It’s almost time for the regular season to get underway and, as with every year, there remain more questions than answers. That’s fine, because the league would be a boring one if the preseason answered everything. The questions surrounding the Toronto Raptors are fairly micro – we know they’ll be good-ish in the macro – which means it may take a fair amount of basketball to get some clarity.
To help try to answer the questions surrounding the Raptors, I called on our entire staff – as well as Jared Dubin of Hardwood Paroxysm (and much more) for an outsider’s perspective – to tackle the 10 most pressing questions about the 2015-16 Raptors. The first five can be found below, the second five right here tomorrow.
1. What are you most excited about for the 2015-16 season?
William Lou (yes, we got him for the roundtable; miss you, boo): Cory Joseph’s continued development. Having already logged four years under Gregg Popovich, the instincts and habits are all there for the 24-year-old. This is his chance to prove himself in a Sixth Man capacity and I’m looking forward to more darting drives and stingy defense from the Raptors’ first impactful Canadian.
Zarar Siddiqi: The All-Star game. This is a once in 30-years event for the city and the town should be buzzing. I plan on hanging outside the ACC like a 12-year old waiting for a Bieber concert. Not terribly excited about the on-the-court product since I don’t think we made moves that make us a legitimate Eastern competitor, but the DeMar DeRozan situation is very intriguing.
Sam Holako: I don’t hate Casey, but I’m not a fan, and this season gives us the opportunity to see what he has since he’s seemingly had so much input into the construction of the team. If he can coach the team to the second round, he probably deserves to be re-upped, if he doesn’t, then he’s gone. Either way we win.
Michael Holian: Bruno’s rise to stardom! Alright, there’s a small chance that won’t happen. What realistically has me amped for the upcoming year is the new toys, specifically DeMarre Carroll and Cory Joseph. Their individual skill-sets will be an obvious help, but the impact they can have on their new teammates is what really adds extra anticipation. At the forefront, DC’s two-way mentality setting a new example, while a lineup featuring K-Low, DeRozan, and CJ together becoming a more prominent one as time goes by. If DeMar wants to EARN max-dollars, less responsibility on the perimeter is a good place to start.
Matt Shantz: Unless you are a reporter with a deadline, extra basketball is always a good thing. In this case I’m not referring to overtime games for the Raptors, but rather the extra 50 games that we get to watch for the Raptors 905s. This year, Raptors fans will get the opportunity to support two different teams within the organization, and to see whether players like Delon Wright, Norman Powell, Anthony Bennett, and Lucas Nogueira can be key contributors in the coming years. We also get to see BRUNO(!!!!), and to enjoy cheering for him long before he stakes his claim to the NBA MVP award.
Kiyan Sobhani: Kyle Lowry 2.0. Up until the All-Star break last season, Lowry was somehow mentioned in the same breath as Steph Curry and Chris Paul, and it wasn’t even a far-fetched statement to say he was among the top 3-5 point guards in the league. Last December, he went into the Staples Center and completely outplayed Chris Paul – hitting threes in transition, driving to the hoop like he’s James Harden, and throwing dimes like it was going out of style. Who’s not to say that he can’t have a repeat of that half-season performance, only to sustain it for the entire season this time? He’s in shape, and with CoJo in the mix now, he won’t burn out as quickly.
Tim Chisholm: I’m excited to see Kyle Lowry version 3.0 leading the charge for this club. He’s in shape, he’s determined and locked-in, and healthy Lowry can do tremendous things on the basketball court. He is the engine that makes this ship go, and so a retrofitted Lowry is as good a reason as any to get excited for this Raptors season.
Tamberlyn Richardson: Raptors:
• Abandoning iso-ball (no more Lou-Will shots to end quarters, thank god)
• Lowry/Joseph connection
• Cory-Joe’s break-out season
• Brazilians & rookie development at 905
• Raptors get to second round
• Possibly most exciting of all: THIS* (see point below)
NBA:
• The revenge tour of OKC
• The continuing master class in San Antonio
• The battles for MVP and ROY
• Implosion of LAC personalities followed by emoji-dominated social media reaction
• Wiggins growth and T-Wolves making huge strides (eight-seed?)
• *Watching Knicks/Nuggets finish in the Association basement, so that we can rejoice ONCE AGAIN about that Bargs trade, the gift that just keeps on giving!
Blake Murphy: Sharing it with all of you. (The things I’m most excited for are professional/personal this season, so I’ll just say “watching an actual defense.”)
2. The Raptors added defensive-minded players and tweaked their defensive schemes. How good can they be on that end?
Blake Murphy: I’m not entirely convinced they can push into the top-10 at that end, even with the addition of multiple defensive-minded players and an overdue change to a more conservative system. It’s funny – the Raptors have much better perimeter personnel for running Casey’s hyper-aggressive scheme from last season, right as he’s toned it down some to better suit center Jonas Valanciunas. I’m optimistic things will improve – it would be difficult to imagine otherwise – but I think the whole of the changes make them a little above-average rather than elite. And that’s a huge step forward from being Brooklyn-esque last year, so this is still a major positive.
Matt Shantz: Much of the Raptors struggles last season were at the point of attack. Svelte Lowry and Cory Joseph should make a big improvement in this sense, but so should the new scheme of icing the pick-and-roll, which will also allow Jonas to play more to his strengths. Watching Carroll guard the top wing option will bring tears to my eyes. The goal is a top-10 defense in terms of points per-100 possessions, and I think Raptors can finish the season around seventh best in the league.
Jared Dubin: As I say for Question No. 10 (tomorrow), I’m skeptical. DeMarre Carroll helps, but not enough to make up for the almost complete lack of interior defenders. Bismack Biyombo is a good one, but he’s such a non-factor offensively that it’s tough to justify keeping him on the floor.
Tamberlyn Richardson: Top-10 (maybe top-five). Gravy Vasquez and Lou Williams were arguably Toronto’s worst defenders which lulled others into not making an effort. Biyombo and Joseph give 100 percent, which seems to be inspiring others to step up. In the preseason the Raptors allowed the second fewest opponent points (88.9), third fewest steals, second fewest rebounds and fewest offensive rebounds. Washington tops preseason scoring at 112.3 (PPG) having scored 100-plus in every game EXCEPT against the Raptors, when they scored 82.
Sam Holako: Much better than last season. Still big question marks around the front line (if we don’t go small), since there’s only so much Biyombo can do in the 20 minutes he will be getting.
Tim Chisholm: They can only ever go as far defensively as the trio of Lowry, Valanciunas and DeRozan will allow them to go. Those three will dominate the minutes for this club and they will feature in most lineup combinations. If they can’t execute or refuse to buy-in to the defensive principles Casey is trying to integrate there will always be major holes in the schemes.
Zarar Siddiqi: Above-average – like, top-10 in the league. Joseph and Carroll will help tremendously at their positions (arguably our weakest defensive positions last year), and so will Lowry’s new-found shape. Biyombo adds a dimension of rim-protection we haven’t had before. Casey is a capable defensive coach even though there’s plenty of evidence to suggest he’s a maniac, so this should be workable.
Kiyan Sobhani: Carroll replacing Ross in the starting lineup is a massive upgrade. This alone should improve the Raptors tremendously, as the three-spot is an area where the Raptors are notorious for getting drilled. Carroll is basically the answer to Paul Pierce – the ageless Raptor assassin who is far away enough now to not single-handedly dismantle Raptor’ egos in the playoffs this season. It goes without saying that Biyombo is a huge defensive addition to the second unit, and let’s not forget that CoJo replacing the defensive black-hole that is Greivis Vasquez is an infinite blessing. Guess what? We no longer have to watch the horror of Vasquez defending Tyreke Evans in a last-second game-deciding scenario.
Michael Holian: We’ve seen consistent defensive discipline in years past, so the potential to become a formidable unit once again is real. And the offseason additions can only help make it a reality. Whether it’s Carroll defending the wing (or low post), Biyombo’s shot blocking presence, or the promising fundamentals of the new backcourt trio (Cojo, Powell, and Wright) netting them more minutes. But they can only push the overall picture so far if the existing core fails to completely buy in. Scheme tweaks vs. bad habits could be a constant struggle. The defense has to EARN back our respect before we can hand it out.
William Lou: As presently constructed, the Raptors could be something of a league-average defense. That could change, however, if Jonas Valanciunas ever figures out his footwork, or if the Raptors bring an honest-to-goodness power forward to make up for Valanciunas’s mistakes.
3. The Raptors lost several offensive-minded, if aesthetically displeasing, pieces from their No. 3-ranked offense. Is there enough talent here to remain a top-10 unit on that end?
Tim Chisholm: Probably not. Amir Johnson, Lou Williams and Grevis Vasquez were big parts of that offensive efficiency and now they’re gone. The guys the team brought in to replace them have skills that lie in different areas. The team made their choice, to scale back in one area to bolster another, and they must be ready to live with the results of that decision after seeing how far their vaunted offense got them in the playoffs.
Jared Dubin: If they get Jonas more involved and if Kyle Lowry keeps bludgeoning teams like he has in the preseason, absolutely. DeRozan gets to the free throw line enough that his shaky jumper isn’t as much of a factor as it might be for others, and Patrick Patterson and Carroll’s shooting will help provide enough space for the Lowry-DeMar-Jonas trio to operate.
Michael Holian: I’d gladly trade a drop out of the top-10 if it means the Raps’ 23rd ranked Defensive Efficiency Rating becomes a thing of the past. But that wouldn’t mean the new-look roster can’t still pack an upper-tier punch. Picking up the offensive slack may take a while, though, especially considering the somewhat of a mystery rotation about to take place at power forward. A 19th place tie in Overall Rebound Rate must see better days. A more concerted effort on the glass can also go a long way in softening the blow provided by the departed outside shooters. Shall we say, top-12ish?
William Lou: People forget that the Raptors were still a top-10 outfit before Lou Williams got here. The trio of DeMar DeRozan, Kyle Lowry, and Valanciunas is a proven combination on offense and the addition of DeMarre Carroll gives the Raptors a much-needed infusion of diversity to an offense that should be far less reliant on isolations.
Matt Shantz: It’s disappointing to say, but I don’t think they do based on what we have currently seen. DeRozan may be a flawed player in many senses, but he is far better than what we have seen in the preseason, and I trust Jonas to be the efficient post scorer he showed to be last season, but the deciding factor could be the play of Patrick Patterson. The Raptors will need him to get out of this slump that he’s been in since March, as his ability to stretch the floor opens up opportunities for the rest of the roster. I think they slide slightly, but finish just outside of the top-10.
Blake Murphy: There’s still enough talent here to get by at that end. I’m fairly concerned with the potentially woeful bench offense – especially if Luis Scola starts now – but Lowry, DeRozan, and Valanciunas are fairly well-established as an offensive backbone. The Raptors lost some talented individual scorers but they also got less selfish, more rangy, and more balanced. They’ll be on the fringe of the top-10, like on the defensive end.
Sam Holako: If Jonas gets more touches, and Lowry ups his usage, and and and…feels like we will see less hero ball, and something approaching an offense that won’t fall apart in the playoffs, so who cares where they rank?
Tamberlyn Richardson: Improved defense will lead to transition baskets. Plus Cory Joseph’s ability to create and take over scoring when required is underestimated. The Raptors rank in the preseason basement in scoring joining the Spurs, Cavs and Hawks, however Toronto is the only team of those listed who ranks in top-15 for point differential (seventh with a plus +5.9). Raptors will vacillate between 15th and seventh (if Bennett surprises or Patterson returns from wherever he disappeared to than definite top-10).
Zarar Siddiqi: I don’t think we need to be a top-10 offense to win a playoff round. Lou Will was not aesthetically pleasing, and neither was Greivis Vasquez. I think the sum of the parts just might be greater than the whole when it comes to the Raptors offense. The X-Factor here is Jonas Valanciunas, if he’s able to take a step up to being an efficient low-post threat who isn’t an equal threat to turn the ball over, the Raptors offense will be fine.
4. How much interest do you have in the D-League team?
Blake Murphy: Bruh. I’ve been writing about the need for a D-League team for years and couldn’t be happier it’s finally here. The benefits aren’t necessarily going to be obvious in the immediate term, but trust that this is a big move for the long-term health of the organization. And I plan to be around the team a bunch, which will be fun.
Kiyan Sobhani: In relative terms, for obvious reasons, there’s more interest now in the D-League than there has ever been. But the reality is that we live in an absolute glorious era of sports – everything is basically great and there’s no time to watch everything. The NBA is the best it’s been in years and it’s going to be a challenge on its own keeping up with League Pass. Despite all of this, it will be more intriguing than ever to follow the progress of all the Raptor projects in the 905. By the way, who’s the best person to follow on Twitter to get updates on these dudes? (Answer: Hopefully, Blake.)
Matt Shantz: I’m incredibly excited for the 905s, despite not being very excited for the choice of name. With the young players at the end of their bench, the Raptors will need a way to develop them and provide them with game reps, while also not hurting the hunt for the playoffs. Houston did just this last year with Clint Capela, who was able to be recalled late in the season and contribute earlier than anticipated. The 905s will go a long way to shaping the future of the franchise.
William Lou: The most I’ve seen out of Bruno Caboclo has been on Bebe Nogueira’s Instagram page, so yeah, it’d be fun to see if Bruno can actually play basketball. Call me slightly intrigued.
Zarar Siddiqi: On a scale of 1-to-10, a six. I’m glad we have somewhere to put Bruno and Bebe, but at the same time I don’t rate either of those players and wouldn’t actually ever pay to go see them. From the franchise’s perspective, it’s a great win and even if we produce one rotation player because of the D-League team in the next three years, it’s totally worth it.
Sam Holako: What Golden State showed us above all else is the need to draft and develop your players. The 905ers give us that ability, and as long as the goal of that franchise is building players who can contribute at the ACC, they are very important to this team.
Tim Chisholm: I have more interest in the concept than the team itself. The idea of having a real minor league counterpart is appealing because of how it can incubate talent for the main club. I don’t think it will be appealing to me as a viewer, however, at least not enough to pull me away from a compelling season played by actual NBA teams.
Tamberlyn Richardson: Actually a lot. Keeping track of Bruno Caboclo, Bebe Nogueira and the rookies progress (assuming they all go to 905) will keep my attention. Bruno is a sponge who’ll benefit greatly from playing time and my hope is we’ll witness expedited growth. With Jesse Mermuys dedicated to his development, I’m excited to see the end result.
5. Will a move to the bench help Terrence Ross produce more consistently?
Sam Holako: No.
Zarar Siddiqi: It’ll help his defense since he’ll be guarding lesser players. I don’t see it affecting his offense much since he’s 1) scared of contact, and 2) can’t seem to find his mid-range game. Both are key factors no matter if you start or come off the bench. The outside hope is that he plays with less pressure coming off the bench and that’ll help his shot-making, but frankly, I don’t even care.
Matt Shantz: It can’t hurt, but I’m still not a believer at the moment. Ross provides just enough moments of amazement that it is hard to quit on him entirely, but he disappears almost entirely between these moments. A bench role, along with playing at his natural shooting guard position should help him in the long run, but I am still only at 17 percent on the Terrence Ross Belief Chart.
Tamberlyn Richardson: Perhaps the bigger question is will a low-ball rookie extension contract (which is what the Raptors should offer) coupled with a bench role inspire him to utilize his amazing athleticism. Get your tomatoes ready to throw at me, but I haven’t given up on him yet. The reserve unit already has chemistry and I’m actually hoping Casey returns to his hockey line-up because I love the idea of: Joseph, Ross, Johnson, Patterson, Biyombo bench brigade.
William Lou: The words “Terrence Ross” and “consistency” will never belong in the same sentence, unless that sentence is “Terrence Ross lacks the drive and willpower to perform with any semblance of consistency.”
Blake Murphy: Probably not. Well, maybe more consistently, but not necessarily consistently better. He still looks shaky off the bounce and spacy on the defensive end, and I’m not sure simply tasking him with lesser competition is enough to fix what ails him. He sure can knock down a corner three, though.
Michael Holian: And you know this, man! His contract situation may be looming, but it’s kind of like he’s a rookie all over again. Hear me out, here. We’ve all been in and out on Ross so many times that at this point we’ll take whatever positives he can bring to the table. Being pushed out of the starting unit, now seemingly for good, can and should help bring T-Ross back to life. Personalities are different, some players need their name announced with the first-unit to stroke their confidence. Well, that time has passed. It’s time to regain what once was against other squad’s second-units or it’s time to move on. Spacing the floor is one thing, but not realizing his untapped driving and rebounding potential would be a damn shame.
Tim Chisholm: Not a bit. Strong bench scorers, like Lou, Jamal Crawford and Manu Ginobili, tend to excel as ball-handlers, passers and have multiple modes of attack. Ross can hit corner threes. That’s it. He can’t dribble and he can’t pass. Being featured on the bench will only exacerbate, not hide, his deficiencies. Plus, his numbers have historically suffered when he’s played off of the bench.
