Kyle Lowry shares a great bond with the Toronto Raptors as he played with them during his formative years in the NBA. After featuring for the Memphis Grizzlies and the Houston Rockets, Lowry spent eight years with the Raptors. He was part of two sensational teams which were led by DeMar DeRozan and Kawhi Leonard.
He, along with Leonard helped the Raptors win the NBA Championships during the 2018-19 season. However, with Leonard moving away, the Raptors started to struggle and later, Lowry also parted ways with the franchise.
Lowry, who now is with the Miami Heat has made it clear in several interactions that he would like to retire as a Raptor. Leading up to Miami’s clash against the Raptors in Toronto, Lowry opened up once again on his desire to retire as a Raptor.
“I’m definitely retiring as a Raptor,” Lowry said. “That’s something I’ve said since I left here. I will sign that day contract and I will retire as a Toronto Raptor. That’s just how it’s going to be. Unless I die before that.” [via reporter Aaron Rose].
In today’s NBA, fans often develop animosity towards players who are leaving their teams at a time of distress. For example, when LeBron James left the Cleveland Cavaliers or when Kevin Durant left the OKC Thunder, fans weren’t too happy with them and there was negativity all over.
However, with Lowry, things are very different in Toronto. He is considered a fan favourite at the Scotiabank Arena. The fans love him for his contribution towards the franchise and also for his kind demeanour.
They value his efforts in helping the Raptors raise their first banner. So returning to the franchise and playing for them in the last few years of his career in the NBA shouldn’t be an issue for the point guard.
“I missed everything about the city, the country, the organization,” Lowry said via NBA.com. “It’s a lot to miss. It’s a place I called home for a long time. I won a lot of basketball games here, set a lot of records here. I’ve got a banner hanging up in there. It’s just a special place.”
Lowry is always showered with a lot of love whenever he steps foot in the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, even when he has featured for other franchises.
