Raptors 905 Update All-Star edition: A review of the season thus far
As the Raptors 905 get ready for the All-Star break and with nearly 80-percent of the season completed, it’s time for a review of the 905’s season-to-date.
The Raptors 905 came into the season with high expectations. Last year, the 905 ended the season as G-League champions, beating the Rio Grande Vipers in a three-game series.
Things appeared different to start this season. Many G-League teams have a high roster turnover from year-to-year, and the 905 were no exception. Two of last year’s key contributors, Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam were called up to the NBA permanently and the team was left with zero returning starters for opening day.
Early on it showed. The Raptors 905 went 1-5 during the first six games and looked like a shell of the former G-League champion. However, Coach Jerry Stackhouse and company did not give up. The team clawed back to a respectable record, then caught fire, winning 14-of-16 at one point, surging to second in the conference.
Where they stand now
The Raptors 905 currently sit with a record of 23-16, good enough for second place in both the Atlantic Division and the Eastern Conference. With eleven games remaining, the 905 are still very alive for the one-seed, sitting just two games back of the Westchester Knicks, although the Knicks do have the tie-breaker as of today.
Unfortunately for the Raptors 905, being so close to the top does not guarantee a playoff run for the team. Due to a competitive Eastern Conference, currently, the 905 are four games ahead of the first team out. Meaning, if the 905 were to hit a slide at any-point in the remaining ten games, it could be very detrimental to their playoff chances.
Key performers
With VanVleet and Siakam taking their talents to the NBA full-time, the 905 had a void of talent at the top of their roster. Luckily, they replaced them with two talented two-way players, Lorenzo Brown and Malcom Miller.
Lorenzo Brown averages a team high 18 points per game while dishing out just over nine assist per, as well. Meanwhile, Malcom Miller is a three-and-D specialist, providing good size and length on the perimeter, while also canning more than two triples per game.
Also talented on the G-League roster is Kennedy Meeks. Meeks provides the 905 with a rugged inside presence, averaging nearly a double-double with 12 points and nine rebounds per game.
A look ahead
As the 905 transitions to the home-stretch, they will experience a roster shake-up. In order to free-up financial capital at the NBA level, the Toronto Raptors traded Bruno Caboclo to the Sacramento Kings for Malachi Richardson. Although he provided little impact at the NBA level, Caboclo was a consistent producer for the 905 both this season and the last. He will be missed sorely by this 905 squad as they prep for the post season.
Over the past 20 games or so, no-one has outplayed the 905. Coach Stackhouse has proved to be one of the best coaches at the G-League level and will have his team ready to play come playoff time. The 905 still has a chance to grab the one-seed and with the season coming to a close on five game winning streak could be all the difference.
Next: This week's five takeaways
Due to the All-Star break the 905 is off for the next week and will return to action Wednesday February 21 7:00 PM ET against the Erie Bayhawks.