For some, it has felt like the NBA hasn’t been paying attention to what happens north of the border for the longest time. The Toronto Raptors were constantly overlooked, underrated, and underappreciated. The case was compelling, to say the least. Masai Ujiri has constructed one of the most consistent franchises in the NBA for the last half-decade, but recognition was fleeting.
Even on the Raptors run that saw them win their first-ever NBA championship, they were constantly doubted and overlooked. It felt as if there was a vendetta against them if you were that way inclined. Or it just felt that the league hadn’t really given the Raptors their due course.