How the Toronto Raptors can bring a Championship North of the Boarder
For the first time in their 25-year franchise history, the Toronto Raptors are heading to the NBA Finals. And for the first time in NBA history, a Canadian team will be represented in the NBA Finals. A possibility that has been far from reality in the 24 seasons prior. All due to the genius of General Manager Masai Ujiri making a mid-season trade for Marc Gasol, and of course the blockbuster risk to trade for Kawhi Leonard, a mere one-year rental at the time. A risk that presented every reason not to make the trade. Ujiri risked a stable future for a lone season with high championship aspirations. Trading away a long-term contract, an all-star caliber player, and arguably the greatest player in franchise history at the time, Ujiri was willing to take a chance on Kawhi Leonard even if it meant trading away the highly heralded and beloved Demar Derozan. I’ll tell you this, Ujiri’s vision and hard work in acquiring Leonard has paid off tremendously.
The biggest challenge of the season has finally presented itself to the Raptors. For the past 2 years, no team has been able to defeat the Golden State Warriors in a best of 7 series. The star-studded starting lineup of Green, Cousins, Thompson, Curry, and Durant has been the most talent Toronto has faced all post season. Here is how the Raptors can bring a championship to the Maple Leaf nation despite all odds.
Sweeping the Regular Season Series
It is only fitting that the Golden State Warriors face the only team to have swept them during the regular season in the Toronto Raptors. Although early in the season, the Raptors were able to win in a tight overtime game on their home floor in game 1, albeit without Stephen Curry and Demarcus Cousins active. Game 2 however was illuminating as the Raptors defeated the Warriors at Oracle by 20 points without Kawhi Leonard. Although many will say that the playoffs are a different animal with a different environment, the Raptors legitimately know how to beat the Warriors both in close games and in landslide victories.
Depth in Defensive Diversity
The Toronto Raptors have been lead by the superstar effort from the one and only Kawhi Leonard. His impact on the offensive end has been needed night in and night out for this Raptors squad. But the spark that makes this team a championship threat is its defensive versatility as a team. Just watching both the 76ers and Bucks series, Toronto was able to neutralize Philly’s threats in Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons, and Milwaukee’s threat in Giannis Antetokounmpo. Most notably, Gasol and Ibaka were instrumental in containing the big men of the 76ers, while VanVleet and Powell were pivotal in stopping the guards of Milwaukee.
The Warriors however present a new challenge for Toronto. An offensive system that runs like a well-oiled machine, designed to play with fast-pace and outside-in has been a first for Toronto this post-season. But if there is a team defensively adaptable to handle Golden State, it is the Toronto Raptors. Expect Kawhi to be assigned to Klay and Curry and even KD if his return is sooner rather than later. But also expect Nick Nurse to pull a couple tricks from his sleeve. An interesting strategy Nurse employed was assigning the young, long, and quick Pascal Siakam on Stephen Curry to chase around screens, disrupt, and contest Curry’s offensive opportunities. Don’t be surprised if we see some unorthodox defensive schemes from the Raptors this series.
Veteran Leadership and Experience.
This Raptors team has seemed to shed themselves of past playoff demons and rose from ashes of their past failures. But let’s not act like this squad has been the same squad five years ago. A number of chances have been made to the roster and most have proven to be the right decision personnel wise. The addition of Kawhi Leonard not only buffed up the team in-terms of talent, but also in terms of leadership. The same can be said about new veterans such as Danny Green and Marc Gasol, Green winning a championship in San Antonio and Gasol making deep playoff runs in Memphis. The make-up of this team has changed not only in terms of style of play and philosophy, but also in the chemistry within the roster. Having player who have that championship DNA can go a long way come playoff time, and this team has showed it time and time again. Whether its Kawhi Leonard’s consistent impact on both ends of the floor, the young guys of Powell, VanVleet, and Siakam providing energy, or the veterans of Gasol, Green, Ibaka, and Lowry making good decisions on offense and solid plays on defense, the Raptors have always had a mix of everything to either blow teams out or pull out close games all throughout this post-season.
The Kawhi Leonard Effect
There is no other way to put it. This current season has been by far the greatest season in Toronto Raptors history. The clinching of a Finals birth, the drama surrounding the franchise following the blockbuster deal, and the uncertainty of the franchise’s future moving forward, the Raptors have had a rollercoaster season that may reach its ultimatum come this off-season. If I am the Toronto Raptors, i am putting all my chips into this basket. A franchise that can make a complete 180 turnaround starting next season has a chance to win the NBA championship in 2 weeks time. As a Raptors fan, we may not get here again in franchise history. Why settle for second best when you can be the best in the league. With the future of Kawhi Leonard uncertain, the Raptors are desperate to capitalize on the opportunity to capture their first title in franchise history and to be the first Canadian team to win an NBA championship. The possibility, although unlikely, is not so impossible after all.