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Toronto Raptors: 3 x-factors for the team to succeed in NBA’s Orlando restart

By Luke Duffy

TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 25: Singer Drake high fives Matt Thomas #21 of the Toronto Raptors during the first half of an NBA game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Scotiabank Arena on February 25, 2020 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 25: Singer Drake high fives Matt Thomas #21 of the Toronto Raptors during the first half of an NBA game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Scotiabank Arena on February 25, 2020 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /
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Toronto Raptors
Toronto Raptors (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) /

3. Their depth

President of Basketball Operations Masai Ujiri gets so much credit for making the Leonard for DeMar DeRozan deal that led to a championship, but the deep roster which he has been able to construct up in Canada is equally as impressive. It is this depth that will give them an edge against a lot of opponents.

We already know what the likes of Fred VanVleet are capable of doing, but the additions to the second unit have been done brilliantly through the draft and picking up of other players. OG Anunoby is the best example of this, and in a lot of ways, he was like a new signing this season with the energy he brought to the rotation.

Drafted by the Raptors in 2017, injuries curtailed his involvement with the title team as he started in only six games, and averaged seven points. He is capable of so much more on both ends, and although Pascal Siakam has become the breakout star for this group, Anunoby is playing up to 30 minutes a night (averaged 20 last season) and is having a much bigger influence.

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This is on top of already having Lowry, Siakam, Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka, and it is why the Raptors are still so dangerous. Anunoby doesn’t have to do a lot of heavy lifting, but five-minute stretches of high-level play here and there, which he has already shown, compliment this group perfectly.

Stanley Johnson is another example of this. It hasn’t happened for him since being drafted by the Detroit Pistons, but with the Raptors, it doesn’t have to. He is only 23, and if he can play 10 minutes a night and produce to an acceptable level, then that is all that he needs to do.

Even Matt Thomas is likely to have an impact. Add Rondae Hollis-Jefferson to this group, and there is a great blend of guys with clearly defined roles and skillsets, as well as athletic types who can switch defensively and who not too much will be asked of them offensively. You better believe that is going to be difficult for anybody to come up against over a seven-game series.

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