Fred VanVleet, Pascal Siakam, Toronto Raptors. (Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports)
The Toronto Raptors’ new court in Tampa, Florida is very impressive, given the circumstances.
You have to check out what the Toronto Raptors‘ new Tampa, Florida hardwood looks like.
The Raptors have temporarily had to relocate to Tampa because of the coronavirus. For the time being, they will be joint occupants of Amalie Arena with the defending Stanley Cup Champions Tampa Bay Lightning. Not only did Tampa do the Raptors right with this incredible court, but the fine folks at Amalie Arena let Toronto bring their 2019 NBA Championship banner with them.
What effect will playing in Florida full-time have on the Raptors?
Toronto was one of 22 NBA teams that got to play in the NBA bubble down in Orlando this past summer. Not to say the Raptors were contenders to win back-to-back NBA Finals, but they were the defending champions for a reason. Though nobody has a home-court advantage this season, it will be more unfamiliarity with the Raptors playing in Tampa for a least a little while now.
The Raptors’ color scheme as well as having a freaking dinosaur for their mascot certainly has its benefits in putting together one heck of a basketball court concept. While it will be weird to see Lightning banners around the arena during a Raptors game, it will serve as an ever-present reminder that this NBA season will be anything but normal for the time being. At least we have it.
Here is to the Raptors making the most of their stay in Gulf Coast Florida to ring in 2021.