Monday, October 20, 2014

NBA Preview Series: Toronto Raptors

Last Year
48-34 (T-11th in NBA)
OFF: 105.8 (9th)
DEF: 102.4 (9th)
NET: 3.5 (9th)



Projected Rotation (Projected WS/48)
Starters
PG - Kyle Lowry (.173)
SG - DeMar DeRozan (.110)
SF - Terrence Ross (.077)
PF - Amir Johnson (.134)
C - Jonas Valanciunas (.130)

Reserves
PF - Patrick Patterson (.110)
PG - Greivis Vasquez (.082)
SG - Louis Williams (.101)
PF - Tyler Hansbrough (.144)
SF - James Johnson (.091)


Quick Thoughts:
The Raptors were one of four teams last season to rank in the top ten in both offensive and defensive efficiency. The other three - the Clippers, Thunder, and Spurs - were all title contenders. But those teams were all in the top five on one side of the ball, separating them from Toronto. Without a traditional high-volume scorer, it's hard to imagine them ever having an elite offense, but they do have some room for improvement. After trading Rudy Gay on December 9th, the Raptors' offensive rating jumped nearly six points per 100 possessions, from 101.4 before the trade to 107.2 after, according to NBA.com. They also managed to increased their scoring efficiency in each month last season, suggesting they were starting to build some continuity. Defensively, their ability to improve will mostly depend on how much upside Jonas Valanciunas has as a rim protector. They have already surrounded him with good defenders, but he can make them great.


Player to Watch: Amir Johnson
Johnson was the only member of the Raptors starting five last season that didn't have a career year. However, his numbers looked nearly identical to his overall numbers since coming to Toronto:

SeasonMPTS%TRB%AST%STL%BLK%TOV%USG%ORtgDRtgWS/48
2009-101453.63916.15.01.63.513.614.5124110.150
2010-111853.60814.76.81.53.610.915.3124110.146
2011-121553.60015.48.71.13.620.014.3109102.122
2012-132325.59115.68.71.83.814.516.1116104.151
2013-142214.59213.38.71.33.215.416.4112104.136
5 seasons9398.60314.97.81.53.514.715.5117106.142
Entering his tenth season, Johnson is still only 27, and there's no reason to expect he won't have another productive season in 2015.


Basketball-Reference.com Play Index:

Who are the biggest All-Star snubs in the last eight years?


PlayerSeasonTmMPTS%TRB%AST%STL%BLK%TOV%USG%WSWS/48
Kyle Lowry2013-14TOR2862.5677.534.72.20.413.422.911.7.197
Elton Brand2006-07LAC3077.58114.514.71.34.512.524.311.5.180
Marc Gasol2012-13MEM2796.55913.119.11.64.113.519.211.5.197
Luol Deng2006-07CHI3071.56010.811.81.61.210.022.211.3.176
Deron Williams2007-08UTA3059.5954.943.61.50.617.723.111.3.177
Stephen Curry2012-13GSW2983.5895.831.12.10.313.726.411.2.180
LaMarcus Aldridge2010-11POR3211.54913.510.11.42.48.725.711.1.166
Manu Ginobili2007-08SAS2299.6129.126.42.61.114.528.711.1.232
DeAndre Jordan2013-14LAC2870.63021.63.71.45.415.312.411.1.186
Deron Williams2012-13BRK2842.5744.837.51.40.814.524.410.9.184



Next up, the Dallas Mavericks

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