Courtesy: Bleacher Report
The Toronto Raptors have been one of the most pleasant surprises this NBA season. The team is currently in third place in the Eastern Conference and 8-2 in their last 10 games. With the postseason just around the corner, Toronto is looking like a strong underdog in the East. The team is also exciting to watch for the first time since the Vince Carter brought ‘Vinsanity’ north of the border.
Starting PG Kyle Lowry has had a great season for Toronto. He has been an outstanding performer, averaging 17.6 points, 7.6 assists and 4.8 rebounds per game. He recently set the club record for most three’s in a season. Lowry will definitely be one of Toronto’s x-factors this postseason. Head coach Dwane Casey has put all his confidence in Lowry, which had contributed to Lowry’s new leadership. He has shown great development and makes smart decisions, which is why he is ranked seventh in assist-to-turnover ratio. To any competition, Lowry should be seen as a huge threat offensively. His performance will determine the performance of the Raptors all together.
Along side Lowry, DeMar Derozan has been a true leader in Toronto. He has had a great season averaging 22.7 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game. Derozan’s performance this season should make him a very serious contender for this year’s Most Improved Award. Derozan and Lowry together make for one of the best backcourts in the East. The duo also makes the Raptors a serious threat. These two together as legitimate All-Stars and will be hard to contain.
Toronto has played sound basketball because everyone on the team knows their roles, from the starters to the bench. Everyone of this team seems contempt with playing in their role, and everyone always seems ready when the team calls their number. Greivis Vasquez, a former starter in the NBA, has been very consistent coming off the bench and contributing in Toronto. He’s a great asset for Toronto to have and can start if needed. Another great bench asset is Tyler Hansbrough. He has made Toronto’s bench a more physical team. Along with improving Toronto’s defending and rebounding.
Courtesy: Bleacher Report
The bench is consistent but what will really make the Raptors a threat this postseason is the team’s defense. Toronto has one of the top three defenses in the East. The team currently holds their opponent to 97.8 points per game and also holds their opponent to below 45 percent shooting from the field. Toronto’s biggest defensive asset is SF Amir Johnson. He has missed some time recently with an ankle injury and in that time Toronto gave up 114 points to the Philadelphia 76ers. He should return to play soon and will need to be healthy and consistent this postseason to help the Raptors find success.
The Toronto Raptors surprised a lot of people with their ability to win this season. The team is definitely one of the biggest underdogs in the East. The Raptors may still need a few more pieces to be true contenders, but this team still has the ability to pull an upset during this year’s playoffs.
