What should have been a dream moment for one young basketball fan turned into an awkward controversy Monday night at Scotiabank Arena.
Before tip-off between the Toronto Raptors and Golden State Warriors, the child was invited onto the court for a pregame competition. Dressed proudly in a Steph Curry jersey and Warriors hat, he was ready for his big moment — until staff intervened.
To the surprise of fans and viewers alike, the youngster was asked to remove his Curry gear and replace it with a red Raptors T-shirt. Cameras caught him reluctantly pulling off his jersey and hat, his smile fading as he slipped on the replacement shirt.
The reaction from the broadcast booth was immediate and scathing.
“Pregame, something happened that just isn’t right,” said Warriors announcer Bob Fitzgerald, with analyst Kelenna Azubuike adding, “They’ve ruined his night.”
Instead of making a memory, the team’s decision left the child visibly deflated — and commentators furious at what they saw as an unnecessary show of team loyalty enforcement.
To make matters worse for Golden State, the Warriors failed to deliver a win for the fan who had been made to swap jerseys, falling 104–101 to the Raptors, who notched just their ninth victory of the season.
Now, many are hoping the Warriors step up to turn things around for the young supporter when they next travel north of the border. After all, basketball is about passion, fandom, and fun — and sometimes, a kid’s jersey means more than a team’s marketing moment.
From : Toronto Raptors shirts
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