Toronto is one of six NBA cities that has never hosted an NBA All-Star Game, but that is reportedly about to change.
Citing “multiple sources,” Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun reports that “the Raptors are on the verge of landing the 2016 NBA All-Star Weekend. An official announcement is expected within a week that will reveal further details of how one of the sport’s biggest weekends will tie into Toronto’s 20th-anniversary season.”
Wolstat also reports that Cleveland was a “serious contender” to host the annual showcase in 2016.
A Canadian city has never played host to the league’s all-star celebration, but as a major market, Toronto is a worthy recipient. Since 2000, three cities (Los Angeles, Houston and New Orleans) have been given the honor of hosting All-Star Weekend multiple times, which is why it would be nice to see a place such as Toronto get a turn.
The Raptors haven’t enjoyed much success since entering the league in the 1995-96 season. The franchise has won only one playoff series and is currently in the midst of a five-year postseason drought. Hosting this exciting event, which includes the Slam Dunk Contest, Rising Stars Challenge and Three-Point Shootout, would bring some much-needed basketball excitement to Toronto.
The 2014 NBA All-Star Game will be played in New Orleans, and the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets are sharing the festivities in 2015.
