Back in the day, at least in my eyes, basketball at the college level (particularly March Madness) almost always upstaged what was going on in the pros.
Don’t get me wrong, though, for as much as the Bulls’ dynasty could mean to a little kid, those were mesmerizing years in their own right. But more often than not, you would’ve found me imitating the Fab Five far more than Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen as I was throwing up bricks nailing swish after swish on the 8-foot rim between mine and my neighbour’s garage.
For starters, even though the NCAA still holds plenty of excitement and intrigue today, its impact/importance was far greater in years past. Example: When players actually stuck around past their freshman year, it created a following that was much more meaningful. Besides, as I got older, it was the closest “big stage” atmosphere my career as a High School point guard (backup status or not) could relate to. Well, at least the pain from doing suicides and three-man weave drills at 6am before the homeroom bell rang could.
The real kicker, though, was just how much it transformed the way I follow sports in general. Better yet: the way my rooting interest was built. When the essence of the NCAA tourney (though there’s far more parity today) revolves around how much a smaller school can hang with a heavy favorite, I couldn’t help but immerse myself in a world that always backed the underdog.
Come to think of it, that might explain why I’ve hated Duke University my entire life and want to see Tim Tebow succeed as a Baseball player.
Side note: I get it. With the amount money universities make off their athletes with nothing coming in return (nothing on the up and up, that is), I’d jump at the first I chance I got at major payday, too. Not to mention the fact that every player is an injury away from their NBA dreams being crushed.
Still, when you’re young, you’re too busy being a selfish sports fan. You don’t take such considerations into account.
Enter the year 1995 and the Raptors’ inaugural season:
With college ball on the brink of shifting towards its current one-and-done climate, and becoming increasingly difficult to remain emotionally attached to, there couldn’t have been a better time for this city to be awarded an NBA franchise.
I mean, I’m just as obsessed as the next Jays and Leafs fanatic, but considering I was already able to live vicariously through their respective early 90’s success, the Raptors promised to fill a void that I thought was probably lost forever.
Any expansion team will be shrugged to the side by the mainstream in the early going, but getting in on the ground floor presented the ultimate underdog scenario.
Enter the Raps’ current way of life. Along with the injury to Kyle Lowry and the role of Jonas Valanciunas:
Just like almost anything in life, evolving as sports fan is beneficial.
And the Raps’ recent leap from being a mock-worthy organization to being on the shortlist of exceptionally run franchises has tweaked my overall sports fandom yet again. Only so many successful seasons can pass before being a blatant homer just won’t cut it anymore. Simply put: Expectations take over. No longer are the Raps just “happy to be here” and, well, neither should we.
The history of the Raps may have transpired for a reason, though, as suffering for so long only meant we knew how to react when they lost Game 7 to Brooklyn, and when they took a step back in the Wizards’ series sweep. As much as we hoped for the best, we knew a tease when we saw one—last season even falls under the same umbrella.
Does Kyle Lowry’s injury belong on that same list, though? Are the Raps destined to fall short anyway? … It’s tempting to add but when those aforementioned expectations are part of the equation — and they’re here to stay — it separates itself from the group.
With that said, “expectations” have a tendency to branch off into different categories. Most notably: Fear. Which only leads to stressing over the possibility of failure.
It’s no secret the potential fallout from Lowry sitting on the sidelines is immense. And the disappointment looms larger every time Serge Ibaka shows how versatile he is at the both ends of the floor. Not to mention every shutdown possession P.J. Tucker provides.
Have you become enamoured with how Ibaka can adapt to nearly every situation yet? How about the way he sets up opponents when they’re driving the lane? Often times, it may look like he’s getting beat off the dribble, but often times he’s just reeling them in for a surprise attack at the rim. We as fans have plenty to be thankful for, but Serge (in a short timeframe) has already reminded us again and again of just how much of a void this team had.
And that’s what makes Lowry’s injury so frustrating. On paper, this was a brand new team. A team (dare I say) that was finally built to take on Cleveland with more than just a fighting chance to prevail. Instead, if the East’s current seedings remain intact, you know who would be their second round opponent. Which now has the makings of a matchup happening too soon.
There will be a time, hopefully before the regular season ends, that all the pieces to the puzzle can be put into play—so that chance still exists. But the margin of error has become ever so slim when you consider the following:
1. How much time will this team’s new look actually need to re-work Lowry into the mix? That notion might seem superficial, but a playoff series only lasts so long. It’s not a time to be working out any kinks.
2. The increased workload of Delon Wright and the return to form by Cory Joseph (occasionally) bode well moving forward. But Lowry is supposed to be the guy, while getting the chance to play off the ball more often, that ties up the loose ends created by T-Ross’s departure. It’s not like Patterson has returned to action with a vengeance and it’s not like the rest of the Raps’ shooters are currently up to the task when DeRozan doesn’t have it. Again: The playoffs don’t give a damn.
3. How many times have the Raps had to play catch-up in recent weeks? Well, combine the previous two points and add in how much K-Low means to this team’s second unit. A unit that prides themselves on coming to the rescue. Bottom line: The trickle-down effect spreads far and wide.
The scariest part, though, would come in the offseason:
It’s likely a 50/50 proposition, but the thought that Ibaka’s run as a Raptor will be short-lived is realistic. And if the previous fears come to fruition, there will be a massive “what if” hanging over this franchise and its fan base. One that (dare I say) would be on par with what could have been accomplished if Vince Cater and Tracy McGrady stayed together for the long haul.
Masai has positioned this club to recover from any potential departures, even if that means dipping into free agency, but that doesn’t mean the same kind of potential this club currently holds won’t take time to resurface.
Now, last but certainly not least: Jonas Valanciunas.
Here’s a telling quote recently stated by Dwane Casey:
“I’m not gonna put Jonas in that situation, to try to go out and guard perimeter players that are playing the five position.”
Casey treating JV as a matchup-dependant player is nothing new, but with Lowry on the shelf, that treatment will only become more concrete. The stretch run isn’t meant for experimenting, so at this point, that makes complete sense.
Here comes that dreaded “what if” again, though. What if Lowry didn’t get hurt? Would there still be room to see if JV’s offensive progression could translate to the defensive side?
The plan was always for Ibaka to see time at the Five, especially in the 4th quarter, but at least there would have been more opportunity to prove himself.
Or, since there’s likely no definitive answer on the horizon, perhaps the bigger questions are more appropriate:
Considering it’s almost impossible for the current roster to remain as is as soon as next season, JV trade rumors will likely be making headlines in the near future.
Have the Raps possibly shot themselves in foot by stunting JV’s growth? Or, has he already evolved to the point where Casey has every right to play damage control depending on the matchup?
I know which way I’m leaning. Hint: Laying the groundwork can/still go a long way.
Note: Stay tuned for Part 2 of this column coming later next week. Brackets and all.
