Not trying to sound cocky, but I think we got this.
According to a report via Kevin Nielsen of Sportsnet, the Toronto Raptors and the Cleveland Cavaliers are battling it out to see who will receive the honor of hosting the 2016 NBA All-Star Game.
The Toronto Raptors are one of six NBA franchises to never host an All-Star Game, but they may soon be crossed off that list.
The Raptors and Cleveland Cavaliers are the leading contenders to host the 2016 NBA All-Star Game, according to Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com.
The list of teams to have never hosted the NBA’s showcase weekend also includes the Brooklyn Nets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Memphis Grizzlies, Portland Trail Blazers and Sacramento Kings.
Many of the aforementioned cities may be a little small to host the weekend, as it requires thousands of hotel rooms to placate NBA staff, the media and the league’s many advertising partners.
I may be a little biased when it comes to the topic, but this shouldn’t even be a discussion. Toronto has never hosted an All-Star Game since they entered the league in 1995, and the city has all the resources and requirements needed to make the event a success.
Toronto is also popular city with the players, who usually have nothing but good things to say when visiting. I can also say with certainty, that the Toronto basketball fans will have the Air Canada Centre packed all weekend; if they show up to watch the Raptors, they’ll definitely show up for the All-Star Game.