[OhCanada-Participant]

 What do the Raptors need to do to get a Christmas day game? They’ve clearly proved to be a Top 5 team over the past 3 regular seasons. All signs point to that continuing this year acquiring Kawhi Leonard. Yet Toronto once again gets snubbed.

Who got in? Milwaukee Bucks vs. New York Knicks. Okay I get it New York right. How do you explain the Bucks getting in?

 

[Evan_MilbergParticipant]

The Bucks have Giannis, who is arguably the most exciting player in the game right now. Not to mention, Giannis did this to the Knicks last season: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=d8FYUdPPUy4

[ZouldiersParticipant]

 The Bucks deserved this Christmas game. Their logo alone screams Christmas to me. Evan pretty much said why

[ChoppyParticipant]

 Toronto gets no love, like a few other places. If Toronto wins it all, or makes the finals, I reckon the NBA nearly has to give them a Christmas game. I’m not as bullish on Toronto’s chances this season as I’m not convinced Kawhi will play, or be engaged if he does. That could have factored into the decision not to give them a Christmas Day game. 

[220Participant]

 I think in all honesty if the Raptors want to get into a Christmas day game they need to have more popular players. The Bucks got in because on top of Giannis being awesome, he’s one of the leagues most popular stars. No offense to the Raptors, but they haven’t had a really popular player since Vince Carter left. They have a strong team, but that’s not enough because of their market being Canada it seems. They’ll have to win a popularity contest. Kawhi and Lowry simply aren’t popular enough at this moment.

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 To be honest, a Toronto-San Antonio matchup on Christmas would be a hell of a lot more interesting and exciting than Knicks-bucks. But I have a feeling that this schedule was finalized before the trade went down. Plus, it’s just tradition for the Knicks and lakers to play on Christmas (due to their huge fan bases) no matter how bad they are and it just makes sense to schedule them for the early game. 

[BothTeamsPlayedHardParticipant]

I think it is as simple as the US-tv partners don’t want a team whose local market won’t factor into their ratings.

[BeardedDragon84Participant]

 That was my initial thought too. I’m not sure how the licensing rights are negotiated for these games, do the big 3 (ABC, TNT, ESPN) sell the rights afterwards to TSN or someone for Canadian distribution? Also maybe those big 3 have more say in who plays on Christmas than we previously thought, wikipedia says that in the mid-2000’s TV deal ABC demanded the rights to Christmas day games between LA and Miami for 3 straight years because they knew people would tune in for the Kobe/Shaq feud no matter how the teams were performing. I would have thought Toronto finishing top of the East and getting Kawhi would make them attractive, but maybe licensing rights make The Raptors less enticing.

[Dell87Participant]

 

because Toronto isn’t a United states team, viewership in Canada doesn’t count towards the overall ratings total

[esperanzafleet69Participant]

 in all seriousness, why is this topic a thing? and who cares? you dont see me crying about the stones getting 4 nationally televised games all year (outside of nbatv). yeah it sucks if you want to see a team outside of your market, but i feel like you can watch all the raptors games judging by your name.

[BeastMode716Participant]

 Favorite team represented on the big Nationally televised games b/c they are a stage & there’s a chance they can capture the imagination of the wider NBA fan base 

I believe the Christmas day games were scheduled before the Kawhi Leonard trade & it’s a shame b/c I would Luv to see the Raptors in a Christmas day game 

The Raptors won 59 games & were the #1 seed last year w/o Kawhi & the Entire Sports Media is treating the Raptors like a red headed step childed & just assuming Boston has already won the East & on Phila’s young stars have any chance to even take a game or two from them in the playoffs 

That thinking is Laughable —- Whether Kawhi stays or goes he is a competitor & he wants a Max deal so people should expect a Max effort – I do believe it will take Toronto a month or two to get used to the new line up but once they do they will certainly be a a Top 3 seed & a Nightmare in the playoffs…. 

 

 

 

 

[OhCanada-Participant]

I dont mind people thinking Boston is better than Toronto. I actually think Boston has the potential to be a 70 win team as well. What bothers me is the irrational narratives that people seem to blindly follow.

I understand I’m biased but it just doesnt seem like both sides are being properly evaluated.

So Toronto had the best record last year, they had the best bench last year and they traded for Kawhi Leonard who is now widely considered the best player in the East, yet for some reason people think Boston will have a better record and has a better bench because Hayward is returning from breaking his shin in half and should be cleared for training camp and who knows if Kawhi is healthy and even if he is it will take a while for him to mesh with his new teammates. Sounds pretty lopsided.

Kawhi Leonard fits into this Nick Nurse offense better than Derozan. They have identical shooting splits aside from Leonard attempting more 3’s. 17.7 shots per game. Derozan has 7.0 free throws per Leonard had 7.2. Shooting splits were the same with Leonard taking more long mid range shots and three pointers, Derozan taking more floaters. The Raptors reconstructed their offense last year replacing Joseph, Patterson and Carroll with Van Vleet, Poeltl and Anunoby and they ended up winning 8 more games.

 This year they replace Derozan with Leonard, replace Poeltl with Monroe and add Danny Green and you guys honestly expect them not to continue improving? Your seriously brainwashed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Wahoo757Participant]

There are a dozen more marketable teams in the NBA than Toronto. It’s that simple.

[goddagParticipant]

It’s not Christmas in Canada. They have boxing day on the the 26th. 

[Author]

Posts