Taking a look at how each Toronto Raptor performed in the 2017-18 season. It’s time to spill the beans on the good, the bad, and the downright ugly contained in this past season…
This season if nothing else served as a lesson to the Toronto Raptors – dominating in the regular season means nothing. Harsh? Perhaps a little, but it’s hard to argue the contrary at this point.
59 wins, another franchise record and one more than the inevitable champion Golden State Warriors, Toronto was the only team in the regular season to finish with both a top-5 offense and defense. They also held the league’s best home record. And to see how far it’s gotten them..
They fired their coach, Dwane Casey, a betting favourite for Coach of the Year. Brad Stevens has been great all season, and especially in these playoffs. But let’s not forget, technically the criteria is only the regular season – and we all know that’s Toronto’s time!
Despite going down in flames attempting to invade King’s Landing, there is long list of positives that can be taken away from this season. The majority of players showed growth; and for a team that had struggled offensively in past playoffs, Toronto’s modernized approach actually held up in this postseason – it was their defense that failed to show up, producing a rating of 121.5, against the clearly defendable (as shown by Boston) Cleveland Cavaliers.
All that said, this off-season figures to be a critical one for the organization on a collective level. Players, coaches, and executives across the board must get better. Firing a potential coach of the year winner was the right move and that reality is very indicative of the unique position this franchise finds itself in. But make no mistake, this roster has a plethora of talent on it.
But before we go forward, we need to go back and take inventory of how each player performed this season, starting with Malachi Richardson.
Malachi Richardson
Richardson was the return for Bruno Caboclo, coming over from Sacramento. The sample size, both in the G-League and NBA, is too small to provide an accurate assessment of where he’s at, and how he fits into Toronto’s plans moving forward.
In 2016-17, Richardson was a standout player for the Reno Bighorns, averaging more than 21 points per night. His influence was far less significant here in Toronto. Under contract for at least one more season, it remains to be seen what his role will be in 2018-19, and potentially in the years to follow.
Some inside the organization felt Richardson was slightly out of shape upon arriving in Toronto. With that in mind, getting in better physical shape ahead of summer league could go a long way in carving out a potential role with one of Toronto’s clubs.
G-LEAGUE GRADE: C
Alfonzo McKinnie
McKinnie could be a dark horse in 2018-19 – especially if Norman Powell gets traded. With his contract becoming guaranteed on July 20, the Vegas Summer League will be crucial in deciding his future in Toronto.
McKinnie played a total of 53 NBA minutes in 2017-18. Suffice to say, he will not be getting a grade for his NBA showing this season. His time in the G-League, however, was much more eventful.
Excluding Bruno, who we all waved a tearful goodbye to at the deadline, McKinnie was second in scoring for the 905, averaging 14 points and over seven rebounds per contest.
His 34 percent mark from three (G-League) represented a four percent increase from last season. An upwards trend, sure, but more improvement will be needed (in other areas as well) if McKinnie hopes to compete for playing time on this team.
G-LEAGUE GRADE: B+
Lorenzo Brown
Brown played the majority of the season in the G-League, with the 905 – taking home league MVP honours. Trying to get a read on an NBA season that featured less than 150 minutes played is problematic. It just isn’t a large enough sample size.
Even in limited minutes one thing became evident; when Brown did enter an NBA game, he didn’t look out-of-place – he appeared comfortable and unrestricted. Some guys get noticeably tense when they find themselves called up to the big squad, but Brown suffered no such setback.
Playing behind Lowry, VanVleet, and Delon Wright, minutes were hard to come by for Brown. As a free-agent this offseason, his future is unclear.
One area he must improve in at the NBA level is his three-point shooting. A 33 percent shooter from distance in the G-League, he shot less than 20 percent in 14 NBA games.
If not with Toronto, Lorenzo Brown, the reigning MVP of a rapidly improving developmental league, will find a home in 2018-19.
G-LEAGUE GRADE: A+
NBA GRADE: C+ (N/A in the playoffs)
Malcolm Miller
Miller was another Raptor who spent time in both leagues – most of his time, like Brown, came with the 905.
As alluded to earlier the NBA’s developmental league is no joke. Putting up numbers down there is no easy feat, and Malcolm Miller was a critical cog in the 905 machine that made the finals for a second consecutive time. Not bad for a team that’s only played three seasons.
In limited time with the Raptors, Miller proved to be a capable two-way player. However, as is the case with countless young players, he lacked the consistency to remain a regular rotational player. With Powell on the roster, Miller fell victim to a numbers game and, as a result, found himself relegated to G-League duty when all was said and done.
For Miller, continuing to work and develop his shot, and overall offensive arsenal will be key for his NBA future. He’s right there…
Being able to more effectively attack via the drive will cause defenders to slow their closeouts, affording Miller the necessary space to shoot – his preferred method of attack.
G-LEAGUE GRADE: B+
NBA GRADE: C (N/A in the playoffs)
Lucas Nogueira
This picture perfectly summarizes the frustration surrounding Lucas “Bébé” Nogueira’s time in Toronto…
His physical attributes give him so much leeway. Possessing the length of a Peter Jackson trilogy, and the wingspan of a Pterodactyl, Nogueira has been given multiple opportunities to play his way into the Raptors rotation; whether it be due to injuries and his general inability to stay healthy, or merely the absence of consistency, Nogueira’s never been able to piece it all together.
A believer in the power of dirty coconut water, the tall Brazilian may very well put it all together in a different uniform. He is a willing and capable passer for a big man and can also finish lobs from guards. Often times he’s grabbing the ball feet above a frenzy of reaching hands.
However, with the likes of Valanciunas, Ibaka, Siakam, and Poeltl it’s difficult to see how Nogueira fits into Toronto’s plans. Destination notwithstanding, Bébé must improve his offensive capabilities, while also understanding (and embracing) the day in day out commitment required to succeed in the NBA.
I’d be surprised if he’s a Raptor in 2018-19.
GRADE: D (F in the playoffs)
Norman Powell
Norman Powell spent most of this season trying to find the version of #24 that convinced Toronto to invest $48 million in him. Growing pains were inevitable in a season billed as a “culture reset”. For Powell, the growth was exceptionally painful, and ultimately, debilitating.
After emerging as a fan-favourite and more importantly, as a true impact player in the 2016-17 playoffs, Powell failed to follow it up in 2017-18. While featured in 70 games, Stormin’ Norman saw fewer than ten minutes of game action 20 times this season. He never once scored more than 20 points in a game.
His playoff performance was a far cry from the one that made Toronto fall in love with him…
There would be no Clark Kent sightings in these playoffs. In 10 games, Powell received four DNPs, playing a grand total of 40 minutes in six games.
Pinpointing what Powell did well this season is difficult considering he barely played. Most times his number was called, he looked lost – driving recklessly to the hoop, leaving his feet with no concept of where the ball should go next. Saying he had a tendency to force things would be an understatement.
First and foremost, Powell needs to slow down. He, along with 99 percent of players, are at their best when they let the game come to them. As a player, the game has a way of dictating what you should do. Norm Powell will do well to better understand that. We must not forget what sort of player he can be when he’s playing with confidence – life’s most coveted and fragile form of currency.
The road back to relevancy requires Powell to regain the confidence he benefitted from in 2016-17.
GRADE: F (both regular season + playoffs
CJ Miles
The Mob Father had a very hot and cold season. He dealt with a variety of ailments, including a dental procedure that got infected – sounds like an attempted hit, no?.
It was a mixed bag for Miles, in his first season in Toronto.
Putting basketball aside for a moment, please know that CJ Miles is, first and foremost, a great person. Listen to him talk, watch him on the bench or on the court and it’s easy to develop an affection for how he approaches the game.
Despite an up and down season, Miles enjoyed his first campaign in the North. It’s not hard to see why – the dude’s light was green all season long. He was appropriately billed prior to arrival – a streaky shooter who is, more or less, a liability on defense.
Part of the Toronto’s culture reset involved more serious adoption and reliance on three-point shooting, and Miles was the biggest beneficiary of this reality. He was second, behind Kyle Lowry, with 6.5 three-point attempts per game (per nba.com). CJ is many things…shy is not one of them.
Reducing the cold spells is critical for CJ, moving forward. At times, his shot disappears entirely and Toronto’s offense feels that. His shot forces defenses to extend and when it isn’t falling, it permits teams to sag inwards and clog the painted area.
Finally, improving his cardio will help him make more of a sustained impact, not to mention it would allow him to play at a faster pace. As a rhythm shooter, getting Miles open looks in transition, while defenses scramble, must be a focus for the team’s next head coach.
GRADE: B- (both regular season + playoffs)
Delon Wright
Wright’s first mostly healthy season gave a glimpse of his promise and potential. A long and athletically gifted guard, Wright needs to continue improving his shot. He has a tendency to disappear at times, seemingly unwilling to even try to make an impact. He’s too talented to suffer these types of letdowns. Consistency remains his biggest hurdle.
Early in the Washington series, Delon was arguably Toronto’s best player. He was engaged and involved all over the floor, making plays not only for himself but for his teammates. However once the series shifted to Washington for games 3 and 4, it was a different story.
Then, in the Cleveland series, Wright managed a total of 22 points in four games, 10 of which came in the series finale. Did him and Ibaka share an Uber in Washington? Was it driven by one of the aliens from Space Jam?
With Wright (and VanVleet), the Raptors point guard position appears more than able to carry on in a post-Kyle Lowry world. Wright’s defensive upside is undeniable. When playing aggressive, he’s an assembly line that churns out deflections and opposing turnovers – he’s like a migraine. Unshakeable.
Offensively, he’s slithery on drives but as discussed, must work on his shooting in order to take the next step. He may never dominate from start-to-finish but is more than capable of taking over games in spurts.
GRADE: B (both regular season + playoffs
Jakob Poeltl
As the team’s lone lottery pick, Jakob Poeltl should be further along in his development than he presently is. With that being said, he did have an encouraging sophomore season, all things considered – one that saw him play all 82 regular season games.
Poeltl quickly established himself as a capable rim protector in year two – increasing his blocks per 100 possessions from 1.6 to 3.2. Where he fell short on the defensive side of things was his lack of physicality. He, like most young players, needs to get stronger. Otherwise, he’ll continue getting pushed around by opposing players, such as Tristan Thompson who abused Poeltl in the Cavaliers series.
Another issue that limited Poeltl was foul trouble. He led the team in fouls despite playing only the sixth most minutes. He’s mobile and possesses solid footwork, but too often gets outmuscled, leaving him little choice but to foul.
Offensively, Poeltl excels as a screener. He does a great job rolling and presenting himself to guards – his hands are exceptional. He does an excellent job catching and corralling passes and finishing inside. Extending his range beyond the painted area is a must.
Similar to Valanciunas, Poeltl likely didn’t foresee himself needing to shoot many threes in his NBA career. Well, things change.
Finally, the playoffs didn’t go well for the Austrian, but he wasn’t alone in failing to deliver the goods when it mattered most. Struggles aside, Poeltl remains Toronto’s most tenacious offensive rebounder (along with JV) and figures to be a valuable piece for the Raptors moving forward, provided he grows in certain areas. Don’t rule out a possible trade involving him, either.
GRADE: B- (F in the playoffs)
Pascal Siakam
Work it, make it, do it, makes us harder, better, faster, stronger…
I don’t reference Kanye lyrics very often but the above perfectly encapsulates what Pascal Siakam must do this off-season: GET BIGGER. GET STRONGER.
And if it’s even humanly possible, I guess get faster too…
Siakam’s growth from year one (G-League Finals MVP) to year two (an endorser of Google Home and Bench Mob blur) was marvelous. Earlier this season, Dwane Casey called Siakam’s motor his “gift”. There aren’t many players who can make a living in the NBA simply by outrunning and outhustling their opponents – Pascal Siakam is one of them.
Ball-handling and playmaking are two areas where his growth was exponential. After averaging just under two assists per 100 possessions in his rookie season, Siakam produced nearly five per 100 possessions in 2017-18. His shooting mechanics need a lot of work, as does his shot in general, footwork, preparation, the whole shebang – at one point this season, he was statistically the league’s worst three-point shooter.
Despite that unfortunate title, he mustn’t shy away from taking threes in future seasons. The league craves scoring from distance, and Siakam possesses all the other attributes necessary to be a very good player in the league but must get his shot in order if he wants to unlock his higher NBA calling.
In the playoffs, Siakam struggled to find his rhythm offensively. He was rejuvenated somewhat when VanVleet returned in the Washington series but was otherwise only relevant on defense, where he performed admirably against the likes of John Wall and LeBron James.
With the futures of Serge Ibaka and Jonas Valanciunas uncertain, and given the impending arrival of a new head coach, Pascal Siakam could find himself in a starting role as early as next season. In order to succeed in that hypothetical scenario, he must get stronger and develop more consistency with his shooting.
GRADE: B+ (C in the Playoffs)
Fred VanVleet
In a season filled with great moments, the rise of Fred VanVleet might be at the top of the list. He earned himself a lot of money with his play this year, not to mention the love and adoration of a city, and country.
Mr. Bet on Yourself, a.k.a the man the draft left behind, was Toronto’s most valuable second-unit player – playing his way into a Sixth Man of the Year nomination.
If there’s one criticism to toss at VanVleet, it’s his suspect finishing around the rim. His field goal percentage on driving layups could be higher.
Other than cleaning up his inside finishing, there’s little to complain about how Fred grew as a player in 2017-18. He was one of the team’s most reliable three-point shooters, along with being the driver of second-unit offense – remember how lost the Bench Mob looked against Washington? Like a bunch of useless Bond villains, only they were the henchman clowns who can’t shoot.
There’s a confidence, bordering on arrogance to VanVleet’s game, and while it may rub some the wrong way it’s a mindset that great players share. VanVleet has the added motivation of being a draft night afterthought. He plays with a CN Tower sized chip on his shoulder, and frankly speaking, more of Toronto’s players need to adopt VanVleet’s mindset. He works for everything and expects nothing to be handed to him. And he’s not afraid of anything – not even the big bad king…
A restricted free agent this off-season, expect Toronto to bring him back at any cost. He’s too valuable to what they’re trying to build to risk losing him.
GRADE: A (C+ in the playoffs)
Jonas Valanciunas
For all the offseason trade speculation that surrounded Valanciunas prior to the regular season tipping off, it’s scary to think where Toronto would’ve been without the big Lithuanian…
Despite averaging the fewest minutes per game of his career, “JV” enjoyed arguably his best season as a pro. Playing fewer minutes did little to his overall effectiveness when you consider he enjoyed the highest usage rate of his career (22.7 percent in the regular season & 26.2 percent in the playoffs). His defensive limitations will always be there, but he even improved slightly in that sense, compared to past iterations of himself – it’s worth noting that Valanciunas possessed the lowest defensive rating on the team of anyone who played at least 500 minutes (in this case, low = good).
At only 26 years old, Jonas still has time, and room to grow. He introduced the three-point shot, albeit he never looked that comfortable taking them. Watch Al Horford pick and pop…that’s comfortable. Valanciunas has always been at his best when he’s decisive with his decision-making – when he thinks, he tends to over think.
Overall it was a positive season for him. However, with so much uncertainty surrounding the team, it’s not outside the realm of possibility that our gentle giant finds himself on a new team. After all, this core has numerous playoff failures on its résumé and team president Masai Ujiri has never been afraid to shake things up.
And to think I thought I’d never view players as stocks. That’s precisely what they are folks! – well, they’re people too obviously. If he does wind up leaving, I’ll always have my Itty Bitty Baller…
GRADE: B+ (A- in the playoffs)
Serge Ibaka
In an effort to keep their own version of a big three together, the Raptors re-signed Serge Ibaka to a 3-year, $65 million deal. When Ujiri traded for Ibaka, giving up Terrence Ross and Toronto’s 2017 first-round pick, I was somewhat giddy with excitement at what Ibaka’s presence could mean for this team, especially in the post-season. And I wasn’t alone.
Looking back, that first-rounder would be nice to have right about now. Not so much to draft another young player but rather to attach to Ibaka as part of a potential trade.
Ibaka’s first full season was a mess. Billed as the third option on offense, he scored more than 20 points eight times all season. In the playoffs, he did it once. His playoff point total was 87…in 10 games (you do the math)…and he scored 23 in one of those games. So we are left with 64 points in nine games – a woeful 7.1 points-per-game.
Defensively, Ibaka showed flashes of Dikembe Mutumbo throughout the season, including openly mimicking his finger wag whenever he’d block an opponent’s shot. The problem was he seemed to wear down quickly, unable to handle the rigours of an 82-game regular season. It’s critical that Ibaka gets healthy, first and foremost. From there, he needs to become a more capable and confident ball handler. Too often the ball would find his hands and the whole rhythm…. of…… things…… would …….get ……..disrupted.
Whatever the case may be, whether in Toronto or elsewhere, Ibaka, with two years remaining on an expensive contract, must make major strides this off-season. If he doesn’t, he’s going to become a cap albatross who’s future in the league will suddenly be somewhat in jeopardy. As much as Ujiri would maybe like to get out from under this contract, it’s hard to foresee another team taking it on without receiving draft pick compensation in the process. The first round pick included in that deal feels so much like a cheap way to sweeten a deal in 2K18. Masai might have got slightly 2K’d there.
GRADE: C- (D in the playoffs)
OG Anunoby
OG Anunoby followed up his impressive regular season with a glorious playoff showing – he never once appeared overwhelmed by the postseason intensity, but rather seemed to feed off it. I recall almost throwing my remote through the TV screen in excitement when he went toe-to-toe with Markieff Morris.
If it weren’t for a devastating knee injury in his final college season, Anunoby would have been a lottery pick. His offensive game is a work in progress but he did lead the team in offensive rating in the playoffs (132). And he did it playing only the fifth most minutes on the team. Anunoby played more than 30 minutes in two games versus Cleveland. Those two games just so happened to be the two Toronto were closest to winning. OG is going to and already is, special.
His regular season was not without its downs. His numbers dipped somewhat significantly in January and February causing some to suggest he’d finally crashed into the proverbial rookie wall. But he turned it around in the subsequent months and all season long was a +/- legend.
The playoffs showcased what a confident Anunoby is capable of. He must build off his individual success and continue working on his offensive arsenal to become elite. He has all the tools to be a special two-way player in the NBA, as early as next season. Whether DeRozan and Lowry are there nor not, OG must be more of a focal point on offense in 2018-19. Development as a facilitator is another prescribed area of growth.
Of course, adding more muscle to his frame and bulking up will help him better cope with the long grueling NBA schedule. Remember, Anunoby played a total of 50 games in college. Over two seasons. His first NBA season saw him play in 84 games, starting 72 of them.
The future is bright…oh so bright.
GRADE: B (A+ in the playoffs)
DeMar DeRozan
DeRozan enjoyed the best regular season of his career. From the beginning, he appeared much more willing to share the ball and trust his teammates. Per 100 possessions, he tallied 7.6 assists – the highest mark of his career. DeRozan’s appetite for help on the offensive side of things was a big question mark heading into 2017-18, and he most certainly didn’t disappoint.
Furthermore, we saw him dabble from three-point land more this season, averaging 3.6 attempts per game – compared to 1.7 a season ago. He remains far from a finished product from beyond the arc but seeing him more willing to take them suggests he’s aware of how critical they remain to the process of perpetual improvement – a process DeRozan is plenty familiar with.
The playoffs, however, went from good to bad for the kid from Compton. Brilliant for most of the Washington series, the wheels came off for DeRozan in Games 3 & 4 of the Cleveland series, culminating with him being ejected from the final game. A flagrant foul was assessed to him for a hit to the head of Jordan Clarkson. The call was perhaps a bit harsh but at that point, who really cares? The season was all but over.
Heading into this off-season, the main area of improvement for DeRozan must be on the defensive side of the ball. He shows glimpses of defensive prowess. Glimpses. As fans, watching your team’s best player mail it in on defense leads to major resentment. A player of his skill level (not to mention contract) must be a more willing and consistent contributor on defense.
DeMar DeRozan's worst plus/minus performances of the 2017-18 season
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) May 8, 2018
1. Game 4 vs. Cavs: minus-29
2. Game 3 vs. Cavs: minus-23
3. Game 2 vs. Cavs: minus-22
A brilliant regular season tainted by yet another playoff failure, including a fourth-quarter benching in Game 3 versus King and Co., DeRozan’s season mirrored that of his team. But you can’t look past what he did in the regular season – he was, at one point, a for argument’s sake MVP candidate.
Casey is out – it marks the beginning of a new era in Raptors basketball. Whether DeMar DeRozan sticks around remains to be seen but either way, he’s been a model player and citizen his entire time in Toronto.
GRADE: A- (C+ in the playoffs)
Kyle Lowry
Lowry, despite his numbers being down, had a phenomenal season. Reduced minutes were key in keeping him fresh down the stretch and heading into the playoffs. He had by far his best postseason in a Raptors uniform and even though it ended horribly, he can be at peace with his individual performance – Little victories, I know.
Lowry’s season, as I mentioned, went far beyond what the numbers will portray. His points per game, at 16.2, was the second-lowest mark of his Raptors tenure – his lowest output coming way back in 2012-13, his first in Toronto. That number in isolation tells a deceiving tale. In actuality, the argument could be made that this season was, like DeRozan, Lowry’s best and most complete season in Toronto – regular season and playoffs (in the case of DeRozan, he’s yet to have what I’d call a “good from start to finish” playoff performance).
A possible area of improvement lies in Lowry getting back to attacking inside with more regularity than he showed in 2017-18. He shot the ball well from distance, but averaging fewer than five 2-point field goal attempts per night is a bit light. Finding a better balance of sniper-Kyle and bulldog-Kyle is prescribed.
Defensively was where most of the problems existed for Lowry – his defensive rating jumped 10 points in the postseason – 107 to 117. A reflection of the collective effort on the part of his team, but as the point guard Lowry was tasked with guarding the primary point of attack most possessions, and he didn’t get the job done.
Next: Why was Dwane Casey the fall guy
Ultimately, this team’s defense failed in the postseason and as a point-of-attack defender and not to mention, team leader, Lowry must accept a good dose of blame for it. But make no mistake, he is not the only one deserving of a playoff dunce cap.
GRADE: A- (B++ in playoffs – defense prevents an A-)