There’s a familiar face sitting courtside for the Toronto Raptors‘ first playoff game against the Orlando Magic.
Longtime Raptor Jonas Valanciunas, who was traded from Toronto to the Memphis Grizzlies at this year’s deadline in exchange for Marc Gasol, made the trip to Toronto to show a little support for his old club.
Reports of lightning in the building.
Great to have you back, big fella! #WeTheNorth pic.twitter.com/EwVLoVANl5
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) April 13, 2019
“I want to support my guys. The guys have been my family for multiple years, we went through a lot of stuff together so it’s important for me to be here and support them and watch some basketball, too,” Valanciunas told Sportsnet’s Eric Smith.
A fan favourite over the course of his seven years with the Raptors, the warm reception he received upon entering showed he’s still very much beloved north of the border.
https://twitter.com/LindsayDunnTV/status/1117175073780056064
Clearly, the feeling is mutual.
“Fans have been great. Fans have been great all throughout my years I played here and they continue to support me,” Valanciunas told Smith. “You couldn’t ask for something else from the fans. Toronto fans are great.”
Valanciunas has shown nothing but class since being dealt from Toronto, from posting a heartfelt farewell to the franchise and its fans on Instagram in the days after the trade to giving Jeremy Lin his blessing in donning his old jersey number, No. 17.
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