Of expectations and new scheduling

What a difference a year makes in Raptorland.

The Toronto Raptors started the last season with a 4–19 record, and every diehard fan was foreseeing a tank move. With last night’s win against Oklahoma City Thunder, they are 3–1 and many fans think of them as a potential second-round playoff team.

What happened in-between is the reason why Blake Stevens braved the rain and cold weather to come to Air Canada Centre to see the Raptors beat injury-prone OKC Thunder 100–88.

“It’s exciting. I don’t think I ever thought highly of the Raptors like this ever before,” says the 33-year old Brampton man, sporting a We The North white shirt. “What they did last season made me think of becoming a seasonal tickets holder but I’ve yet to make up my mind.”

What they did was to finish the season with a franchise winning record of 48–34 and a playoff run that fell short to the Brooklyn Nets in a seven-game first round. They also won the Atlantic Division title to boot. But that was enough to guarantee a fan base like no other in the NBA.

The famous Jurassic Park now renamed Ford Park outside ACC was empty Tuesday night. Bad weather is probably to blame but also because OKC’s superstars Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook sat this one out due to injuries. But the arena was buzzing with chants of “Let’s go Raptors” and “Defense, Defense,” an electrifying reminder that this city is hungry for something more special from the Raptors.

“I hope some day they can win a championship,” says Sarah Roland who has been following Raptors progress since “the Vince Carter era.”

The new season also brought a change to the start time with tipoff now moving to 7:30pm from 7pm.

“I think it’s better this way; now I can have dinner and come to the game without worrying about being late,” says Jesse Hughes of Scarborough.

The win against OKC Thunder gives the Raptors a 2–0 home record this season. They face the Celtics in Boston on tonight before embarking on a seven game home stretch through mid-November.