Matthes Manifesto II: Where do the Indiana Pacers stack up in the East?
The Toronto Raptors
Toronto could be first. They have arguably the best player in the conference (Kawhi Leonard). They are either the deepest or second deepest team in the conference (the Indiana Pacers are the other).
They pair their superstar with one perennial all-star and a cast of role players that fill all the nooks and crannies that need filling. Toronto used to wet the bed against the Cleveland Cavaliers but LeBron James’ departure has left the Cavs a husk of what they were. No need to be scared anymore Toronto. Add all of that up and the Raptors are as much a contender as their Atlantic Division neighbor.
Toronto used to wet the bed against the Cleveland Cavaliers but LeBron James’ departure has left the Cavs a husk of what they were. No need to be scared anymore Toronto. Add all of that up and the Raptors are as much a contender as their Atlantic Division neighbor.
However, there always feels like something isn’t quite right with the team north of the border, doesn’t it? Toronto nearly leads the Conference wire-to-wire in 2017-18 only to be obliterated by the Cavaliers and swept out to of the playoffs. Dwane Casey won Coach of the Year, and was summarily fired in the wake for their unraveling. Serge Ibaka steadily worsened as last season progressed.
DeMar DeRozan was a starter on the All-Star team but, again, wilted in the playoffs (10.5 points on 35% shooting, without attempting a three in games 3 and 4 of the Semi-Final). Their defensive stoppers here helpless in slowing, let alone stopping, LeBron James.
But, all that’s changed right? Most of the cast is back and they were excellent, for the most part, last year. They exchanged DeRozan for a former NBA Finals MVP in Leonard. They got a fresh face as the head coach (Nick Nurse). On the surface, they’ve improved, while Nurse needs to prove it. But wriggled in to the improvements lies the same strands that could lead to another downfall.
Leonard, is great, but what if he’s not inspired? So far he’s appeared less than enthusiastic to be in Toronto, and if his eyes are aimed southwestward (specifically toward his native southern California) that could be devastating to the Raptors.
They need him, the best version of him, to survive challenges from Indiana, Philadelphia and Milwaukee let alone Boston. And what about Nurse, while highly acclaimed he’s unproven at this level. Can he engage Leonard and get the best out of the Raptors?
It’s a good problem to have but a problem nevertheless, Toronto won’t be able to prove their improvement until the playoffs. If they win 60 games, their fans will celebrate wearily knowing the only avenue to universal respect is likely playing in the NBA finals. Whatever the reason, that dream still feels out of reach, although the talent to obtain it is present and accounted for.