Toronto Raptors Ranked 25th Best NBA Franchise
In a recent frontpage Fansided article by Daniel D. Zillmer, all 30 NBA franchises were statistically ranked based on all-time greatness. Expectedly, the Toronto Raptors did not fare well, placing 25th. Teams were ranked using the following criteria: Division Championship (5 points), Conference Championship (10 points), League Championship- 1948-1965 (15 points), League Championship- 1976-present (20 points). While the Raptors have had their share of struggles, it is worth noting just how much better this franchise has become in the last two years, and just how bright its future looks.
Obviously, the rankings favour older franchises. The Los Angeles Lakers (established in 1947) finished first, closely trailed by the Boston Celtics (established in 1946). In fact, the Miami Heat (established in 1988) was the only franchise started in the 80s to rank in the top ten, with an impressive fourth place finish. Still, the Raptors (established in 1995) placed below a few teams created around the same time, like the Orlando Magic (established in 1989) and the aforementioned Heat.
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A lot of their past struggles have simply been growing pains. It takes a while to establish something great in the NBA. A sucessful team requires a large fan bases, a talented coaching staff, a culture of winning that inspires players to want to play for that team and a GM with a proven track record of success. For the first time since 1995, the Raptors have all of those elements. Everything is in place, and it’s time to climb the list of the NBA’s best franchises.
Last season’s transformation of Maple Leaf Square into “Jurassic Park” during Toronto’s playoff series against the Brooklyn Nets proved the passion of this fan base. Coach Dwane Casey is finally being recognized as a talented defence-first coach, having even won NBA Coach of the Month for November this season. The team’s consistent placement in the top ten in NBA power rankings proves that the NBA world expects them to be good. Finally, GM Masai Ujiri has been absolutely pivotal in transforming the team’s roster, getting rid of Rudy Gay and bringing in Greivis Vasquez, Patrick Patterson and Chuck Hayes last season, then bringing Lou Williams and James Johnson to town this summer.
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The Raptors have only ever won one playoff series and two division titles. Toronto has been a place where stars have been developed, and then shipped off elsewhere once their contracts expire. When Kyle Lowry was re-signed this summer, that changed. Looking forward, the Raps are set to earn a high seed in the East this season. They are currently first in the conference, and will look to make it past the first round of the playoffs.
The Raptors boast a young, talented squad, full of players dedicated to winning in Toronto. The predictable future is extremely bright. The Raptors are probably not an NBA Championship caliber team this year, but they should be in a season or two. Expect big things from the North.