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NBA: 3 teams poised for a Memphis-style surge this season

By Luke Duffy

TORONTO, ON - NOVEMBER 13: Scottie Barnes #4 of the Toronto Raptors defends as Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons dribbles during the second half of their NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on November 13, 2021 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 Cole Burston/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - NOVEMBER 13: Scottie Barnes #4 of the Toronto Raptors defends as Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons dribbles during the second half of their NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on November 13, 2021 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 Cole Burston/Getty Images) /
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Pascal Siakam, NBA
Pascal Siakam (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) /

NBA Team #2: Toronto Raptors

The Raptors seem primed to disrupt the established order at the top of their conference, and they are moving toward a team that is more likely to do so. Many appear to have forgotten that Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet were two important parts of a championship roster back in 2019.

Siakam, in particular, is a top-15 player in the league on his best day, and he can absolutely be an All-Star next season. The fact that Siakam isn’t even the player with the most upside here tells you that they have the potential to have the kind of impact the Grizzlies did last season. Scottie Barnes is entering year two and was the Rookie of the Year last season. This time around, he should be thinking All-Star.

There is great balance across the roster, and head coach Nick Nurse is among the most respected in the league. There is nothing not to like here (they’re even employing movie stars these days), and while a championship seems a step away from reality, why not? There are some 2004 Pistons vibes coming from this group.

They ranked ninth in defensive efficiency last season (109.9), and with the aforementioned players, plus O.G. Anunoby, that number can improve this time out. Even the undersized VanVleet is tenacious for a guard and is annoying to play against. He can be exploited in the postseason, but over the course of 82 games, his deficiencies on that end are not felt as much.

It will be hard to break into the elite teams in the East. But there are no certainties with the Philadelphia 76ers (no matter what James Harden says), the Boston Celtics (just an awful offseason), or the Brooklyn Nets (nothing more needs to be said). The Miami Heat are an excellent team but hardly leagues above the Raptors. A sharp ascension is possible in the north.