Toronto Raptors Season Preview – NBA Predictions
The Toronto Raptors enter the 2013-14 season with plenty of optimism after some big time additions, and the loss of a player viewed as dead weight. With plenty of Eastern Conference teams, particularly Atlantic Division teams, tanking in hopes of a top draft pick, a playoff spot seems well within the team’s grasp.
Toronto Raptors
Eastern Conference
2012-13 Record: 34-48
Odds to win title: 150 to 1
Odds to win conference: 66 to 1 from [dfads params=’groups=63740&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
Toronto Raptors
Key Losses
Andrea Bargnani – A move considered long overdue by many Raptor fans, Bargnani certainly overstayed his welcome. His three-point shooting ability was always overstated, and he was always a liability at the defensive end of the court and under the boards. Maybe he’ll be able to revive his career in New York, but this feels like addition by subtraction for the Raps.
Top Newcomers
D.J. Augustin – The backup point guard spot for the Raptors has been an albatross in recent years, but Augustin should put an end to that, giving the team quality minutes off the bench playing behind Kyle Lowry.
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Tyler Hansbrough – Toronto fans love hustle players, so they are going to immediately fall in love with Hansbrough, who will bring energy off the bench, and is quietly one of the better rebounders in basketball.
Steve Novak – Let’s not pretend that Novak is any more than what he is – he knocks down his three-point shots and does little else. Even still, if used correctly, he can be an invaluable asset.
Top Players
Rudy Gay was brought in to be ‘the guy’, and he didn’t disappoint last season with his tremendous closing abilities. [ad-6571516]
He’ll form a strong backcourt with Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan. Jonas Valunciunas has plenty of people excited and could be the NBA’s next addition to the ranks of elite big men.
Strengths
Head coach Dwane Casey had the team playing great basketball down the stretch last season, and it started with their work at the defensive end. Now, with Andrea Bargnani out of town, expect the team to step up their play at that end of the court. With a dynamic backcourt, the Raptors should be able to fill the bucket with ease as well, making them a tough out night in and night out.
Weaknesses
The team could have trouble up front. Jonas Valanciunis is the team’s best big man, but is still raw, and he also had plenty of foul trouble a year ago. That adds up to big minutes for guys like Tyler Hansbrough and Amir Johnson, who are good players, but will get outplayed by elite big men every time.
2013-14 Prediction: 44-38
The Raptors’ roster might not jump off the page, but expect coach Casey to get the most out of his troops. It’s important to remember that the landscape of the NBA will be a little different this season, with a slew of teams tanking in hopes of landing the top pick in the loaded 2014 draft.
The talent gap between the haves and the have nots is as great as it’s ever been, and while some may disagree, the Raptors certainly feel they’re haves.
Expect them to pad their win total against some of the lesser teams in the Association and back their way into the playoffs.
