NBA Final : Raptors vs. Warriors

sick behavior by raptors fans

even your gm shoving police

Toronto Raptors General Manager Masai Ujiri smiled as he learned that a poll showed all but three U.S. states are rooting for the Raptors to win.

"Jurassic Park" viewing parties were held in over 50 cities and towns across Canada on Thursday night, from Montreal to Saskatoon, Halifax, and Edmonton, turning the win into a national celebration.

Arctic communities embraced the franchise's "We the North" campaign, and the NBA says Canadians have been watching in record numbers.

The Raptors management has filled its powerhouse roster with American and foreign-born players - Cameroonian Pascal Siakam; Marc Gasol from Spain; Serge Ibaka, originally from the Congo.

"It's been an amazing job by management not just to create a team that's incredible on the court but really does reflect the diversity of the city," says Mr Campbell.

Many Canadians know that basketball was invented by one of their own - James Naismith in the late 1800s - but many won't know there are now more Canadian players in the NBA than from any other country except the US, whose players dominate the league.

There are currently 13 Canadians playing pro basketball and eight more likely to be drafted later this month, says Mr Grunwald.

"We're seeing an increase in the number and quality of players across Canada, both men and women," he told the BBC.