A Night of Appreciation: DeMar Derozan’s Long-Awaited Return to Toronto

A Night of Appreciation: DeMar Derozan’s Long-Awaited Return to Toronto

February 25, 2019 Off By Ryan Ye

DeMar DeRozan, in his long-awaited return to Toronto Friday night, was showered with appreciation. It was a night that Raptors fans have had circled on their calendars since the schedule was first released. They were determined to not let the Raptors legend leave Toronto without feeling their gratitude. It was a chance for them to thank the former Raptor one last time.

From start to finish, fans in Scotiabank Arena welcomed DeRozan with resounding ovation. There were roaring cheers, thunderous applause, and of course a heart-felt tribute video that all represented one resounding message to the beloved star; “Thank you DeMar for all that you gave to this city.”

After a touching two-minute tribute video, DeRozan took a moment to come out on the court and thank the fans. He put a hand over his heart and extended it to all that support him. He touched the hearts of so many Torontonians during his nine-year tenure with the franchise and it was clear tonight the fans would touch his.

Going into the game, DeRozan did not know what to expect in his return.

“I have no idea,” said DeRozan at the pre-game press conference. “I’ve been trying not to think about it because I’m pretty sure it’s going to be something more than I can expect.”

He was right about that. Most players only dream of receiving receptions like the one DeMar received Friday night. Those special receptions are reserved for special players and DeRozan was surely one of those for Toronto.

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It’s obvious DeRozan’s feelings for Toronto fans has never changed but, his feelings towards Raptors management surely did. DeRozan had the date Feb. 22, 2019 marked down for a night of vengeance and revenge. A night to make a statement that his former franchise made a mistake.

“It’ll definitely be a date circled on it, without a doubt,” said DeRozan.

In the first meeting against his former club on Jan. 3, when Toronto traveled to San Antonio, DeRozan came out with something to prove. He recorded his first career triple-double against his former club and led his new team to a dominant 125-107 win.

However, his stellar revenge performance in San Antonio along with some time to reflect on the trade may have been all he needed to move on.

As the popular saying goes, “Time heals all wounds.” DeRozan seems to agree, seven months after the trade that shook up the Eastern Conference took place.

So rather than an evening about vengeance and revenge, Friday’s game became a night filled with appreciation and gratitude.

“To come back and get a reception like that, it’s definitely humbling, beyond gratifying. I appreciate it,” said DeRozan after the emotional game.

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DeRozan was drafted by the Toronto Raptors ninth overall in 2009 and quickly became a fan favorite. Fast-forward seven years later, when it became time to for him to sign a new contract. There was public worry that he would leave Toronto for his hometown Lakers.

However, fans had no need to worry. They just needed to look at the word tattooed on DeRozan’s left hand for their answer. A tattoo of the word “loyalty.”

He had one meeting with one team. The Toronto Raptors. He signed an extension with the team in the 2016 off-season and as far as he new, he was going to be a Raptor for life.

“I am Toronto,” said DeRozan.

He was Toronto. He was the first raptor’s player to embrace the league’s only Canadian city as his home. Tracy McGrady left. Vince Carter left. Chris Bosh left. Not DeMar Derozan. The star-player from Compton made Toronto his home away from home. 

He is the franchise’s all-time leader in points, games played, victories and the list goes on. He was here for the franchises’ biggest moments; the 2016 All-Star game in Toronto, a franchise best 59-23 regular season record, the Raptor’s first ever conference final and many more.

DeRozan had plans to break every record the Raptors had to offer. However, things do not usually work the way it is foreseen.

The NBA is a cut-throat business, often unforgiving to its players. DeRozan was no exception as he finds himself beginning a new chapter of his career in a new city.

Regardless, DeRozan’s legacy in Toronto will forever remain.

DeMar DeRozan will never forget Toronto.

And surely, Toronto fans will never forget him.

Is DeMar DeRozan the greatest Toronto Raptor of all-time?

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CategoryNBA
TagsDeMar DeRozan nba Raptors San Antonio San Antonio Spurs toronto Toronto Raptors