Could the Toronto Raptors have repeated as NBA champions?

Impressive roster

As a start, it’s best to look at the Raptors roster and break down its strengths and weaknesses. Last season, the Toronto Raptors had Kawhi Leonard as their star man and he tore apart NBA defenses on a nightly basis – when the playoffs rolled around he was averaging 30.5 points a night, shooting 49-percent from the field and 38-percent from deep.

With Leonard gone and Danny Green shortly following the Raptors title triumph, there were doubts about the Raptors pedigree. Pascal Siakam had just won the NBA’s Most Improved Player award but analysts were skeptical about whether or not he could make the jump to primary scorer.

Along with that, there were doubts over whether or not Kyle Lowry was beginning to decline after a drop in his raw numbers – despite the advanced numbers suggesting that Lowry was just as impactful as ever. Some even suggested the Raptors would miss the playoffs entirely.

Hmm.

Now, the Raptors are second in the East. Is this a roster that can compete for a championship?

Plain and simple: yes.

From top to bottom, the rotation is filled with players who are willing to give their all to win games. The Raptors have one of the best defenses in the league and are one of the premier three-point shooting teams in the league.

Pascal Siakam has made the jump to superstar, Kyle Lowry continues to operate as one of the NBA’s elite point guards, and the likes of Fred VanVleet, Serge Ibaka, and Norman Powell have all stepped up in a big way.

Even the less skilled players like Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Patrick McCaw have had big moments this season. No matter who plays, the Raptors find a way to win. Once the postseason rolls around, that could be a big swinging factor.