Fan Duel Toronto Raptors

What We Know Two Weeks Into the Season

God, we miss Tom Sterner.

With the Raptors’ season four games deep things are looking good. At this time of year fans and pundits alike are always quick to add a ‘but it’s early’ tag to any mention of the team. It’s a reasonable point but it can also become a frustrating anchor to anyone trying to float a Raptors conversation.

Which brings us to this list. Sure, it’s only November 4th but a few things are undeniable when it comes to the latest edition of the Toronto Raptors. Here are the most obvious.

Norman Powell Is This Year’s Jonas Valanciunas

During the past two seasons Raptor fans spent a lot of time collectively screaming at their TVs for Coach Casey to play Valanciunas. This year, the big man is getting the minutes. Now, we’re screaming for Norm. Why must Casey do this to us? Powell’s minutes have been very limited so far this season and it feels like this will be the Norm for the year. He’s been effective when he gets the opportunity, which makes the situation all the more frustrating. It’s easy to coach from the couch but with the way Valanciunas is playing this year it looks like there might be some method to the Casey’s madness.

 

Someone bought Jonas a Suck Cut during the Offseason

TORONTO, CANADA - SEPTEMBER 28: Jonas Valanciunas #17 of the Toronto Raptors poses for a portrait during 2016 Media Day on September 28, 2016 at the BioSteel Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Ron Turenne/NBAE via Getty Images)

Valanciunas has come out flying this season. Four games in and he’s averaging a double-double, has a couple poster dunks and has even improved on an already great free throw percentage. But the real story for the Lithuanian this year has been his hair. That mop is impossible to avoid. It’s like a giant piece of spinach in a cover model smile. There’s no way a professional shaped that hairdo. It’s clearly the work of an at-home barber. Whoever bought Jonas the Suck Cut during the offseason must be close to him because he’s putting it to use. Maybe it was the last wish from a dying relative. Or maybe he’s got beef with his barber. Either way, something’s going on.

 

Never Owe DeMar Money

DeMar keeps it real. Compton real. The Sports Illustrated incident has made it clear, don’t poke this psychotic bear. You never want to owe DeMar money. Not because he needs it, obviously he doesn’t. But he’s the kind of guy who will take it personally if you don’t pay him back. He could lend you $3.25 for the subway and if you forgot to get him back he’d start ‘randomly’ seeing you in your day-to-day life. Sure, he’d smile and make small talk when you crossed paths but if you didn’t return the token, every time you walked away he’s gonna shake his head and mutter ‘real disrespectful’ under his breath. Next thing you know he’s showing up at family birthday parties, uninvited. He’d still bring gifts and be charming as heck with your relatives but it would only be a matter of time before he cornered you in the kitchen and brought up the TTC fare.

 

Dwayne Casey is a Lock to Coach the All Handsome Team

Based on his track record, Dwayne Casey is one of the top coaches in the NBA. Based on his suit game, he’s one of the most handsome coaches of all time. He’s already a two time All Handsome Team Coach and there’s no doubt he’ll be back for year three. His suits have been fire to start the 2016-17 Campaign.

 

Amber Rose Did Not Break Terrence Ross

Definitely didn’t this coming. In the past Terrence has snapped at followers on Instagram over his questionable play. When someone’s that concerned about what other people think you’d assume that breaking up with their first celebrity girlfriend would send them into a mental tailspin. Not Ross. The confidence he had in the preseason has carried through to the first four games. His field goal percentage is 52.5 and he continues to be Trey Rozay from behind the arc. As for Rose, she’s apparently dating a guy from Dancing With the Stars, so, yeah, she’s killing it too.

 

The New Inflatable Raptor Is Amazing

We’ve always known the Inflatable Raptor deserves more time in the spotlight. This year he’s back and bigger than ever. The 2016/17 edition of the Inflatable Raptor is the biggest to date. We can only hope the selection committee for this year’s All Star Game is paying attention.

 

A Rivalry Is Brewing

The Raptors and Cavs had some epic battles during the regular season last year. The Eastern Conference Finals took that intensity to another level. It was only the second game of the season but the ACC had a playoff atmosphere when Cleveland came to town this year. There’s a different kind of energy when these two teams meet. The fans feel it and it looks like the players do too. So much so that it’s safe to say a rivalry is beginning to evolve. You can definitely feel it on the Raptors side. Do the Cavs feel it? Probably not. They likely see the Warriors as their only true rival but all it takes is the Raptors pushing a playoff series to seven games or – dare we even suggest – knocking the Cavs out of the postseason before LeBron and company acknowledge the rivalry.

 

We Still Miss Tom Sterner

You can’t live in the past. That’s fine. Doesn’t mean it’s not gonna hurt. The halftime interviews have been good so far during the Raptors’ broadcasts. Jama Mahlalela seems like a great guy. Whatever, it’s cool.

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