The NBA (National Basketball Association) has 29 team franchises in the United States and one alone in Canada. The Toronto Raptors represents the first modern day NBA franchise outside of the U.S.A.
But Toronto and a Toronto team are by no means newcomers to the league. The NBA was founded post WW2 (1946) when the first games were played in Hockey Arenas.
In fact, the very first NBA game ever was played at Toronto’s fabled Maple Leaf Gardens and featured the New York Knickerbockers vs The Toronto Huskies. (Toronto lost 96 – 78)
Here at Canadiana Backpackers Inn in Toronto, we purchase tickets in bulk for some Toronto Raptors home games at the Air Canada Centre. It’s just a 10 to 15 minute stroll from the hostels front door.
A staff member guides the group and a pro-basketball game can be watched and enjoyed for only $32.
In this week’s game the valiant Raptors fell to the Dallas Mavericks 114 – 96 (such is life); however, in last night’s game the Raptors led by their Spanish Star, Jose Calderone beat the New Orleans Hornets (96 -90).
They have now headed off to London (UK) to play two games vs The New Jersey Nets. They have been picked as one of the two NBA Teams to “sell” the game overseas acting as ambassadors of the sport!
GO RAPTORS! GO!
The gang from the Canadiana supporting our Raptors!
The ACC (Air Canada Centre) – A Toronto venue for Hockey, Basketball and Rock Concerts.