Last season, the Toronto Raptors seemingly looked to have turned a corner, winning a franchise-record 59 games and finishing atop the Eastern Conference. However, the Raptors would fall to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Playoffs for the third consecutive year. Despite a successful regular season, the Raptors once again failed to advance in the playoffs and live up to expectations. This prompted Raptors President Masai Ujiri to make bold moves that caught the attention of the entire NBA world.
Countdown to NBA Tip-Off: Toronto Raptors Season Preview
What Worked Last Season
For the Toronto Raptors, their biggest strength last year was the shift from an iso-dominated offensive gameplan to a free-flowing team game. Led by the all-star pairing of Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan, the Raptors showed what can be accomplished when you keep the same core and establish chemistry. The emergence of the “Bench Mob” consisting of NBA Sixth Man of the Year candidate Fred VanVleet, Delon Wright, Pascal Siakam, Jakob Poeltl, C.J. Miles, Norman Powell, and Lucas Nogueira would be a key contributor of the Raptors most successful season in franchise history.
Worth noting was the tremendous improvements shown by versatile forward Pascal Siakam. Siakam’s role over the course of the NBA season grew considerably as he showed a versatility on defense to guard multiple positions as well as a quick first step and an ability to finish at the rim. Siakam’s development heading in the new season will definitely draw interest.
What Needs Improvement
It’s no secret the Raptors will be under a microscope this season. With changes at the top in terms of star players and the coaching staff, the Raptors will, unfortunately, have to rebuild that team chemistry that made them tremendously successful last season. While the Bench Mob will have gained one more year of experience, players such as Delon Wright and Fred VanVleet must continue to improve if they have aspirations of one day being the team’s long-term starters.
In the case of Delon Wright, it could be argued he could be the Raptors day-one starter at the shooting guard. The 26-year-old combo-guard saw career-highs in points, rebounds, assists, field goal percentage and minutes played. The opportunity for Wright to be a starter will come during a contract year. With DeRozan in Texas, he will be competing against veteran Danny Green for the role.
For the Toronto Raptors marquee big men, Serge Ibaka and Jonas Valanciunas will both need to add to their games. The NBA’s shift to fast-paced small-ball has threatened the traditional big’s place in the league. Ibaka is significantly needed to be more of a defensive-minded player rather than a streaky outside shooter.
For Valanciunas, who had his name linked to Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond in trade talks, must continue to make strides in his game. More specifically his outside shooting game. Last year, the 7’0 center attempted 74 three-pointers; a substantial jump from the previous year with only two attempts.
If this is going to be an element of Valanciunas’ game, it needs to be consistent.
Off-Season Changes
As alluded to in the introduction, Raptors President Masai Ujiri and the front office made two significant changes to the team during the offseason.
The first major move was the dismissal of long-time head coach Dwane Casey. This decision came with controversy considering Casey’s tenure with the team. The Raptors’ regular season success and Casey ultimately winning the NBA Coach of the Year award confused many casual spectators. After an extensive search, the Raptors eventually promoted Nick Nurse to be the new coach of the team.
In the history of the NBA, how many teams have been able to trade away their best and get better? In a blockbuster trade that shook the NBA world, the Raptors would trade franchise cornerstone DeMar DeRozan and Jakob Poeltl to the San Antonio Spurs for Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green.
By adding Danny Green and Kawhi Leonard, the Toronto Raptors have, on-paper, improved both offensively and defensively. Leonard, a former finals MVP and two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, is considered by many to be a top-five talent and among the best two-way players in the NBA.
Outside of the questions surrounding the future plans of potential free agent Kawhi Leonard, the Raptors have improved dramatically this offseason. Even replacing Poeltl by signing big man Greg Monroe to a one-year contract.
It would be hard to argue this offseason was anything other than a massive win for Toronto.
2018-19 Season Prediction
Assuming the Raptors avoid injuries and the Leonard saga does not degenerate, they are not a team to take lightly. Also to consider are the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers and their immense talent. However, the Raptors have in their possession the best individual player in the Eastern Conference in Leonard.
Expect to see a hungry and highly-motivated Kyle Lowry take the reigns as the team’s de facto leader and Leonard return to high-level form. The team, especially Valanciunas, will have a fresh direction from the change in coaching.
Heading into the new season, the Raptors will enter with a new attitude. In a three-horse race, look for the Toronto Raptors to finish atop the conference. With a motivated Leonard and a well-balanced roster, the Raptors will once again set a franchise record for wins by finishing with a record of 60-22.
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