EOS Media Availability: Pascal Siakam - April 13, 2023

By Robert Dodds April 13, 2023 31 mins read 537 Views

Raptors Rumors is the ultimate source for Raptors fans. They bring together in unison an army of followers from all corners who support Toronto's sports pride. It's a community built on passion, grit and blood orange spirit that can be found worldwide.

Masaai Ujiri, the general manager of basketball operations, leads the charge with his vision for success. He has assembled a team of players focused on outworking their opponents and delivering victories. Despite the odds, this team of brave individuals strives to prove that the NBA championship is within their reach.

From honest analysis to unfiltered reaction, Raptors Rumors has you covered everything Raptor-related. Join us in standing behind our team no matter what - because, as we have always said, "We The North". Plus, share your thoughts with us by emailing [email protected] and become part of our family today!

EOS Media Availability: Pascal Siakam - April 13, 2023

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the name of the Toronto Raptors' mascot?

The Toronto Raptors, a NBA franchise, was established in 1995. They play their games at Scotiabank Arena.

Raptor, the giant red dinosaur that is the Raptors' symbol of loyalty, is Raptor. Raptor first appeared in 1995. He is also a regular at charity events and community initiatives in Toronto. In 2019, he received the NBA Mascot of the Year award for his many years of service to the Raptors organization. Raptor is a well-known figure in Toronto, as well as around the NBA. This makes him one of professional sports' most popular mascots. Raptor has become an international symbol for Canada's basketball fandom.

Many across the country and in cities all over the country agree with Raptor's enthusiasm about his team and its supporters. Raptor's leadership has made the Raptors one of the most popular teams in the NBA, winning the 2019 NBA championship. This was a major milestone for basketball lovers in Canada and Toronto. Raptor will continue to be a source pride for all Raptors members. There will be plenty of Raptors pride as long as he's around. Long live the Raptor. Go, Toronto Raptors!

Who owns the Toronto Raptors?

Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, the owners of this team, owns it. MLSE is also the owner of the NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs, MLS’s Toronto FC, and the CFL’s Toronto Argonauts. The AHL’s Toronto Marlies and the Toronto Rock lacrosse teams are all part of MLSE.

How long has the Raptors been in existence?

The Toronto Raptors are an NBA franchise located in Toronto, Ontario. The Raptors were an expansion team to the NBA in 1995 along with the Vancouver Grizzlies. The Raptors were the only Canadian-based NBA team when the Grizzlies moved from Vancouver to Memphis in 2001-02.

Toronto Raptors: The Raptors play their home games in Scotiabank Arena. The Maple Leafs, a city's NHL club, also uses the arena. The Raptors have appeared in the NBA playoffs 13 times since their founding, most recently in 2021, where they lost in 6 games to the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the playoffs.

In 1999-2000, the Raptors qualified for their first playoff appearance. They were swept by New York Knicks their division rivals in the first round.

There were not many fans and the team was not exciting. There was little to watch or root for and no reason anyone would care. After years of mediocrity, they decided to change the image of the team and tried to make themselves more appealing to the public.

They hired an advertising agency in 2001 to create a strategy for marketing that would help them achieve national fame. Using creative thinking, they devised a slogan, "Hear us roar."

At the time, the team was struggling financially, so they used the slogan to promote the fact that the games were sold out. They needed a catchy slogan and a great logo. This is where creative genius shines through. They combined the popular phrase "hear our roar" with "never say die". This became Toronto Raptors’ official motto.

Why did NBA leave Vancouver?

NBA left Vancouver because of a dispute with the City Council regarding arena financing. The City planned to provide $40 million for the construction of a new arena that would feature 12 luxury suites and two restaurants. The City Council wanted to provide $60 million in taxpayer funds to team owners to repay their existing debt. This meant that the city had to borrow $200m to construct the arena. But the team owners would only have to pay back $20m. This would result in the city being responsible for paying the rest of its loan.

If the NBA would agree to keep Rogers Arena open until the opening of the new facility, the City Council was willing to approve the plan. However, the league refused to compromise and said that the arena was too small for them. They didn't want to play there anymore because it was too small. They felt that asking them to play in a smaller venue was unfair, especially since they weren't making any additional revenue.

The City Council then requested that the province step in to offer financial assistance. Although the province offered $150 million to the project, the City Council needed $100 million more. The City decided to focus its efforts on building a new downtown arena and dropped its plans.

Did Vancouver have an NBA team?

No, Vancouver does not have an NBA team. The Vancouver Grizzlies were the city's basketball team from 1995 to 2001. In 2001, they moved to Memphis Tennessee. Now, basketball enthusiasts in Vancouver support the Toronto Raptors as they are the closest NBA team to the area. In addition, other professional basketball teams play in and around the Greater Vancouver Area, such as the BC Tigers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League and the Vancouver Volcanoes of the International Basketball League. Several amateur and semi-professional teams also play in various local leagues.

Vancouver basketball fans have many other options than just playing the game. For example, the Vancouver Grizzlies Alumni Association is a group that strives to connect former players from the team with each other and also bring awareness of basketball in British Columbia. The association hosts clinics and viewing parties for Raptors matches.

The city's enthusiasm for basketball has not diminished following the departure from the Grizzlies. This community continues to support the sport through many different ways. Vancouverites continue their love for basketball by supporting former players, attending Raptors games and supporting other initiatives that help spread awareness about the game within the city.

How did the Raptors win in 2019 the NBA title?

DeMar DeRozan was traded to Toronto Raptors by Jakob Poltl (protected 2019 first-round draft pick) and a Toronto Raptors player in return for Kawhi Leonard.

On February 7, 2019, the Raptors traded Jonas Valanciunas, Delon Wright C. J. Miles, and a 2024 draft pick to Memphis Grizzlies were traded to Marc Gasol (another multiple All-Star player and former Defensive Player-of-the-Year) and Jeremy Lin shortly thereafter.

Two big trades by the Toronto Raptors sent shockwaves through NBA. DeMar DeRozan and Jakob Poltl were traded to the Raptors. A 2019 first-round draft selection (that was protected) was also traded to the San Antonio Spurs. They received Kawhi Leonard from the Spurs in exchange. They then traded Jonas Valanciunas for Delon Wright, C.J. Miles, as well as a 2024 draft pick to Memphis Grizzlies for Marc Gasol--another multi-All-Star and former defensive player of the year. These moves put the Raptors in a great position to compete for an NBA title this season. Let's take a closer look at each trade.

Kawhi Leonard trade was a risky move by the Raptors. Leonard, who is coming off an MVP-caliber year, is one of the top-5 players in the league when he is healthy. On the other hand, he only played 9 games last season due to injury, and there are questions about his long-term health. However, the Raptors decided that the reward was worth the risk and pulled the trigger on the deal. Leonard has been performing at an All-Star level so far. He has been in good health. Leonard averages 26 points and 8 rebounds per game. He also shoots 49% from behind the arc and 38% at three-point range. If he can keep his health, he will give the Raptors a real shot at winning the NBA title.

Marc Gasol made a trade for Marc Gasol, but it was a very short-term one. Gasol is well into his 30s and clearly is past his prime. However, he is still a very good player who brings valuable experience to a young Raptors team. He is averaging fifteen points, eight rebounds, and four assists per game. He shoots 45% from three-point range, while also shooting 45% from behind the arc. C.J. and Delon Wright, two of their young players, were traded by the Raptors. Miles was used to acquire Gasol but the Raptors believe his experience will prove valuable in the playoffs.

The Raptors had a great start to the season, starting with a 6-0 victory. They broke the record for their best start in 20 games with a 16-4 record. They reached 20 wins faster that any time in their past history when they beat Cleveland Cavaliers 24 times. The Raptors were cautious with Leonard, resting him for more than 20 games throughout the season to prevent worsening his previous injury. However, they managed to capture 2nd place in East, only trailing behind Milwaukee Bucks.

The Raptors went on to have a successful run in the playoffs, dispatching the Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers and Milwaukee Bucks to reach the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history. The Raptors won their first title in game 6 of the finals against the Golden State Warriors, with Leonard named Finals MVP.

The Toronto Raptors had a very successful offseason, which has paid off in a big way. The Raptors have two All-Stars and are ready to compete for the title in years to come. They have proven they can take risks and make bold moves when it comes down to building a championship-caliber team. It will be interesting to see if they can keep up this success in the future.

Statistics

Thomas named Raptors' GM NBA superstar to have 10% stake in the new franchise". (en.wikipedia.org)
After Thomas attempted to execute a letter of intent with Slaight to purchase the team failed, he resigned from his position in November and sold his 9 percent stake in the team to Slaight. (en.wikipedia.org)
This improved during the 2006–07 regular season to an average of 18,258 fans (13th in the league), 92.2 percent capacity at the Air Canada Centre. (en.wikipedia.org)
This improved during the 2006–07 regular season to an average of 18,258 fans (13th in the league), 92.2 percent capacity at the Air Canada Centre. (en.wikipedia.org)
By 2018, estimated the Raptors were worth $1.4 billion, 12th in the NBA. (en.wikipedia.org)

External Links

How To

Can I bring my photography camera to a Raptors game?

If you follow the rules and plan, you'll be fine. You can bring your camera to any NBA game. There's nothing illegal about it. You should be aware of the possible dangers.

First, think about whether you have to take photos during the match. If you sit near the courtside, you can capture great shots without needing a large DSLR or smartphone.

These tips can help you take better photos of your favorite basketball games if you're serious about sports photography.

The second thing you need to think about is the kind of camera you're going to use. Because if you're planning on shooting action shots or capturing memorable moments with your friends, you will need a professional-grade camera.

You also need to decide how much time you're prepared to spend setting up your shot. Consider investing in a tripod, remote release, and other equipment if you are shooting hoops with children.

Finally, you need to determine where to store all your gear. You cannot expect to set up shop at an arena and then hope someone will hand over a memory stick when you're done. You will need to either bring extra batteries, cables, SD cards, or find somewhere to store your stuff while you watch the game.

In short, if you want to take quality photographs at a sporting event, you must plan ahead. This will ensure that you get great photos you can use later.

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