meaning of the Raptors’ Name?
Aside from their speed and persistence, what distinguishes them? When it was revealed that Toronto will be receiving its own NBA team, the city turned to the public for name proposals. There were many great suggestions, including the Dragons, Hogs, and T-Rexes, but the Raptors were the most popular, and the name was proclaimed in May of 1994.
What are the Raptors’ ties to Toronto?
The simple answer is that there is none. Around the same time as the team’s announcement, the blockbuster film Jurassic Park was released, and the entire globe was gripped by dinosaur fever. The Velociraptors play an important role in the film, and their popularity contributed to the team’s name.
Super Fans and a Super Team
Nav Bhatia, a die-hard Raptor fan, has never missed a home game in the team’s 25-year history and is renowned around the arena as the Raptors’ biggest supporter. When the squad won the tournament, they decided to award Nav his own championship ring to show their appreciation for his help.
A Superstar Ambassador and a Superstar Team
Drake, a rapper and actor, has been a fan of the Raptors since he was a child and has followed them through all of their ups and downs. In 2013, he was named the team’s Global Ambassador, and he has helped the squad get international notice and exposure, as well as some high-profile celebrity spectators. In acknowledgment of his contributions to the club, he earned a title ring as well.
Raptors from all over the world
The Raptors have followers and fan clubs all throughout the world, and many of their players have travelled from far away to help them win a title. This season, the Raptors are genuine competitors and have a chance to win a second title. If you wish to bet on the Raptors to win again, click here to obtain guidelines on sports betting and casinos in Canada. The Toronto Raptors have one of the fastest-growing markets in the NBA, and their success is the result of decades of hard work and investment to make them Canada’s most popular sports team.