NBA Power Rankings Week 7: The revenge of the Los Angeles Lakers
By Corey Rausch
Toronto Raptors. 18. team. 81. . 10-13. Previous: 24th
Last Week: Beat Orlando Magic 115-102, Beat Orlando Magic 123-108, Beat Brooklyn Nets 123-117, Lost to Atlanta Hawks 132 -121
This Week: 2/8 at Memphis Grizzlies, 2/10 at Washington Wizards, 2/11 at Boston Celtics
It was nearly a perfect week for the Toronto Raptors. They took two wins from a spiraling Orlando Magic team. Then the Raptors faced off against the Brooklyn Nets in one of the most controversial games of the week and took another win. As unfortunate as the loss to the Atlanta Hawks to end the week is, it does not erase the rest.
The biggest story of the week for the Raptors was Fred VanVleet. He dropped a franchise-record 54 points in the second game against the Orlando Magic. That is also the highest point total for any undrafted player in the history of the league. Add to that a career-best 11 3-pointers in the game and this was a moment VanVleet and Raptors fans are unlikely to forget a long time.
The man who bet on himself is paying off big time for a team in desperate need. The Raptors have almost gotten back to .500 and are approaching playoff contention again. VanVleet is the biggest reason behind that improvement as he is growing into his own as the leader of this team.
Kyle Lowry is still great but he is not at quite the same level anymore. Siakam is finding a level of comfortability as he no longer needs to be the number one option.