Fred VanVleet calls Raptors home crowd “sh–” when team is losing

The Toronto Raptors have long been heralded for their ferocious, unforgiving home environment at Scotiabank Arena. With Fred VanVleet piloting the team to a 23-14 record despite all of the trials and tribulations that the squad has gone through, playing in Toronto is still hell for opposing teams.

That doesn’t always mean that all 41 home games are going to be the equivalent of a WWE cage match. If you have noticed some Raptors games getting oddly quiet in the middle at home, you’re not alone.

Like any fanbase, losing consistently (or losing more than a team who won 48 games the year prior should be) will suck all the energy out of the building. VanVleet is well aware of the fact that Raptors fans can be just a bit fickle when the team is losing, and he takes responsibility for that.

“The crowd and the city will reflect what we do,” VanVleet said. “When we play like sh–, the crowd’s sh–, and vice versa. When we play our brand of basketball, when we get it going in there, when we got the right energy and spirit, just that winning atmosphere, we all can build on that.

Fred VanVleet said the Toronto Raptors home crowd can be quiet.

VanVleet’s point is sure to be controversial. On one hand, a survey of GMs across the league showed that Toronto still has the league’s best home-court advantage. That trip up north to Canada and the raucous environment when Toronto is winning can be a legitimate challenge.

With MLSE raising ticket prices, starting in 2019, to the point where many of the rowdier diehards aren’t able to afford multiple Raptors home games, it’s very tough to get the same crazy atmosphere in the building. The team is still selling out the arena, but it’s clear to see that the noise level has dropped a bit over the last few seasons.

While the whole team/fan momentum dynamic can be a little bit of a chicken-and-egg debate, it’s clear that the relationship is reciprocal. Toronto shooting poorly and allowing easy makes at the rim will, in turn, make for a disinterested crowd. Naturally, milquetoast fans beget milquetoast players.

The Raptors should still be very thankful that they have one of the best fanbases in the league, but even VanVleet can acknowledge that there have been times when the general enthusiasm has been lacking from that group. Hopefully, things turn around for VanVleet if the Raptors make the play-in.