The Toronto Raptors moved their record to 4-0, cruising to a win over the visiting Charlotte Hornets. Here are three takeaways from the victory.
Coming off of their induction into the top spot of NBA.com’s Power Rankings, the Toronto Raptors took care of business, dominating the Charlotte Hornets.
Despite newly-minted NBA Player of the Week Kemba Walker, the Hornets had just an average performance. Toronto, however, put up a blistering 127. Besides the obvious score differential, here are the three biggest takeaways from the victory.
Lineup changes are paying dividends
Last season, Jonas Valanciunas started all 77 games he played for the Toronto Raptors, leaving the lineup often stagnant. Things have changed under new Head Coach Nick Nurse.
Nurse has already used three different lineup combinations in four games, maneuvering the landscape of varied opponents. The changes have worked thus far, with Serge Ibaka and Valanciunas exchanging blows in the starting lineup, allowing the latter to dominate backups in plus matchups.
Ibaka found his way into the starting lineup Monday night against the Charlotte Hornets, with Valanciunas serving as the big man of the “Bench Mob.”
The switches have allowed Ibaka to enjoy a resurgence thus far, with 15 points against the Hornets, a full three points above his season average last year. The game marked his third consecutive appearance with double-digit scoring in the early portion of the year.
From the reserves, Valanciunas posted 17 points of his own, thoroughly outplaying backup center of the Hornets, Willy Hernangomez. The Lithuanian native took advantage of the youngster down low often, with the highest total of free throw attempts of any Raptor to show for it.
If the Raptors can continue their lineup switches to take advantage of opponents, setting their bigs up to succeed, their season’s prospects brighten greatly.
Acquisitions of Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green exceeding expectations
When the package deal for Kawhi Leonard was announced late in the NBA offseason, the headliners were naturally Leonard and Demar DeRozan.
The smaller pieces in the deal were big man Jakob Poeltl and the aging Danny Green.
Green is already shifting the narrative as the Raptors are beginning to look like thieves. Last year, the 3-and-D guard had a weary season, averaging 8.6 points and 1.6 assists with the San Antonio Spurs’ starting unit.
In the early stages on this season, Green has only pushed his average to nine points a game but has been a force on the defensive end. Though his rating is skewed from a limited sample size, Green has shown the ability to switch for the Raptors, enabling himself and the aforementioned Leonard to garner steals.
The switchability and allowed Leonard to aid the rebounding for the Raptors, averaging nine a game, a figure that would serve as a career high. Along with the boards, Leonard has led the offense for the Raptors, scoring 25.7 points per game. The scoring has come on a 127.1 offensive rating, a high for the team’s starters.
The increased ability of both units for the Raptors has them eying large goals.
Raptors look poised to challenge the NBA’s elite
In the league through the first week, there is one team that is in both the top six for offensive rating and defensive rating. The Toronto Raptors.
So far, the Raptors have faced two Eastern Conference contenders in the Washington Wizards and Boston Celtics. The team across the border beat both of the conference foes, with the Celtic’s victory by double digits.
The Wizards win, though closer, was without Leonard who was resting on the second leg of a back-to-back.
The four wins through as many games have highlighted the potential that Raptors’ President Masai Ujiri saw when he acquired Leonard in a high-risk, high-reward deal.
The Raptors offense has shown new levels under Nurse, allowing shooters like Green, Leonard and Kyle Lowry to roam free outside, with bigs Ibaka and Pascal Siakam stretching the floor to allow driving lanes as well.
With the addition of Leonard and a renewed offensive vigor under Nurse, the Raptors have a chance at an NBA title.
The team now has a capable defender of Kevin Durant, as well as Lowry and Green to defend the Splash Brothers outside, giving the Raptors a legit shot at contention.
It’s early, but the Raptors look special.