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The 2019 NBA Finals, Told Through 12 Moments
We’ll remember the history that was made, we’ll remember the teams, we’ll remember the twists and turns, and we’ll remember these moments.
For the first time in four years, we got an NBA Finals that didn’t pit LeBron James against the Golden State Warriors. After years of playoff disappointment, the Toronto Raptors made a franchise-altering trade in the off-season, then finally broke through their playoff demons, earning the franchise’s first ever trip to the NBA Finals and the right to challenge the defending champion Warriors, who were without 2 x Finals MVP Kevin Durant.
Drake At The NBA Finals
For years, ESPN Senior Writer Zach Lowe has referred to the Toronto Raptors as the Toronto Drakes. It was tongue-in-cheek, but this year’s playoffs, particularly during the Eastern Conference Finals against the Milwaukee Bucks, saw Drake become a pseudo-mascot for the Raptors. Where broadcasts would traditionally cut to the team mascot after a game-changing shot or rim-rocking dunk, they instead showed Drake in (front of) his courtside seat, going through his emotions, jumping up and down, hooting and hollering.
He caused a stir during the Conference Finals when he gave Raptors Head Coach Nick…
