This is supposed to be the dawn of a new era for the Toronto Raptors.
The Raptors have a new executive running things (Tim Leiweke), a new general manager (Masai Ujiri), and a new “global ambassador” in place (Drake). Their odds of winning the 2013-14 NBA title may be 100/1, but the regular season hasn’t even started.
Betting on the Raptors to Win Big Without Their Mascot
This new brand is going to try and turn things around, to help the Raptors organization improve from their recent struggles. But alas, one key member of the Raptors organization will apparently have to sit this season out.
According to a report via NESN, the Raptors mascot, known simply as The Raptor, is out for the season after suffering a torn Achilles tendon during a Raptors training camp appearance in Halifax.
This cannot be a good sign for the Raptors and their fans. The Raptor is one of the best mascots in the league and maybe the best reason to watch and stay in Raptors home games for the better part of the decade. Also, he/she/it gave us one of the most hilarious mascot moments:
That never gets old…
As we wish him/her/it the best, The Raptor does not need to rush because as history has shown in the many mascot injuries throughout sports, teams that have lost their mascots have stepped up their games. Now, as crazy and bizarre as that sounds, it has happened on more than one occasion.
Picking Up The Enthusiasm
Injuries are part of the sports world. Players and team mascots go the extra mile to bring joy to the fan experience. Sometimes, they hurt themselves when things go too far and when stuff goes wrong.
Fortunately, in most cases… when the mascot gets hurt, the team somehow bands together during the game or immediately following ‘the game.’ Here are a few examples:
On October 20, 1995, Wild Wing, the mascot of the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (now the Anaheim Ducks) attempted to jump through a flaming hoop, and then got his foot caught on the small trampoline placed after the hoop, thus burning his foot. The Ducks would lose that game, but then they went 8-2 to end the month.
On March 12, 1999, the San Jose Sharks mascot S. J. Sharkie gets stuck rappelling and delays the start of the game while he has to get rescued. On that game, the Sharks beat the Detroit Red Wings and would only lose five games for the remainder of the season en route to a playoff berth.
In the 1995 ALDS, Seattle Mariners’ mascot Mariner Moose broke his ankle crashing into the outfield wall while being towed on inline skates behind an ATV, forcing it to miss the rest of the series. The Mariners ended up winning the series against the Yankees, advancing to the ALCS before falling to the Indians.
The 2013-2014 Calgary Flames are enjoying a good start in the NHL’s first week after a flood that invaded the Saddledome washed away the head of Harvey the Hound during the off-season.
So, historically speaking, when teams lose their mascots they tend to step up a notch and give their fans something to cheer for now that the primary cheerleader is gone. Coincidence or not, the fact is that teams care about the loss and teams win after it happened.
The mascot works like a player on the team. Teammates pick each other up, communities unite and everyone in support generates more excitement in home games.
Now, what would that mean for Toronto Raptors basketball?
The Outlook for Canada’s Team
The Toronto Raptors may view this as just a setback for an offseason that is having their way.
They traded away Andrea Bargnani and his pricey contract; they will build around on their super athletic wingmen rotation of DeMar DeRozan, Rudy Gay, and Terrence Ross; they signed multiple players for depth and Raptors GM Ujiri is choosing to stand pat with the talent he has while working on the roster and staff that was a mess in the previous regime.
Also, they might have a new “mascot” to generate excitement in Raptors basketball and the city of Toronto.
Although he is not a popular anthropomorphic dinosaur, Drake is popular himself.
The Grammy Award-winner was appointed the “global ambassador” for the NBA franchise, thereby joining the executive of his hometown NBA team. Also, he will be in-charge in promoting and hosting the 2016 NBA All-Star Game, when it will take place for the first time in Canada’s largest city.
With a new regime and a young, talented roster, the Raptors took huge steps on their rebuilding process. After being a stalled basketball team in their city (13th in attendance last year), optimism and excitement still reigns in Toronto.
Now, as for the Raptor, he will be sorely missed. The Toronto crowd has grown in love for the Raptor, a.k.a. The Chicken as Torontonians refer to him. Good thing that the organization makes sure they will not miss a beat:
Crushing blow! #Raptors say The Chicken blew out Achilles, done for year. Best mascot in NBA. Team has plans for successor by opening night.
