Real (i.e. Canadian) Thanksgiving was over a month ago, but since the NBA season hadn’t started at that point I’m using American Thanksgiving as an excuse to be thankful. So here it is, the Top 10 things I’m thankful for 16 games into the season:
Svelte Kyle
Kyle Lowry makes me feel things that I’m not sure I’ve never felt when watching the Raptors play. Coming into the season in the best shape of his career (life?) has made a huge difference. He has been a revelation and arguably the top point guard in the Eastern Conference.
He is currently averaging 20.6 points, 6.4 assists, 4.8 rebounds, and a league leading 2.8 steals. He is also averaging a career best 40.4 percent from long distance.
Simply put, Lowry has been a revelation so far.
Cory Joseph
After the start to his Raptors’ career, it’s hard to believe that anyone ever doubted Joseph’s contract. Barely over a month into the season and his salary already looks like a steal. He is currently shooting 69.4 percent from within five feet of the basket, driving into the lane at will, and providing defence that Lou Williams and Greivis Vasquez couldn’t even if they were allowed to play as one person.
Masai Ujiri
It’s been a little over two years but I am still getting used to having a GM that I trust implicitly in their decision making.
Luis Scola, Stretch Four
Can you believe this guy? At 35 years old, Scola has added a new element to his game that has been missing his entire career: a three point shot. Before this season, Scola’s highest average for his career has been 0.2 attempts per game from long range, and his highest shooting percentage was 25 percent.
This season has seen Scola attempt 1.5 three pointers per game and shooting 47.8 percent from long range. To put that in perspective, Scola has already drained more three pointers (11) this season than the rest of his career combined (10).
Tanking without Tanking
I’ve always reveled in every New York Knicks loss. They’ve just always been easy to hate for me, but it’s nice to have added motivation to cheer against them. With every New York and Denver loss, the Raptors move closer to the top of the 2016 Draft.
Despite a surprising 8-8 start for the Knicks, I still have hopes of a top 5 pick joining the Raptors next season, and it’s so much more satisfying that it will come at the expense of the Knicks and due to Bargnani.
Defence
ICE, ICE, ICE, ICE!!! It is so satisfying to see the Raptors play a more stable defence that fits the players on the roster. Allowing Valanciunas to sit back and protect the paint has made him far less of a liability on that end of the floor. After a terrible season last year, the Raptors are currently a top 10 NBA defence.
6-5 on the Road
With wins in Boston, Dallas, OKC, Philadelphia, and in Los Angeles against both the Lakers and Clippers, I am exceptionally pleased with such a strong start on the road. They’ve lost some that I expected to be victories, and won some that I expected to be losses, but a 6-5 start on the road is a pleasant surprise for a team that has played the most road games in the league.
905s
It’s rather terrible basketball most of the time, but it sure is nice to have a home for Bruno and Friends to call their own. It’s nice to have an opportunity to overanalyze the youth at the end of the bench, and to let have Bruno already have played more minutes than he did all of last season combined.
And it’s free to watch live on YouTube.
A Competitive Eastern Conference
Of the 17 teams that are currently at or above .500, 11 come from the Eastern Conference. The East also presently has a combined record of 41-36 against the Western Conference. Finally! I was getting so sick and tired of the many insults thrown at the East over the last few years.
Granted, they were well deserved insults. Still hated them. Now, 11 Eastern Conference teams have a .500 record or better against the West. Our time has come!!
Small Samples Sizes
For they help contribute to all of the above being possible.
