Thrill of Raptors Victory Ignites Downtown Toronto
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Congratulations to our 2019 Champions 2 7 26 NEWS NEWS | Etobicoke Guardian THRILL OF RAPTORS VICTORY IGNITES | Thursday, June 20, 2019 Thursday, June 20, 2019 | | DOWNTOWN TORONTO Toronto Raptors’ fans tobicoke Guardian E celebrate their first NBA championship after the Raptors' 114-110 victory over the Golden State Warriors in Game 6 of the NBA Finals last Thursday. Justin Greaves/Torstar 'I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS! KAWHI HAS TO STAY shouted Steve Lourgos as year history. present in the streets, but most people are just happy," Kawhi Leonard was handed At Bay and Front streets, seemed content to hang back said Sam Fowler, 25, near HERE FOREVER.' - FAN STEVE LOURGOS the MVP trophy. a man was playing a dhol, a and smile as they watched Bay and Front, as nearby But the biggest cheers drum that gave the celebra- the celebration. Some offi- fans, overcome with that The thrill of victory was swell as fans chanted, sang were for Kyle Lowry hoist- tion a bit of an Indian wed- cers even took selfies with happiness, started singing certainly evident among To- and cried. Champagne corks ing the Larry O'Brien tro- ding vibe. At all four points overjoyed fans. "O Canada." ronto fans who partied long popped and people climbed phy. of the intersection, people A few people climbed Everybody was singing at into the night, following the everything in sight. As the crowd drifted to- had climbed traffic poles. scaffolding outside the Nord- Bottom Line sports bar on Toronto Raptors thrilling In Jurassic Park outside ward the downtown core, But even then, other fans strom store on Yonge just Front Street, when the 114-110 win over the host Scotiabank Arena, where some set off fireworks and looked out for them. On the south of Dundas and a group crowd burst into a round of Golden State Warriors to fans kept the faith through- ground, people yelled "Hey, of people also piled on top of flares, filling the air with the Queen's "We are the Champi- win the NBA championship out the NBA finals, nobody be careful! No one wants you a TTC bus parked across the smell of sulphur. Men ons," hugging each other and title in six games. wanted to leave as fans to die tonight!" Another intersection of Yonge and climbed up traffic lights at calling loved ones to say "we Yonge Street was the soaked in the moment of the called out: "Don't abuse our Queen streets. the intersection of Front and place to be as people looking win with tears of joy, hugs free health care!" The TTC confirmed that won!" to party took over the street and high fives for everyone. University, waving Raptors Just after 1 a.m., revellers somebody set off fireworks from Steeles Avenue in the They also soaked up the flags as fans below shouted smashed the windows of a at Bay station shortly after Story compiled by To- north to Front Street in the champagne as Drake, the "don't fall!" police cruiser in York Street the victory, delaying service ronto Star staff: May War- south. The biggest crowds team's global ambassador, Overall, the atmosphere tunnel south of Front. Police for 14 minutes. No one was ren, Alyshah Hasham, Zane was peaceful and joy-filled Woodford, Andrew Jeffrey, were reserved for Yonge- jubilantly sprayed fans made a wall around the vehi- injured. t oronto.com Dundas Square, where fire- when the buzzer sounded. as Torontonians basked in cle and the crowd dispersed "People are being pretty Kashmala Fida, Alex works exploded and the size "I can't believe this! Ka- the glory of a historic win, at about 1:15 a.m. good. It's Toronto, there will McKeen, Gilbert Ngabo, of the crowd continued to whi has to stay here forever," the first in the franchise's 24- Otherwise, police were probably be some idiots, but Raju Mudhar oronto.com t 24 Years in the making 2 3 | Etobicoke Guardian | #WETHECHAMPS Thursday, June 20, 2019 The screaming cheers of about two-million fans echoed across downtown Toronto streets as five double-decker buses full of the victorious To- ronto Raptors made their way through Canada's busiest city. As far as the eye could see, a mush of red, white and black attired fans lined anything and every- thing to get a glimpse of their favourite team who defeated the Golden State Warriors in six games to win the NBA Championship. As I walked along the parade route, next to the teams' buses, all I could see was pure joy and won- der in the eyes of children and adults alike, as the superhero-like players sprayed mists of cham- pagne and celebrated along with their fans. Clockwise from left; Serge Ibaka and other Toronto Raptors make their way through a sea of people during the victory parade, which shut down traffic from Exhibition Place to Toronto City Hall. Toronto Raptors' Kyle Lowry shows off the Larry O'Brien NBA Championship Trophy to the throngs of supporters. Fans capture a moment in history as the parade goes by, while NBA Championship MVP Kwahi Leonard celebrates with the crowd. Justin Greaves is a photojournalist working for toronto.com, exploring the City of Toronto with his camera. t Want to see your favourite spot in pictures? oronto.com Message Justin on Instagram at @torontodotcom.