Raptors' NBA championship trophy coming to Vancouver

It's been a bleak summer for Vancouver sports teams with the B.C. Lions, Vancouver Whitecaps and Vancouver Canadians all thoroughly entrenched in the cellars of their respective divisions.

But fear not, sports fans arespite to all the misery is on the horizon.

Next week, Toronto Raptors assistant coach and director of sports science Alex McKechnieis bringing the Larry O'Brien NBA championship trophy to the B.C. Sports Hall of Fame, where he will sign autographs and pose for photos.

McKechnie, who has deep roots in the Lower Mainland,was inducted into the hall last year in the "builder" category and wanted to bring some of the winning excitement back home.

"He was thinking of a place where others from Vancouver and B.C. could have their moment with this trophy that the Raptors won for Canada," said hall of famecurator Jason Beck.

"His ties to this area are obviously still very strong."

Beck said similar to the Stanley Cup, players and staff onthe NBA championship team all get a day with the trophy.

McKechnie laid the groundwork for his prestigious sports physiotherapy careerstartingin the 1970swith Simon Fraser University, before movingto the Whitecaps andCanucks.

The stable of dedicated athletes who sought out his expertise over the years include Shaquille O'Neal, Michelle Kwanand Steve Nash.

McKechnie spent 11 season with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he won his first five NBAchampionships. In 2011 he joinedthe Raptors.

The trophy and McKechnie will be at the B.C. Sports Hall of Fame Tuesday, July 23 from 10 a.m. to noon PT.