The team has one star left – Pascal Siakam. Siakam is still a comer rather than a fully formed difference maker. He’s had one great year, and did that with Leonard out in front of him running interference. Now he has to improve without the benefit of much cover at all.
The second thing that happened over the summer was a basketball World Cup that acted as a qualifier for next summer’s Olympics. Canada bombed out of the tournament and though we are compelled to say there is still a chance the team makes Tokyo, there is no chance. There will still be a couple of echo moments to rally around. The banner raising is one of them. Leonard returns to Toronto on Dec. 11. Unless everything goes completely sideways, the Raptors should make the playoffs.
That still leaves a sizable core of basketball-first types. There are more than enough of them to sustain the team, but they are not representative of the whole. They’re the true believers. For everyone else, this particular church is a Christmas-only affair.
Globe_Sports Well, that was depressing. 😐
Globe_Sports 'Canada'? Tronna media marketing machinery BS? Pushing product, making $$$?
Globe_Sports One thing you didn't mention that will hopefully play a role in the gradual turn toward basketball is the startup this year of Canada's 2nd pro basketball league, the CEBL. This one has the backing of Canada Basketball. It's bringing pro b-ball to more of Canada.
Globe_Sports Fades? Oh, shut it
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
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