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Toronto Raptors: The All-Star Game Cometh

By Joshua Howe

February 15, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Eastern Conference guard Kyle Lowry of the Toronto Raptors (7, right) shakes hands with Western Conference guard Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors (11, left) before the 2015 NBA All-Star Game at Madison Square Garden.Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
February 15, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Eastern Conference guard Kyle Lowry of the Toronto Raptors (7, right) shakes hands with Western Conference guard Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors (11, left) before the 2015 NBA All-Star Game at Madison Square Garden.Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Fret not, Toronto Raptors fans. Despite the insecurities with the team right now and all the uncertainty that lies ahead, there will still be a chance for the world to see how much Toronto and Canada cares about NBA basketball.

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The 2016 All-Star Game (the 65th annual event) will be held in the Air Canada Center no matter what. There may not even be a Raptor in the game next year (I sure hope there is), but there will definitely be at least one Canadian showing up in Andrew Wiggins.

This will be the first time Toronto has gotten to host such an event. It’s a privilege and a moment that must be carefully worked up to. This will be the chance Toronto gets to show free agents, as well as the best players in the world, that this is a place they’ll want to play in.

Toronto has always had a bad reputation for snagging free agents in the summer. They can never seem to land the big fish like other cities can. This is partly because of the colder weather and things like that, but also because it lies in an entirely different country.

With the All-Star game, hundreds of people including players will get to witness first hand how great of a city Toronto is for sports. The fan base is diehard. The management is competent. The city is beautiful.

This event could also be the saving grace for Raptors fans next season. Masai Ujiri is going to look to retool the team swiftly over the offseason so that the Raps are still good come next season, but if something happens and the team isn’t as strong; and the franchise enters yet another rebuild, then this will be what fans will have to look forward to.

It’ll be a great, momentary distraction if the club underwhelms or if the summer’s free agent scour is a bust.

The summer after the All-Star Game, the salary cap will spike as well. If Toronto is a good enough host, they may find some players more willing to sign there or at least visit to wet their feet.

Many former and current players say that Toronto is one of their favorite cities, even if they’re not from there. DeMar DeRozan in particular has been vocal about his love for the city and his wonderment at the reasoning behind the lack of interest of other players.

Toronto knows how big of a deal this is. Canada knows how big of a deal this is. Heck, even the Prime Minister tweeted about it!

Kyle Lowry, too, is excited about getting to show other NBA players what they’re missing.

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    • It’s only right that Canada finally gets a crack at arguably the most enjoyable basketball gathering ever created. Dr. James Naismith was Canadian, after all.

    Much like the Olympics held in Vancouver in 2010, Toronto knows it has to go all out to make this one of the biggest and most successful events ever held in the city. All the stars are coming. Thousands of people will be milling around. Famous names will surface.

    Ah, the All-Star Game. Finally on Canadian soil.

    You still have something concrete to look forward to, Raptors fans. Get excited.

    Next: 50 Greatest NBA Players Without a Championship

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