Raptors writers roundtable: Thoughts on the first half of 2020-21
By Mike Luciano
The first half of the 2020-21 NBA season has come to an end, and the Toronto Raptors are in the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference standings after a very turbulent season.
Despite the fact that all of their star players have missed some time due to either injury or the league’s health and safety protocols and their 2-8 start, Nick Nurse has this team right on the edge of the postseason.
This season is unlike any other, the Raptors are still contenders, as the resilience they’ve shown over the last few weeks bodes well for the rest of the campaign.
It’s time to take stock of what went wrong in the first part of the season, look at what the Raptors have done right, and project their outlook for the future.
Raptors Rapture Writers Roundtable
Mike Luciano (site expert)
Jack Long (contributor)
Avishai Sol (contributor)
Ben Fisher (contributor)
Pirasanth Gunasekaram (contributor)
Question No. 1: Who was the Raptors’ MVP of the first half?
ML: VanVleet. Not only is he tied for the team lead in points per game, but he’s playing some excellent defense lately. in a season that has been muddled by inconsistency and unusual circumstances, VanVleet has been the constant.
JL: VanVleet. He may never put up the biggest numbers, but he is the consistent force that keeps this team going. This is a guy who gets it done at both ends of the floor leading the Raptors in steals and, sneakily, is second in team blocks.
AS: Nick Nurse. He was dealt a crappy hand at the start of this season and has maximized every player on the roster. Despite injuries, a lack of talent, and a complete schedule of road games, the Raptors have stayed in the mix.
BF: VanVleet. The 54-point night vs Orlando was cool, but this is really about how, in a season where so much has been in flux, FVV has been the trusted, reliable, tireless presence that the club can lean on. Steady Freddy, indeed.
PG: VanVleet. During the first half, he tied with Pascal Siakam with 20.1 points per game, tops on the team, while being more consistent. While the 54-point game stands out, the Sacramento Kings game on Jan. 8 where he had 34 points, three rebounds and seven assists on 60% shooting stands out. They are 6-1 whenever Kyle Lowry is out and VanVleet is the point guard.