Toronto Raptors Future
Mar 22, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard Lou Williams (23) scores two points against New York Knicks in the fourth quarter at Air Canada Centre. Raptors won 106 – 89. Mandatory Credit: Peter Llewellyn-USA TODAY Sports
Toronto Raptors.
1st in Atlantic Division, with a record of 43-30. Currently 4th in the eastern conference standings. Not bad, but 23rd in points allowed, 21st in assist per game, 26th in rebounding, and 12 loses in the last 20 games, after the all-star break and the trade deadline.
I wrote a post just few days before the trade deadline, focusing on the Raptors needs, strengths and weaknesses. What did our team’s executives do to improve the team? Nothing. We are lucky that the Raptors are playing in the East. But even here, many teams improved. Atlanta Hawks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, even Indiana Pacers and Detroit Pistons improved, the majority of them by tweaking their roster. Only Atlanta, from the teams in this list, improved using the same roster. What about the Raptors? They stayed the same, even if this team has major needs. Even if half of the roster is under-utilized, as I also described in my last post:
"“Almost the 50% of them (7), are players who either they usually sit on the bench (Caboclo, Nogueira, Hayes, Fields, Stiemsma), their repertoire is limited (Hansbrough) or they lost their position from the starting lineup due to continuous inconsistency (Ross). And if we add Greivis Vasquez in this group, our current starting shooting guard, who is at least trying but still has limited decision making for a backup point guard (because this is his major role, or at least this was his role at the beginning of the season), then we surpass the 50% mark.”"
Right now, there no magic tricks that can be done to change the team’s short-term future. We are going to be part of the playoffs, and I hope we will play against Milwaukee Bucks, because right now, this is the only team in my opinion that we can beat in a best-of-seven matchup. Neither Washington, nor Chicago are teams that we should like to compete against during the playoffs. Even Miami, despite their big struggles due to Chris Bosh’s absence due to health issues, is a dangerous opponent, especially with their playoff experience. So, in order to play against Milwaukee, we need to finish 3rd. Very difficult task, especially if we lose tonight against the Bulls (I’m writing this just before the Toronto – Chicago game), and check the rest of the schedules for both of these teams. And, to make things worse, Kyle Lowry is injured.
But even with these struggles, we can play better. We did so at the beginning of the season, when the mentality was better and the players were in a better shape, or, they played with more aggressiveness because they were afraid of being traded before the trade deadline. Now, fatigue and probably relaxation from players are making things bad.
And coach mistakes are making things worse. Where is the defensive mentality of the coach? Non-existent. Where is James Johnson in the current roster rotation? Next to Chuck Hayes and Landry Fields season numbers (10 minutes from 20 per game, while Hayes and Fields have about 9). Does this team share the ball? Yes, whenever they remember to, and they are usually forgetting. At least, we see Jonas Valanciunas increase of utilization, probably after the consistent talking about this case among fans and reporters. Whenever we face a 50% win-loss percentage team, we lose. And sometimes we lose to worse teams, like Detroit (which they tried to improve their team and they had a good stretch), Lakers and New York Knicks.
And something last but not least. There were many discussions about this team’s chemistry, and how important this is to succeed. Many times, when a player feels that this team needs him, he’s playing better and better, so it helps the team as a whole, not only himself. Lou Williams requested a contract extension, but the Raptors executives didn’t do anything yet, according to this report. Come on guys! It’s one of the two pleasant surprises of the team this season (the other is JJ). Are you going to lose him at the end of the season?
This team is still good, but not very good. If we play against the Bucks on the playoffs, then we may be lucky enough to pass the first round. Otherwise, we will witness last season situation.