Scase wrote:The draft isn't WEAK, it's just not top heavy with clear cut top 3 picks. People need to stop parroting this misinformation.
Green font for a reason. You won't get an argument from me regarding the quality of the prospects in this draft.
Scase wrote:The valuation of the team in the leagues eye is much less important than you think. The Canadian market is very small compared to the american market. The Raptors valuation isn't what gives them leverage and bargaining power in TV deals, because those TV deals are all for american markets.
The valuation of the Raptors helps virtually no one besides MLSE.
Sure, I'll believe you because you said so and ignore all data that might suggest otherwise...
SOURCE:
https://www.statista.com/statistics/1245773/nba-interest-worldwide/======
GLOBAL GROWTH
NBA viewership outside of North America continues its rapid ascent with year-over-year average growth this season outpacing China in both Portugal (+122%) and Italy (+81%).
Mexico (+36%), the Philippines (+31%), Spain (+12%), and Canada (+11%) have also seen upticks in interest.
NBA League Pass, which gives subscribers access to live and on-demand games, has also grown internationally, with a 272% increase in Cameroon, the home country of Philadelphia star Joel Embiid, a 203% increase in Turkey and 78% rise in Italy.
Beginning with late commissioner David Stern and accelerating under current commissioner Adam Silver, the NBA has aggressively targeted lucrative overseas markets.
This season included preseason games in Japan and Abu Dhabi and regular season games will be held in Mexico City later this month and Paris in January. The Basketball Africa League (BAL) completed its second season in May.
Global interest has been propelled by the rise and in some cases dominance of international players in the league, which had 120 non-U.S.-born players in teams' opening night squads this season.
SOURCE:
https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/nba-chinas-nba-viewership-approaching-pre-ban-levels-source-2022-12-08/======
IF the league were going to rig a draft and the teams with a decent enough shot of making it into the top 4 without anyone getting too lucky (i.e. GSW or LAL winning the #1 pick) were Toronto, Memphis, San Antonio, Washington, Brooklyn, Portland, Charlotte, and Detroit, I think the league would prefer Toronto, Memphis, and San Antonio above the rest.
Since it's ping-pong balls and not my opinion or the leagues' desire that will determine the outcome, that will remain to be seen but as far as the importance of the Canadian market to the NBA and the role the Raptors play in that, the studies and data I've referenced above appear to contradict your statements so unless you have something other than your own statement to support what you're suggesting, perhaps you can take your concerns up with the writers at Statista or Reuters since they're the ones suggesting the Canadian market is important and I'm just simply referencing their work...