Midseason Report: So Far So Good for the Toronto Raptors
41 games into the 2014/15 season, the Toronto Raptors are 27-14, first in the Atlantic Division and third in the Eastern Conference. The Raps rushed out to a commanding lead of the conference, controlling its top spot. After Christmas, the team’s energy appeared zapped, with the loss of star shooting guard DeMar DeRozan finally starting to have its effect on their play. Even though DeRozan is now back, the team continues to be struggling offensively and defensively.
Quite simply, wins haven’t been as easy to come by for Canada’s only NBA team. Whether it’s shooting struggles, defensive passivity, or opponents having particularly good games during their encounters, the Raptors are struggling to catch a break. The team is 3-7 over their last 10 games, which does not stand well for a team GM Masai Ujiri has identified as a contender. Though it’s easy to be worried, here’s the good news: the Raptors have still won 13 more games than they have lost.
More from Raptors Rapture
- Scottie Barnes talks Raptors expectations after bumpy 2022-23
- Raptors’ Dennis Schroder completes Cinderella story, wins FIBA World Cup with Germany
- 3 players Raptors could replace OG Anunoby with at trade deadline
- NBA insider praises Raptors’ hiring of “star” Darko Rajakovic
- Raptors fans will love Markquis Nowell’s insane confidence on Instagram
Their record is actually pretty good. It should be better based on the team’s talent, chemistry, and abundance of weak Eastern Conference opponents, but it isn’t worth getting too upset over. For context, if they repeat their current record in the second half of the season, they will finish 54-28. That’s quite a bit better than last season’s 48-34 record. That hypothetical record is also the exact record the Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat earned last season.
With 41 games left in the season, there is still so much that can happen. Key players will get injured, teams will go on slumps and some lucky squads will hit hot streaks, permitting them to rise up the standings. While it’s not certain what will happen to the Raptors in the next few months, it is clear that this is a playoff team. They are an offensively gifted team with defensive potential. They boast one of the best benches in the league, two certified (and soon-to-be All-Stars) in Kyle Lowry and DeRozan, an up-and-coming centre in Jonas Valanciunas and a talented GM in Ujiri.
More from Raptors News
- Scottie Barnes talks Raptors expectations after bumpy 2022-23
- Raptors’ Dennis Schroder completes Cinderella story, wins FIBA World Cup with Germany
- NBA insider praises Raptors’ hiring of “star” Darko Rajakovic
- Raptors fans will love Markquis Nowell’s insane confidence on Instagram
- Raptors news: Dennis Schroder takes shot at Lakers, Scottie Barnes moves to Toronto
In the near dystopian Eastern Conference, the Raptors are a beacon of light. Sure, they badly need to improve on their defence, which is ranked 21st in the league. They are often out rebounded, sometimes looking painfully passive anywhere near the hoop on defence. Some players who were supposed to be defensive strengths have been weaknesses this season, like third-year Terrence Ross. And, most frustratingly, the team often relies on the crutch that is small-ball in the fourth quarter. But, just the thought of their offence is enough to remind me that there is hope in Toronto.
They are ranked second in offence, scoring 106.4 points per game. They have three-point sharpshooters, players that can finish gracefully around the rim, and guys with a great knack for passing. Kyle Lowry has played incredibly well so far this season, earning the best numbers in his career. He has kept the offence together, finding a way to ignite regardless of how his teammates play.
To an even more successful second half of the season!