Raptors partying with fans at championship parade
The party’s been in the works since 1995.
Four days after celebrating their first Larry O.B., an expected two million Toronto Raptors fans hit the streets once again for the team’s championship parade. As was the case for people lining up insanely early to get into Jurassic Park to watch the games, thousands spent the night at Nathan Phillips Square hoping to get a front-row view of the festivities.
2:20 AM and chants of ‘Let’s Go Raptors’ are breaking out among the 1000+ fans already waiting at Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto. pic.twitter.com/iy2LeL6Ned
— Mark Bayne (@bayner) June 17, 2019
By the time morning rolled around the scene was already set. People even climbed on arches to try and get a better view. These foolish fans eventually resulted in organizers temporarily stopping the parade due to safety reasons.
The Raptors parade isn't expected to arrive at Nathan Philips Square for another four hours
Crowd so far 👇
(via @Momin680NEWS)pic.twitter.com/GUD0nzcgw8— The Crossover (@TheCrossover) June 17, 2019
what could possibly go wrong? pic.twitter.com/WvlnV5nNZj
— Yahoo Sports Canada (@YahooCASports) June 17, 2019
In true Fun Guy fashion, Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard was out early to sign autographs for his adoring supporters. Wait... maybe not.
Fake Kawhi is living it up at the Raptors parade
pic.twitter.com/LyBl3WH8vw— SI Extra Mustard (@SI_ExtraMustard) June 17, 2019
One person you won’t find in the throngs? World famous Raptors superfan Nav Bhatia, who will serve as the honourary parade marshal.
Raptors superfan Nav Bhatia will serve as the honourary parade marshal, MLSE says.
— CP24 (@CP24) June 17, 2019
It wouldn’t be a parade with the floats, so here’s a sneak peek at what the Raptors players and staff will be riding on throughout the day.
— Harrison D. Sanford (@HarrisonSanford) June 17, 2019
Danny Green is rocking a new hairstyle that will surely be a major storyline.
2x NBA champion, elite podcaster pic.twitter.com/4846ANwx5m
— Yahoo Sports Canada (@YahooCASports) June 17, 2019
When you're the world heavyweight champ of podcasting pic.twitter.com/C6web0C0LV
— Yahoo Sports Canada (@YahooCASports) June 17, 2019
Drake wouldn’t miss this for the world. And he might even get his chips and dip.
There was no way @Drake would miss the @Raptors' championship parade. 🏆 pic.twitter.com/xhJVziGBLh
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) June 17, 2019
Plant Guy... meet Chips with the Dip Guy. 😂#WeTheNorth pic.twitter.com/99Ex50fag2
— Tim and Sid (@timandsid) June 17, 2019
John Tory might have some new competition.
“Nick Nurse 4 Mayor!” chant. #wethenorth pic.twitter.com/nl1ZX1x81H
— luke fox (@lukefoxjukebox) June 17, 2019
Board Man smokes cigars.
Kawhi is really rocking a "Board Man Gets Paid" t-shirt 💀pic.twitter.com/n6QwSWiiul
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) June 17, 2019
And the award for strangest chant of the day goes to...
Toronto is not used to a parade example 2544: People are chanting “TTC!” as two city buses lead the parade.
— Joshua Kloke (@joshuakloke) June 17, 2019
Turns out parades are traffic nightmares, and it gets even worse when people get out of their vehicles on major highways.
People are getting out of their cars on the highway just to catch a glimpse of the @Raptors' championship parade. 😲 pic.twitter.com/Yo5BpUKQsI
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) June 17, 2019
Forget the short-term deal for Kawhi, how about five more years?
Crowd to Kawhi: ONE MORE YEAR
Kyle Lowry to crowd: FIVE MORE YEARS pic.twitter.com/rYImiYzVTv— Yahoo Sports Canada (@YahooCASports) June 17, 2019
The scene at Nathan Phillips Square is turning ugly as fans are tearing down barriers.
#wethenorthday “we have a serious serious situation” according to Toronto Fire captains in #nathanphillipssquare with crowds overrunning barriers etc. Serious situation unfolding @CBCNews @CTVNews @CP24 crowds are tearing down barriers according to @tofire radio broadcast.
— Dan Gray (@GrayMediaProd) June 17, 2019
Drake was looking thirsty, so a fan hooked him up.
And now Drake has outchugged Aaron Rodgers (Via @seanteakle ) pic.twitter.com/J5fp1iYwPJ
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) June 17, 2019
Despite the parade running wayyyyy behind schedule, Raptors fans are still bringing the noise.
Speechless. #WeTheNorth pic.twitter.com/Ulb7MtDnK9
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) June 17, 2019
Those in Nathan Phillips Square killed some time by belting out an epic rendition of ‘O Canada.’
O Canada sung by #WeTheNorth in Nathan Phillips Square
🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/wqDdQzjGba— Tim and Sid (@timandsid) June 17, 2019
Marc Gasol will never tire of celebrating.
Marc Gasol and ALL OF TORONTO on another level #WeTheNorthDay | @Raptors pic.twitter.com/izveBTu9Gg
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 17, 2019
Plant Guy gave Kawhi his gift!
The crowd erupts as Plant Guy finally delivers his noble gift to Kawhi
(🎥 @RaptorsGirls) pic.twitter.com/78O6iR3uB7— Yahoo Sports Canada (@YahooCASports) June 17, 2019
The Raptors have finally arrived at Nathan Phillips Square, and Justin Trudeau is greeting them.
Prime Minister @JustinTrudeau & @Klow7 are getting ready for the celebrations to kick-off in TO!#WeTheNorth pic.twitter.com/dsHnhatnK9
— NBA Canada (@NBACanada) June 17, 2019
Ontario Premier Doug Ford was booed heavily when brought on stage.
Massive boos for Doug Ford. They might have booed him all day if they didn’t have to introduce someone else.
— Bruce Arthur (@bruce_arthur) June 17, 2019
The Raptors have collectively been awarded the Key to the City.
The entire team is receiving the key to the city.
— Vivek Jacob (@VivekMJacob) June 17, 2019
Gunshots were reportedly fired at the scene of the celebrations. After a brief delay, Raptors play-by-play man Matt Devlin resumed the festivities. For updates on the reported shooting, click here.
SHOOTING:
Nathan Phillip's Square
-Reports of woman shot
-People running from area
-Police/EMS are on scene
-Unknown what the injuries are#GO112676
^dh— Toronto Police OPS (@TPSOperations) June 17, 2019
Kawhi dropped the mic on the party by mocking his own laugh.
Kawhi 🖐 addresses fans at the @Raptors championship rally! pic.twitter.com/8j4ArIp0Yo
— NBA Canada (@NBACanada) June 17, 2019
The parade has concluded.
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