In basketball, having lineup versatility is crucial in any team’s game-plan, and the Toronto Raptors are taking this message to heart given how they have constructed their new-look roster lately. This Raptors lineup is bursting at the seams with possible combinations for Nick Nurse to tinker with.
Having set combinations that can become a difference-maker in various situations over the course of a game, such as a 3-point heavy lineup when the best shooters are needed down the stretch or a defensive lineup for when you desperately need to get a stop
All of these lineups are implemented around the association, but with the Raptors comes the opportunity for some unique lineups. These lineups may have less to do with their on-court chemistry, but the connection the five men share off of it.
It’s always an experiment to find out which lineups work and which lineups don’t, and all of these combinations have a shot at giving Toronto a spark.
These lineups are so weird, they might just work.
3 unique Toronto Raptors lineup combos to look for this season.
1. Canadian Connection
- Fred VanVleet
- Dalano Banton
- Gary Trent Jr
- Chris Boucher
- Khem Birch
Being the only Canadian team within the NBA, along with the explosion of talent being produced north of the border, it only makes sense that the Raptors would acquire multiple players with connections to the great white north.
Being led by Montreal residents in Boucher and Birch, as well as newly drafted Rexdale native Banton, this lineup will be the apple of the eye for every proud Canadian fan this season.
Having only a few Canadians ever don the Raptors uniform all-time, to have three on the same roster is a testament to the growth of the sport within Canada as well as the impact the Raptors have had on the country.
The Toronto Raptors could lean on some of their Canadians.
Also joining the Canuck oriented lineup is Gary Trent Jr. While not a Canadian himself, Trent’s father, Gary Trent Sr., had a brief stint as a member of the Raptors in the 1997-98 season, playing in 13 games with the club. This connection, as brief as it is, gets Trent in this lineup.
As for VanVleet…someone had to play point!
This lineup would provide terrific shooting down the stretch of a game while still bringing an enormous amount of Canadian brand toughness on the defensive end. With solid size as well as playmaking ability from VanVleet and Banton, the Canadian Connection lineup may be able to provide serviceable minutes in real scenarios.