Just over halfway through the season, the Toronto Raptors are a league best 30-12. After getting out to a blazing 20-4 start, they shortly thereafter fell into a 8-9 skid. Facing a tough back to back which featured an enthusiastic Bucks in Milwaukee and a surprising Indy team with only 2 losses in their last 15 games, it was easy to predict another 2 losses for Toronto – which I did, on this site only a few days ago.
Jim however, had a different take. He reckoned that after 2 losses to the Bucks already this year and after a pounding in their most recent game against Demar DeRozan’s Spurs, the Raptors were going to rally and rally they did. First they beat the Bucks by 8 and then, as further predicted by Jim, they pounded the Pacers 121-105 in Toronto to climb back into first place overall in the league.
So that’s the good news. The bad, well, Jim and I watched some Holiday Baking Championship episodes over the past few weeks and I hope you don’t mind a cooking metaphor or two. It is clear that the Raptors have two strong flavours: Lowry and Leonard flavours. The question is, will they meld? Leonard is the better player but Lowry makes the entire team better, except when, Kawhi is playing. Take a moment to scratch your head if you like, but there it is. And I’m not the first keyboard jockey to notice that Kyle simply doesn’t play as well when Kawhi is playing also. He defers far too often, his shooting percentage falls and he just seems to lack that drive that defines him.
Through 42 games, these flavours have each been strong enough to keep the team at or near the top of the standings and they may well finish the regular season with a team best 60+ win season. However, for the Raptors to have any deep playoff success, these flavours will have to combine to create something new, something never previously tasted north of the border – a Championship.
They have 40 games remaining. It’s certainly enough time for the dish to simmer, provided more injuries don’t get in the way. I’d advise Nick Nurse to turn down the heat to avoid boiling but keep the lid on. Stir occasionally, and let the flavours meld.
Bob