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NBA GMs poll – where do they see Raptors players & future?

By Brian Boake

TORONTO, ON - MAY 07: Lebron James
TORONTO, ON - MAY 07: Lebron James /
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The anonymous poll of NBA GMs is out. The Raptors barely rate a mention anywhere. So what else is new?

The annual NBA General Managers’ poll results have been released. You’re not likely to see a better example of groupthink outside of a North Korean cabinet meeting.

I had hoped to see a dark-horse name or two in the Most Likely to be MVP category. Nope – LeBron James is the choice, again. There’s no way to argue with that selection, or with him being named as top dog in “Most Adjustments needed”, “Smartest Player”, or selected as the best shooting guard and second-best power forward.

As per usual, I ploughed through the poll to see if there was any significant representation of the Toronto Raptors. To the surprise of no one at all, the Raptors received barely a mention.

I was intrigued to note that OG Anunoby got some recognition in the “Biggest Steal of the Draft” category. He wasn’t in the top 3, but at least he hit the radar. Heal up fast, young man. We’re all dying to see you.

TARRYTOWN, NY – AUGUST 11: (EDITOR’S NOTE: This image was shot as a double exposure.) OG Anunoby of the Toronto Raptors poses for a photo during the 2017 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot at MSG training center on August 11, 2017 in Tarrytown, New York. 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 Brian Babineau/Getty Images)
TARRYTOWN, NY – AUGUST 11: (EDITOR’S NOTE: This image was shot as a double exposure.) OG Anunoby of the Toronto Raptors poses for a photo during the 2017 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot at MSG training center on August 11, 2017 in Tarrytown, New York. 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 Brian Babineau/Getty Images) /

Raptors fans can collective pat themselves on the back. Toronto received some votes for the city which provides its team the “Biggest Home Court Advantage”.

They don’t like our chances

We’ll need every advantage we can find. The GMs don’t like the Raptors chances this season nearly as much as they did last. Our team got no love for first or second in the Eastern Conference (the Washington Wizards got more respect), though we’re a popular pick for the third or fourth seed.

You’ll notice Nando de Colo named as the (second) “Best  International Player NOT in the NBA”. I wonder if Dwane Casey occasionally punches his pillow late of an evening and mutters to himself “I wish I had given that guy more minutes when we had him”. Our squad would no longer be in any doubt as to who would be the first swingman off the bench. For that matter, Masai might not have taken his ill-fated run at DeMarre Carroll if Nando had remained in the fold instead of heading for Moscow.

Thanks so much, hindsight, for your consistent and irksome habit of being 20/20.

If the Raptors are going to make the kind of impact I think they are capable of, they will use this poll as a motivator. I can hear the dressing room talk now…”Nobody respects us or thinks we’re going anywhere -let’s prove them wrong”. Yes, please do.

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