Toronto Raptors: Who Has The Most To Gain In Preseason?
I don’t expect this to be a typical training camp for the Toronto Raptors.
Rarely, if ever, has the sense of optimism been so high. Rarely has the level of anticipation been so great.
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Until last season, the Raptors were mired in a playoff drought that dated back to 2008.
Even this time last year, the talk was of a team that had a better chance of competing for a lottery pick as opposed to a playoff spot. Now, as the Raptors step in front of the cameras and microphones for media day, the topic of conversation will have a refreshing and new tone.
This is a team that surprised many NBA observers by winning a franchise best 48 games and a division title in 2013-14.
The Raptors are the easy pick to once again rise to the top of the Atlantic Division, but getting there won’t be a walk in the park. While the Raptors may have been able to surprise some teams last year, that will no longer be the case.
The third-year players
As sophomores, Jonas Valanciunas and Terrence Ross played major roles in the team’s success last season.
Valanciunas, who averaged 11.3 points and 8.8 rebounds per game, continued to prove that he was worthy of being the fifth-overall selection in the 2011 draft. Ross, likewise, made the most of his opportunity when he was inserted into the starting lineup on a full-time basis after Rudy Gay was traded to the Sacramento Kings.
Both will need to take another step further in their development this season for the Raptors to make some serious noise in the Eastern Conference.
As defenses key in on DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry, the space should be there on the floor for Jonas to operate in the post and for T-Ross to get his silky-smooth jump shot going.
The preseason – with training camp and an eight-game schedule that begins on Oct. 5 – will be a chance for Valanciunas and Ross to show they understand just how important they are to the team.
The hopefuls
This isn’t to say that it will all be on those to guys.
With perhaps the most talented roster in team history, their will be help and reinforcement at every position. The beauty of that depth of talent is that it will create internal competition for playing time and, for some, a shot at making the team.
The Raptors are bringing 17 players to training camp, but most trim the roster to 15 ahead of the regular-season opener on Oct. 29.
Although their chances of making the team might be slim to none, point guard Will Cherry and forward Jordan Hamilton, who both signed partially-guaranteed deals, are likely to bring a high level of intensity. Even if the Raptors can’t make room for them, there might be 29 other teams that take notice of their efforts.
As another example, rookie Lucas Nogueira, will have to show that he is worthy of a job as a backup center.
Entering a contract year, but seemingly in the background of the Raptors’ plans for this season, Landry Fields may have a battle on his hands to secure minutes in a crowded and talented back-court.
The team as a whole
But, overall, the main focus for this team appears to be greater than any particular player.
With general manager Masai Ujiri keeping the core group intact from last season, this is a chance for the Raptors to take advantage of the continuity and chemistry that has and will continue to develop.
So this is poised to be a very interesting month for the Raptors. A deep and talented team with much to gain and much to prove.