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We the North cover art

We the North

Written by: Doug Smith, Vince Carter - foreword
Narrated by: Matt Devlin, Kia Nurse
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Publisher's Summary

NATIONAL BESTSELLER

"Doug Smith always gets the first question in any Raptors press conference--as the dean of our press corps, he's been in the front row for every development over the past 25 years. There's no one better placed to write a history of our team's first quarter century."
--Nick Nurse, head coach, Toronto Raptors

Bringing Jurassic Park to your home, a celebration of Canada's most exciting team.

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.

More than two decades later, the Raptors are the heroes not only of the 416, but of the entire country. That is the incredible story of We 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 twenty-five chapters to mark the team's first twenty-five years, We the North celebrates the biggest moments--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 Raptors tells 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.

©2020 Doug Smith and Vince Carter (P)2020 Penguin Random House Canada

What the critics say

"Very rarely in the business of professional sports a coach and sports writer can become friends! Doug is that rare person, because of his integrity and his reputation for the truth, I didn't always agree with him. But I never thought or felt his opinions were personal. As a professional coach that's all you can ask for. Doug was that writer. I have the utmost respect for him as a writer and a man." (Sam Mitchell, former head coach, Toronto Raptors) 

"There’s no better person to write a book on the Raptors than Doug! He's seen the high and lows of the organization in every way! I look forward to reading this tremendous masterpiece!" (Damon Stoudamire, first Raptors draft pick) 

"Doug Smith always gets the first question in any Raptors press conference—as the dean of our press corps, he’s been in the front row for every development over the past 25 years. There’s no one better placed to write a history of our team’s first quarter century.” (Nick Nurse, head coach, Toronto Raptors)

What listeners say about We the North

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Dinosaurs Ruled The World Again

What an awesome journey - Doug takes us through the history of the Toronto Raptors from the idea of bringing an NBA team to Canada right up to our championship winning season.

The Raptors, and the Grizzlies, had a tough go that first season. It was as if the NBA wanted the teams to fail (one did). Hamstrung in the drafts, the front office had to bring in international players, NBA journeymen, and undrafted rookies.

But with a focus on player development, and multiple coaching and front office transitions, the Toronto Raptors earned an NBA championship. It took guts, a little luck, and us shipping away the face of the franchise, and reigning coach of the year.

This is a perfect gift for any Toronto sports fan. It's a tale of the people and their team.

Here's to another 25 Raps!!

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Raps Fan Must Read (Listen)

absolutely amazing and great history for new and old fans of the Toronto Raptors. To be narrated by Matt Devlin and Kia Nurse really brings it back to listening to the game.

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Enjoyable and Insightful Listen

A really enjoyable and insightful listen for Raptors fans and historians. It’s structured in a way that every chapter stands on its own, and you could read it or return to it in any order.

One refreshing perspective I didn’t expect was hearing the distaste the players have for the media in general. It made the author more relatable, and gave readers what felt like a real raw and honest glimpse into the business we do seldom see. Learning more about the coaches, particularly Casey, was another memorable highlight.

Overall, a great read. Kudos to Doug Smith for a great book, and Matt Devlin for an entertaining performance.

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EnRaptured!

Doug Smith has done a fantastic job retelling his stories and perspective of the signs and times of the Toronto Raptors! Perfect choice of narrators as they brought the book to life in a way only Matt Devlin and Kia Nurse could do! #WeTheNorth #MustReadRaptorFans

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  • 2020-12-23

Sam Alidoosti

It’s a great story, performed by voice of the Raptors himself, it can’t get any better

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Great look backlook back At 25 years

This is a fantastic perspective from someone who’s been there since day 1. If you’re a Raptors fan, this is a must read.

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Excellent

A great story and performance. Plenty of great info. A big fan, but now feel I know the Raptors even better.

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Solid summary of franchise to date

The ebbs and flows. He really didnt think Lenny Wilkins was that much of a coach. Has obvious soft spots for Vince Carter (who wrote forward), Dwane Casey, and DeMar DeRozan, but all beat reporters will have that.

Now Doug Smith needs to write the sequel - my 25 years working the beat seeing my entire industry change and transform!

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