Two games in and there is little to complain about in Raptors land. The team is healthy outside of a mild ankle sprain for Jonas Valanciunas and they have handily walked away with both games they’ve played. Yes, both Chicago and Philadelphia (sans Embiid) are closer to a tire-fire than they are to NBA contention, but for a successful season you first must take care of the lower tiered teams.
I’m encouraged by much of what I see in the new offensive system, and see glimpses of what this team could become, but it is still just two games. Due to the lack of competition that they have faced, and that it has been just two games, it’s tough for any real analysis at this point.
So let’s make wild proclamations off of incredibly small sample sizes. In tribute to The Starters, It’s Only Two Games…
…but Delon Wright is the league’s best back-up point guard.
I don’t even think this one is a big stretch. Yes, as we’ve already stated (and won’t do again moving forward), the sample size is of the smallest nature, but Delon has started the season in incredible fashion. He has been a key member in each of the Raptors’ best line-ups, and runs the new offensive system close to perfection.
His size and defensive acumen open up many Raptors line-ups due to his flexibility, as he can play beside either Kyle Lowry or Fred VanVleet, while he can also manage as the primary ball handler. Entering the season I fully believed that he could more than make-up for the loss of Cory Joseph, and through two games it’s not even a question so far. Just look at his numbers compared to Cory’s from last year:
| Player | Season | FGA | FG% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | 2P% | FTA | FT% | TRB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | PTS | ORtg | DRtg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cory Joseph | 2016-17 | 16.7 | .452 | 1.2 | 3.4 | .356 | .477 | 3.1 | .770 | 5.9 | 6.7 | 1.7 | 0.3 | 2.7 | 18.7 | 108 | 110 |
| Delon Wright | 2017-18 | 12.6 | .467 | 0.8 | 5.9 | .143 | .750 | 10.1 | 1.000 | 5.9 | 5.0 | 0.8 | 1.7 | 1.7 | 22.7 | 139 | 96 |
The difference would be even starker if you compare Delon to Cory’s stats from this season. If Delon can simply become respectable at the catch-and-shoot three, he would easily be a complete point guard and a serious weapon come playoff time.
… but CJ “Two Legs” Miles is the best defensive player in the NBA.
I have bestowed CJ Miles with the nickname of Two Legs, because it just feels good to have a small forward with two working knees and the ability to use them.
Miles was brought to Toronto this summer for one main purpose: shooting. Opening night he showed just that by draining 6-of-9 shots from long distance and scored 22 points in just 20 minutes of action. Chicago even did a decent job of guarding his shot and it still made absolutely no difference.
But despite his purpose being offense, he has also helped to be a stabilizing figure on the defensive end. Two Legs has been a key person in calling out defensive rotations for young players like OG Anunoby and has helped to bring out the best in a young bench group.
Of all players that have averaged at least 15 minutes off the bench it is Miles that currently has the best defensive rating at just 74.4. Teammate Jakob Poeltl comes closest to matching this easy season accomplishment with a defensive rating of 75, but Miles remains the current best defender in the NBA.
… but Jakob Poeltl is already showing he deserves more respect.
The Raptors are spoiled with young talent, whether it be an established player like Norman Powell or a raw and promising rookie like OG Anunoby. Jakob Poeltl is too often ignored due to the overall simplicity of his game.
Poeltl is almost always in the right spot, rotates well on defense, has great instincts on the offensive glass, and is starting to show increased feel on his touch around the rim. Against Philadelphia he put on a blocking clinic at times that led to several transition opportunities.
He also excels in finding open space on offense, a fact that both Delon and OG have learned well. He has been a joy to watch this year and is establishing himself as a key piece of the present and future in Toronto.
…but the Raptors easily have the best bench in the NBA.
Toronto has not started games as poorly this year as they did last year, but the bench may be even deadlier. Kyle Lowry, DeMar DeRozan, and the rest of the starters have managed to keep the Raptors in the game long enough to let the bench take over and win the game for the Raptors.
When looking at bench production around the league, the Raptors currently have the league’s top rated offense at 119.3 points per 100 possessions. The competition for this level of production is fierce though, with Brooklyn shortly behind at 119.1 offensive rating and Portland in third place with an offensive rating of 117.
What separates the Raptors bench from other competitors though is their defensive production. Their bench defensive rating of 80.8 is head and shoulders over second placed Oklahoma City at 87.7.
Putting the two sides of the ball together and the Raptors bench currently sports a net rating of 35.8. It’s not even a competition at this point, with the second place Los Angeles Clippers a full 15.2 points behind in overall net rating.
