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Who is the greatest commentator in Toronto Raptors history?

By Andrew Gula

TORONTO, CANADA - MAY 30: Commentators, Rod Black, Isiah Thomas, and Jack Armstrong, and Leo Rautins talk before Game One of the NBA Finals on May 30, 2019 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
TORONTO, CANADA - MAY 30: Commentators, Rod Black, Isiah Thomas, and Jack Armstrong, and Leo Rautins talk before Game One of the NBA Finals on May 30, 2019 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Toronto Raptors
Toronto Raptors – Leo Rautins (Photo credit should read FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images) /

4. Leo Rautins

Since the Toronto Raptors’ debut in 1995, Leo Rautins has served as a TV analyst and colour commentator. This comes on the heels of an outstanding college career at Syracuse and being selected 17th overall in the 1983 NBA Draft. From 1985 to 1992, he played with the Sixers and the Atlanta Hawks before finishing his career in the Italian, Spanish, and French professional leagues. Rautins has been named to both the Ontario Basketball Hall of Fame and the Canadian Hall of Fame.

So there’s definitely a lot of basketball pedigree, but how has the “Kid from Keele Street” fared as a broadcaster? It is a mixed bag. Rautins definitely has longevity and as a former player, he certainly knows the sport of basketball very well. While never going extremely in-depth like Jack Armstrong, he will occasionally provide interesting analysis of different plays and situations for viewers.

When it comes to having a distinctive voice, exuding positive energy and working well with his partners, this is where Rautins falls a little flat. From a fan perspective, people find him to be less than enthusiastic. He’s very professional, but almost to the point of being rigid and boring. Very rarely do you see him varying his voice to match the intensity and emotion of the game, which is disappointing. He doesn’t take many risks and sticks to his comfort zone.

This rigidness comes through in his partnerships with other broadcasters like Matt Devlin or Jack Armstrong. While generally successful, Rautins can be more pessimistic than his colleagues and his conversations can become stilted if he’s not teamed with the right person.