Last Week: (L) to CHI, (W) over IND, (W) over ORL, (W) over IND
The Toronto Raptors were one of this season’s enigmas. Were they as bad as their record stated last year? Probaly not. Were they ready to resume contention at the top of the conference? Probably not. Where in the middle would they fall?
Probably smack dab in the middle as the Raptors have been a really good, but not purely dominant squad. The headline is the rookie Scottie Barnes, who has been unexpectedly canning jumpers alongside his gifted passing and elite defensive work. He looks like the right pick for the Raptors at No. 4, and should finally put to silence the cries for Jalen Suggs, picked fifth in this past summer’s draft.
Scares Me: This all-4 lineup will work. That is, the Raptors have been experimenting with lineups stacked with big combo forwards who can handle, pass and defend. Pascal Siakam will be part of these when he is back, but for now it’s a combo of Barnes, OG Anunoby, diamond-in-the-rough Dalano Banton, Precious Achiuwa and Chris Boucher. They are a terrifyingly large combination of players, all 6’9″ to 6’11” tall, with enough skill to make it work without elite shooting. As any team left on their schedule that would scare me.