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What the U.S. Media is saying about the Toronto Raptors

By Andrew Fulton

TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 24: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors dribbles the ball as Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves defends during the second half of an NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on October 24, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 24: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors dribbles the ball as Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves defends during the second half of an NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on October 24, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /
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Wonder how the U.S. media is portraying the Toronto Raptors? Don’t worry. We’ve compiled some of the best stories from the past week to examine how the Raptors are being talked about.

This week was a tough one for the Toronto Raptors losing three games out of four, failing to finish in crunch time more than once. The most successful coach in franchise history returned to a warm welcome and a buzzer-beater victory. We look at an interview Casey gave to the Detroit Free Press discussing his feelings about Toronto.

We highlight a couple of pieces on Kawhi Leonard. One examining the roots of the Kawhi drama in San Antonio and how there may be hope for a Toronto re-sign and the other on how players (like Kawhi and Jimmy Butler) are taking control of their futures by holding out or demanding trades, thus perhaps changing the landscape in the NBA.

We also look at last week’s Power Rankings where the Raps are near the top of the league from both ESPN and the Bleacher Report.

Local

Detroit Free Press – Dwane Casey opens up about his time in Toronto and how he feels returning to the city he raised a family and an NBA program in.  He declares his excitement to be with a new organization and city and how he aims to build Detroit into a power just like he helped to do in The Six. He also gives his thoughts on the DeRozan-Leonard trade:

"“I love DeMar DeRozan, let me start out with that, but when you have an All-Pro player, All-Defensive MVP player, Finals MVP, and not only that you add Danny Green who was a starter on a championship team, that’s two pretty good players.”"

National

ESPN – The fantastic Zach Lowe, in his weekly piece “Ten things I Like and Don’t Like“, discusses the great season Kyle Lowry is having.  “Lowry might be in the midst of his best season,” Lowe states. “He leads the league in assists. He is spoon-feeding Serge Ibaka… and is always on the lookout for Pascal Siakam in flight.”

He breaks down Kyle Lowry’s offense and asks, “what is his “signature” move?” He also gives praise to the 2018/19 Raptors: “Toronto is deep, nasty, and smart — a delight to watch.”

The Bleacher Report – The San Antonio Spurs Mafia? Is that a thing? According to many in the know, yes it is. And it may be the reason Kawhi Leonard not only left the Spurs but why he may eventually decide to stay with the Raptors. Bucher interviews players and execs to get their vibe on what Kawhi does next.

"“Maybe now that he’s with a new organization, he wants to make a statement to the rest of the NBA. It’s all about how you fit with an organization, and right now he looks like he fits better with Toronto than he did in San Antonio.”"

Check out this interesting, detailed and well-written piece by Ric Bucher on how Kawhi is adjusting to Toronto and how his team is adjusting to him.

ESPN – Brian Windhorst breaks down the new “holdout and trade demand” NBA landscape, focusing primarily on the Jimmy Butler, Kyrie Irving, Paul George and, yes, Kawhi Leonard moves in the past year or so.

Power Rankings

ESPN didn’t think the Raptors bad week was cause to drop them in the Rankings from Week Four. They continue to have the Raptors at Number One (released Monday) despite three losses last week. Kevin Arnovitz looks ahead to a “get well week” as “road dates at Orlando and Atlanta, followed by home games versus Washington and Miami…” makes life a bit easier for the Raptors.

Next. Raptors Roundup: Highlights and stories from week five. dark

Sports Illustrated had the Raptors at the top spot last week but evidently thought the three-game skid was more damaging than ESPN dropping them to Number Two this week (released Monday).

"“Beating the Bulls by 39 points doesn’t mean Toronto’s three-game losing streak to start the week doesn’t matter, it just means they already moved past it.”"

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