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Sizing Up the New Orleans Pelicans Competition: Toronto Raptors

By Matt Cianfrone

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As we head towards the start of the 2015-16 season, New Orleans Pelicans fans are mostly concerned with the way the Pelicans are adjusting to a new system. While that is the most important question for the Pelicans right now, there are also 29 other teams in the NBA with questions and the answers to some will directly impact the Pelicans. With that in mind we decided to go around the league and do Q&A sessions with a blogger for each team in the league. Today we continue a look around the Atlantic Division by talking with Brian Boake of Raptors Rapture, the Toronto Raptors blog here on the Fansided Network.

Like the Pelicans, the Raptors enter this season in a difficult position in their conference. Toronto seems locked into a place somewhere in the four to six range of Eastern Conference playoff teams with no easy way to see how the team can do much more than win a single playoff series. So what does Brian think about the Raptors season? Let’s check in and see.

1. Both the Pelicans and the Raptors were teams that were in the bottom half of the NBA in pace last season. New Orleans changed head coaches and look like they will be trying to play faster this year, will Toronto? 

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Brian: I suspect Raptors coach Dwane Casey would like to play faster, but I question how much success he will have with this group.  Pace of play is often a function of initiating the fast break off a defensive rebound, and I doubt the Raptors are going to be any better than middle of the pack on the glass.  The starting centre, Jonas Valanciunas, is respectable but no more as a rebounder.  The fiercest position battle at training camp will be at power forward, where Patrick Patterson is pencilled in but will be challenged by wily veteran Luis Scola and perhaps James Johnson.  Former number 1 overall draft pick Anthony Bennett will get a look, but none of the candidates is a beast on the boards.   The Raptors are a three-ball shooting team, often triggered by a drive-and-kick late in the shot clock.  I don’t think the Raptors will be any faster this season.

2. Alexis Ajinca had two monster games against the Raptors last season. Did Toronto do anything to improve the defense or could post-up bigs have success again?

Brian: As noted above, the Raptors’ interior defense will likely remain an issue.  General Manager Masai Ujiri signed former Charlotte Hornet Bismack Biyombo over the summer, and he should help the second unit’s rim protection.   However, Amir Johnson signed with the Boston Celtics and Tyler Hansbrough is now a Hornet.  Johnson’s loss is the bigger one; he was an underrated defender and rebounder.  DeMarre Carroll was the prize free agent signing of the summer, and Raptors fans will have to hope he can provide swarming support for our big men in the paint.

3. DeMar DeRozan will almost certainly decline his player option and be a free agent this summer. Some Pelicans fans have wondered if he could be a player the team could sign if Kevin Durant decides against New Orleans. Do you worry DeRozan will leave or is this just a way he gets more money to stay in Toronto?

Brian: I completely agree with the premise of your question; DeMar would be foolish not to decline his option, assuming he enjoys another fine season.   Certainly he’s an extremely popular fellow, and Raptors fans would be dismayed if he bolted.   So would his teammates; I’ve been struck over the years by the number of players who have grown close to DeMar.  While he has his shortcomings as a player (indifferent defender, poor three-point shooter, prone to shooting slumps), he’s a cornerstone of the organization.   I believe DeMar when he says he’s loyal, and will be very surprised if Masai doesn’t make every effort to resign him.

4. The Pelicans are kind of stuck at the moment because of how good the top of the West is. Are the Raptors in kind of the same situation with the top of the East being so good? 

Brian: I’ve already gone on record as saying I don’t believe this upcoming season is the one Raptors fans have been waiting for.  Next year, with the crazy amount of money which will suddenly be available due to the salary cap increase, is a different story.  The two best teams in the East are the Cleveland Cavaliers and Chicago Bulls.  The Cavs may come apart at the seams next summer, particularly if Tristan Thompson comes home to Toronto and LeBron James starts to show his age.  Will Kyrie Irving ever play 82 games? Speaking of age, the Bulls aren’t exactly kids, and Derrick Rose is snake-bitten.  Everyone seems to think the Miami Heat are poised for a return to prominence, but I suspect they will be injury-riddled once again.

The Raptors’ core is young, yet experienced.   I like our chances for continued improvement, particularly starting in the ’16-’17 season.

5. What are your expectations for the Raptors this season? What would you consider a success?

Brian: Last year, the Raptors won 49 games.  I doubt the team can duplicate that, but it doesn’t need to in order to have the season judged a success.  The Raptors have lost their last six playoff games.   They must get over the first-round hump, and give a strong account of themselves in the second, before everyone will breathe a sigh of relief.  

A third straight Atlantic Division title, no worse than the #4 seed entering the playoffs, and winning at least one round – that’s the formula for a happy front office and fan base.

One final thought: Our team shed a bunch of players this summer, and backfilled with talent like ex-Spur guard Cory Joseph, draftees Delon Wright and Norman Powell, Biyombo, Scola and Bennett.  Young benchwarmers like Bruno Caboclo and Lucas Nogueira are clamoring for a front court job.  If coach Casey can integrate the veterans, and coax improvement from the kids, I’d be impressed.

Next: Miss Yesterday's Q&A About the Nets? Check it Out

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