Toronto Raptors basketball is much closer than we think (23 days), and there has yet to be any real talk of a starting lineup yet.
The Toronto Raptors roster is pretty much set in stone — at least we think it is. Apart from at the Center position, the Raptors starting roster is not all different from last year’s. Which is a good sign considering they finished last season as the second seed across the NBA.
Not bad for a team who many expected to be only mediocre with the departure of Kawhi. Now the same might be said again this season, with both of their bigs — Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka — opting to play in Los Angeles. Two players who were very important to the starting lineup at one point or another last season.
However, the Raptors were quick to solve their frontcourt problems, adding Chris Boucher, Aron Baynes, and Alex Len to the roster. They are obviously not on the same spectrum as Gasol and Ibaka were, but they are players that fit the bill perfectly. Low usage players that can stretch the floor, protect the rim, and accept smaller roles.
Speaking of roles. Let’s begin looking at the new starting lineup and roles each player will have in the upcoming season.
Toronto Raptors starting Point Guard – Kyle Lowry
I think the saying “aging like a fine wine” has been used so much when talking about Kyle Lowry, that we should just start saying “Aging like a fine Kyle Lowry.” Okay, maybe not the greatest of ideas. Anyway, Kyle Lowry at 34 (turning 35 during the season), will be the team’s starting point guard.
Kyle Lowry played a huge role in the team’s success last season, and he will be looking to carry that on this season. Following a season averaging 19.4 points, 7.5 assists, and 1.4 steals; I can’t imagine Lowry playing at a lesser level, though I do expect his workload to diminish.
Lowry has shown no signs of slowing down and was by far the team’s best player in the bubble Playoffs. Lowry put his team on his back on multiple occasions in the Celtics series and was the sole reason it went to a Game 7 — don’t forget Lowry made the perfect pass to OG Anunoby when he hit the buzzer-beater. When Lowry wasn’t on the court, the team crumbled.
As great as it was to see Lowry take control of the game as he did, it was discouraging to see key players like Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet failing to create anything for themselves. Lowry had carried the load in most of the games but the Raptors were slowly becoming too dependent on him.
Kyle Lowry will be entering his 15th season and his 9th being the Toronto Raptors’ point guard. Despite the heavy mileage, he still plays defense on an All-Defensive level — an award he should’ve been rewarded with last season at least — commands the team’s offense, and is not afraid to take the last shot.
The only sad part talking about this is realizing that this might be Lowry’s last season being the Toronto Raptors starting point guard. A realistic outcome that’ll lead us to drink any sort of aged wine, if it were to occur.