The Toronto Raptors: Canada's Team
How Our Basketball Team Represents Our Country
Need another reason to watch basketball instead of hockey? It could be the most patriotic thing you can do.
Contrary to popular belief, hockey is not the only game in town and some of us aren’t that crazy about our national sport. For those of us who couldn’t care less about what’s happening on the ice, basketball may be an appealing alternative.
O Canada
Though the States have a variety of stellar teams, in Canada our one and only option for patriotic fandom is the Toronto Raptors. The defecting of the Vancouver Grizzlies (now in Memphis) back to the U.S. proved that Canada is not quite yet into basketball enough to support more than one team, which leaves the Raptors as the only choice for any good Canuck to cheer on.
Luckily, the present Raptors roster is truly representative of our Canadian spirit. We have remained loyal to the Raptors since the team first came to Toronto, stuck with them through the slumps and finally rejoice in the fact that they have become a force to be reckoned with on the court. In 2007 they earned an Atlantic Division championship and Best Coach honours for their leader, Sam Mitchell. This year, things are looking up again and our playoff chances are encouraging.
Play Nice
Once we traded prima donna Vince Carter and his huge ego to the New Jersey Nets, we were able to shape a team that acts like Canadians should: valuing team work, playing unselfishly and helping to make each team member better while improving as a franchise and winning games. It is now a pleasure to watch the Toronto Raptors platy and one gets the feeling that the boys on the court truly enjoy working together. They make the extra pass to set up a teammate. The point guards create opportunities for the other guys on the court. They play selflessly and don’t grandstand. Their humble and cooperative attitude is intrinsically Canadian.
Who’s Who
The Raptors are not just a regular U.S. transplant. Sure, we have the standard American players (point guard T.J. Ford and our star player Chris Bosh both hail from Texas), but General Manager Bryan Colangelo shaped the present Raptors from a variety of non-U.S. sources from Europe and South America. With names like first draft pick of 2006 Andrea Bargnani from Italy, Spaniard Jose Calderon who has seriously stepped up during Ford’s extended injury break, new to the team Argentinean Carlos Delfino and always reliable Rasho Nasterovic, our team is like a microcosmic version of the multi-cultural melting pot we are so proud to call our country.
Hoop Dreams
Whether or not basketball is your game, you can surely appreciate the entertainment value our sometimes eccentric, always good-natured Raptors provide. So switch the channel to the NBA and show your Canadian pride!
