June 13, 2019 will be remembered as the biggest night in Canadian Basketball history as the Raptors became first-time NBA champions since they first joined the league 24 years ago.
It took Game 6 of the finals, which ended up being a nail-biter until the end, as the Raptors were finally able to seal the deal 114-110, against the defending champions Golden State Warriors.
They started as the underdogs, but remained laser-focused and locked-in throughout the season, especially the post-season and as they entered the final stretch.
They all gelled well and played as a close-knit team, but Kawhi Leonard (The Claw) was definitely the difference-make and rightly crowed NBA Finals MVP. He has proved himself to be among the best of the best in the NBA league.
— NBA (@NBA) June 14, 2019
Below are the full Game 6 Highlights of the Toronto Raptors vs Golden State Warriors. They came oh so close to clinching the NBA championship at home in Game 5, but lost by one point (105-106). But, this heart-breaking loss got the team ever so focused for Game 6.
It was a pretty tight Game 6, with both teams going back and forth. And with just 9 seconds left in the game, a turnover almost brought back Game 5 memories, but the Raptors prevailed 114-110 taking the series 4 to 2 and their first ever NBA championship.
Since joining the NBA league in 1995, the Raptors made the playoffs 11 times and were able to advance to the second round 5 times. 2019 was the first time the Raptors reached the NBA finals and of course, needless to say, their first NBA championship.
The Toronto Raptors fan-base has been tremendous. Canadians from coast to coast rallied behind their Raptors. One particular fan that stands out from the rest is die-hard and true supporter and super-fan of the Toronto Raptors, Nav Bhatia. He has reportedly been to every single Raptors game since the team first joined the league in 1995.
Nav Bhatia, the Indian-born superfan of the @Raptors, speaks all things Raptors basketball. Sound up! 🔊@superfan_nav#WeTheNorth pic.twitter.com/dltI7FBj25— NBAIndia (@NBAIndia) June 13, 2019
And of course, talking about fans, you can't miss one of the most staunched fans and global ambassador for the Toronto Raptors, Rap Superstar Drake. He has been seen as one of the most animated and sometimes controversial fan of the Raptors as he is often seen court-side in Toronto.
As they approached the 20th anniversary of the team, in 2015, Drake was announced as the global ambassador of the Raptors. And as part of the team's re-branding, a new imaging campaign was launched which gave birth to "We The North".
Thank you, Canada! #WeTheNorth pic.twitter.com/N3VAwI3TOL— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) June 14, 2019
And where will you find most Toronto Raptors fans when they are playing? Well, if you answered "Jurassic Park", you are absolutely right. Public viewings of the Raptors' games began at the Maple Leaf Square, which fans nicknamed "Jurassic Park".
If you're a Toronto Raptors' fan, I'm sure this moment will be etched in your memory forever, as it will be for me. Where were you when this historic moment happened? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below. Thanks for stopping by!
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