Rival Watch: What U.S. media is saying about Raptors’ 15-game win streak

NBA insider Blake Murphy joins Lead Off to discuss what he's been most impressed by in following Raptors head coach Nick Nurse since his tenure began, says he appreciates him sticking to the coaching style that got him here.

The Toronto Raptors just can’t lose at the moment.

Winners of a franchise — and Canadian professional sports — record 15 straight games, the Raptors’ winning streak has been been a non-stop thrill ride for fans, and one that’s now stretched long enough for observers south of the border to take notice of.

Here’s a look at what some writers and commentators in the U.S. have had to say about Toronto’s remarkable run.

[snippet id=4725691]

Raptors run win streak to 15 to upstage D’Angelo Russell’s Wolves debut – ESPN

ESPN’s Tim Bontemps was in Toronto Monday night to witness the Raptors extend their streak to 15 games.

“But just when it looked like the Raptors might finally stumble, they ripped off a 24-7 run over the next six minutes to take a 132-113 lead with three minutes remaining and ensure that their winning streak would last until at least Wednesday in Brooklyn, Toronto’s final game before the All-Star break.”

Would Kawhi have a better title shot with the Raptors? Stephen A. says no – First Take

A question posed on popular ESPN talk show First Take asked if Kawhi Leonard would have a better chance at winning a title this season had he remained with the Raptors instead of bolting for the L.A. Clippers.

Max Kellerman was confident the Leonard would’ve been better off with the Raptors. Stephen A. Smith on the other hand…

“I’m still gonna go with Kawhi with the Clippers having a better shot of getting to the NBA Finals. I think one of the key things you have to look at when looking at the Eastern Conference is this: First of all, I think Milwaukee may have learned the error of their ways.

“Despite the fact that Toronto has won 15 straight, who are they still looking up to? It’s Milwaukee.”

[snippet id=4740307]

Final Thoughts On the NBA Trade Deadline And More Thoughts Around the League – Sports Illustrated

Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix heaped praise upon the Raptors in a notebook piece Tuesday, posing the question of “is there a more remarkable story this season than Toronto?”

“Toronto is one of the few teams that can match up physically with Milwaukee. And remember this: If the Raptors and Bucks do meet in the playoffs, all the pressure will be on Milwaukee.”

NBA Quick Hits – The Ryen Russillo Podcast

On the latest edition of The Ringer’s Ryen Russillo Podcast, host Russillo admits how surprised he is about this Raptors’ season and how impressed he is with them.

“Toronto’s been a really nice story… And the thing that I don’t like about national broadcasts sometimes — because this seems to always be a pattern — is that the thing is suggested, and then the national guy will be like ‘Well, that thing that everyone’s talking about isn’t accurate’ when in fact it’s almost always accurate. And the question of whether or not you would believe in the Raptors after losing arguably the second-best player in the NBA? At some point, Kawhi was being talked about as the best player in the NBA, and you lose him?

“And one broadcast this week was like, ‘Hey, did you still believe in them after they lost Kawhi Leonard? Should this be a surprise?’ And the analyst was like, ‘No, not at all, it shouldn’t be a surprise. I believed in ’em.’ And you’re like, ‘How could you possibly have believed in them that much after losing a guy like Kawhi?’

“None of us knew Siakam was going to be this much better. VanVleet is perfect in their set-up. I’d actually rather keep VanVleet around than Lowry just based on age. Terence Davis has been unbelievable, on top of Gasol who hasn’t even played through this whole thing — they can go with Ibaka. I feel like every single guy that comes in — Powell’s been hurt — but every guy that comes in for Toronto offers you something.”

[snippet id=3360195]

Kendrick Perkins Stans the Raptors, it would seem

Former NBA centre-turned-influential-NBA-commenter Kendrick Perkins has been on the Raptors bandwagon for a while and, like many many fans on Twitter, is soaking in the glory of this win streak.

[relatedlinks]

When submitting content, please abide by our submission guidelines, and avoid posting profanity, personal attacks or harassment. Should you violate our submissions guidelines, we reserve the right to remove your comments and block your account. Sportsnet reserves the right to close a story’s comment section at any time.