Will American sports talk shows ever give Toronto the respect it deserves?
On Monday, Fox Sports’ Chris Broussard made some alarming comments about the city of Toronto and Canada when he talked about the possibility of NBA superstar Kevin Durant being loaned to the Raptors in First Things First.
“It’s a big city, but it’s not America. And you feel it when you’re there, I tell you. Especially as an African American. It’s a different situation than African Americans are used to,” Broussard said.
Canadian basketball fans, as well as members of the NBA media community, used Twitter to express their confusion and frustration with Broussard’s comments.
Some chose to channel their bewilderment through humor, making jokes and sharing memes about Broussard’s strange choice of words.
Durant has the sports world eagerly awaiting news of his future after making a change request to the Brooklyn Nets, dropping a bomb when the NBA free agency window opened last week.
While the double champion is said to prefer to be traded to the Phoenix Suns or Miami Heat, the Raptors have become a serious contender to acquire Durant’s services. Over the weekend, Toronto’s KD landing odds went from +3000 on Friday to the second best chance at +250 on Sunday, according to DraftKings.
Broussard’s comments may be troubling, but it looks like Durant already has a favorable impression of Toronto, praising the city, the team and its players on several occasions in the past.
Online fans have been involved in a debate over whether or not to trade for the 2014 MVP and which players should be included in a possible deal.
Toronto is no stranger to swinging to a big commercial market star, popularly acquiring the disgruntled Kawhi Leonard of the San Antonio Spurs in exchange for DeMar Derozan in 2018. The move paved the way for the Raptors ’first championship. in 2019, before Leonard left for free agency the following offseason.
Kevin Durant surprised the NBA when he demanded a change in Brooklyn last week. Could it land in Toronto? (Getty Images)
It’s hard to count on Masai Ujiri and company in Durant’s draw, especially if that means another race for the title. Still, the number of assets that should be waived in this deal will likely replace anything we’ve ever seen in the NBA.
The story goes on
But while we wait for the historic trade to go down, we will offer advice to Durant and his crew.
Please don’t listen to Chris Broussard.
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