You have to be kidding me!!
Canadian Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder has been named a reserve for the NBA All-Star Game while Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam has been snubbed.
Siakam, 28, was not on the list of reserves announced on Thursday for the Feb. 19 game in Salt Lake City, meaning no Raptors will play in the contest.
On a Raptors team (23-30) playing below expectations, Siakam is averaging 24.9 points, 8.0 rebounds and 6.2 assists this season. He made his only All-Star appearance in 2020.
The Hamilton-raised Gilgeous-Alexander, 24, is a first-time NBA All-Star.
The six-foot-six guard is fifth in NBA scoring, averaging 30.8 points per game to go along with 4.8 rebounds and 5.6 assists.
Gilgeous-Alexander becomes the fourth Canadian to be selected for an NBA All-Star Game, following in the footsteps of Jamaal Magloire, Steve Nash and Andrew Wiggins.
The East reserves are: Jaylen Brown (Boston Celtics), Bam Adebayo (Miami Heat), Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers), Tyrese Haliburton (Indiana Pacers), former Raptor DeMar DeRozan (Chicago Bulls), Jrue Holiday (Milwaukee Bucks) and Julius Randle (New York Knicks).
The other West reserves are: Ja Morant (Memphis Grizzlies), Damian Lillard (Portland Trail Blazers), Jaren Jackson Jr. (Grizzlies), Domantas Sabonis (Sacramento Kings), Lauri Markkanen (Utah Jazz), Paul George (Los Angeles Clippers).
Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Bucks will captain one team, while LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers will captain the other.
They’ll be joined by East starters Jayson Tatum (Celtics), Kevin Durant (Brooklyn Nets), Kyrie Irving (Brooklyn Nets) and Donovan Mitchell (Cleveland Cavaliers), and West starters Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets), Zion Williamson (New Orleans Pelicans), Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors) and Luka Doncic (Dallas Mavericks).
By: Sportsnet Staff
Title: Raptors’ Siakam denied All-Star spot, Canada’s Gilgeous-Alexander gets in
Sourced From: www.sportsnet.ca/nba/article/raptors-siakam-denied-all-star-spot-canadas-gilgeous-alexander-gets-in/
Published Date: 02-03-2023
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "We The North” mean?
The Toronto Raptors use the anthem "We The North", also known as We The North Nation. It was created by Drake and Noah Shebib (producer).
Drake wrote the song at his Toronto apartment with a friend. Drake finished his album Take care with Kanye West. While there, Drake decided to write some lyrics about his hometown. Drake wanted the song to represent all Canadians. The song speaks about unity and pride as well as hope.
Drake began work on the melody of We The North's single "Nice For What" when he went to London to film the video. He recorded the instrumental version in just one take.
While Drake was writing the lyrics for the track, 40 came up with the chorus. Drake was inspired by the hook and asked for permission to record it. They worked together to create the final product.
The official music video to "We The North Anthem", was released October 5, 2018. The video featured Shawn Mendes from Canada, who performed with Drake and other musicians.
Why is Toronto Raptors called Raptors
The NBA's expansion to Canada saw the creation of the Toronto Raptors in 1995. The team's name and logo were inspired by the film Jurassic Park, released that same year. The team colors include bright red and purple as well as black and silver.
The Raptors were struggling to establish themselves in the league during their first season. They ended up with a record 21-61. The team improved each year and they made their first playoff appearance in 1999.
The Raptors' most memorable moment in 2019 was when they won their first NBA championship title. Toronto was led by Kawhi Leonard and Kyle Lowry in the backcourt, winning their first NBA championship.
The Raptors have been a beloved team in Canada since then. Toronto continues to excite basketball fans from around the world, with international superstars and local talent.
The Toronto Raptors are a proud part of Canada's basketball heritage, and their success on the court inspires young athletes around the country. They will remain one of Canada's most loved teams with their passionate fans, their unique style of play and commitment to excellence.
Vancouver had an NBA team.
Vancouver does not have a NBA team. The Vancouver Grizzlies existed in the city from 1995 to 2001. However, the team moved to Memphis Tennessee in 2001. Vancouver's basketball community supports the Toronto Raptors because they are the closest NBA team. 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. There are many amateur and semi-professional basketball teams that play in local leagues.
Vancouver basketball fans have many other options than just playing the game. The Vancouver Grizzlies Alumni Association, for example, is a group that aims to bring back former players and increase awareness about basketball in British Columbia. The association hosts events such as viewing parties for Raptors games and clinics to help young players develop their game.
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 to share their passion for basketball through attending games, watching Raptors games, and supporting the many initiatives taken by former players as well as other organizations working to increase awareness about basketball in the area.
When was the Raptors first ever playoff win?
Toronto beat New York 3-2 to win their first ever playoff series. This was the first time that Toronto had reached the Eastern Conference semifinals since Lenny Wilkens' tenure as head coach.
What was the Toronto Raptors' first season?
The Toronto Raptors had a terrible debut season, winning only 21 games. The 1995-1996 Toronto Raptors season was the inaugural season of the Toronto Raptors in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Raptors were one of two expansion teams that joined the league that year, along with the Vancouver Grizzlies. It was also the NBA's first season outside of the United States.
All-Star point guard and former Detroit Pistons legend Isiah Thomas became the team's General Manager. He assisted with the draft which resulted Damon Stoudamire who would go on win Rookie Of The Year. In separate trades they also acquired Tracy Murray, Oliver Miller and Oliver Miller. Thomas introduced a new primary symbol of a dinosaur playing in basketball and new pinstripe unis with the logo at the front of their jerseys. The Raptors added purple to their color scheme.
Brendan Malone was the Raptors' new head coach. They won against the New Jersey Nets at SkyDome on November 3. However, they lost their next seven matches.
Murray finished second in scoring and averaged 16.2 points per match. He also led the team's total of 151 three-point goals. Miller provided the team with 12.9 points, 7 .4 rebounds, 1 .4 steals, and 1 .9 blocks per game, and Robertson contributed 9 .3 points, 4 .4 rebounds, four assists and two steals per game off the bench.
Despite their worst record in the league, they had a very high attendance, with over 17283 people per game at SkyDome (now Rogers Centre).
How many Toronto Raptors all-stars did they have?
Vince Carter and Antonio Davis are the Raptors' eight All-Stars. All of the players who made this All-Star team have been selected by other NBA teams, including Leonard and VanVleet.
What was the best year for the Raptors?
The 2019 championship season was the Toronto Raptors' greatest year. The Raptors' first NBA Championship was memorable. Kawhi Leonard was named Finals' MVP and the team had a regular season record of 58-24. They defeated the Golden State Warriors 6-1 to claim the title.
The Toronto Raptors reorganized their front office in 2013, replacing Bryan Colangelo with Masaiujiri. This move would signal a new era for the franchise that would see them become one of the best teams in the NBA.
Under Ujiri, the Raptors enjoyed a resurgence, reaching the playoffs in 2014 for the first time since 2008. Since then, they've won five Division titles and had their most successful regular season in 2018. Ujiri also made an unorthodox but successful trade in that year, sending DeMar DeRozan and Kawhi Leonard to the San Antonio Spurs.
The Raptors had a great year in 2019, winning their first conference title and making it to the NBA Finals for the first time. In total, they beat the Golden State Warriors six times.
Ujiri's time with the Raptors was a great success. He should be credited for helping to change the team's fortunes. The Raptors are one of the top teams in the NBA thanks to his leadership and appear poised to remain contenders for many more years.
The 2019 championship season, which was undoubtedly the best in Raptors history, will be a lasting memory.
Ujiri, and all of the Toronto Raptors should continue to work towards creating a winning culture for their players and staff. This team's future is bright if they continue to strive for excellence. The 2019 Toronto Raptors Championship season has set a high bar, and Ujiri and his teammates must build on this success.
Statistics
- 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)
- In November of the 1996–97 season, Bitove sold his ownership interest in the team to Slaight for $65 million after Slaight had activated a shotgun clause in their partnership agreement,[32][33] giving Slaight 79 percent control of the team, [34] (en.wikipedia.org)
- As predicted by analysts, the team easily secured a berth in the 2001 NBA playoffs with a franchise-high 47 wins. (en.wikipedia.org)
- By 2018, estimated the Raptors were worth $1.4 billion, 12th in the NBA. (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)
External Links
basketball-reference.com
bleacherreport.com
thestar.com
How To
Can I bring my digital camera to a Raptors home game?
Follow the rules and plan. You will be fine. A camera is fine to take along to an NBA basketball game. It's not illegal. You should be aware of the possible dangers.
You must first consider whether or not you are allowed to take photos during the game. As long as you're sitting near the courtside, you might be able to capture some great shots without having to lug around a bulky DSLR or even a smartphone.
These tips will help you get better shots of basketball if you have a serious interest.
The second thing you must think about is which camera you are going to be using. If you want to shoot action shots, or share memorable moments with others, you need a professional grade camera.
Also, consider how much you're willing and able to spend on setting up your shot. A tripod and remote release are great options if you want to take your kids to the hoops.
You must also decide where you will store your gear. You can't expect anyone to hand you a SD card or set up shop in an arena. Either bring extra batteries, cables and SD cards, or you can find somewhere to store it while you're watching the game.
In short, if you want to take quality photographs at a sporting event, you must plan ahead. Doing this will ensure you capture stunning images you can enjoy over and over again.
