The beauty of this community (this Republic, if you will) is that every move the Raptors make, no matter how inconsequential it may seem, is put under the microscope. Not to mention being dissected without any agenda censoring one’s thoughts. It’s passionate analysis and unadulterated commentary from everyone involved.
Though often times, when you follow a team so closely, it’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day while allowing the big picture to fall by the wayside. With Kyle Lowry now officially voted in as an All-Star starter, and the wait for DeRozan’s selection all but a formality at this point, it’s a prime opportunity to sit back and take a look at the surrounding landscape.
I realize this won’t be a major enlightenment, that would be a naive way of thinking. But acknowledging what’s going on off the court as it relates to the action on the hardwood is always worthy of discussion. And the Raps couldn’t have picked a better time to thrive.
In the summer, I touched on a few questions and expectations for the upcoming year. I coined it “Winter is Coming” (yes, original I know) in reference to a specific point during last season. For backdrop purposes, allow me to quote myself:
“It’s difficult to say when we’ll be able to have a firm grip on what this reboot truly has to offer, at least as far as this season goes. It’s also hard not to let last season’s road trip reference point seep into the discussion. The back-half of the now infamous six-gamer, smack dab in the middle of winter, one that saw the Raps’ fortunes change for the worse. We all remember game 32 in Portland, where Toronto owned a shiny 25-6 record coming in. And to their credit, backed up the notion that they belonged in the NBA’s upper echelon with an all-out, overtime effort. Three days later, the armour began to crack. With Golden State providing the first reality check only to be followed up by a Phoenix dismantling. Not to mention the next 31 games after the fact, where 25-6 transformed into a 15-16 disappointment, and a team on the brink of losing its way.”
As frustrating as that second-half stretch was, the way the year ultimately ended undoubtedly left an even bitter taste behind. So much so that a momentum shift within this city was readily apparent. This organization failed to capitalize on the euphoria that was 2013-14, a scenario where pandemonium over the Blue Jays was nowhere to be found, and the Leafs, well, two years away from being two years away might not even be an accurate description. The Raps literally owned this city’s sports scene by becoming its saving grace.
That supremacy was short-lived, however. And as we all knew coming into this campaign, they had to earn back out trust as well as our respect.
Well, are you sold yet?
Let’s fast forward to Game 32 of this season, a matchup against the perennial powerhouse, Chicago Bulls. The Raps were sitting on a record of 19-12. Not quite the shine of 25-6 but encouraging nonetheless. And I’ll get to why I think falling back to pack was the best thing that could have happened to them in a moment.
Even though it was decided by just two points, the Chicago game didn’t resemble what took place in Portland a year prior. Instead of showing why they “belonged” in the elite conversation, their lack of killer instinct was exposed while failing to take advantage of countless opportunities.
This is where taking a step back can lead to taking a giant leap forward. Overachieving early in the season can lead to complacency and the fact that the masses had their guard up, alongside this fan base not allowing that narrative to repeat itself, has seemingly worked wonders for this team’s psyche. Building momentum as the season goes by is the only way to progress in the postseason, which at this point is an absolute must for this franchise.
It was a moment in time I’d been waiting for all season. “Winter” arrived and its test was passed with flying colours. Their 8-2 record since has officially recharged this movement. The club’s knack for letdown performances is currently a thing of the past while at the same time gaining that missing killer instinct. The game-by-game turbulence should always be held in question, but the Raps of old were never this aware of what they need to do to put away an opponent.
Nine of those tilts have come in January. The new year has brought a new attitude. The Raps rank 6th in FG% over that span (.470) and 1st in blocks per game (7.1).
Wait, 1st in blocks? Let’s just enjoy that for a second…
To rehash my previous piece even further, the offseason question that has yet to take shape needs to be taken into account.
- Will the DeMarre Carroll signing provide the needed Domino effect?
The fact that we have yet to see what Carroll’s true impact can be cannot be stressed enough. It’s a testament to where this team can actually go when he eventually returns. And hopefully, it’s another example of a perfect scenario. Adding a high-minute player in the midst of a team on the upswing can prove problematic in some cases, but when it’s a player who will remind everyone that defense will ultimately be the reason for advancement, that upswing could progress even further.
I’m tempted to push all my chips in, but until that optimal progress takes place on the postseason stage, the big picture remains in need of reinforcements. Friday night vs. the Heat is up next. Here’s to that killer instinct making an appearance and sticking around for the long haul.
