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Are Raptors extinct if they fail to overcome LeBron?

By Raejhon Johnson

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 22: DeMar DeRozan #10 of the Toronto Raptors looks on during the closing second of the Raptors 106-98 loss to the Washington Wizards during Game Four of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Capital One Arena on April 22, 2018 in Washington, DC. 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 Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 22: DeMar DeRozan #10 of the Toronto Raptors looks on during the closing second of the Raptors 106-98 loss to the Washington Wizards during Game Four of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Capital One Arena on April 22, 2018 in Washington, DC. 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 Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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The Toronto Raptors are facing extinction if they fail to overcome the King, LeBron James. Toronto can’t beat Cleveland without slowing down James.

Making it to the Eastern Conference Finals was a big accomplishment for Toronto in 2016. However, it can’t hold a candle to LeBron’s seven straight Finals appearances. The East has been dominated by James earning him the right to be nicknamed King.

(Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
(Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

Raptors Face Extinction for the Final Time

Since being referred to as “the other” by media when questioning the next NBA champions, the Raptors have felt pressure to prove otherwise. However, year after year Toronto would fall short of expectations.

This year the Raptors are back and better than ever claiming the first-seed in the East. Although they had some struggles in the first-round with the Wizards, it’s arguably been their best series in the first round in years. Bear in mind the Raptors were swept by the Wizards in 2015. They took a Miami Heat with an aging Dwyane Wade to seven games in 2016. It was a battle to eliminate the injury-riddled Milwaukee Bucks in 2017.

But now the Cavaliers are having their worst struggles yet since LeBron’s return. Without Kyrie Irving, the Cavs needed seven games to get past the Indiana Pacers, who had numerous chances to win.

LeBron has spoken out about how tired he has been through the first-round and even had to sit out for some time because of cramping in game seven.

This is by far the most vulnerable James has looked in the last couple of years.  If the Raptors fail to take advantage of this opportunity to dethrone LeBron and reach the NBA Finals, then it’s time to blow up the roster.

Boston has been outstanding through the coaching of Brad Stevens, even without stars Kyrie and Gordon Hayward. The Philadelphia 76ers are a young team, but they are only going to get better and will attract some FA’s this summer. Cleveland has the Brooklyn Nets eighth projected pick, which means they can only get better should LeBron stay.

(Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
(Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

No Excuses for the 6ix

Finally, the Raptors are in position to overthrow LeBron in the playoffs. The Raptors depth greatly outmatches the talent on the Cleveland Cavaliers roster. Toronto’s stars look like they have finally overcome their playoff woes.

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DeMar DeRozan is having his best performance in the playoffs yet averaging 26.7 PTS, 3.3 REBS, 4.8 ASTS on 43 percent from the field and 38 percent from three. DeMar is averaging a career-high in points in just 36 MPG, his lowest in the post-season. He’s also shooting his most efficient from the field and from deep in his playoff career. In 2015, DeMar was shooting 15% from three, in 2016 he shot just 6%. Now he shoots about average with 38 percent.

Kyle Lowry joins DeRozan with his most efficient playoff scoring yet, shooting 47% from the field and 43% from three. Lowry also has a post-season high of 8.3 ASTS, having 3 more assists than last year in 83 less minutes.

Jonas Valanciunas has also contributed well for the Raps, along with OG Anunoby who has an unreal 75% True Shooting percentage.

With the return of Fred VanVleet the Raptors bench will easily outmatch the Cavs. Delon Wright has been stepping up in his place averaging 10.7 PPG, which is more than both Cavs PG’s Jose Calderon (3.2 PPG) and George Hill (9.3 PPG).

To put more emphasis on how outmatched Cleveland is, the Cavs second leading scorer is Kevin Love with 11.4 PTS. The Raptors third-leading scorer Valanciunas is outscoring Love with 13.5 PTS.

Next: Individual grades from the Washington Wizards series

There’s no excuses for the Raptors if they fail to push past the Cavs and reach the NBA Finals. It’s now or never, or else this will be the end of the DeRozan and Lowry era for the North.

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