Why Is the NBA Team Toronto Called the Raptors? Plus More Fun Facts

Here's what you need to find out about the history in the back of the Toronto's NBA team being named the Raptors — and why Canadian team is in the NBA.

The NBA Finals kicked off final night in a heated fight between the Toronto Raptors and the Golden State Warriors. Game 1 in the collection ended with the Canadian-based team defeating the reigning champs 118 to 109. Kevin Durant's absence was once undoubtedly spotted in the game, and Toronto took complete merit. 

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Homegrown Toronto native Drake cheered on his team courtside rocking a Dell Curry jersey. Yes, that’s GSW Steph Curry’s father (who played for the Raptors from 1999 to 2002). The rapper — who is hoping to watch his team win their first title — is identified for his sideline heckling, and didn’t disappoint on Thursday reportedly calling Golden State player Draymond Green “trash.” 

We wager the alleged “talk” that the rapper won about his courtside antics fell on deaf ears. 

As fans continue to observe the race for the NBA championship trophy (and a few not-so-secretly hoping GSW does no longer win for the 3rd directly year), we've got made up our minds to take a look back the Canadian team's inception and the way they got here to be. But truly, why is Toronto-based basketball team called the Raptors.

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A brief historical past on why Toronto’s NBA team is called the Raptors.

Before becoming a member of the NBA, the professional team was named the Toronto Huskies. After shedding to the New York Knicks in the Forties and having a terrible report with little attendance, the team folded and the city would no longer see any other basketball team return till the '90s.

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According to the Canadian Encyclopedia, the Raptors joined the league in the 1995-96 season as considered one of two growth teams. Fans were asked to select a team title after a list was once narrowed down to 10 mascots. Ultimately, the NBA team was dubbed the Toronto Raptors, which was reportedly influenced via the Steven Spielberg movie, Jurassic Park, which used to be standard at the time.   

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Wait, why is Canada even a part of the NBA?

As mentioned above, Toronto was a part of the NBA’s expansion plan, the different team being the Vancouver Grizzlies. However, the west coast Canadian team has since been relocated to Memphis, Tennessee. 

With the luck of the Raptors, many have wondered if the NBA will extend additional into Canada. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver lately set the record straight, pronouncing, “My resolution is, you realize, and it’s the similar because it’s been for other U.S. towns that experience expressed interest, and that is that we are just now not in expansion mode at the time.” 

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However, he did give Montreal and different Canadian cities expressing passion some hope, adding, “I’m sure inevitably in the future we’ll flip back to enlargement, nevertheless it’s no longer on the agenda at this time.” Well, Canada can keep cheering on the Raptors as they hope to in spite of everything hoist the Larry O'Brien NBA Championship Trophy.

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Drake is still a savage sitting standing courtside at the NBA finals.

In case you might be reading this, it is too overdue ... Drake is the Raptors' No. 1 fan. Appearing courtside for many of the playoff games, the rapper has attracted consideration for his outlandish behavior, such as giving Toronto trainer Nick Nurse a again rub. In Thursday's recreation, Drake posted an Instagram video of himself choosing lint out of opponent Steph Curry's hair. 

"Steph Curry hair lint for sale on my eBay right now!!! username: DraymondShouldntWear23," he captioned the social media video. While the two have up to now displayed comradery in each other's presence, it appears all bets are off.

Catch Game 2 of the NBA finals this Sunday (June 2) at Eight p.m. ET on ABC. 

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