Last updated on November 3rd, 2023 at 09:02 am
Toronto is in the NBA to grow the sport to a global audience. There are 30 teams in the NBA with 29 being in the United States. Toronto, as of 2023, is the only team in Canada that is part of the NBA.
However, there was another Candian basketball team in the league until 2021.
Why Did the Grizzlies Leave Vancouver Anyway?
The Vancouver Grizzlies left Vancouver in 2001, so the Raptors were the only NBA team left in Canada. The Grizzlies left for a few reasons, including the lack of talent on the team, poor attendance, and lack of merchandise sales. With the departure of the Grizzlies, the Raptors took advantage of the opportunity to be the only NBA team in Canada. Through spending money, having good NBA draft pick selections, making big splashes with free agents, having great head coaches, and working with the community, they established a robust basketball presence in Canada.
Who Were Some Famous Players of the Raptors?
Since joining the league in 1995, The Toronto Raptors have had many famous players play for their team. Some of the most famous NBA players include DeMar DeRozan, Jose Calderon, Alvin Williams, Andrew Bargnani, and Doug Christie. Other prominent NBA players include Antonio Davis, Damon Stoudamire, Kawhi Leonard, Kyle Lowry, Chris Bosh, and finally, Vince Carter.
Vince Carter may be the most known for casual sports fans for his impressive dunks. Most notably, Vince Carter put on a memorable show at the 2000 Olympics, which put the Raptors on the world stage. In addition to the All-Star games, Vince Carter also owns the most points scored “51” during a regular-season game and won rookie of the month twice during his career.
Drake and the Cultural Importance
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You will find Drake at Raptors games, just like how you’ll spot Spike Lee at New York Knicks basketball games at Madison Square Garden. Drake is a big NBA fan, and his cultural importance to the rap community is legendary. Having such a prominent artist sitting in the front row at games helps elevate the Raptors from a local and internal level. For most big games, you will find Drake sitting right on the floor, cheering on his team.
Will Another Team Join the NBA in Canada?
As of 2023, the Toronto Raptors are the only NBA team in Canada. At this time, there are no discussions about adding another group into the NBA. If any new discussions come up about expansion, Canada is undoubtedly on the table. For example, seven NHL teams are in Canada, so getting another basketball team won’t be out of the question.
Conclusion on Why Toronto is Part of the NBA
Canada has strong ties to basketball, which may surprise many who assume the country only cares about hockey. Having a Canadian invent the game, and having the first NBA game in Canada makes sense for the NBA to be in Canada. Being a first time NBA champion in 2019 also helps solidify the cultural importance of the Canadian team too. By expanding the NBA footprint to more big markets, basketball will continue to grow in popularity and demand.
The Raptors should be in plenty of post-season games in the upcoming season after winning it all in 2019. You can check out the Scotiabank Arena parking tips if you are looking to drive to the arena. Within this tips section, you will see where to park, how much parking garages cost, and more.
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Greg Kristan, owner of The Stadium Reviews, LLC and TM Blast, LLC, brings his extensive experience visiting over half of the MLB ballparks, along with numerous MLS, NHL, NBA, and NFL venues, to provide in-depth coverage on the bag policy, food options, and parking. He has also been interviewed about his experiences on several sports podcasts.