Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
The Blazers are a little over a week away until the trade deadline.
With 10 days remaining before the Feb. 9 NBA trade deadline, the fans have spoken on which player they’d most like to see Portland Trail Blazers management make a power play for.
With an overwhelming 67 percent of the vote, Toronto Raptors forward OG Anunoby is the most coveted player among those who participated in the poll.
Anunoby is having a quantifiably productive season for the Raptors. In 45 games played, he averages 16.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.0 assists on 45.7 percent shooting from the field. He leads the NBA with 2.1 steals per game. He is also No. 12 in loose balls recovered per game (0.9).
Anunoby presents a muscular frame, explosiveness and IQ that makes him a well-rounded threat to defend positions 1-4 on the basketball floor. Forward and center are the two positions most needed for the Blazers at this juncture in the season. A move for Anunoby is an ideal upgrade the Blazers’ front court in size, three-point shooting and on-ball defense.
Anunoby beat out Atlanta Hawks forward John Collins, Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid, and Cleveland Cavaliers wing Caris LeVert who combined for 20 percent of the vote. 13 percent of voters have their eyes set elsewhere on the market.
Aside from the forward position which Anunoby has the potential to fill, there are several centers apart from Reid who are dressed in the window, so to speak. Mo Bamba of the Orlando Magic is reportedly on the table. Milwaukee Bucks big man Serge Ibaka has been shopped throughout trade deadline season.
Veteran free agents including Dwight Howard and DeMarcus Cousins are seeking re-entry into the NBA, and with the former, still offer a level of rim protection, tenacity and invaluable championship experience. A limited role as a third string center for either former all-star has the potential to be lucrative insurance option for a thin Blazers depth chart at center.
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By: MatthewLegros
Title: SB Nation Reacts Results: OG Anunoby the Prime Blazers Trade Target?
Sourced From: www.blazersedge.com/2023/1/31/23578550/sb-nation-reacts-results-og-anunoby-the-prime-portland-trail-blazers-trade-target
Published Date: 02-01-2023
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did NBA leave Vancouver?
Because of a dispute with Vancouver's City Council over arena financing, NBA had to leave Vancouver. The City of Vancouver was to contribute $40million towards the construction a new basketball venue. This would include 12 luxury suites as well as two restaurants, a bar and a hotel. The City Council decided to give $60 million to the team owners to help pay off existing debt. The city would need to borrow $200 million to construct the arena. However, the owners of the team only had to repay $20 million in debt. This would mean that the city's taxpayers would be responsible for paying back the rest of the loan.
The City Council said they were willing to go ahead with the plan if the NBA agreed to stay at Rogers Arena until after the opening of the new facility. But the league refused, saying that the arena wasn’t large enough. It was too small for them to continue playing there. 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 asked for financial assistance and offered to help the province. The Province agreed to contribute $150 million, but the City Council still required $100 million. That was when the City decided that it would instead concentrate on building an arena downtown.
How was the Toronto Raptors' inaugural year of existence?
The Toronto Raptors first season in the NBA proved to be difficult. Brendan Malone, who was then hired by Isiah as GM, became the head coach for the Raptors' 1995 franchise. They soon acquired many talented players through the draft and through trades. They won the Chicago Bulls' game once that season, but their overall record was 21-61.
Toronto drafted Marcus Camby in 1996. Camby became Rookie Of The Year and was a part of the starting line up with Alvin Williams, at point guard. Damon Stoudamire left Toronto in 1997. More roster changes were made as Toronto sought to create a foundation for future success.
Despite all the changes, Toronto struggles through its first few NBA seasons. Toronto finally reached the playoffs in 2000, after much rebuilding and transition. But it was defeated by the New York Knicks.
What does "We The North” mean?
The Toronto Raptors have used the phrase "We The North", also known by We The North Nation as an anthem. It was written by Drake and Noah Shebib, a producer.
Drake wrote the song while staying at his friend's apartment in Toronto. He completed his album Take Care with Kanye West. Drake decided to make lyrics about his hometown while there. He wanted it to be something that could represent all Canadians. The song talks about unity, pride, and 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.
Drake was writing lyrics for the song when 40 suggested the chorus. Drake heard the hook and asked 40 if he could record it. They collaborated to create the final product.
The official music videos for "We The North Anthem," were released October 5, 2018. The video featured Shawn Mendes, a Canadian singer-songwriter, performing with Drake and other musicians.
What was the Toronto Raptors' first season?
The Toronto Raptors suffered a poor debut season. They won 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 joined the league as one of two expansions teams, along with Vancouver Grizzlies. It was also the first NBA season playing outside of the United States.
All-Star point guard and former Detroit Pistons legend Isiah Thomas became the team's General Manager. He helped with the draft, which yielded Damon Stoudamire, who would go on to win Rookie of the Year. They also acquired Tracy Murray and Oliver Miller in separate trades. 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 also added red and purple to their color scheme.
Brendan Malone, new head coach for the Raptors, made his debut on November 3 against the New Jersey Nets at SkyDome. The Raptors lost their next seven contests.
Murray was second in scoring with 16.2 points per game. He also led the team with 151 three point field 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 having one among the worst records, attendance was good. They averaged more than 17283 fans per SkyDome (now Rogers Centre).
How many NBA teams are there in Canada?
Since 2001, the Toronto Raptors have been the only Canadian NBA team. From 1995 to 2001 the Vancouver Grizzlies had been a NBA team. However, they moved to Memphis to become the Memphis Grizzlies. Canada did have two NBA teams for a while, the Vancouver Grizzlies in Canada and the Toronto Raptors in Canada. But there is currently no NBA team in Canada. Canadian basketball fans are still passionate, even though Canada does not have an NBA team. Many Canadians travel to the United States to see games. The Toronto Raptors have been a famous team since their inception in 1995 and continue to draw large crowds for their home games at Scotiabank Arena. Every year hundreds of Canadians make the trip to the United States for the NBA All-Star Weekend. Canada can have multiple NBA teams, as it has a population greater than 38 million. Many basketball fans in North America have discussed and debated its potential for a second team. Until then, the Toronto Raptors remain the only Canadian representation in the NBA.
Canadian Elite Basketball League is a Canadian professional basketball league. The league includes six teams representing Canadian towns and cities: the Fraser Valley Bandits, Abbotsford (BC), Edmonton Stingers(Edmonton (Alberton), Guelph Nighthawks) Guelph Nighthawks [Guelph], Ontario], Hamilton Honey Badgers (“Hamilton”), Saskatchewan Rattlers (“Saskatoon”), and the Niagara River Lions (“St. Catharines”) The CEBL is the only professional basketball league operating in Canada currently.
From 2011 to 2020, there was a professional male basketball league called the National Basketball League of Canada. It featured eight teams from Halifax, Moncton, Saint John, Cape Breton, Summerside, London, Windsor and Kitchener. The COVID-19 pandemic led to the closure of operations at the NBLC in 2020.
Canada also has junior leagues like the Canadian National Basketball League, which is a semiprofessional men's basketball league located in Vancouver, BC. CNB is home to teams from British Columbia. Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, and Manitoba. Canadian Elite Development League is another Canadian junior basketball league. It consists mainly of teams from the Greater Toronto Area. AC) as well as the Canadian Youth Basketball League. These leagues give young basketball players an opportunity to learn and compete in a competitive setting.
Statistics
- 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)
- As predicted by analysts, the team easily secured a berth in the 2001 NBA playoffs with a franchise-high 47 wins. (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)
- 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)
- By 2018, estimated the Raptors were worth $1.4 billion, 12th in the NBA. (en.wikipedia.org)
External Links
vividseats.com
thestar.com
en.wiktionary.org
bleacherreport.com
How To
How to get to a Toronto Raptors Game from Your Location
Toronto Raptors games are at Air Canada Centre. (ACC) is located in downtown Toronto Ontario, Canada. TTC subways can be used to get to ACC. Union Station is approximately 30 minutes away from ACC. Bay Street station is the nearest stop to ACC.
Bay Street station is the best way to get to ACC if you are coming from Union Station. Follow the signs to ACC from there. Follow the signs to Bay Street station if you arrive at ACC in another direction.
Follow the signs for the ACC from Bay Street station.
Accessible to persons with disabilities, the venue is easily accessible. Individuals with disabilities can use the designated seating areas. Sign language interpretation services are also offered by the ACC.
There is no parking charge at the ACC. However, street parking is limited.
