We the North

When the Toronto Raptors first took the court back in 1995, the world was a very different place. Michael Jordan was tearing up the NBA. No one had email. And a lot of people wondered whether basketball could survive in Toronto, the holy city of hockey.

Twenty-five years later, the Raptors are the heroes not only of the 416, but of the entire country. That is the incredible story ofWe the North, told by Doug Smith, the Toronto Star reporter who has been covering the team since the press conference announcing Canada's new franchise and the team's beat reporter from that day on.

Comprising 25chapters to mark the team's 25years,We the Northcelebrates the biggest moments of the quarter-century from Vince Carter's amazing display at the dunk competition to the play-off runs, the major trades, the Raptors' incredible fans, including Nav Bhatia and Drake, and, of course,the challenges that marked the route to the championship-clinching Game 6 that brought the whole country to a standstill.

We the North: 25 Years of the Toronto Raptorstells the story of Canada's most exciting team, charting their rise from a sporting oddity in a hockey-mad country to the status they hold today as the reigning NBA champions and national heroes. (From Viking)

• NBA reporter Doug Smith writing book about Toronto Raptors as team turns 25
• How Toronto Raptors clawed their way to an NBA title
• Started from the bottom: Doug Smith began writing about the Raptors in 1995
• From 25 years ago: The birth of the Toronto Raptors (as a logo)
• How the 2019 NBA champion Toronto Raptors were built
• 47 works of Canadian nonfiction coming out in fall 2020
• 10 books to get the sports fan this holiday season

More about the Toronto Raptors

Raptors Panel: Relive 'The Shot' by Kawhi Leonard

5 years ago

Duration 22:45

CBC Sports' Andi Petrillo hosts a panel discussion including Doug Smith, Devin Heroux, Mark Blinch, William Lou, Ashley Docking and Seerat Sohi, to talk about Kawhi Leonard's buzzer beater against the 76ers and the impact that had on Canadian basketball fans.

The National: Vince Carter retires after 22 seasons

4 years ago

Duration 2:42

After playing for a record 22 seasons, 43-year-old Vince Carter, who launched his career with the Raptors, announced his retirement, leaving behind a complicated legacy in Toronto.

Raptors look to defend NBA title, focus on social issues

4 years ago

Duration 1:47

The NBA returns to the court after a four-month absence and while the Toronto Raptors aim to defend their championship title, players are also shining a light on social injustice.

The Toronto Raptors are born

31 years ago

Duration 2:54

Toronto's NBA franchise unveils the team name and colours.