Expectations are reset in Toronto
after Kawhi Leonard’s departure
to the Clippers, though the Raptors
won’t need to undergo a full
makeover to remain competitive.
They weren’t just functional without Leonard—
they went 17–5, a 63-win pace (albeit with a
favorable schedule). Toronto’s superstar exodus
won’t cause a collapse into tankdom.
Surprisingly, Toronto’s D shone brightest
when missing one of the best stoppers in the
game. Without Leonard, the Raptors had a
DEFENSIVE RATING OF 104.1, a mark that would
have ranked first last season. Toronto should
hover near the top five in defensive rating again.
Pascal Siakam anchors a crop of long, switchable
wings, including OG Anunoby, who didn’t play in
the postseason. Marc Gasol is a former Defensive
Player of the Year. And Kyle Lowry is perhaps the
smartest point guard in the league not named
Chris Paul. —M.S.104.1
TELLING NUMBER
∂44 wins ∂Lose in 2nd round ∂Kyle Lowry will be first in charges taken and fourth in charges actually drawn.StartersKYLE
LOWRY
14.2 PPG; 8.7 APG;
41.1 FG%; 34.7 3FG%PG
PASCAL
SIAKAM
16.9 PPG; 6.9 RPG;
54.9 FG%; 36.9 3FG%PF
NORMAN
POWELL
8.6 PPG; 2.3 RPG;
48.3 FG%; 40.0 3FG%SGENEMY LINES
A rival scout weighs inCrystal Ball:
Because of their depth,
and with PASCAL SIAKAM’s
development, I can see
them having another
good regular season.
They don’t have a true
No. 1 option, but they
have a few really good
No. 2s.... Siakam could
be an All-Star. He is atwo-way, impactful
player. The nonstop
motor is what stands
out. I don’t know who
to compare him to.
He’s going to have to
show he can catch-
and-shoot. He’ll get
better because the
opportunities will be
there.... KYLE LOWRY
has been through
everything. He’s so
tough. He is going tobe asked to carry them
more, and I don’t know
if he can do it. He’s lost
a step.... A full season
with MARC GASOL will help.
Marc is very similar to
Al Horford, where you
can play a lot of offense
through him. He’s going
to have to pick up some
of the playmaking that
Kawhi did. Early on they
may have to watch his
workload, like all thoseguys that played in the
World Cup. He’s older,
but Marc’s game will
decline smoothly....
SERGE IBAKA is still a solid
complementary guy,
but he’s more of a small
five now. They had the
lineup to match up
against big teams and
small, and Ibaka was a
big part of that because
he can shoot.... I’m
not a huge fan ofOG ANUNOBY. He’s strong
and projects as a three-
and-D guy, but I don’t
know how dynamic he is
with the ball.... We’re
going to see what FRED
VANVLEET is capable of.
He showed great grit in
the playoffs. He’s not a
tremendous playmaker,
but the shooting,
the confidence, the
swagger—that really
rubbed off on them.FRED
VANVLEET
11.0 PPG; 4.8 APG;
41.0 FG%; 37.8 3FG%PG
SERGE
IBAKA
15.0 PPG; 8.1 RPG;
1.4 BPG; 52.9 FG%PFBench
SF
OG
ANUNOBY- 0 PPG; 2.9 RPG;
45.3 FG%; 33.2 3FG%
MARC
GASOL
9.1 PPG; 6.6 RPG;
46.5 FG%; 44.2 3FG%C76GREG NELSON (SIAKAM)THE
EAST
Raptors
TORONTO
2018 – 19 RECORD 58– 24 1st in Atlantic
COACH NICK NURSE 2nd season with Raptors