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3 title winners from the last decade the 2019 Toronto Raptors are better than

By Eddie Huband

TORONTO, ON - JUNE 17: Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors walks down the street with the championship trophy during the Toronto Raptors Victory Parade on June 17, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. The Toronto Raptors beat the Golden State Warriors 4-2 to win the 2019 NBA Finals. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - JUNE 17: Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors walks down the street with the championship trophy during the Toronto Raptors Victory Parade on June 17, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. The Toronto Raptors beat the Golden State Warriors 4-2 to win the 2019 NBA Finals. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /
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LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 11: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) /

3. 2019-20 Los Angeles Lakers.

This is by far the biggest mismatch in the Raptors’ favor. Leonard’s defensive performance from the 2019 playoffs made him the perfect player to throw on LeBron James in a series. The Raptors also had big bodies inside to deal with Anthony Davis and the big Laker front court.

On the flip side, LeBron at that stage of his career might struggle to guard Leonard, leaving the Lakers with few other options to throw at him. Putting Davis on him would leave a huge hole in the paint Nick Nurse could exploit.

The Lakers would have issues with the Raptors.

The Raptors’ real advantage would have come in the backcourt. The combination of Lowry and Vanvleet going up against Rondo and Alex Caruso would have been a bloodbath (despite Rondo’s solid postseason performance). The Danny Green from 2019 was more reliable and nimble than the version from 2020 as well.

Make no mistake, the Lakers from 2020 were a fantastic defensive team, and…oh yeah…they did have LeBron. He might’ve lost the smallest of steps from the dreaded ‘LeBronto’ days though, and having Leonard go toe-to-toe with King this time around definitely would have changed things given the support around him.

Toronto’s depth and defense would have worn down the older Lakers, but they did have the King. Given all of the weapons Toronto had in 2019 against a Lakers team that wasn’t as deep as the stat sheet indicated could give the Raptors a win here.

Raptors in 6.

Next. Grading Fred VanVleet's 2020-21 season. dark