The Titanic Atlantic Division is still an absolute mess right now, but the Toronto Raptors seem to be figuring out what it takes to be a successful NBA team. The Raps are also eschewing the negative tanking label that came when they dealt Rudy Gay among others to Sacramento in a seven-player trade. Ever since the Raptors lost Gay, the team has been 9-3 with a current four-game winning streak having them rolling.
DeMar DeRozan has been a big part of Toronto's great stretch. In tonight's 95-82 victory against the Indiana Pacers, DeRozan was able to put up 26 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals all while wearing the Nike Kobe 8 System. What's amazing, is that the Raptors streak has featured some great win over impressive opponents such as Dallas, Oklahoma City, and Indiana tonight. Can they keep it up? Only time will tell, but with the hot mess that Brooklyn, and New York are in, it wouldn't be too shocking to see Toronto at the top of the Division by the end of the year.
DeRozan has spent most of the season in the Kobe 8 System and it's done wonders for the ever-improving guard from the West Coast. The Kobe 8 System is the lightest (at 9.6 oz.) of all of the first eight Kobe signature shoes. Underneath the intimidating snakeskin silhouette is a seemingly endless list of performance tech, including a full length Lunarlon midsole, a Phylon Carrier, and a 3D Anatomical Heel Counter—combining to make a thoroughly impressive sneaker. The best element of the shoe, though, has to be the multi-directional traction outsole made from 1 MM web rubber. After all, what’s a basketball shoe without grip.
Rafael Canton is a freelance writer from Queens, NY and contributor to Sneaker Report. Anytime there is a conversation about the NBA, music, or nutella, he can be found in the thick of the discussion. He can be found on Twitter @RafelitoC7.
RELATED: The 25 Best Basketball Sneakers from the Past 5 Years
