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5 Teams With The Most To Prove In 2016-17

By Carter Johnson

Mar 16, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after a three point basket against the Boston Celtics in the second half at TD Garden. Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Celtics 130-109. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 16, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after a three point basket against the Boston Celtics in the second half at TD Garden. Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Celtics 130-109. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 13, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) dribbles the ball against the Miami Heat during the first quarter in game six of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
May 13, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) dribbles the ball against the Miami Heat during the first quarter in game six of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

Toronto Raptors

Forget the fact that absolutely NO ONE expects anybody to dethrone the reigning champion Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference for a second. Does anybody even think that the Toronto Raptors will be as good — if not better — than they were last season?

The North put themselves on the map with a Cinderella run last season, posting a franchise-best 56-26 record in the regular season before pulling out two seven game series on their way to the franchise’s first ever Eastern Conference Finals appearance, where they bowed out in six games to the Cavs.

Last season was a perfect storm for Toronto. They again got career-best and All-Star caliber seasons from their backcourt duo of Kyle Lowry (career-highs of 22.8 points per game, 38.8 three-point percentage, 2.1 steals per game, 22.2 player efficiency rating and 11.6 win shares) and DeMar DeRozan (career-highs of 23.6 points per game, 33.8 three point percentage, 21.5 PER and 9.9 win shares).

The Rapors also received substantial contributions from blossoming role players like Bismack Biyombo (5.5 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game) and boasted the league’s third-stingiest scoring defense, holding opponents to 98.2 points per game.

However, the Raptors experienced significant losses to their frontcourt this offseason with the departure of Biyombo and veteran forward Luis Scola, replacing them with the mediocre Jared Sullinger and rookie Jakob Poeltl.

On top of that, the level of competition in their division improved overnight (well, except the Brooklyn Nets, of course), with everyone from the Boston Celtics to even the lowly Philadelphia 76ers adding game-changing talent to their rosters.

Upon considering all those factors and the history of the franchise overall, it’s hard not to get the feeling that things will be going downhill from here.

Yes, the Eastern Conference is still anybody’s game after the top spot, but the Raptors still have the majority of their core from last season, which is definitely enough to continue to compete.

Now that DeRozan has committed to staying in Toronto, the onus is on him and Lowry to continue to build upon their success from last year and prove to fans that last season was not a one-time deal and that The North is here to stay among the East’s elite.

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