“We The North”

The Raptors came to Vancouver to the delight of the sell-out crowd in a pre-game season game against the Clippers winning the hearts of Vancouverites.

With the Grizzlies having played in Vancouver for six years, now gone the way of the do-do bird, one has to question if Vancouver is worth NBA status.

The fans were entertained as former Vancouver Grizzlies guard Mike Bibby was on hand for the sell-out19,000 to cheer and still spotting old Grizzlies jersey’s in the crowd.

Many might question the success on a return of pro-ball to the area, but Basketball BC would tell you otherwise.

Sunday’s game marks the third time (2010 – 2014) the Raptors have started the pre-season in Vancouver and no-doubt they will return for camp number four next fall.

Training camp this year was held at Fortius Sports and Health Centre as well as the third time the Raptors start playing three consecutive games away from the ACC.

The Raptors are on the road for 10 straight days making it the second-longest training camp/pre-season in team history.

Dating back to 2007 they (the Raptors) had a 14-day trip to Italy and Spain for the NBA Europe Live Series.

Raptors Head Coach Dwane Casey is defensive-minded, but the past couple of seasons, his roster haven’t fit his way of thinking.

This could change this time thanks to the signing of free agent DeMarre Carroll as he expects the defense to be somewhat improved.

He (Casey) mentioned that Toronto was fourth in the NBA in points per possession in 2014-15, so change must take part at both ends of the court.

Vancouver’s game saw Kyle Lowry manage 26 points in a span of 21 minutes giving the Raptors the 93-73 win.

Raptors 7’ Centre Jonas Valanciunas grabbed 12 rebounds to go with 10 points and is coming fresh off a 24 team Euro-Basket Championship.

Using his talent along with others on the squad they managed to lift Lithuania to a Silver Medal in addition to earning an Olympic berth.

Luis Scola knocked in 13 points, which is one of several off-season additions to the roster.

Toronto’s Cory Joseph looked relaxed on the second unit, and should see more playing time against Golden State.

Kyle Lowry is nursing a sore groin, but left the game with 3:59 remaining in the third quarter with the Raptors having a 68-50 lead.

Lowry managed a 13-point third quarter Toronto as they outscoring Los Angeles 37-28 in the third quarter alone.

Norman Powell and Delon Wright (both rookies) made their NBA debuts and Wright was scoreless in eight minutes, but added two rebounds and an assist while Powell scored six points and added a steal in the 10 minutes he had on the hard-wood.

Both Head Coaches Toronto’s Dwane Casey and Clippers bench boss Doc Rivers mentioned that they had fond memories of NBA games in Vancouver.

This pre-season game in Vancouver was the first of four in the Canada series of games for the NBA and it is expected that the final three games will sell out.

Photo’s supplied by Sportswave Photographer D. Laird Allan Photography