If the Toronto Raptors’ first preseason game on Sunday night at Edmonton’s Rogers Place is a good preview of what’s to come later this month, basketball fans attending the Bell Center on October 14 will be in for a treat. .
The Ontario team began their show schedule by defeating the Utah Jazz 114-82 to a full house and were certainly very pleased with the show they were put on. This introduction could be similar to the night the Montreal public will see when the Boston Celtics meet the Raptors; Also, tickets all flew away a few minutes after they went on sale.
In Alberta, as at an earlier intrasquad meeting in Victoria, the club’s players and coaches appreciated the tremendous welcome they received. The crowd sang cheers throughout the game, and every successful goal was warmly applauded.
“The atmosphere was amazing, it blows my mind every time we show up in these places that people don’t see us often,” security guard Fred VanVleet told Sportsnet. Edmonton was great. If you look up at the building, you can feel that the spectators from the ceiling are involved. The atmosphere was electric. From the moment we arrived at the hotel the day before, we were treated like rock stars.”
The desire to win
Of course, motivation for regulars like VanVleet, Pascal Siakam, Scottie Barnes and others may be harder to find during the show schedule, despite the excitement of fans in the cities the Raptors visit. However, the challenge remains very real: convincing Chief Instructor Nick Nurse that the desire to win is still there.
Then there are a few athletes hoping to earn a spot on the roster.
“We’ll see what can be transferred from training to games. Those are the same words I say all the time. First and foremost, will you try very hard? will you compete Will you play to win? Will you carry out the plans well? Will you play your role appropriately? The list is long but here are some ideas that can help guys make a name for themselves here,” said Nurse.
Before visiting Quebec, the Raptors will play three more preseason games, Wednesday in Boston, Friday with the Houston Rockets and Sunday against the Chicago Bulls in Queen City.