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Toronto Raptors Roundtable Villain Week: All-time villain, biggest rival, and more

By Mike Bossetti

Toronto Raptors - Kawhi Leonard (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
Toronto Raptors - Kawhi Leonard (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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3) What team is the Raptors biggest Rival?

Mike Bossetti

Everyone is going to say the Nets, and that is technically the correct answer. But part of me wants to say the Boston Celtics. Yes, the Celtics have bigger rivals, and Toronto hasn’t competed with them for that long. But there is no fanbase more fun to go back-and-forth with than Boston.

Also, despite all their history and “prestige” — since the Raptors came into the NBA in 1995, the two franchises have the same amount of rings. Take that for data.

Zak McDonald:

This is another clear choice, it’s the Brooklyn Nets. This Raptors greatest run in franchise history was brought on by Masai Ujiri’s famous ahhhh… two-word quote towards the city of Brooklyn.

The Nets were the team we traded our first franchise superstar Vince Carter. Their also the team that housed Paul Pierce during his most villainous run towards the Raps. You’ll find many Raptors fans who agree with previous sentiments from Masai towards this franchise.

Geethan Viswathasan:

The Brooklyn Nets. First and foremost, they participated in the loss of one of the greatest viewership-draws the Raps have ever produced. Following the 2007 opening-round series featuring the playoff homecoming of Vince Carter, the rivalry quieted with the echoes of “U-S-A” chants ringing faintly in Raptors’ fans’ years for the next seven years.

The rivalry then exploded in a way in which neither of the fan-bases saw coming. Masai’s infamous quote established that disdain among a new generation of fans who were not around while New Jersey flaunted the Raptors former superstar. This upcoming season will provide more potential for this rivalry to flare up as they signed a star with mercurial feelings about the Raptors fanbase.

Go Paolo:

The Nets. This goes back to when they were in Jersey. Vince was traded there and crucified the Raptors in both the regular season and playoffs.

Then they moved to Brooklyn and still roasted the Raptors. However, it was with Paul Pierce this time. And even with a downgraded team, the Nets still found ways to give Toronto hell through D-Lo.

With Kyrie and KD in Brooklyn, the rivalry will only intensify.

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