The major power rankings are out and here’s how the Toronto Raptors are faring. Clearly, the harshest review is from NBA.com’s John Schumann who appears to be penalizing the Raptors for their loss to Cleveland.
I find it very difficult to put the Raptors ahead of the Cavs given the latter’s recent winning streak, and the fact that we’ve lost to them twice. Chicago has three more losses but find themselves ahead of the Raptors, which is due to strength of schedule and the Raptors’ loss to the Bulls. I can stomach that, what I can’t stomach is being behind the Wizards for some reason.
Of course, all these rankings are meaningless.
| Publication | Overall Rank | Eastern Rank | Overall Change | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NBA.com | 11 | 4 | Down 2 | Pace: 95.6 (18), OffRtg: 111.0 (2), DefRtg: 103.4 (14), NetRtg: +7.5 (4) Dwane Casey has dusted off Landry Fields and put him into the starting lineup in order to reunite Greivis Vasquez and the rest of the second unit. The move has helped the Raptors’ first-quarter defense, which has allowed just 98 points per 100 possessions in Fields’ three starts after allowing 112.0 (29th in the league) through the team’s first 21 games. |
| ESPN | 7 | 2 | Up 1 | When DeMar DeRozan makes it back from that groin tear, he’ll return to find that Kyle Lowry has grown in stature. The latest illustrations: Lowry’s recent 39-point eruption in Utah, his robust PER of 23.22 and all the Chauncey Billups comparisons he’s been sparking as a Billups-esque late bloomer. |
| Hollinger | 6 | 1 | Down 1 | RAT 105.078, SOS .460, MAR (L10) +6.80, SOS (L10) .509 |
| USA Today | 5 | 1 | Up 2 | Kyle Lowry was snubbed from last All-Star Game but made sure that will not happen this time. |
| CBS Sports | 8 | 2 | None | I’m genuinely intrigued by the question of whether the #WeTheNorth movement is strong enough to carry Kyle Lowry to All-Star starter. He’s struggled a bit the past five games (shooting only 36 percent). |
