Drake is going viral for his latest display of hometown affection. The Toronto Raptors’ global ambassador unleashed his excitement behind the NBA team’s Game 5 win (May 23), and gave an impassioned post-game speech ahead of Saturday’s match-up against the Milwaukee Bucks.
“We have the best player, we have the best fans in the whole NBA, in the whole world,” Drake said. “Look around you, look at this. We created this. This didn’t exist before we were here. Look around at the square. I promise you right now, we did this. Doesn’t matter what anybody says. They can say it’s disrespectful, they can say it’s this and that; everybody’s within the rules, everybody’s doing their thing. All we are is proud and passionate. We are like a college sports team. The Toronto Raptors are a college sports team, I promise you. I love Toronto, I love this team and we’re going to the NBA Finals.”
The Views rapper’s passionate display arrives days after sports commentators and viewers discussed his court-side actions. Even ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith dissected Drizzy’s fandom and highlighted other celebrities’ gestures on the court.
On Thursday evening, the Raptors defeated the Bucks 105-99 to advance to a 3-2 Eastern Conference Finals standing. The win arrives after a double overtime matchup during Game 4. The Raptors will have home court advantage on Saturday (May 25). The team to reach four wins first will face-off against the reigning champions, the Golden State Warriors, who defeated the Houston Rockets within a six-game series.
After “weathering the storm,” Raptors’ small forward Kawhi Leonard said he’s looking forward to the series’ continuation. “We’re taking it one game at a time and I’m just excited we got the win tonight,” he said.
“I love Toronto, I love this team and we’re going to the NBA Finals.”
—Drake after Game 5
(via @WISN12News)pic.twitter.com/2YjKIeKjQk
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 24, 2019
“We play in an American league and I promise you a Canadian team is going to the NBA Finals.”
Drake spoke to the fans in Toronto after the Game 5 win. (via @turcottespencer) pic.twitter.com/w1hayO65pl
— ESPN (@espn) May 24, 2019
