I am Canadian, I am a Lakers fan in my heart, but the very first memory of basketball in this country was Vince Carter commercials. This guy got my generation for sure. Born 93, proud Canadian.
This would never have been possible w/o John Bitove and his vision, drive and determination. Congratulations to you and I hope MLSE will also recognise your invaluable service as a community leader by bringing basketball to Toronto and Canada to share in this Championship. Congratulations again. (From an old acquaintance)
Amazing story. He must feel great, and rightfully so for being a huge part of the reason basketball is big not just in Toronto, but in this entire COUNTRY now. The growing success, talent, and popularity of our national team is owed all the way back to the moment the Raptors came to Toronto. Amazing.
Charles Barkley who most people in Toronto never watched play is one of the greatest of all time and most popular player just opened up Hockey Night In Canada. He said if anyone says any sport is better than NHL playoffs you know nothing about sports. He said NBA was once great but its no where near it once was. NCAA Basketball is bigger in the USA which i agree. NBA finals was tradition. now it just doesnt have the same power cause of our youth in america and how they grow into being a professional. The sport is struggling for talent.
Tony Rhodes what? If anything, basketball is the one sport that never really changes. The three game is the only trying that has majorly changed in the sport today. Football on the other hand, o barely recognize it anymore....
@Ben Mangat If Hockey is irrelevant. What is basketball?non existent? Sad raptors are so big and growing but gets lower advertising dollars and worst sports tv ratings in canada below NHL (of course) blue jays, ncaa football and CFL football. Raptors are growing? how bad was it before lol
you dont measure a teams popularity when there having the best season of there life. Any team is successful and create buzz when there at the top like the raptors are now. But what will happen when there last place in the league? back to empty arena and bad tv ratings...only a few teams in north america that have big and loyal fan base
@@markpagtama7954 um you can say every team has the best fanbase when there at the top. lol where was raptors best fan base before they started making playoffs? LOL
@@jaybee9097 ive been saying it since i started following the raps. Roughly 2010 or 2011. They do have the best fanbase. They never leave the stadiums on blowouts.
What a stupid comment. Do your research before barking like a female dog. Basketball was created by a Canadian. Its OUR sport. Btw. F america. Keep being israels dog .stupid clown
Not to mention the first ever sanctioned professional game was played in Toronto with the Toronto Huskies vs the New York Knickerbockers. Educate yourself .
Touching story. Thanks for bringing Raptors basketball to Toronto and the new generation
Not from Canada but you gotta give respect to the people who paved the way.
yes, he is.
Born and raised in Toronto. Seen the new, the bad, and the ugly. Thank you Mr Bitove. From the bottom of my heart.
I am Canadian, I am a Lakers fan in my heart, but the very first memory of basketball in this country was Vince Carter commercials. This guy got my generation for sure. Born 93, proud Canadian.
A whole city scale celebration with 0 arrest. That's classy
This would never have been possible w/o John Bitove and his vision, drive and determination. Congratulations to you and I hope MLSE will also recognise your invaluable service as a community leader by bringing basketball to Toronto and Canada to share in this Championship.
Congratulations again.
(From an old acquaintance)
There is a saying - Coming together is the beginning. Working together is in progress. Staying together is a success.
Thank you Mr. BITOVE
salute to the raptors team, you got my support from Trinidad
donnie vincent big up Trinidad fam
@@beektormaing thank u
Thank you Mr. Bitove, you made history. Much respect.
Amazing story. He must feel great, and rightfully so for being a huge part of the reason basketball is big not just in Toronto, but in this entire COUNTRY now. The growing success, talent, and popularity of our national team is owed all the way back to the moment the Raptors came to Toronto. Amazing.
Raps are a Canadian success story :)
This man brought Michael Jordan to Toronto '96,'97,'98(to face the Raptors) and gave us the chance to watch him.
Thank you for bringing the Raptors to us. I'm very grateful to be a fan
As a Portland native, I'm happy for Toronto. Small markets can have big players
👍Toronto is not a small market. 4th largest in North America. 😉
Toronto is not a small market, do your research bruh!!
Thanks fam, I always tell people all the time that Portland has some of the best fans in the NBA.
They are incredible.
Great points its great to see the young folks happy
Salute from Macedonia
A great history lesson!
All of Canada is supporting you!
Legendary
If the Raptors had Stu Jackson running the team, they'd probably lose their team too. RIP Grizzlies.
Good for them
Charles Barkley who most people in Toronto never watched play is one of the greatest of all time and most popular player just opened up Hockey Night In Canada. He said if anyone says any sport is better than NHL playoffs you know nothing about sports. He said NBA was once great but its no where near it once was. NCAA Basketball is bigger in the USA which i agree. NBA finals was tradition. now it just doesnt have the same power cause of our youth in america and how they grow into being a professional. The sport is struggling for talent.
Tony Rhodes what? If anything, basketball is the one sport that never really changes. The three game is the only trying that has majorly changed in the sport today. Football on the other hand, o barely recognize it anymore....
@Ben Mangat If Hockey is irrelevant. What is basketball?non existent? Sad raptors are so big and growing but gets lower advertising dollars and worst sports tv ratings in canada below NHL (of course) blue jays, ncaa football and CFL football. Raptors are growing? how bad was it before lol
GOOD MAN FOR THE BUSINESS.
Congrats Raps.
GO RAPS GO!!!!!
Give him , Nav superfan, drake, the commentators, jv, demare, a ring when we win
Just gonna ask what happened to LeBronto lol
Kawhi saved this team. Mad respect.
nah lebron left before kawhi came
Let the ol' white guys watch hockey 😆😆😆
Now get this man to help lower ticket sale
Now this is what you call a FATHER FIGURE
The NBA should give the Memphis Grizzlys back to Vancouver, they havent done anything since theyve been there
And what did they ever do in Vancouver? The grizzlies are going to Vegas junior
If Kawhi stays I'm buying out the New Balance store! Gimme those Kawhi sneakers!!!
Love the colors I’ve seen of them and overall silhouette def want a pair myself
Toronto great to see success
i make great content
Dammit so that's why it wasn't named as Toronto Beavers 😤😤😤
This dude look like part raptor.
S K that’s why they only filmed his top half
I hate myself for almost smiling at your comment
Proud Macedonian
What about Vince carter
I'd be happy too if they made ME millions.
😊
Vince Carter should have been on this roster or retire raptor
Blessed Nash just trade for him today before the next game
Daniel Lai Kei Mok The hawks should’ve traded him to the raptors when they traded Jeremy Lin.
you dont measure a teams popularity when there having the best season of there life. Any team is successful and create buzz when there at the top like the raptors are now. But what will happen when there last place in the league? back to empty arena and bad tv ratings...only a few teams in north america that have big and loyal fan base
The raps has the best fanbase tho.
@@markpagtama7954 um you can say every team has the best fanbase when there at the top. lol where was raptors best fan base before they started making playoffs? LOL
@@jaybee9097 ive been saying it since i started following the raps. Roughly 2010 or 2011. They do have the best fanbase. They never leave the stadiums on blowouts.
@@jaybee9097 You have NEVER been to a Raptors game have you?
Fans have been going to the games for years before we ever got to this point.
Is he the one that got rid of Vince?
Nope, that was Rob Babcock.
Vince got rid of Vince
Brett screwed Brett
Not one word about Kawhi. This guy is being interviewed because of him. Some nerve. Kawhi should leave!
Always some white guy behind the scene running everything
Always some white guy on the internet posting stuff about race to look cool.
He literally called his team a dinosaur lol
Let's go WARRIORS!!!!!
Wrong show troller LOL
Let's go WARRIORS!!!!!!!!!
Let's go WARRIORS!!!!
Sorry Toronto or Canada ..happy to see you guys in the final....but it's our sport ...USA...the championship stays in America.
What a stupid comment. Do your research before barking like a female dog. Basketball was created by a Canadian. Its OUR sport. Btw. F america. Keep being israels dog .stupid clown
MB Canadian guy invented the sport look it up
It's literally the opposite of your sport but ok lmao
Not to mention the first ever sanctioned professional game was played in Toronto with the Toronto Huskies vs the New York Knickerbockers.
Educate yourself .