Toronto Raptors: Three Raptors who need to step up down the stretch

TORONTO, ON - February 10 In the first half, Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) comes across some heavy Raptors defence.The Toronto Raptors took on the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Scotiabank arena in NBA basketball action.February 10, 2020 (Richard Lautens/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - February 10 In the first half, Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) comes across some heavy Raptors defence.The Toronto Raptors took on the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Scotiabank arena in NBA basketball action.February 10, 2020 (Richard Lautens/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
1 of 4
Toronto Raptors
Toronto Raptors (Richard Lautens/Toronto Star via Getty Images)

The Toronto Raptors have 21 games left to play in what has been a pleasantly good season to date. The season is not over and here is a look at three Raptors who need to step up their game down the stretch.

After coming away from Sunday night against the Sacramento Kings with a win, the now 45-18 Toronto Raptors are second overall in the Eastern Conference.

The team has already secured its seventh consecutive winning season, its seventh consecutive playoff appearance, and is closing in on its fifth consecutive 50 plus win season. There is also an outside chance the Raptors could repeat as NBA Champions.

To ensure all of these accomplishments, a team is only as strong as its weakest links. This season the Toronto Raptors have been stronger than expected with the gigantic hole many felt Kawhi Leonard and to a lesser extent, Danny Green was leaving in the Raptors roster when they did not return in free agency.

The holdovers from last season’s championship team and the new faces have combined to prove that the basketball culture around the Toronto franchise is not centered around having a single star player. It requires a team effort. This means every player has a role and must be ready to step up when called upon.

For their part, most players on the 2019/20 edition of the Toronto Raptors’ roster have made significant contributions in keeping the team in contention for the 2020 playoffs. However, three players need to step up if the Raptors are to duplicate the results they had in 2019.