Toronto Raptors Season

The Toronto Raptors are the only NBA team that is located in Canada. The Canadians are well known for their hockey, but the basketball is coming around now especially after the year the Raptors had this season. The Toronto Raptors finished 48-34 this season giving them the top spot in their respective division (the Atlantic Division) and the number 3 seed in the Eastern Conference Playoffs. The Raptors have not made the playoffs since 2004, so this was a major deal for the players and fans of Toronto. There is no question that these Raptors have support from their fans because they not only fill the arena will people, they also fill the streets outside the arena will people to watch on a big screen that is provided. The Raptors received the number 3 seed and are playing the number 6 seed Brooklyn Nets right now. The Raptors lost game 1 of the best of 7 series and a lot of analysts are saying that nerves played a huge factor in that. Game 2 was won by the Raptors and that was a really big win for the organization and their fans.

DeMar DeRozan has had a break out year for the Raptors and is a big factor on why they are having success this year. He has gotten over the hump and is one of the top young shooting guards we have in the game this season. DeRozan averaged 22.7 points per game this season and had his share of highlight dunks that had fans jumping out of their seats. Another key player on the Raptors was point guard Kyle Lowery. I've always thought Lowery was a strong, heady point guard ever since he played at Villanova. Lowery always gives 100% on offense and especially on defense where he bothers the opposing teams point guard. Lowery averaged 17.9 points per game and almost grabbed 5 rebounds a game. You can tell that Lowery gives it everything hes got because as little as he is, he is still getting almost 5 rebounds a game. The youngster Terrance Ross has opened some eyes this year with his play and his monster dunks. Ross participated in the dunk contest this year where his east participants took home the trophy. In his second year Ross averaged a respectable 11 points per game and provided a lot of energy to the team.

This season is important for Toronto because it has been a long time since Toronto has made the playoffs and it gives the fans excitement. Young kids from Canada can see their home team having success and that can give them a dream or vision of playing in the NBA someday. There have been talks of having NBA teams overseas some day and that would bring even more fans to the industry. For pre-season games the NBA sends some of their top teams overseas to play against each other and sometimes play that countries overseas teams. The NBA needs to keep branching out and growing the industry to be the best it can be.