Raptors are actually pretty popular

[stooley]

didn't know where to put this, so:

http://fivethirtyeight.com/datalab/t...n-pro-leagues/



that's based on searches since 2004. Raptors fall firmly in top half of the league

cavs are in there because of LBJ. Pistons were peaking in 2004, so their numbers may be skewed compared to less inclusive analyses.

lakers are far less popular than the heat this year, but a decade of wild success will prop you up

its worth noting that the rankings seem pretty accurate for other sports as well

[Jclaw]

I think we may have ourselves to thank for that. Google doesn't see borders so it doesn't matter that we're not watching espn. The raps have been mentioned to have a rapid and internet focused fan base.

[mcHAPPY]

I forget where I read it but raps are actually #1 nba team in terms of interests/hits/views outside of North America.

I wish I remembered where I read that.

[Bendit]

I am surprised about the Cavaliers & the Pistons. Assume some of the hits may be attributed to from when LBJ was there and the after glow of the Pistons last championship.

For those who may not know, the 538 site/blog used to be affiliated with the NY Times and run/owned by Nate Silver whose claim to fame lately was predicting most accurately how and where (states) OBama was going to win in his elections...his statistical evaluation/polling is legendary.

[yabadabayolo]

I forget where I read it but raps are actually #1 nba team in terms of interests/hits/views outside of North America.

I wish I remembered where I read that.

dont need a source bro, we all beleib you, raptors have canada

[007]

dont need a source bro, we all beleib you, raptors have canada

Is that photo what Demar is looking at in your avatar?

[Ambidextrious]

Go Raps!!!

[yabadabayolo]

Is that photo what Demar is looking at in your avatar?

im pretty sure thats what we are all looking at in all of our avatars

[rocwell]

dont need a source bro, we all beleib you, raptors have canada

Never post this punk ass picture here again. This should be forbidden, unless he teams up with Rob Ford!

[slaw]

There's a long history of this. If you were around in the 90s you will understand. Internet was the only way to get Raptors news in Canada, so we built up a strong online presence.

[GameBreaker]

We were/are still considered an "unknown" basically because of our geographical location, false image of a taxing city, cold city, etc., so the unknown always peaks curiosity in people. So, it feels good to know that the team everyone, including some in the front office, didn't think would make any noise, much less playoffs. I welcome that curiosity, so that viewers can get a real feel of our franchise and culture. Go Raps!!!!!!!!!!

[stooley]

We were/are still considered an "unknown" basically because of our geographical location, false image of a taxing city, cold city, etc., so the unknown always peaks curiosity in people. So, it feels good to know that the team everyone, including some in the front office, didn't think would make any noise, much less playoffs. I welcome that curiosity, so that viewers can get a real feel of our franchise and culture. Go Raps!!!!!!!!!!

I think the perception that we are a small market derives from our location - but not because people necessarily don't like Toronto.

It's because most of our fanbase is situated outside of the US, so american cable networks/websites don't have much incentive to follow us. But playing for the raptors obviously provides opportunities to market yourself elsewhere instead!

[iblastoff]

I forget where I read it but raps are actually #1 nba team in terms of interests/hits/views outside of North America.

I wish I remembered where I read that.

id like to see this. i find it hard to believe that any team could beat the lakers in terms of international interest, especially the raptors.

[OldSkoolCool]

Houston definitely beat the Lakers when they had Ming

[OtisDonks]

This actually doesn't surprise me at all. Raptors have some fans in the U.K As well