LeBron lauds Raptors fans: 'I've never been a part of something like this'

All postseason long, the Toronto Raptors' frenzied, die-hard supporters helped lift their team to heretofore unseen heights.

Even as the Raptors slogged through some ugly basketball in the early rounds, even as they tested the faith of their believers, the crowds showed out in a massive way - inside Air Canada Centre, in the always-packed square ("Jurassic Park") outside the arena, or descending on opposing cities with Canadian flags in hand.

And even after the Raptors were eliminated by the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday with a Game 6 blowout in the Eastern Conference finals, the fans stuck around to serenade their squad with ear-splitting chants. LeBron James, straining to hear ESPN's Doris Burke in his on-court postgame interview, had to give it up.

"Do you hear this?" he said. "Unbelievable respect, and much respect to these fans, to this country, this is unbelievable. I've never been a part of something like this in my 13-year career."

Cavs big man and Toronto native Tristan Thompson had his own kind words for his hometown faithful.

"Makes me proud to be Canadian to see all this support," he said.

The Raptors, in turn, gave their fans plenty to cheer about by making the final four for the first time in franchise history and losing just 12 times in 52 games in their own building.