Five takeaways from Toronto Raptors amazing NBA Finals Game 1 win
Raptors role players
The Toronto Raptors received 36 points from Marc Gasol, Fred VanVleet, and Danny Green. The Warriors defense was designed to load up and stop Toronto’s stars. The Raptors role players made them pay.
Marc Gasol was aggressive unlike we typically see him, letting it fly with even a small amount of room and even posting up a few times.
When sagging off for help, Jordan Bell and Kevon Looney are too small to get back and contest Gasol’s jumpshot. DeMarcus Cousins and Gasol didn’t share the floor at the same time, but Boogie is clearly hampered moving around defensively.
Cousins can’t defend a Gasol, Leonard pick-and-pop action, and at 7’1″ Gasol has at least four inches on the largest, non-Cousins Warrior. This entire series is a mismatch for Gasol, expect him to eat.
In regards to Fred VanVleet, I’m not sure what else there is to say. Folks (not here) clamored for him to be benched after his multiple poor performances which he went ice-cold from three. However, since having a son, Fred VanVleet is the most unstoppable force in the NBA. He finished with 15 points on 5-8 shooting and was incredibly effective attacking the basket in this game.
Meanwhile, Danny Green proved to everyone why he deserved his starting spot. He scored 11-points on slightly above-average shooting. Although considering his play in the last series, that’s enough of a slump buster.
With all that being said, all three of these players might have made their greatest impact on the defensive end. Whatever concerns people had about Gasol should be gone after Game 1. He did an excellent job of “showing” (stopping Curry by playing extremely high up in pick-and-roll defense) while also keeping his hands up and active.
VanVleet was the Raptors best Curry defender. Green, continues to make huge defensive plays, including a beautiful transition block from behind.
Next. Grades from Raptors Game 1 win. dark
Perhaps the Raptors won’t continue to receive point totals like this from their role players, but they should expect a similar defensive effort. Considering how well they played on that end of the ball, that might be enough.