The Toronto Raptors have reached the 10-game mark, which we’re going to use as a road sign. After every 10 games this season, we’ll examine how they did, and what the next 10 outings might bring.
We don’t spend a lot of time considering other teams’ deals, but I’ll make an exception here. The Milwaukee Bucks have traded for disgruntled Phoenix Sun guard Eric Bledsoe. In swapping Greg Monroe plus some draft picks, the Bucks have essentially given up nothing and gained a considerable asset in return. While I was skeptical of the Bucks when this season tipped off, I’m not anymore. Milwaukee has received MVP-quality play from Giannis Antetokounompo, and the addition of Bledsoe will take scoring pressure off the Greek Freak. Bledsoe is exactly the speedy gunner their too-big roster needed. Watch for the Deer Boys to pile up some huge scoring nights.
I’ve no clue whether Masai Ujiri gave serious contemplation to striking a deal for Bledsoe. I pitched a Bledsoe for Valanciunas Trade Proposal; in light of Phoenix accepting a giant like Monroe, can’t we assume JV would also have been of interest? [20-second timeout: I’m aware Phoenix GM Neil McDonough is now talking about buying out Monroe’s expiring contract. I suspect he wouldn’t have said that had he landed JV.] Our management team missed an opportunity to add some scoring punch to a lineup with the NBA’s second-worst 3-point shooting percentage, and I’m disappointed.
Negatives
While there haven’t been any colossal misfires so far, enough issues have arisen to cause unease. Here’s the worst:
- Kyle Lowry’s poor start
- disappointing results from Norman Powell
- an ankle injury slows JV
- the already-mentioned poor shooting from beyond the arc
Positives
I’ve been pleasantly surprised on several fronts, namely:
- no losses to bad teams
- progress from sophomores Pascal Siakam and Jakob Poeltl
- flashes of serious talent from rookie OG Anunoby
Steady as she goes
In the category of “about what we were expecting” are:
- DeMar DeRozan’s deep shooting
- Serge Ibaka’s mediocre defense
- Delon Wright’s overall improvement
- a 6-4 mark
Next 10 games: some nasty nights ahead
The Raptors play 4 at home and 6 away, which exactly matches the first 10. The away trips are two 3-gamers, both of which include back to back matches. Our guys are in Houston, then New Orleans, tough places to wrest wins from. At least the flight to the Big Easy is a short one. The following week it’s Indiana, then Atlanta; those should be winnable.
Our guys play the Pelicans and Knicks twice. Both of those teams are on an upswing.
With our team nowhere near a finished product, we should be happy with a 5-5 mark. That means we’ll be (almost) at the quarter pole with an 11-9 record.
Putback: The Ringer took a look at the Eastern Conference’s five contenders (Cavaliers, Celtics, Raptors, Bucks, Wizards).
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