The Toronto Raptors are paying a final salute to their fans before heading to their respective off-season homes to rest up and work on improving their games for next year.
In a two-and-a-half minute video posted to YouTube Wednesday morning, members of the Raptors take turns thanking fans for their support during the team’s unexpected run to a division title and their heartbreaking defeat in the first round of the NBA playoffs.
“I want to thank the whole city of Toronto and Canada as a whole for the support, for the passion and for the love that you shared with us through this whole season and in backing us through the tough times,” Raptors swingman Demar DeRozan says in the video. “You are definitely the most loyal fans in the NBA and the best fans by far. Thank you.”
“Thank you for supporting us and being there,” free agent point guard Kyle Lowry adds. “It was a rough time last year, but this year we did something special. It is only going to get better for the Raptors organization.”
Thousands of Raptors fans packed Maple Leaf Square to watch the team on the big screen for each and every game of the team’s first round playoff series with the Brooklyn Nets. Their spirit turned heads in the NBA.
The environment inside the Air Canada Centre was also raucous, with Nets veteran centre Kevin Garnett telling reporters that the Game 7 crowd was one of the loudest he has ever played in front of.
The Raptors eventually lost Game 7 after Paul Pierce blocked a Kyle Lowry floater that would have given the Raptors their first playoff series win since 2001.
“I just want to thank you guys for the support and the love that you gave us,” Raptors power forward Amir Johnson says in the video. “It was inspiring and we will be back next year.”
“It was unreal and we really do it for you all,” shooting guard Terrence Ross adds. “Come back next year. It is going to be even better.”
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