Considering this franchise’s history, it’s no secret that being able to live in the moment hasn’t been an annual way of life — missing the playoffs in 13 out of 18 seasons prior to 2013-14 has trained the majority of this fan base (myself included) to look towards the future more often than not.
To the younger generation, and those who’ve just recently discovered their Raptors fandom: your ability to enjoy the here and now exists at a very spoiled level.
Now, for as much as I’m striving to appreciate this season as it comes (Norman Powell’s breakthrough performance made for one hell of a Friday night party), I do still have one foot stuck in the past. Well, sort of.
It’s somewhat of a balancing act for many of us. I’ve even snapped at people who time and time again refuse to go all-in on this squad until success in the playoffs transpires. That’s when my superfan persona takes over and my defense mechanisms lash out at anyone attempting to spread negativity. But after a while, when my biased point of view subsides and I look through my impartial lens, it’s easy to realize the bottom line of “postseason advancement or bust” is more than a fair assessment.
However, if you’re one of those people who bang that drum but at the same time complain when Kyle Lowry is given the night off to help alleviate any wear and tear concerns, we’ll have more problems than James Harden attempting to set the tone on defense. Or better yet, the Houston Rockets trying to give a crap for four quarters — something tells me those are related.
You can probably tell I’m a bit bitter from last night’s action but that doesn’t mean those cheap shots aren’t true. But to be fair, I’ll even aim at our own backyard as the Raps defense and level of engagement on Sunday could be mocked in a similar fashion. And even though I really have no way of knowing if those contradicting mindsets I mentioned above come from the same group of people, as long as we’re reflecting on history, Toronto’s sports scene is no stranger to inconsistent opinions.
I do realize there are plenty of readers, and other RR writers for that matter, who hail from other parts of Canada, so that was not meant to alienate anyone, I’m just speaking from a personal perspective. Besides, I’m sure Toronto’s rep goes well beyond its area codes.
Sunday wasn’t without entertainment value, though. The fourth quarter offered an exhilarating playoff atmosphere.
Which brings us to yet another narrative that’s been floating around for quite some time: The “fear” of facing Chicago in the first round.
First of all, even with the Raps well-documented struggles against the Bulls, isn’t this franchise (and fan base) past the point of needing to avoid an opponent? The goal of reaching the second round will satisfy most, but considering this club’s ceiling, the Eastern Conference Finals should be squarely on the collective radar regardless of how much this team’s inexperience in terms of going through the playoff gauntlet should keep our guard up.
Wishful thinking? Well, the East is filled with teams that are currently thriving so I’m not ignorant to the fact that optimism mixed with recency bias can cloud the big picture.
I meant what I said about using the past as a shield, but here’s my mini cheat sheet of confidence that the Raps are much more prepared this time around to make a run at an EFC appearance:
- Superior Guard play (AKA: Tell us something we don’t know, Captain Obvious): Here’s where living in the moment comes back into play. I assume I’m not alone in thinking Lowry and DeRozan have shown enough this season to think that a letdown performance is highly unlikely. They’ve reached the level of awareness (at least on offense) we’ve been waiting for. Joseph’s defensive presence and ball-handling responsibilities can’t go unmentioned, either. Especially when teams will be putting an added focus on kiboshing K-Low and DeMar running the show.
- The ability to play offense/defense at center late in games when needed. That’s something they couldn’t exploit in years past. Not to mention Bismack aiding one of the Raps’ Achilles-heels: properly defending mismatch switches have greatly improved since his arrival. But of course, T.O. has to be engaged to consistently accomplish the feat. Who knew Biyombo had a chance to be so integral in the playoffs when he first signed? Don’t lie.
- DeMarre Carroll will not only solidify “going small” when the opposition does, he’ll also help mask the defensive deficiencies of others (namely DeRozan) — yet another aspect this squad couldn’t deal with the past couple of seasons. And with Powell recently throwing his name in the ring, there’s now even more backup in that department. And if a meeting with Cleveland is in the cards, they’ll be positioned to soften the blow when LeBron inevitably spends time at the four.
Still, with all that said, the playoffs are a chaotic scene, and what’s on paper will never seamlessly translate.
We should be worried about secondary scoring. While it’s a no-brainer to think this team will only go as far as Lowry and DeRozan take them, the reality is that fact is a two-way street. If we have faith in the duo’s regular season carrying over, it will open up plenty of opportunities to help get over the hump in any series.
At this point, Carroll’s expected (and needed) effort on defense will mean his offensive production could vary game to game. There will be multiple times where options such Terrence Ross and Patrick Patterson will have to step up. And when it comes to the most polarizing player on the roster, as far as this season goes, those two share top spot. You could argue that Scola holds the title, but the swings in support for PP and TJ have been violent to say the least.
Both offer bench scoring, three-point shooting, floor spacing, defensive prowess, and vastly underutilized attributes across the board. But which version will show up? When it comes time to cash in on that two-way street, and in order for Lowry and DeRozan to continue carrying the weight without being taken out of the equation on any given night, we better hope they’re ready to lighten the load when the moment calls for it.
Let’s also not forget the underlying issue this upcoming postseason carries with it: We should continue to tread lightly when it comes to thinking DeRozan’s return to this team is all but a formality. I realize Lowry re-upped and his relationship with DeRozan calls for DeMar to return the favor. I’m also aware that DeMar comes across as loyal to the franchise who drafted him. But what happens if a third straight postseason disappointment takes place, especially if the way last season ended rears its ugly head? The situation would, at the very least, become fluid. And when your hometown, and a promising young core in place is calling your name?
With that in mind, I’ll end this piece with a fitting track. A personal favorite that hits multiple angles. I think everyone has certain songs that are mood-proof, and in this case, perhaps it can be used for reflection that leads to motivation. And I highly recommend Patman and T-Ross give it a spin before Game 1 of Round 1. The Raps’ Moment of Truth is closing in:
