The Toronto Raptors and the modern NBA are in direct opposition. As the league has trended towards more three-point heavy offenses, the Toronto Raptors have built a team of average to below average shooters.
This has been the most common criticism of this Raptors team all season, with many fans and media members urging them to shoot more three-pointers. Earlier in the season, I was part of that crowd. However, I have come to terms with how this team is constructed. This team is not a three-point shooting team. In fact, they are the exact opposite.
The Toronto Raptors need to be themselves
The Toronto Raptors are built to be a team that scores in the paint. On the season, the Raptors score 53.2 points in the paint per game, which ranks fourth in the league. Amit Mann reported on “The Raptors Show” that Toronto is 23-2 when they score 60 or more points in the paint in a game this season.
This team should not try to be something they are not. Their personnel is built to attack the rim. Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, Collin Murray-Boyles, and Jakob Poeltl all score over half of their points in the paint. Even Jamal Shead is at his best when he attacks the rim and creates plays for others.
Instead of asking this team to shoot more three-pointers, the focus should be on maximizing what they already do well. Leave the three-point shooting to Ja’Kobe Walter, Immanuel Quickley, and Sandro Mamukelashvili. Every other member of the team should be attacking the paint every chance they get.
The obvious downside to Toronto consistently shooting inside the arc is that three points are worth more than two. However, Toronto has another defining part of their identity: winning the turnover battle.
Toronto must create extra possessions
The Raptors force the fourth most turnovers in the league at 16.1 per game. They also only turn the ball over 13.8 times per game, seventh fewest in the league.
That creates extra possessions for Toronto. If the Raptors use those extra opportunities to settle for Scottie Barnes, Brandon Ingram, or RJ Barrett taking tough threes, then those extra possessions will be wasted. Instead, Toronto should lean into their strengths and focus on getting to the rim on every offensive play.
Attacking the rim will naturally create more open catch-and-shoot three-point opportunities. Those are fine to take, but those shots should make up the vast majority of Toronto’s three-point attempts.
Toronto cannot outshoot other teams in the league. They can outscore opponents with interior scoring. If the Raptors are going to win the important games left in the season, it will come from doubling down on that identity.