Tweet
Some love from down South. 
Source - Sheridan Hoops
1. Can the Toronto Raptors finish among the top two seeds in the Eastern Conference?
CHRIS SHERIDAN, EDITOR IN CHIEF: Let’s see … highest point differential in the East? Check. Most raucous fans in the East? Check. A better backcourt than Cleveland or Chicago? Check. A weaker than expected weak Eastern Conference? Check. I do not expect Cleveland’s floundering or Chicago’s injury problems to last forever, but the Raptors are certainly building a cushion that can keep them in top-two contention through April.
CHRIS BERNUCCA, MANAGING EDITOR: Yes, assuming they remain healthy. While it is difficult to look away from the star power in Chicago and Cleveland, the depth falls off pretty quickly on both rosters, especially for the Cavaliers. The Raptors are a legitimate nine deep – 10 players are averaging at least 17 minutes and nine are averaging at least 7.0 points – and can rotate power forwards behind center Jonas Valanciunas. That bench has rallied the Raptors in a couple of games that could have gotten away (Boston, Orlando, Memphis) and allowed Dwane Casey to hand the fourth quarter to Kyle Lowry, who has Kyle Lowrybecome the best closer in the conference. Will things change in the playoffs? Certainly. Rotations get shorter and matchups – team and individual – become more important. But if you told Casey right now that he could have the 2-seed and take his chances from there, he would jump at it.
BEN DUBOSE, COLUMNIST/BLOGGER: Yes. For starters, the Raptors were the East’s No. 3 seed a year ago, and the teams in front of them (Indiana, Miami) are substantially worse. And no, I didn’t forget about the Cavs and Bulls, who – assuming health – are poised to be the class of the East come May. But you could make the case Toronto is more equipped to handle the grind of an 82-game season. The Cavs are under .500 as they integrate LeBron James and Kevin Love while attempting to fix bad habits that plague their young guards. The Bulls, meanwhile, are already dealing with multi-game injuries to Derrick Rose, Pau Gasol and Taj Gibson. I would favor the Bulls or Cavs over the Raptors in May but could see Toronto earning a second seed as those two handle their growing pains. Especially considering the way the Raptors are taking care of their business on a nightly basis (11.8 point differential).
CHRIS SHERIDAN, EDITOR IN CHIEF: Let’s see … highest point differential in the East? Check. Most raucous fans in the East? Check. A better backcourt than Cleveland or Chicago? Check. A weaker than expected weak Eastern Conference? Check. I do not expect Cleveland’s floundering or Chicago’s injury problems to last forever, but the Raptors are certainly building a cushion that can keep them in top-two contention through April.
CHRIS BERNUCCA, MANAGING EDITOR: Yes, assuming they remain healthy. While it is difficult to look away from the star power in Chicago and Cleveland, the depth falls off pretty quickly on both rosters, especially for the Cavaliers. The Raptors are a legitimate nine deep – 10 players are averaging at least 17 minutes and nine are averaging at least 7.0 points – and can rotate power forwards behind center Jonas Valanciunas. That bench has rallied the Raptors in a couple of games that could have gotten away (Boston, Orlando, Memphis) and allowed Dwane Casey to hand the fourth quarter to Kyle Lowry, who has Kyle Lowrybecome the best closer in the conference. Will things change in the playoffs? Certainly. Rotations get shorter and matchups – team and individual – become more important. But if you told Casey right now that he could have the 2-seed and take his chances from there, he would jump at it.
BEN DUBOSE, COLUMNIST/BLOGGER: Yes. For starters, the Raptors were the East’s No. 3 seed a year ago, and the teams in front of them (Indiana, Miami) are substantially worse. And no, I didn’t forget about the Cavs and Bulls, who – assuming health – are poised to be the class of the East come May. But you could make the case Toronto is more equipped to handle the grind of an 82-game season. The Cavs are under .500 as they integrate LeBron James and Kevin Love while attempting to fix bad habits that plague their young guards. The Bulls, meanwhile, are already dealing with multi-game injuries to Derrick Rose, Pau Gasol and Taj Gibson. I would favor the Bulls or Cavs over the Raptors in May but could see Toronto earning a second seed as those two handle their growing pains. Especially considering the way the Raptors are taking care of their business on a nightly basis (11.8 point differential).
Sunny ways my friends, sunny ways
Comment