Toronto Raptors: Is NBA Sleeping on a Contender?

Oct 7, 2014; Sacramento, CA, USA; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) reacts to a call during the third quarter of the game against the Sacramento Kings at Sleep Train Arena. The Sacramento Kings defeated the Toronto Raptors 113-106. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /

With every passing season, new teams comes up as unexpected forces in the NBA. Some make long-awaited appearances in the playoffs, while others fall short, but flash the upside that makes them such a tremendous group of players.

In 2013-14, one of the most pleasant surprises in the Eastern Conference was the Toronto Raptors. Not only did the association’s lone Canadian franchise make the playoffs, but it won the Atlantic Division.

For all of their success, the NBA is sleeping on Toronto as a legitimate contender.

Prior to the 2013-14 season, the Raptors hadn’t won the Atlantic Division since 2006-07. They hadn’t even made the playoffs since 2007-08, let alone finished above .500 since ’06-’07.

All of that changed in a major way.

The Raptors went 48-34, setting a new franchise record for wins in a single season. It was a 14-win improvement from the previous season and the third consecutive campaign in which Toronto had increased its win total under head coach Dwane Casey.

A major reason for that improvement is an upgrade in personnel.

Oct 5, 2014; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas (17) pressures Sacramento Kings forward Jason Thompson (34) during the first half at Rogers Arena. The Toronto Raptors won 99-94. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports /

Upgraded Personnel: Developing Youth

Via the acquisition of new talent and the development of young players who were already in place, the Toronto Raptors have become a well-rounded team. There are playmakers on both ends with a fair blend of leadership and upside.

It all starts with the arrival of point guard Kyle Lowry.

Lowry, one of the most complete point guards in the NBA, has brought an edge on defense and a relentless attack on offense. With averages of 17.9 points, 7.4 assists, 4.7 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 2.4 3-point field goals, he made the leap in 2013-14 and brought the Raptors with him.

With DeMar DeRozan ranking in the Top 10 in points per game and making his first career All-Star Game appearance, Toronto built one of the best backcourts in the NBA.

In 2014-15, a new duo of players will be asked to develop in the same way as DeRozan and Lowry: small forward Terrence Ross and center Jonas Valanciunas.

Ross hasn’t developed as rapidly as some have hoped, but he enters his third season as an under-appreciated commodity. The 23-year-old is one of the most explosive athletes in the league, has positional versatility and is a superb 3-point shooter.

In 2013-14, Ross made 161 3-point field goals on 39.5 percent shooting from beyond the arc. He made 65 on 33.2 percent shooting as a rookie.

That’s tremendous progress that few are paying any mind to.

The key to Toronto taking the next step is Valanciunas. Selected No. 5 overall in the 2011 NBA Draft, the 22-year-old averaged 11.3 points and 8.8 rebounds in the regular season before flashing his All-Star potential in the playoffs.

With 17 points and 18 rebounds in his postseason debut against the Brooklyn Nets, Valanciunas effectively turned one man’s performance into a statement about the entire team: the upside is immense.

Despite winning nearly 50 games, Toronto hasn’t even begun to scratch the surface of its potential.

Stacked Backcourt

As previously alluded to, the Toronto Raptors have one of the best backcourts in the NBA with point guard Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan. That’s a lethal combination that not only leads to offensive success, but strong work on defense.

Not enough attention is going to how deep the backcourt truly is.

DeRozan is an All-Star and, by many accounts, Lowry was a snub from that very game in 2014. DeRozan has improved his mid-range game to complement his all-world athleticism, while Lowry is a two-way forced to be reckoned.

Behind them is a duo that could start in the NBA.

At point guard, Greivis Vasquez is one of the better facilitators in the NBA. He was No. 3 in the league with 9.0 assists in 2012-13 and is now the floor general for a Raptors second unit with a new found scoring punch.

Apr 25, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Toronto Raptors guard Greivis Vasquez (21) drives the ball during the second quarter against the Brooklyn Nets in game three of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /

That points are provided by off-guard Lou Williams.

Williams tore his ACL in 2012-13, but came back strong in a 60-game campaign with the Atlanta Hawks in 2013-14. He averaged 10.4 points and 3.5 assists in 24.1 minutes, improving his game as he became more comfortable being back on the court.

After the 2014 All-Star Break, Williams upped his numbers to 12.2 points on 43.6 percent shooting after tallying 9.4 points on a mark of 37.8 percent beforehand.

In 2014-15, Williams will be turned to for that same level of scoring production in Toronto. If he’s able to provide double-digit scoring, he and Vasquez will solidify what may just be the deepest backcourt in the Eastern Conference.

The question is, how well can Toronto put the talent together?

Nov 1, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; Toronto Raptors head coach Dwane Casey yells from the bench as the Raptors beat the Orlando Magic 108-95 at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports /

All About Balance

Under head coach Dwane Casey, the Toronto Raptors have developed the reputation of a defensive-minded team. The Raptors were a Top 10 scoring defense, so it’s not hard to see why that reputation exists.

The reality that few are acknowledging is that Toronto is one of the most well-rounded teams in the Eastern Conference.

Toronto ranked No. 7 in points allowed per game in 2013-14, which is an easy launching pad into the playoffs. Nine of the Top 10 teams—10 of 11 if you weigh the tie between the Brooklyn Nets and Golden State Warriors at No. 11—made the playoffs.

The only team that didn’t reach the postseason was the New York Knicks.

Toronto checked in at No. 10 in opponent field goal percentage and No. 7 in opponent fast break points per game. That helped round out a reputation as one of the better defensive squads in basketball.

Not enough credit has gone to their quality of play on offense.

Quietly, the Raptors ranked No. 9 in offensive efficiency with 105.8 points per 100 possessions. They also checked in at No. 7 in 3-point field goal percentage and No. 9 in 3-point field goals made per game.

Most importantly, Toronto was No. 5 in second chance points per contest.

Toronto didn’t convert field goals at an efficient rate, but they were a team that was comfortable out-working players in the half-court. With a young and improving roster, the effort will soon be complemented by skill and effectiveness.

The question is, can they contend?

Legitimate Contenders?

Entering the 2014-15 season, the Atlantic Division is again in shambles. The Philadelphia 76ers continue to tank, while the Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets and New York Knicks are sources of uncertainty.

The one team without significant question marks: the Toronto Raptors.

Toronto has never repeated as Atlantic Division champions, but this is a different Raptors team from ever before. It’s not dependent upon Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady, nor is it star-oriented in its nature.

This is a balanced squad.

Toronto has improved upon a team that won 48 games in 2013-14. Not only are the young players one more year wiser, but the recent acquisitions are of significant value.

In 2014-15, the Raptors will continue to be one of the most balanced teams in the East. It needs its stars to rise and its young guns round into form, but both of those goals are attainable.

So long as the Raptors stay healthy, the team is built to be a legitimate contender in the Eastern Conference. It’s all about continued development.