The Nutshell 1/4: Should the Raptors try to win this year

A Dino Dilemma by Gabriel Ibrahim

The Raptors have been tearing it up since the Rudy Gay trade.

Last night, the Toronto Raptors saw their five game win streak come to an end. Facing the world champions in Miami, the Raptors lead by as many as eight points in the third quarter before the Heat launched a furious rally(in typical Heat fashion). In the final quarter, Toronto hung right with Miami until Kyle Lowry missed a decent look from three at the buzzer as the Raps fell by 3. Dwyane Casey’s offense looked great all night against the Heat. Demar DeRozan finished with 26 points on 11/19 shooting, Lowry contributed with 14 points and nine assists, and the big man duo of Johnson and Jonas Valanciunas added 17 points each. Their backcourt scoring tested Miami’s depth and the frontcourt provided an array of matchup problems. Johnson’s constant movement tired out Chris Bosh and the fatigue showed up on offense for Bosh, as he shot just two for nine from the field. Valanciunas was able to stay near the rim and score after the Raptors’ pick-and-roll broke down Miami’s defense. Defensively, the Raptors played up to their ability and gave Miami a lot of trouble. They held the Heat to just three 3-pointers and allowed only three players to score in double digits. While the loss stings, it and the five-game win streak that preceded indicate a change in attitude of the franchise. They expect to win games and think they can compete with anyone in the NBA. Despite the success, some pundits still call for the Raps to focus on the future and trade Lowry or DeRozan for draft picks. But, the team’s progression since the Rudy Gay trade and their chances in a weak Eastern Conference provide enough reason to stand pat this season.

Since Masai Ujiri of Nazareth traded away Rudy Gay for four rotation players on December 10th, the team has played with a flow and rhythm that it lacked all year. Gay’s departure has opened up Dwyane Casey’s offense to the ball movement it needs to succeed. The team passes the ball 30 more times a game without Gay with more assists and less turnovers. Demar Derozan has continued to exceed expectations in terms of scoring, but the real improvements have come from Lowry and Ross.

Kyle Lowry has taken a giant step forward lately/

Lowry has improved in every part of his game since the Raptors traded Gay. According to NBA.com, Lowry is averaging two assists more per game(7.9 to 10) while also scoring about four points more(14.6 to 18.35). While Lowry’s usage has gone up, his turnovers have actually decreased slightly and he’s rocking 6.45 assist-to-turnover ratio in that span, which leads the league. Terrence Ross took over the starter forward spot for Gay and has stepped up into his role well. He’s played almost 15 more minutes per game since the trade and improved the team’s spacing and defense greatly. The trade itself brought in three useful rotation players and both of Toronto’s big men have stepped up in Gay’s absence.

The improvements from Lowry and the rest of the team can continue and they have the depth to stay healthy for 82 games. But then again, this franchise could be set for the next decade with a top pick in June’s draft.

Masai Ujiri might have to change his vision for the franchise considering recent success

Ujiri and everyone around the league knows you need a superstar to win a championship. The fastest way to get a star is in the draft and being bad gives you the best chance to grab one. Realistically though, the Raptors shouldn’t trade Lowry or any pieces for future assets just yet. They won’t be bad enough to get a top pick unless they demolish the team. They are four games up in the Awful  Atlantic division and could keep that lead pretty easily. More importantly, making the playoffs would be huge for Toronto. Just getting to the playoffs would create a buzz in the city and advancing, which seems likely right now, would mark the second playoff series win in franchise history. Playoff experience can be more valuable than draft picks for a franchise, look at the Indiana Pacers. In three years, the franchise went from the eight seed to title contenders without a top 10 pick. The Raptors clearly lack a star like Paul George, but if anyone can repeat Indiana’s success, it’s Ujiri. So while tanking seems like a good plan, making the playoffs would mean much more for Toronto.

The More You Know

• The Warriors are playing so well they’re actually making highlights by accident.  They have won nine straight, including five straight road games. The Splash Bros and Co made a similar run last season, going undefeated on a seven game road swing. They face the Bucks and Nets next to finish the trip so repeating the task is firmly in view. Some are saying the Dubs could be title contenders this year.
• Dennis Rodman assembled a team to play an exhibition in North Korea, which includes Doug Christie and Kenny Anderson. The team is actually pretty balanced and fearless considering the leader of North Korea may have fed his uncle to dogs.
• Rudy Gay is shooting almost 50% since joining Sacramento and he’s scoring a little more too (19.3 to 19.5). Gay has done this all while taking almost four less shots, but the Kings continue to struggle (5-9 since trade and 10-22 overall). I called Gay’s decline before this year and his efficiency jump after the trade, making Gay involved in my only two correct predictions this year.

Gif of the Night

A decade of Chris Kaman’s face courtesy of Sbnation. Most interesting face in the NBA in my opinion. He goes through so many changes: zombie, grudge rocker, and extra normal white dude.

League Pass Primer

A slow NBA night makes the Wolves-76ers the LP game of the Night

• LP Game of the Night Minnesota @ Philadelphia 7 pm Philly looks to extend their season-long five game winning streak against the Wolves. The 76ers look like they are figuring out things defensively, allowing 102.7 during the streak as opposed to 110.6. If you root for a contender, keep an eye on Evan Turner(23 ppg during streak) and Thaddeus Young(26.4) as your team might make a move for either one. The T-Wolves look to bounce back from a heartbreaker against OKC, in which Kevin Love missed three straight free throws that would have won the game. But, the great white hope has averaged 31.7 points while shooting 54.1 percent over the last six games.
• Atlanta @ Brooklyn 7 pm These two are heading in different directions since losing their star big men last month. Brooklyn’s won their last two including a big win against the Thunder, while Atlanta lost three of their last four. Deron Willams has strung two 25+ point games together for the first time all year, but he’s questionable with an ankle injury. The Hawks are struggling on offense without Al Horford, scoring three less points a game(102.6 to 99.2) and shooting worse (46.1 to 40.2).
• Orlando @ Los Angeles Clippers 10:30 pm The Clippers got took 116-92 against the Spurs without Chris Paul, who will sit out six weeks with a shoulder injury. They fell behind 70-35 in the first half in that game and will definitely miss one of the most important players in the league. Orlando has lost three straight overall and nine straight to the Western Conference.
• Watch the National Championship game 8:30 pm Slow night of games combined with struggling teams means you should watch FSU and Auburn play on ESPN. War Damn Eagle.