{"id":46411,"date":"2022-03-20T08:00:29","date_gmt":"2022-03-20T12:00:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=46411"},"modified":"2022-03-20T10:55:33","modified_gmt":"2022-03-20T14:55:33","slug":"toronto-raptors-contenders-or-pretenders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2022\/03\/20\/toronto-raptors-contenders-or-pretenders\/","title":{"rendered":"Toronto Raptors – Contenders or Pretenders?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Today I will bring your attention to the Toronto Raptors as we\u00a0continue the series of articles on Last Word on Basketball<\/strong><\/a> detailing the playoff prospects of each team still in contention for an NBA Championship in 2022.<\/p>\n

Toronto Raptors – Contenders or Pretenders?<\/h2>\n

The first thing I would like to remind everyone is it was less than three years ago the Toronto Raptors won their first NBA Championship upsetting both the Milwaukee Bucks and Golden State Warriors. \u00a0Can we quickly make a list of teams without any Championships in their franchise history: Phoenix <\/strong>Suns, Utah Jazz, Memphis Grizzlies, Denver Nuggets, LA Clippers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte Hornets, New Orleans Pelicans, Indiana Pacers, and Orlando Magic.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Toronto Raptors Strength: Playoff Experience<\/h3>\n

How many members of that championship team are still with the club? \u00a0You have to start with head coach Nick Nurse<\/strong><\/a> who was masterful that season with his game planning and matchups.<\/p>\n

Next of course, is Pascal Siakam<\/strong><\/a> who was a vital piece of that championship team. \u00a0Interestingly if you look at his numbers for this season, they are better in every major category relative to three years ago. \u00a0Now he is asked to lead this team with his veteran experience. \u00a0A strong argument could be made that he should have been an All-star this year. He should at least be considered a current top 25 NBA player.<\/p>\n

What is a playoff contender without an All-Star guard? Check, enter Fred VanVleet<\/strong><\/a> fresh off his first appearance in the annual classic. \u00a0Fred has been asked to replace the production and leadership of the ghost that shall be only named ‘Kyle’. \u00a0He has done an admirable job at doing just that.<\/p>\n

Toronto Raptors Strength: Youth<\/h3>\n

The biggest part of that championship team was, of course,\u00a0Kawhi Leonard<\/strong><\/a>. \u00a0The Raptors counter this season with rookie Scottie Barnes<\/strong><\/a>. \u00a0A rookie will never replace what Kawhi did that season. \u00a0But Scottie has been solid all season and he seems to be improving every night. \u00a0He should not be left out of the rookie of the year consideration and still has a chance to win that award with just a couple of big performances down the stretch.<\/p>\n

Two more players round out the Raptor starting rotation with Gary Trent Jr<\/strong><\/a> and OG Anunoby<\/a>. \u00a0<\/strong>What a steal Toronto pulled off prying Trent out of from Portland for Norman Powell<\/strong><\/a>. \u00a0Gary has fit into the Raptors’ system perfectly with his clutch 3 Point shooting and good defence. \u00a0OG is another solid starter for the Raptors and is best known for his hustle and defensive skills.<\/p>\n

Raptors Strength: Momentum<\/h3>\n

The Raptors started the season just 14-17 after a slow start and were hit hard during quarantine season. \u00a0Since then, they are 25-13 (.658) and currently boast a five-game road winning streak. \u00a0They caught the Cavaliers for the sixth and final guaranteed playoff spot who hold identical 39-30 records. \u00a0I expect Toronto to finish in the top six ahead of Cleveland and they may even run down the Bulls if they don’t regain their early season form.<\/p>\n

Raptors Strength: Road Warriors<\/h3>\n

The Raptors played most of their season without any fans and their home record is an unremarkable 17-16. \u00a0But let’s make a list of quality road wins Toronto has pulled off this already season. \u00a0They have road wins in Boston, Philadelphia, Memphis, Milwaukee, Miami, Minnesota, Brooklyn, Phoenix, Denver, and LA Clippers. That is a list of 10 of the 15 other teams currently in playoff spots. \u00a0The season is not yet over so they can still add Cleveland and Chicago to that list as well.<\/p>\n

Raptors Strength: Hustle Plays<\/h3>\n

The Raptors are near the top of the NBA in three major team stats. \u00a0They are second in offensive rebounds, third in steals, and fourth in turnovers. \u00a0These key stats are often overlooked by casual viewers and set an identity for their style of play. \u00a0They are well-coached and gritty. \u00a0There are no easy games against the Raptors and if you have any mental lapses, they will punish you with hustle.<\/p>\n

Raptors Weakness: Lack of a true center<\/h3>\n

The Raptors do not have a dominant center to match up against other big men like Joel Embiid<\/a>, Bam Adebayo<\/a>, or Giannis Antetokounmpo<\/a>. \u00a0Their five-spot was mostly filled by committee this season. \u00a0Officially Siakam is the starting center most nights, but several other players have spent time in this role as well. \u00a0Toronto counters with their positionless basketball scheme and their lineup are ideally suited to make those rotations fluidly. \u00a0This may be less of a team weakness as it is their team identity.<\/p>\n

Raptors Weakness: Bench Depth<\/h3>\n

This is where this team breaks down a bit. \u00a0But lack of bench depth is a bigger concern in the regular season when starters often miss long stretches of games and backups get more playing time. \u00a0In the playoffs, the benches shorten and teams 9-12 bench players usually get little or no action. \u00a0Coach Nurse has already shown his willingness to play his starter’s big minutes and they have responded well showing little signs of fatigue, so far.<\/p>\n

Chris Boucher<\/strong><\/a> and Precious Achiuwa<\/strong><\/a> are both solid centers\/forwards that fit the Raptor scheme well. \u00a0But Toronto lacks a quality third option at guard. \u00a0This could be a problem as it will force VanVleet and Trent to each play 40+ minutes per game. \u00a0This leaves the Raptors with essentially a seven-man rotation and no other players are likely to see any significant playing time in the playoffs.<\/p>\n

If the Raptors expect to be contenders this year they must stay healthy through the playoffs. \u00a0A season-ending injury for any of their starting five would be devastating. \u00a0With each of them playing big minutes, it almost seems likely that eventually one of them will falter. \u00a0VanVleet missed a few games recently with a sore knee but is soldiering on. \u00a0Anunoby is out with a broken finger but is expected to return before the playoffs. \u00a0Raptors fans can only pray that lightning does not strike down their team’s hopes for glory.<\/p>\n

Contender or Pretender?<\/h3>\n

The Raptors are serious Championship contenders this season, but there needs to be an asterisk beside this statement. \u00a0As good as there are, a single sprained ankle could derail this team’s potential and send them home in just five or six games against a deeper team. \u00a0The eastern conference is packed tight this season and there is very little separating the one through eight seeds. \u00a0Something as small as a favourable bounce on a buzzer-beater like the one Kawhi hit in Game 7 against the Philadelphia 76ers, could be the difference between glory and defeat.<\/p>\n

My Prediction<\/h3>\n

I can see the Raptors pulling off a first-round upset against a team higher in the standings followed by a game seven loss in the second round. \u00a0The Toronto Raptors are a team on the rise, however, and another finals appearance may be only one more year away.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

You can follow more of my NBA writings on my Daily Picks<\/b><\/a> page or right here on Last Word on Basketball<\/b><\/a>. \u00a0Sign up for my Newsletter<\/b><\/a> to get off of pick Best Best delivered directly to your inbox. You can also find me on Twitter<\/b><\/a> to stay up to date on all my latest blogs and helpful tips to grow your bankroll.<\/p>\n

Main Photo:
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>