Toronto Raptors: Five biggest strengths this season

Three-point shooting

Last season, the Toronto Raptors ranked 4th in the NBA in three-point makes, despite finishing just 18th in three-point percentage.

How did they accomplish such a feat? By continuously hoisting attempts. As a team, they ranked third in three-point attempts, only behind the Houston Rockets (Duh) and Brooklyn Nets (less of a Duh).

Many times, firing a high-volume of three-pointers can have a negative connotation. It shouldn’t. Even as the 18th ranked team, Toronto shot far more efficiently from three (53.7 EFG%), than from two last season (47.2 EFG%).

This year, Toronto will look to shoot a similar number of attempts, with greater efficiency.

If you remove DeMar DeRozan from the Raptors percentages, last season they shot 36.4-percent as a team. That ranks 12th in the NBA. Add in two players who have shot higher than 38-percent in their career, and Toronto has the possibility to rank in the top-five in both three-point percentage and three-point makes.

This level of three-point shooting opens up so many doors for the Raptors offense. More spacing allows guards to penetrate and allows post players to navigate traffic-free lanes.

With additional spacing and shooting on the court at all times this season, expect Jonas Valanciunas to be more impactful around the basket.

The obvious impact (three-point makes) of Toronto’s increased shooting will be noticed right away, but some of the other, less obvious factors will matter just as much.