Playing ‘Contender or Pretender’ With Eastern Conference Playoff Teams
By Jon Shames
Toronto Raptors – 2nd seed
The Toronto Raptors have turned a new leaf, and are undoubtedly title contenders this season.
Once plagued by inconsistency, the Raptors have suddenly become one of the most stable teams in the NBA. They’ve steadily racked up win after win this year, and now find themselves second in the East behind 41 tallies in the “W” column.
The Canadian franchise is headed by its superstar backcourt, comprised of Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan. Both guards are averaging more than 21 points per game and shooting better than 44 percent from the field. They’ve escalated the rankings together, simultaneously transforming into bona fide superstars in the 2015-16 campaign.
But what makes Toronto such a sound contender isn’t just its star power; depth is a huge weapon for this club as well. Bismack Biyombo, Cory Joseph, Patrick Patterson, and James Johnson are all solid rotational players that Toronto will be able to bring off the bench in the postseason, assuming the roster is healthy.
Oh — that’s one more thing. Toronto has been without starter DeMarre Carroll for most of the season. Carroll proved a valuable asset in the postseason last year with Atlanta, and remains one of the better “three-and-D” players the Association has to offer. If there’s two things that NBA teams can’t get enough of, it’s outside shooting and defense. Hence the impact of Carroll.
The Raptors’ attack has been unstoppable this year, as the team ranks fifth in offensive efficiency. On defense, Toronto is still in the top-five for points allowed, even despite a major slippage in February. It has the size, firepower, and defenders to challenge anyone and everyone in the East, and possibly even some Western Conference powerhouses.
Verdict: Contender
Prediction: First-round win vs. Indiana (4-3); Second-round win vs. Boston (4-1); Conference Finals loss vs. Cleveland (4-3)
Next: Cleveland Cavaliers