Raptors

[exploited]

What is even going on. Toronto is a literal nuthouse right now. There are still people losing their minds over them making the finals.

Really though, someone explain it to me. Haven't ever followed basketball and I don't want to ruin it by reading the news about it right now.

I've gleaned enough to know that this is the first time they've made the finals, but the intensity of the reaction is almost like what you'd expect if the Maple Leafs made the NHL finals. What gives? Are they underdogs?

[Saz]

Raptors weren't underdogs but it kind of doesn't matter they are going to get destroyed by GSW in the finals. East is a joke. But this is their first finals appearance so that's always a big deal. But really, the BIG T is the home of Drake, ITS OUR CITY NOW. Hockey is a white ppl sport and while I get that is most of Canada, Toronto from my experience is basically like any major US city, very multicultural and I guarantee you all these people care about the Raptors more than Hockey anything. Not to say basketball is more popular generally, but Toronto is big and diverse enough that when your team makes the NBA finals of course people are going to go nuts. Toronto is one of the biggest soccer towns in North America as well, does great in the MLS.

Hockey is inherently limited by the weather and climate obviously, won't ever be MAINSTREAM because in half the US it doesn't even snow. Hockey is a real sport, so it won't go into terminal decline like Baseball, but its always going to be a bit regional which limits its mass appeal. Basketball doesn't have that problem. And since JUSTIN is determined to import half of somalia (they don't play hockey there) to canada, it shouldn't be surprising that the fortunes of basketball or soccer improve while Hockey simply holds its ground. Idk enough about canada to say with authority but from the canadians I know basketball is easily the second sport of canada. But basketball, and soccer, also skew young, every 20 yr old knows who Kawhi and Messi are, not sure many could tell you a baseball player or a hockey player.

[John Galt]

this is why:



last championship appearance for MN was in 91, when North Stars lost the cup and twins won the pennant and the world series. next most is toronto, which has only three teams and one is a lot younger, but it still has second longest drought of appearances. it's more of a "we want something, anything" than anyone really cares about basketball. if the timberwolves made it to the championship game here, peoople would go nuts for the same reason. if the twins, vikings, wild, and timberwolves all made it to the championship one year, twolves would be last on list of things people cared about

[exploited]

[Saz]

[John Galt]

soccer: the next big thing for the past 50 years strong!


no one actually likes soccer. soccer is a sport for losers. its the only sport they can stand around and do nothing and no one will say they f**k up, so people with no athletic ability play it. once they get out of school and their parents don't force them to play sports they don't watch it. they don't care about it, they never did. that's why it's been the next big thing for 50 years and will continue to be the next big thing for another 50. lots of kids "are into it" but the productive people on this planet couldn't give a shit about it

[exploited]

I have a preference for contact sports, which is why the rare time I watch sports, it is probably going to be hockey or football. I'd watch lacrosse more if I could, as I found that sport to be really fun, fast-paced and violent.

Basketball is great to play, fun to watch. And I suppose it is technically a contact sport since you have to plant your feet to draw a foul.

I find soccer fun to play, and abysmally awful to watch. I have and always will make fun of it, reflexively, as is my duty as a North American. But since Saz took the time to explain the Raptors situation to me, rural white guy bewildered at Toronto, I let this one pass.

Baseball is a great way to get family, friends or kids out for a fun, non-strenuous, physically inactive day in the sun. Sunscreen, some water, maybe some beers in the parking lot. Beyond that, I consider it a joke. I appreciate the skill that goes into professional baseball, but let's be real, these guys don't have anywhere close to the physical conditioning of any of the professional athletes who play any of the sports mentioned above. Many are in worse shape than golfers, which is really something. This is probably my least favourite sport at the competitive level.

[Saz]

[Saz]

[NAB]

As a Mavs fan and noted hater of the Spurs, I’m glad to see Kawhi’s no longer in my state.

That said, I figured it was going to be Warriors v Bucks, so the Raptors surprised me. Unfortunately, they don’t have enough to beat the warriors, because, when Golden State cares, no one has enough.

I just hope steph and company are separated by salary and ego issues by the time Luka comes of age.