Hoops Habit
Fansided

Toronto Raptors: 5 predictions for the 2018-19 NBA season

By Simon Smith

TORONTO, ON- SEPTEMBER 24 - Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard (2) as the Toronto Raptors host their media day before going to Vancouver for their training camp. Media Day was held at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. September 24, 2018. (Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON- SEPTEMBER 24 - Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard (2) as the Toronto Raptors host their media day before going to Vancouver for their training camp. Media Day was held at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. September 24, 2018. (Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 6
Next
(Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
(Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /

2. Raptors to make the Eastern Conference Finals

While a 59-win season is a fantastic achievement , it was the nature of their playoff exit last season that left a sour taste in the mouths of all Raptors followers.

Therefore, it is stating the bleeding obvious that this revamped Raptors will be desperate to make amends for last season’s disappointing finish.

Overall, the Raptors have now reached the postseason in five consecutive seasons, with the best result coming in 2016 when they advanced all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals, until ultimately being eliminated in six games by the Cleveland Cavaliers.

One of the main objectives in the early section of the season will be getting All-Star point guard Kyle Lowry into the right frame of mind.

Following the offseason trade of his extremely close friend and fellow All-Star in DeMar DeRozan, Lowry was understandably incredibly disappointed with DeRozan’s departure.

A highly combative and aggressive player, Lowry however would’ve been excited with the recent proclamations from new head coach Nick Nurse and his plans for the upcoming season:

"“I’ve always kind of characterized it as an attacking style, on both sides of the ball. We want to always play with pace on offence. I believe in getting the ball up the floor and trying to take advantage of transition opportunities. “Not just saying, ‘Hey we’re going to play fast,’ but having a system behind that. Aggressive and attacking are the two words that I like to play [with]. I think that’s the way the game is meant to be played. That’s how I would sum it up.”"

In terms of their main contenders in the Eastern Conference, the Boston Celtics and the Philadelphia 76ers are the most likely to be the biggest obstacles in reaching deep into the postseason.

However, with a clearly upgraded roster and a new and more innovative approach at the offensive end, reaching the Eastern Conference Finals for just the second time in franchise history should certainly be on the cards for the franchise this season.

Home/Toronto Raptors