Former Raptors CEO cheers on team's historic move into NBA Finals

Windsorites are cheering loudly for the Toronto Raptors to win over the Golden State Warriors in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.

Step back to decades ago when the team was just starting, Richard Peddie said it was patience that built up the team's fan base and current success in Toronto.

"The basketball IQ in the city was just about non-existent," said Peddie, former owner of Maple Leaf Sports and former president of the team. "They really had to learn the sport."

With some investments in youth basketball over the years, according to Peddie, the Raptors built a following that packed the city's Maple Leaf Square — or Jurassic Park — where public viewings are broadcast.

He will be in Windsor cheering on the Raptors' first game, as will some student basketball players at Catholic Central High School.

Ayack Deng thinks it'll be "pretty close" with the Warriors because Kevin Durant will be sitting out with a calf injury.

Even though the Raptors is based in Toronto, Deng believes it to be a Canadian team.

"It feels close to home and we're represented with a lot of nations, and you can see that on the court," said Deng.

Her teammate Zachary Ippolito-Benest said there's been some "trash talking" among peers in the hallway with increasing hype around the finals. The school seems to be split 50-50 when it comes to supporting the Raptors versus the Warriors.

Even though he thinks the Raptors are going into Game 1 as the underdogs, he's throwing his full support behind the Canadians.

To the Warriors supporters, Ippolito-Benest only has one thing to say.

"I think they're going to be wrong," he said. Then after a pause, "Hopefully wrong."

Reflection before Game 1

Looking back at his time with the Raptors, Peddie said he could have been more patient when it came to coaches, as could many teams. 

"Season goes a little off side, and one-third of the NHL and NBA coaches get fired. That's crazy," he said.

This historic moment for the team is something he believes will bring together a whole country. 

But when will he show up to a game?

"I'm not going to make it til the 5th game til the Raptors are up 3-1 or something like that, that's the one I'll be at," he said.