The lone NBA team in Canada is ready to roll for the new season. The Toronto Raptors Media Day 2013 opened Monday as new faces were introduced to the press and fans as well as the returning players who will again be part of the core of the team which hopes to challenge for a playoff spot this year.

The bigger news was probably the official announcement from the league office that Toronto will play hosts to the NBA All Star Weekend in February 2016.

READ ALSO: Hello, Canada! The NBA All Star Weekend is Coming to Toronto in 2016

While the big event is still more than two years away, the current crop of Raptors showed they were excited with the new season as well.

Expected to lead the Raps this year are wingmen Rudy Gay and DeMar Derozan; point guard Kyle Lowry and second year center Jonas Valanciunas and veteran big man Amir Johnson.

New acquisitions Tyler Hansbrough, Landry Fields and Steve Novak are all pegged to be key players off the bench for Toronto.

View the slide show for more Raps images on media day.

Take a look at other teams’ media day pictures as well.

Los Angeles Lakers Media Day 2013 [PHOTOS]
Miami Heat Media Day 2013 [PHOTOS]

Los Angeles