Toronto Raptors: 5 takeaways from 2017-18 NBA season

1. This team reinvented itself this year

When Toronto was swept in the second round last season, the cries to break up the team were piercingly loud. Whether it was Kyle Lowry, DeMar DeRozan, Dwane Casey or all three, fans and analysts were vocal in calling for the reconstruction of this team.

Instead, the Raptors stayed the course, not overpaying to bring Kyle Lowry back and re-signing Serge Ibaka to what seemed like only a slight overpay. Cory Joseph was flipped for C.J. Miles, DeMarre Carroll was offloaded, and OG Anunoby was drafted in the first round.

The organization made a bet on Casey and on this core that they could reinvent themselves. While the team had found success with leaning on isolations in the half-court, it could become a ball-moving offense that let everyone touch the ball and find open 3-point shots. Amazingly, that’s exactly what they did.

Last season the Raptors ranked 20th in the league in percentage of shots that were 3-pointers, despite having a top-five offense. This season they ranked fifth, taking 34.8 percent of their shots from beyond the arc. The ball movement and increased perimeter shooting opened up the inside, where the Raptors took 35.4 percent of their shots at the rim, going from 26th last season to ninth this season.

DeMar DeRozan was the catalyst for this change, a ball-sticking, reluctant 3-point shooter to this point in his career who loved the midrange shot. But he bought in, increasing his 3-point attempts from 1.7 per game to 3.6. His assists went up to a career-high 5.2 per game.

Next: Milwaukee Bucks: Top 10 moments from 2017-18 NBA season

That is what should give Toronto fans hope for the future. Despite a crushing loss, this team has proven itself able to adapt and grow. With LeBron James no guarantee to stay in the East, and the long-term competitiveness of the conference only growing, this team should bet on itself again. The past season proves the Raptors still have upside held within.