On October 22, 2022, the Toronto Raptors, a professional basketball team, began their season with an earlier than usual start time, at 12:30 pm. This change has affected not only the team but also its fans, who are adjusting to the new schedule. According to Raptors’ Head Coach, Nick Nurse, “It’s definitely been an adjustment, but our guys have been doing a great job of being ready to go.” The team is playing at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Canada.
The earlier start time has impacted the team’s daily routine, with players waking up earlier and having less time for shootaround and warm-up exercises. “What followed was unexpected,” said Raptors’ point guard, Fred VanVleet, in an interview, describing how he has had to alter his pre-game routine, which includes arriving at the arena earlier than before. As a result, the team has had to find ways to stay focused and energized throughout the games.
“We’ve had to adjust our warm-up, our shootaround, and our pre-game meal,” said Nurse. “It’s been a challenge, but our guys are adapting well.”
The team’s performance so far has shown that they are slowly getting used to the new start time, with a 4-2 win-loss record in their first six games. The Raptors have been working on their team chemistry and finding ways to stay energized, including having an earlier team breakfast and more stretching exercises before the games.
The earlier start time has also affected the fans, who have to adjust their schedules to attend the games. “It’s definitely different,” said Raptors’ fan, Rachel Lee, who attended the game on October 25. “But we’re making it work. We’re just getting here earlier, and the atmosphere is still great.” The fans have been showing up to the games in large numbers, with an average attendance of over 18,000 per game.
The Raptors’ organization has also made adjustments to accommodate the earlier start time, including opening the arena earlier and providing more food and beverage options for the fans. “We want to make sure our fans have a great experience, regardless of the start time,” said Raptors’ President, Masai Ujiri. The team has seen an increase in ticket sales, with a 10% rise in revenue compared to the same period last year.
As the season progresses, the Raptors will continue to adjust to the earlier start time, and their performance will be closely watched by their fans and the media. With their next game scheduled for November 1, the team will look to maintain their winning record and find ways to stay energized and focused. What happens next will be important to watch, as the team navigates this new schedule and its effects on their performance.