Raptors fans: Embrace & Appreciate this Squad
By JT Tomiyama
No matter how this playoff series ends, we’ve been treated to some great hoops by this season’s Raptors. Let’s remember that.
After a Raptor playoff win, all you hear and see is “they got lucky; they didn’t deserve it; they won’t win the next one; they’ll get swept next round!” After a loss, you’ll hear “they can’t win when it matters; they are cursed; they’re not winning again this series.”
If you are a Raptors fan, you’ve heard it all. After the best season in franchise history with 56 wins and producing two all-stars, this Raps teams has been the most ridiculed. Their playoff run has been filled with more drama than “Keeping up with the Kardashians”. Whether because of past heartbreak or nightmares about playoff success, Toronto fans and followers are
Whether it be past heartbreak or having nightmares about playoff success, Toronto fans and followers are forever scared of what lies ahead
forever scared of what lies ahead. Every playoff loss has been treated as a game seven loss. It’s picked apart and analyzed like the Raptors season is over. Every win is brushed aside and the next game is looked as another platform to fail.
The “respect” and “they don’t want Toronto Raptors to win” stigma is alive and well. The NBA put the Raptors/Pacers on ESPN NEWS. Yes, the 24-hour sports channel that continuously plays highlights. They didn’t even want to put the game on ESPN 2. Have the Raptors games been aesthetically pleasing to watch? No, but they have been intense. That’s where you have to embrace this team.
With Kyle Lowry struggling, Canadian kid Cory Joseph is having himself a coming out party. Being in the shadow of Tony Parker, he had very small window of time to shine. To some, he was known as the guy who full court pressed every PG in the league. He’s been a floor general in the 6ix while Lowry was out and contributed 18 points in Game 4. Co-Jo has arguably been the best player for the Raps other than Jonas Valanciunas.
JV is out right now but he was the MVP for Toronto so far this post season. JV is showing up and earning every penny of that $64-million contract extension. Averaging 15 points and 12 boards, he has officially arrived. Bismack Biyombo is getting Bizzy . He ended Amare Staudamries career in game four so that’s all we have to say about him.
True fans know the struggles this team has gone through. Watching Andrea Bargnani casually observe opponents get O-Boards, Rudy Gay deep two’s and Rafael Araujo doing Rafael Araujo things was crazy painful.
Toronto – in fact, all of Canada – is behind this team. They have to be. With no Canadian teams in the NHL playoffs, the only thing Canadian hockey fans were watching so intently was the draft lottery. The failure of many is only shining a bright light on the success of one. That one is the Toronto Raptors.
Toronto – in fact, all of Canada -is behind this team. They have to be. With no Canadian teams in the NHL playoffs, the only thing Canadian hockey fans were watching so intently was the draft lottery
Despite the struggles of Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan, this Raps team is doing what it’s been doing all year — fight. They don’t have a choice at this point. Fight for respect, wins and now a berth in the Eastern Conference finals. Embrace the hate, heartbreak and success of this team. But most of all, embrace and appreciate this team.