Sources: Raptors To Host 2016 NBA All-Star Game

[pkiskool]

ok cool. 20 years for toronto and i think 1 playoff appearance (maybe 2)

5 to be exact.
Better to just stfu if you don't know the facts, don't you think.

[720]

Lets go!!!!!!!

[captlopez0012]

maybe you havent noticed, but the nba generally avoids the less glamorous cities as all star hosts. i wouldnt say the only reason toronto was selected was due to its location. but im sure the hope of spreading the popularity of basketball in canada is on the nbas mind. in case you dont realize, basketball isnt too big in canada, the nba needs as much exposure as they can get in canada.

[dozendonuts]

Just does not work, they should create different leagues like FIFA does, by region.

Can I just ask what part doesn't work? Do people in Canada speak a different language than people in the US? Is a 14 hour flight needed to get up north to Toronto? Seriously I don't understand what doesn't work about it. Just because it's not the "United States of America"?

Shouldn't you be somewhere chanting "USA! USA! USA!" and saying 'Merica?

[ReyKwon]

sick, who doesn't want to go to toronto in feb, good west indie food at least

[RxOxP]

Should be in Seattle or Boston..not no Canada, makes no sense except the NBA being capitalistic & trying to act as if basketball, like soccer, should be global when it shouldn't & can't be.

Now if like soccer they build leagues in different parts of the world..great idea. But the NBA specifically should stay in America.

The NBA could however buy FIBA & go that route. I'm a fan of the Raps but I don't think the all star game should be outside the USA.

1) Soccer is THE global sport, so what are you talking about? Unless you mean stop trying to force-feed "AMERICANS" soccer...Is America what you mean by "global", and how egocentric is that?
2) Like it or not, basketball is a global sport. Let me take the time to remind you now that America has not won every single major competition ever. They have been beaten before and likely will be again.
3) #1 Overall pick this past draft, Anthony Bennett, is a Canadian born and bred player. Projected #1 pick in the next draft is Andrew Wiggins, a Canadian born and bred player. Former #4 pick Tristan Thompson is a Canadian as well.
4) The first game in the NBA was played at Maple Leaf Gardens, in TORONTO. Modern basketball was invented by a Canadian-born person. Yes, it's very much a Canadian game, too. Stay in America? lol c'mon now.

You sound like a close minded individual who thinks that the world revolves around America and that just because you like something, that somehow it's automatically yours, without rhyme or reason. Toronto has a financially healthy franchise in a big city with good infrastructure, big fan base and a global demographic with money to spend. Why shouldn't it get an All-Star game? Just because it's in Canada? Who the hell wants to go to Salt Lake City or Minnesota before going to Toronto? lol. c'mon buddy...

The stupidity bleeds..

I said the NBA should branch out via creating new leagues..they're trying to extend their reach but they need to quit doing it by getting teams outside of the USA.

Just does not work, they should create different leagues like FIFA does, by region.

I'm aware of all that(including that Cleveland truly is an idiotic sports town).

I'm a Wiggins fan, I'm not saying Raptors should leave the NBA. Heck I'm hoping for Wiggins to somehow be a Rap, would love to see what an already lucrative franchise for the NBA can do with a huge superstar from it's location can do.

Also, that Canadian born man was in the USA for many a years before inventing basketball.

Plain & simple, Toronto was picked for reasons such as branching out & less because it deserves it.

Your so stupid... its our 20th anniversary which is why its a perfect time for us to host the all star weekend. Toronto would be used as a means to branch off the NBA after being here for so long and not being used for that purpose. Your argument is so stupid.

[Scottg247]

Guess that means Wiggens is coming to Toronto. Rigged NBA! LOL. NBA is rigged in CANADA and US. And Neither is better. Canada and US are the same. I am from the US. We are in no way better or worse than anyone or anywhere else. Stop already....

[TdotRap4Lyfe]

maybe you havent noticed, but the nba generally avoids the less glamorous cities as all star hosts. i wouldnt say the only reason toronto was selected was due to its location. but im sure the hope of spreading the popularity of basketball in canada is on the nbas mind. in case you dont realize, basketball isnt too big in canada, the nba needs as much exposure as they can get in canada.

less glamorous city? Toronto? You have clearly never been to Toronto. Also next to Hockey, Basketball is pretty big in most parts of Canada, so no it isn't just a handful of fans who watch games. If you don't know what you are talking about, don't write about it, your just wasting time.

[10acious]

First, I am happy that Toronto got the ASG that it wanted. I have been to Toronto many times on business and it is a fabulous place that does not lack for anything. Maybe a tad colder than Texas where I live, LOL. I think that Toronto suffers among US NBA fans because its team has not been very competitive over most of its existence and has not formed intense rivalries with a Boston or New York or other top teams in the Eastern Conference that would have created more fan interest in them. You know that when Bargnani is your most visible and recognizable player, you're in trouble. Thus Toronto as an NBA team seems isolated, and is an afterthought to a lot of NBA fans. But, I think this will be changing with the new management regime in place.

As far as the ASG is concerned, the NBA is looking for fresh new places to host the game. I know for a fact that many teams don't want the game in their home venues because it pisses off many long-time season ticket holders that they can't get tickets to the game -- most go to NBA partners, sponsors and dignitaries. Anyway, I hope Toronto hosts a successful All star weekend (and NYC too in '15).

[720]

maybe you havent noticed, but the nba generally avoids the less glamorous cities as all star hosts. i wouldnt say the only reason toronto was selected was due to its location. but im sure the hope of spreading the popularity of basketball in canada is on the nbas mind. in case you dont realize, basketball isnt too big in canada, the nba needs as much exposure as they can get in canada.

less glamorous city? Toronto? You have clearly never been to Toronto. Also next to Hockey, Basketball is pretty big in most parts of Canada, so no it isn't just a handful of fans who watch games. If you don't know what you are talking about, don't write about it, your just wasting time.

You misread his comment bro.

[ahoang]

Always funny to see how ignorant some Americans are. Are we being confused with Mexico? The North Pole? Small island in the middle of the ocean?

Toronto would be a top 10 American city and arguably a top 5 city in terms of pretty much everything behind NYC, Chicago, Boston and LA.

We have teams in 3/4 major sports (NBA, NHL, MLB) and are always a strong consideration to be added to the 4th (NFL). I didn't count MLS because that's not a real league (HA!)

The NFL experiment with the Bills has produced average results and that is at no fault to the Toronto population.
The Buffalo Bills are not OUR team and therefore the majority of fans cheer for somebody else. The rest are geographically inclined to cheer for them. Bring us our own team and watch loyalty and fans come out in the masses.

I really think its a numbers game.

Lets assume there are 300 million Americans and 10% are idiots who think America is the center of the universe and believe we live in igloos. That's 30 million people right there. No wonder so many creep up on this site.

Read a book or something instead of watching Keeping up with the Kardashians and finding out where Millie Cyrus did her last twerk.

[captlopez0012]

maybe you havent noticed, but the nba generally avoids the less glamorous cities as all star hosts. i wouldnt say the only reason toronto was selected was due to its location. but im sure the hope of spreading the popularity of basketball in canada is on the nbas mind. in case you dont realize, basketball isnt too big in canada, the nba needs as much exposure as they can get in canada.

less glamorous city? Toronto? You have clearly never been to Toronto. Also next to Hockey, Basketball is pretty big in most parts of Canada, so no it isn't just a handful of fans who watch games. If you don't know what you are talking about, don't write about it, your just wasting time.

first off, basketball is less popular than both football and baseball in canada. theres a reason you have one nba team. remember the grizzlies. they had to relocate b/c they couldnt turn a profit. and you clearly are disallusioned about torontos appeal to the nba players and fan base. milwaukees a big city as well, but its definitely not one of the glamor franchises in the league. theres very few basketball players coming out of canada, the raptors lose their own players and fail to attract free agents, and the raptors are a perennial lottery team. so yeah id say some added exposure would do you some good. if you dont think the nba isnt hoping this move encourages the growth of basketball (get more kids playing bball) in canada and revives a troubled franchise than you are naive.

[SwaggWagg]

first off, basketball is less popular than both football and baseball in canada. theres a reason you have one nba team. remember the grizzlies. they had to relocate b/c they couldnt turn a profit. and you clearly are disallusioned about torontos appeal to the nba players and fan base. milwaukees a big city as well, but its definitely not one of the glamor franchises in the league. theres very few basketball players coming out of canada, the raptors lose their own players and fail to attract free agents, and the raptors are a perennial lottery team. so yeah id say some added exposure would do you some good. if you dont think the nba isnt hoping this move encourages the growth of basketball (get more kids playing bball) in canada and revives a troubled franchise than you are naive.

Haaaahhhhh! Basketball is the biggest participation sport in Canada, ahead of soccer. The fastest growing sport among the under 25 population and that shows with the influx of solid basketball talent coming out of Canada and making their mark in College and getting drafted into the NBA. Sit down!

[SwaggWagg]

The stupidity bleeds..

I said the NBA should branch out via creating new leagues..they're trying to extend their reach but they need to quit doing it by getting teams outside of the USA.

Just does not work, they should create different leagues like FIFA does, by region.

I'm aware of all that(including that Cleveland truly is an idiotic sports town).

I'm a Wiggins fan, I'm not saying Raptors should leave the NBA. Heck I'm hoping for Wiggins to somehow be a Rap, would love to see what an already lucrative franchise for the NBA can do with a huge superstar from it's location can do.

Also, that Canadian born man was in the USA for many a years before inventing basketball.

Plain & simple, Toronto was picked for reasons such as branching out & less because it deserves it.

Yeeeeeeshh! It bleeds alright.

Beacause it deserves it? A team that has been around 20yrs, has always been profitable no matter how bad. A fanbase that has endured 12 losing seasons out of 20. Last season the Raps averaged 18,100 fans per game.......did you see our record? If there is one fanbase out there that deserves this, Toronto is up there as one of them. At least this fanbase supports this team no matter what.....and then you have winning teams that are in the bottom 10 in league attendance and some playoff teams that have trouble selling out their playoff games. You trying to tell me those fanbases/teams deserve it more?

I said the NBA should branch out via creating new leagues..they're trying to extend their reach but they need to quit doing it by getting teams outside of the USA.

Extend their reach......but not outside of the US? Yep, American education system at work there. Way to extend your reach and broaden your horizons. The US economy is a joke, their educational system is in shambles, their healthcare is a joke.......but hey let's not learn from other countries or be inclusive at all. Let's continue to be closed minded a-holes!

[captlopez0012]

first off, basketball is less popular than both football and baseball in canada. theres a reason you have one nba team. remember the grizzlies. they had to relocate b/c they couldnt turn a profit. and you clearly are disallusioned about torontos appeal to the nba players and fan base. milwaukees a big city as well, but its definitely not one of the glamor franchises in the league. theres very few basketball players coming out of canada, the raptors lose their own players and fail to attract free agents, and the raptors are a perennial lottery team. so yeah id say some added exposure would do you some good. if you dont think the nba isnt hoping this move encourages the growth of basketball (get more kids playing bball) in canada and revives a troubled franchise than you are naive.

Haaaahhhhh! Basketball is the biggest participation sport in Canada, ahead of soccer. The fastest growing sport among the under 25 population and that shows with the influx of solid basketball talent coming out of Canada and making their mark in College and getting drafted into the NBA. Sit down!

HAAAhhhh! really dude? the most watched sports in canada are hockey and football by far. and sports being watched is what equates to dollars. maybe basketball is on the uptick in canada (many seem to think so), but that doesnt make it here and now. and dont get ahead of yourself. so far, one canadien basketball player has accomplished anything. the rest (and there havent been many) have been average to below average. and this "influx" of canadien talent is still a long way away. there is 1 top 150 (out of 600 players) recruit coming out of canada in the next 4 years. so id say the nba and basketball still has a ways to go in canada. Sit down!

[SwaggWagg]

first off, basketball is less popular than both football and baseball in canada. theres a reason you have one nba team. remember the grizzlies. they had to relocate b/c they couldnt turn a profit. and you clearly are disallusioned about torontos appeal to the nba players and fan base. milwaukees a big city as well, but its definitely not one of the glamor franchises in the league. theres very few basketball players coming out of canada, the raptors lose their own players and fail to attract free agents, and the raptors are a perennial lottery team. so yeah id say some added exposure would do you some good. if you dont think the nba isnt hoping this move encourages the growth of basketball (get more kids playing bball) in canada and revives a troubled franchise than you are naive.

Haaaahhhhh! Basketball is the biggest participation sport in Canada, ahead of soccer. The fastest growing sport among the under 25 population and that shows with the influx of solid basketball talent coming out of Canada and making their mark in College and getting drafted into the NBA. Sit down!

HAAAhhhh! really dude? the most watched sports in canada are hockey and football by far. and sports being watched is what equates to dollars. maybe basketball is on the uptick in canada (many seem to think so), but that doesnt make it here and now. and dont get ahead of yourself. so far, one canadien basketball player has accomplished anything. the rest (and there havent been many) have been average to below average. and this "influx" of canadien talent is still a long way away. there is 1 top 150 (out of 600 players) recruit coming out of canada in the next 4 years. so id say the nba and basketball still has a ways to go in canada. Sit down!

Many seem to think so? Haaaaaahhhhhhh!

Whatever dude, typical puck head.

[SteveNizzy]

maybe you havent noticed, but the nba generally avoids the less glamorous cities as all star hosts. i wouldnt say the only reason toronto was selected was due to its location. but im sure the hope of spreading the popularity of basketball in canada is on the nbas mind. in case you dont realize, basketball isnt too big in canada, the nba needs as much exposure as they can get in canada.

less glamorous city? Toronto? You have clearly never been to Toronto. Also next to Hockey, Basketball is pretty big in most parts of Canada, so no it isn't just a handful of fans who watch games. If you don't know what you are talking about, don't write about it, your just wasting time.

first off, basketball is less popular than both football and baseball in canada. theres a reason you have one nba team. remember the grizzlies. they had to relocate b/c they couldnt turn a profit. and you clearly are disallusioned about torontos appeal to the nba players and fan base. milwaukees a big city as well, but its definitely not one of the glamor franchises in the league. theres very few basketball players coming out of canada, the raptors lose their own players and fail to attract free agents, and the raptors are a perennial lottery team. so yeah id say some added exposure would do you some good. if you dont think the nba isnt hoping this move encourages the growth of basketball (get more kids playing bball) in canada and revives a troubled franchise than you are naive.

stupid americans.....

[SHFT]

first off, basketball is less popular than both football and baseball in canada. theres a reason you have one nba team. remember the grizzlies. they had to relocate b/c they couldnt turn a profit. and you clearly are disallusioned about torontos appeal to the nba players and fan base. milwaukees a big city as well, but its definitely not one of the glamor franchises in the league. theres very few basketball players coming out of canada, the raptors lose their own players and fail to attract free agents, and the raptors are a perennial lottery team. so yeah id say some added exposure would do you some good. if you dont think the nba isnt hoping this move encourages the growth of basketball (get more kids playing bball) in canada and revives a troubled franchise than you are naive.

Haaaahhhhh! Basketball is the biggest participation sport in Canada, ahead of soccer. The fastest growing sport among the under 25 population and that shows with the influx of solid basketball talent coming out of Canada and making their mark in College and getting drafted into the NBA. Sit down!

HAAAhhhh! really dude? the most watched sports in canada are hockey and football by far. and sports being watched is what equates to dollars. maybe basketball is on the uptick in canada (many seem to think so), but that doesnt make it here and now. and dont get ahead of yourself. so far, one canadien basketball player has accomplished anything. the rest (and there havent been many) have been average to below average. and this "influx" of canadien talent is still a long way away. there is 1 top 150 (out of 600 players) recruit coming out of canada in the next 4 years. so id say the nba and basketball still has a ways to go in canada. Sit down!

In case you didn't notice the ASW isn't being hosted in all of Canada, it is in Toronto and there is a huuuuuge basketball market in Toronto and the GTA which is like 5.5M. You are right bball is not as popular in other parts of the country but that is largely due to the fact we have sucked for a long time. If we were good the whole country would be behind us, look at the Blue Jays.

And you think we are expecting there to be an Andrew Wiggins in every draft? We are happy with every single Canadian who makes the NBA. Our program is leaps and bounds ahead of where it was 10 years ago, heck even 5 years ago, heck even 3 years ago.

[Heatin4]

Amazing , took long enough. After all Toronto is a Mega City

Watch the hate come with the most uptight posters stating that Toronto is not a Basketball city nor a large metropolitan city at all.

[Heatin4]

less glamorous city? Toronto? You have clearly never been to Toronto. Also next to Hockey, Basketball is pretty big in most parts of Canada, so no it isn't just a handful of fans who watch games. If you don't know what you are talking about, don't write about it, your just wasting time.

first off, basketball is less popular than both football and baseball in canada. theres a reason you have one nba team. remember the grizzlies. they had to relocate b/c they couldnt turn a profit. and you clearly are disallusioned about torontos appeal to the nba players and fan base. milwaukees a big city as well, but its definitely not one of the glamor franchises in the league. theres very few basketball players coming out of canada, the raptors lose their own players and fail to attract free agents, and the raptors are a perennial lottery team. so yeah id say some added exposure would do you some good. if you dont think the nba isnt hoping this move encourages the growth of basketball (get more kids playing bball) in canada and revives a troubled franchise than you are naive.

stupid americans.....