DeMar DeRozan returned to Canada on Friday night to play his first game in Toronto since his messy trade from the team last July, and fans gave the former Raptors star a heartfelt welcome.
DeRozan was blindsided by a trade to San Antonio last summer and was both heartbroken by the news and upset over the way the Raptors handled the situation.
“I mean, when you use the word ‘family,’ ‘brother’ or whatever, things other people use lightly … for me, once you use that term, I stick by that term. I stand by that term. So whether it’s something I like or don’t like, I’m going to accept it if you come to me and let me know beforehand … I felt like I wasn’t treated with what I sacrificed for nine years, with the respect that I thought I deserved. By just giving me the say so of letting me know something’s going on or it’s a chance. That’s all I wanted.”
Prior to his first appearance in Scotiabank Arena as a member of the Spurs, DeRozan said “there’s no replacing Toronto.” When he was announced before the game on Friday, fans reciprocated the love by giving DeRozan a standing ovation.
DeRozan drew cheers from the crowd when he converted an and-1 opportunity in the first quarter.
Fans brought signs and wore DeRozan Spurs jerseys to show support.
