Raptors Praise West Coast Fans & Share Their Love for Vancouver
The Toronto Raptors were by no means surprised by what awaited them Sunday night in Vancouver. From the moment they stepped onto the court, the cheering and passion from Canada’s West Coast was audible.
“I was very well prepared for it,” said Raptors head coach. Darko Rajaković “Everybody told me what kind of great fares we have over here in Vancouver.”
It’s been over two decades since the Vancouver Grizzlies relocated to Memphis, but the passion from those fans for basketball remains as strong as ever. The city deserves the return of the NBA, Rajaković said, admitting, though, the Raptors are happy to welcome the support from B.C. until a team does return.
For their part, the Raptors were more than happy to pander to the crowd. Scottie Barnes showed up in a throwback Vancouver Canucks jersey that he said he picked up earlier in the day. It was more of a fashion statement, though, as he smirked and said he remains a Toronto Maple Leafs fan.
Rajaković did say he and the coaching staff were able to get away from the gym for a little bit and take in the beauty of Vancouver. The group went to Stanley Park for a bike ride during their visit.
“Until coming to this city I always thought that Park Retiro in Madrid was the best park in the world. But I was wrong,” Rajaković said. “This park is really the best park in the world. I really enjoyed it.”
Now the Raptors will return home for a week of practice before their Scotiabank Arena preseason opener against the Cairns Taipans of Australia’s National Basketball League on Sunday.
