The NBA A History of Hoops The Story of the Toronto Raptors Nate Frisch C R E AT I V E D I G I TA L CREATIVE DIGITAL Toronto Raptors The NBA A History of Hoops The Story of the Nate Frisch
T a b l e o f Co n t e n t s CANADA WELCOMES THE NBA 8 THE RAPTORS RETOOL 16 HALL OF FAME LEADERSHIP 22 TORONTO TUMBLES 30 STAVING OFF EXTINCTION 38 INDEX 48 CO U R T S I D E S TO R I E S BASKETBALL MADE IN CANADA 11 TORONTO’S FIRST TEAM 21 HOME OF THE RAPTORS 24 VINCE GOES FOR 51 26 PLAYOFFS AT LAST 33 INTERNATIONAL RAPTORS 44 INTRODUCING DAMON STOUDAMIRE 12 DOUG CHRISTIE 15 TRACY McGRADY 19 VINCE CARTER 29 SAM MITCHELL 35 CHRIS BOSH 41 Table of Contents COURTSIDE STORIES INTRODUCING
CANADA WELCOMES THE NBA TORONTO’S ROGERS CENTRE STADIUM AND CN TOWER WERE BUILT NEAR LAKE ONTARIO 8 CANADA WELCOMES THE NBA
WILLIE ANDERSON Toronto Ontario sits on the north shore of Lake Ontario which forms a natural boundary between Canada and the United States It was founded in the late 1700s by the British who wanted land along the important waterway but had recently lost their American claims following the Revolutionary War Over the past two centuries the city had attracted immigrants from many other countries as well and Toronto swelled to become Canada’s most populous city In sharp contrast to the Canadian wilderness perception the Toronto cityscape combines impressive historic structures and modern skyscrapers and the CN Tower the world’s sixth-tallest freestanding structure makes for an unmistakable skyline Today the diverse city exhibits a mixture of financial technological and artistic flair Toronto is also Canada’s most diverse city in terms of 9
