Toronto Raptors Roundup is a weekly segment where we fill you in on all the games, highlights and stories from last week. Here’s what you missed from the fourth week of the season.
Several truths emerged about the Toronto Raptors emerged from week four.
First, the Raptors can take care of business when it matters. They beat three teams that they should have beaten including a couple on the road.
Despite a couple of “slow starts” to games and plenty of turnovers, they managed to avoid playing down to their competition for too long, not letting these ‘trap games’ get away from them.
They have found the extra gear to finish off teams when they’ve needed to.
Moreover, they can win without a full squad including Kawhi Leonard (one game) and Norman Powell (two games). If the Raptors (correct) strategy of keeping their eye on the playoffs and resting guys when they need it continues (which it should), they will have to continue to win shorthanded, without Kawhi (and one must assume Kyle too) down the road.
They finished this week 3-0, with an overall record of 12-1.
Raptor News
Kyle Lowry
Kyle Lowry may be the most valuable player on the team thus far. Yes, Leonard is the most talented player on both ends of the floor, but to this point, Lowry has played in every game, runs a high-powered offence, anchors a feisty defence, and continues to play at an extremely high level, leading the league in assists.
Off the court, Lowry opened up to Marc Spears of The Undefeated discussing the trade of teammate and close friend DeMar DeRozan and Coach Dwayne Casey. In it, Lowry seems to have moved on from the deal, realizing the nature of the business and the unique opportunity here in Toronto.
Norman Powell
How much Norman Powell’s shoulder dislocation injury will test the depth of the squad is up in the air. Powell has been inconsistent this year after a sub-par year last season. Offensively, he has struggled to put together a strong stretch of games where he has been a reliable option. Defensively, he has been better, showing energy and hustle, affecting what opponents are hoping to do.
But on a team this deep and good, will he be missed?
With options Delon Wright, O.G. Anunoby and C.J. Miles ready to eat up the minutes, we may see Powell’s injury be an opportunity gained for some. With Wright and Anunoby missing games early due to injury and personal reasons respectively, they both look to bounce back and contribute on both ends of the floor better than Powell can.
Miles, on the other hand, has been largely inconsistent this year and may have the most to gain from Powell’s injury. If Miles can find his shooting stroke and not be a liability on defence, Powell’s absence may go unnoticed.
Jimmy Butler
The NBA world was shaken Saturday afternoon as news came that Minnesota has finally traded disgruntled star, Jimmy Butler. For Raptor fans, the news hit a little too close to home. Butler is moving to division rival the Philadelphia 76’ers forming a formidable trio of Butler, Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons.
Questions have emerged about how the three will work together. Will there be enough shots to go around? Did Philadelphia give up too much shooting? Have the 76’ers killed their cap situation? Most importantly, can Butler gel with a group that has being going through The Process together for some time now?.
I didn’t think Philadelphia was a legitimate contender before the trade. But if this trio can put it together, I think they are a serious threat to the Raps, the Bucks and the Celtics in the East.
Without further ado, let’s review the Raps previous week, starting with a win in Utah.