I'm optimistic in the sense that I think the Raptors will be a much better team this upcoming season than they were last year.
They've upgraded the point guard, small forward and centre positions. They got deeper. They got more athletic. Dwayne Casey did a great job last season despite trotting out a D-league line up for the last third of the season and he will have more weapons at his disposal this year. On paper, they should be an improved team on both sides of the ball. I love what they did this offseason.
Having said all that I think they will still be in tough to make the playoffs, so it's hard to get really pumped up about the team even though it will be a much better product to watch on a game to game basis next season. Miami, Boston, New York, Brooklyn, Indiana, Philadelphia and Chicago make seven playoff teams from the East, which means that the Raps will be battling the Hawks and Bucks (maybe the Wizards if they make a leap) for that last spot. The playoffs would be an overachievement next season, and a trip to the lottery nets us nothing in terms of assets as the Rockets have our pick.
It would be great if the team is still playing meaningful games down the stretch as they try to squeak into the postseason but it's not the type of scenario that has me in a frenzy as a fan. I have been an avid supporter since day one of this franchise and I'm at the point where grabbing a bottom seed in the playoffs just to get steamrolled by the Heat isn't a particularly appealing scenario either. Yes, it would be a welcome change from the last couple of years and a step in the right direction, but I can't say I look back at the past Raptor teams that got thumped in the first round with fond memories necessarily. Selfishly, I want the team to compete for a championship. Whether it's considered pessimistic or just realistic, I still think we're a long ways away.
They've upgraded the point guard, small forward and centre positions. They got deeper. They got more athletic. Dwayne Casey did a great job last season despite trotting out a D-league line up for the last third of the season and he will have more weapons at his disposal this year. On paper, they should be an improved team on both sides of the ball. I love what they did this offseason.
Having said all that I think they will still be in tough to make the playoffs, so it's hard to get really pumped up about the team even though it will be a much better product to watch on a game to game basis next season. Miami, Boston, New York, Brooklyn, Indiana, Philadelphia and Chicago make seven playoff teams from the East, which means that the Raps will be battling the Hawks and Bucks (maybe the Wizards if they make a leap) for that last spot. The playoffs would be an overachievement next season, and a trip to the lottery nets us nothing in terms of assets as the Rockets have our pick.
It would be great if the team is still playing meaningful games down the stretch as they try to squeak into the postseason but it's not the type of scenario that has me in a frenzy as a fan. I have been an avid supporter since day one of this franchise and I'm at the point where grabbing a bottom seed in the playoffs just to get steamrolled by the Heat isn't a particularly appealing scenario either. Yes, it would be a welcome change from the last couple of years and a step in the right direction, but I can't say I look back at the past Raptor teams that got thumped in the first round with fond memories necessarily. Selfishly, I want the team to compete for a championship. Whether it's considered pessimistic or just realistic, I still think we're a long ways away.
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