Redemption is key for the Toronto Raptors this season

This summer, GM Masai Ujiri realized the Toronto Raptors needed a big change. The difference was going to be the team’s style of play. Ujiri approached the off-season focused on defence, defence and more defence. He signed DeMarre Carroll, Cory Joseph and Bismack Biyombo. In the draft, he went after a defensive point guard Delon Wright and the very athletic guard in Norman Powell.

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The Raptors’ offensive rating was 111.0 last season, which was good for fourth in the league. Defensively, it was a completely different story. They were ranked 25th in the league with a rating of 107.7. With rankings like that, you can hide in the regular season, but when it comes to the playoffs, you will be exposed. The Raptors were exposed and swept by the Washington Wizards, and it was painful to watch.

Redemption is the key word for Dwane Casey and Kyle Lowry. Casey was originally brought in as an apparent defensive guru, but last season he had to coach a very offensive-minded team. Sixth Man of the Year Lou Williams could go off for 25 points in any game, but his defensive match would score 24. Ujiri gave Casey the defensive players, so now it is his turn to deliver on his side of the deal with wins. Casey has to prove his skeptics wrong and advance past the second-round. If he doesn’t, his job could be on the line.

Does an All-Star really need a redemption season? Well for Kyle Lowry, earning back the love of fans is definitely on the to-do list. During the first half of last season, he was balling and even Justin Bieber was on the Lowry bandwagon. He averaged 19.8 points and 7.6 assists per game throughout the act of the season. He was even named a starter on the Eastern Conference All-Star Team. After that, his season went slowly downhill.

Lowry was banged up after the All-Star break and could never find his way. He was a step slow against fellow All-Star John Wall in the playoffs and it showed. Judging from his Instagram photos, he has slimmed down. K-Low will be once again looking to prove his doubters wrong.

Ujiri gave Casey the defensive players, so now it is his turn to deliver on his side of the deal with wins.

DeMar DeRozan is on the redemption path as well, and a big reward could be in his sights if he pulls off a better season. With the new TV deal in place (24 Billion!!) next year, a big pay day could be in sights for the former All-Star. He has all the motivation in the world to dominate this year and try and push this franchise to a new level. For starters, he should look to improve on his 3-point shooting. If he can start hitting corner threes, his 20.1 points per game from 2014-15 could rise. Judging from his Drew League highlights, DeRozan has been working on his 3-point range.

Expectations seem to have been lowered for the Raptors going into the season and it could be a very good thing. There is less pressure, which should give the team a chance to just play basketball. They were the hunted last year instead of being the hunters. They can now once again assume that underdog role. Sure, they are expected to win the Atlantic Division, but that isn’t the biggest accomplishment anymore. Hunting LeBron James, John Wall, and Derrick Rose will be the firm focus of the Raptors.

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