Raptors: Kyle Lowry becomes latest to rip Chris Broussard

The Toronto Raptors have been connected to some big names this offseason, including Kevin Durant and Donovan Mitchell. The former has prompted some truly baffling quotes from Chris Broussard, particularly as it relates to his desire to play for the league’s lone Canadian team.

Broussard has come under fire for his comments about playing in Toronto as an African-American man. Broussard’s paper-thin conjecture, which was admittedly based on sources he had before Masai Ujiri got there, was shot down by former Raptors like Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Norman Powell.

Kyle Lowry was not going to stand idly by and let the place he called home for so long get unfairly maligned by someone who doesn’t have the same experience in the city that he does. On Vince Carter’s “VC Show,” Lowry went in on Broussard for his unusual comments.

“I’m a black African American from 20th and Lehigh in North Philadelphia [and] I absolutely love Toronto,” Lowry said. “The Caribbean culture in Canada alone is ridiculous. I appreciate how [Toronto] is the melting pot of Canada. You can find any race, any nationality mixed with any nationality in Canada. It’s unbelievable.”

Toronto Raptors: Kyle Lowry went after Chris Broussard.

Lowry did shockingly add that there were times in Toronto where he considered leaving, but that was due to the situation around him rather than being uncomfortable playing in the city. If Toronto somehow can manage to pull off this complicated Durant trade, he would be treated like an absolute king in Canada.

If Broussard said that a player like Durant might not want to come to Toronto due to taxes, business opportunities, or a simple belief that he doesn’t think a depleted Raptors team can compete for a championship, that could at least be a somewhat defendable position.

Saying that Canada is inherently prejudiced, and then not really defending or walking back that statement after getting sauteed on Twitter, is puzzling to say the least. Those who have played in Canada have issued rebukes of this quote in the strongest terms possible.

While we would like nothing more to put this issue to bed once and for all, Broussard’s comments are likely going to garner a good chunk of attention until the Raptors firmly declare themselves out of the hunt for both of these stars. Until then, current and former Raptors are going to get some shots in.