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.