As a long-time Toronto Raptors fan, the start of their game against the Cleveland Cavaliers was an all-too-familiar scene. Toronto came out flat, while LeBron, a man who had won 16 straight games against the dinos, was leading his new group of teammates to a 12-0 lead. The Raptors didn’t get their 1st bucket until 4 minutes into the frame, and it already looked like the trap game was set. Both teams were coming off a back-to-back, with the Raptors winning a laugher against the Bucks, while the Cavs dropped a matchup with the Wizards, and were no doubt hungry for a win.
In year’s past, a motivated LeBron would have spelled disaster against the Toronto team, but things are different this year. For one thing, LeBron’s team isn’t as good as the team he had in Miami, and the bench struggles mightily once he or Kevin Love or Kyrie Irving sit. But more importantly, the Raptors have transformed from Eastern Conference whipping boy to an 11-2 juggernaut that is currently leading the Conference and tied for the lead in the NBA. While we’re just under a month into the season and there’s a wealth of basketball still to be played, the Raptors are quickly staking their claim as a top team in the East.
They’ve taken a very gritty path to get where they are, and mirror teams like the 2004 Detroit Pistons, who won a championship around defense without a defacto go-to scoring option. Only that team was comprised of veterans, whereas the Raptors have room to grow. Coach Dwane Casey has long been praised for his defensive prowess, and has the Raptors playing at a top 10 level on that end. Jonas Valanciunas isn’t the rim protector that Ben Wallace was, but he is continuing to improve on that end while being a far more efficient offensive option then Big Ben ever was. Demar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry make up a sneaky good backcourt that can collapse the defense with their ability to get to the rim, while Amir Johnson and Terrance Ross are expected to guard the opposition’s best players. With a bench that’s scoring just as efficiently as their starters, the Raptors field a collective team that can wear down most any competition and gives them a chance to win every game.
Which takes us back to last night and their matchup with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Cavs are clearly not where they want to be, nor are they displaying the kind of offensive prowess they will likely develop as the season progresses. But they do provide the Raptors a measuring stick in the early stages of the season, and Toronto clearly came out on top. Even when falling behind early, the Raptors preached patience as they continued to work their offense. Once the Cavs starters headed to the bench for a break, the full power of the Toronto lineup was shown.
Lou Williams obviously gets a huge amount of credit for the win, pouring in a career high 36 points, 24 in the 1st half capped off with a 3 at the buzzer to give the Raps a 2 point lead. Williams made a living at the line, going 19-19 at the charity stripe, and helped a sputtering offensive find some life early on. With that spark off the bench, the Raptors can continue to play their game knowing that they will get a chance to counter punch when they take their oppositions best shot, as they did to start the game. Once Sweet Lou got going, the confidence of the entire Raps lineup grew, and they began to play with more freedom, more energy, and more poise.
They have continually shown that no individual is above the team, and seeing a player like Williams, cast away by the Atlanta Hawks and 2 years removed from ACL surgery, reach such heights against a foe like the Cavaliers, goes to show just where the Raptors are right now.
Their work isn’t done yet, and there is a ton of basketball still to be played, but Toronto is no longer a whipping boy in the Eastern Conference. After surprising teams last year after the trade of Rudy Gay, these Raptors are sneaking up on anyone. Instead, they are simply outworking, and outplaying, everyone in their path, from the starting 5 to the end of the bench.
These Raptors are for real.
What do you think about the Raptors start to the season?
THE BASELINE JUMPER 