The Raptors are flying high at 5-0, tying their best start in franchise history as they get set to host the Dallas Mavericks on Friday night.
The off-season addition of Kawhi Leonard has made the more dynamic on both ends of the floor, and also more interesting off of it.
The schedule maker foresaw this by giving Toronto 27 national T.V. game in the States — the most they've had since the Vince Carter era.
Here in Canada, the Kawhi effect has also seen the television rating rise. According to TSN's Josh Lewenberg, TSN's ratings are up 67% over the first three games of the season compared to the first three aired last season.
The team's home opener against Tristan Thompson and the Cleveland Cavaliers was the most-watched Raptors' regular season game, drawing 528,000 to their television sets to see Leonard's debut game.
It's a huge accomplishment considering the Cavs no longer have the biggest box office star in the league in LeBron James. It's clear that fans tuned in to see the Raptors and they've continued to do so over the last three games on the network.
Friday night's game against the Mavs on Sportsnet ONE sets up for another big TV number with the Raptors looking to stay unbeaten and only four NHL games featuring just two Canadian clubs.
In a league driven by stars, Kawhi has certainly proven his worth so far both on and off the floor.
