If Raptors can’t play in Toronto, then Syracuse would be a suitable home

As the NBA starts finalizing plans for the 2020-21 season, there are questions about the Toronto Raptors’ ability to host games in Canada. Like the Toronto Blue Jays this summer, the Raptors might be looking for a temporary home in the U.S. — and already Buffalo, Kansas City and Louisville have thrown their toques into the ring with the last one leaving the competition faster than a Rick Pitino restaurant tryst.

The Buffalo and Kansas City options are fine at face value for those who pine for some terrible ‘70s NBA squads, but Syracuse offers a lot to the 2018-19 NBA Champions. Buffalo might be in line to host an NHL hub this winter so they don’t seem like that good of an option so it’s Kansas City and Syracuse and let’s see... we’ve got a historic NBA connection to a team that actually did something with the Syracuse Nationals as well as being the home of the 24-second clock. We’ve got a strong history of Syracuse Orange athletes who hail from The Six including current Raptor Oshae Brissett. Can the other cities claim Toronto broadcaster and Syracuse legend Leo Rautins? Non ils ne peuvent pas.

Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

The Raptors are used to hanging out in Jurassic Park. Well they can hang out in Dinosaur Bar-B-Que where the servers aren’t as polite, but the food is certainly better. Need to get that poutine fix? Syracuse has multiple downtown options to satisfy your cravings. We’ve got the cold and snow that makes Toronto a formidable place for opponents to visit and I’m sure someone in Solvay knows a guy who can get all the Molson Export you want.

Toronto’s coached by Nick Nurse. Syracuse was where Raquel Nurse McNabb went to college. Masai Ujiri is Nigerian-Canadian. Orange alum Michael Gbinije has represented Nigeria in international competition. Drake is the Raptors’ team ambassador and he’s performed in the building before so I bet we could arrange hanging a banner in his honor if that’s what it takes... of course if he’s willing to part with some money we could be talking about the Raptors making The OVO Stadium it’s 20-21 home. What do you say, Drizzy? We’ll throw in a couple of Justyn Knight and Kayla Alexander autographed items...

Think about it, Masai. Do you really want Kyle Lowry and Pascal Siakam to share a building with Taylor Hall, Jack Eichel and the Buffalo Sabres when they could share it with Tiana Mangakahia and Buddy Boeheim? We’ve already got the Canadian flag flying proudly and going to KC when you’re in the Atlantic Division just makes no sense for your chances to get back to the NBA Finals.

Syracuse is Canada’s College Team. We The North (of the ACC). It’s like a Timmies double-double and donuts: a perfect match.