The Toronto Raptors threw the NBA into a frenzy with their trade of DeMar DeRozan, Jakob Poeltl, and a 2020 first-round pick for Danny Green and Kawhi Leonard. With Kawhi expiring, Toronto has one year to convince him to stay. The weakened state of the Eastern Conference gives the Raptors a chance to make it to the finals. How do they match up against other conference contenders?
Milwaukee Bucks
With a roster featuring Eric Bledsoe, Malcolm Brogdon, Tony Snell, Kris Middleton, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Brook Lopez, Thon Maker, and Donte DiVincenzo, the Bucks don’t lack talent. Last year, Jason Kidd’s crazy defensive scheme cost them wins. They’d eventually push the Boston Celtics to seven games in the first round. This squad has an abundance of talent, but Giannis is the focal point of their offense. Fortunately for Toronto, there are few better players to guard Giannis than Kawhi Leonard, whose defense could disrupt Milwaukee’s Giannis-based offense severely. The Raptors match up well with Milwaukee, and barring a breakout year from Thon Maker, this matchup isn’t too hotly contested.
Philadelphia 76ers
The Process has arrived, and it was scary last season. Now, with a “rebuilt” (doubt it) Markelle Fultz, the Sixers could trot out a lineup of Simmons-Fultz-Covington-Saric-Embiid with T.J. McConnell, Zhaire Smith, J.J. Redick, Wilson Chandler, and Mike Muscala rounding out the bench. This lineup is dangerous for any team. Kawhi should be able to neutralize Simmons, especially if Brad Stevens was able to. Can Jonas Valancunias hold up against the sheer might of Joel Embiid? The easy answer is no. The Celtics, however, were able to limit him with Aron Baynes. This potential series would largely be based on Nick Nurse’s adjustments to the talents of the Sixers, as well as how good Markelle Fultz actually is.
Boston Celtics
This may surprise a lot, but the Boston Celtics might just have trouble against Toronto. Kyrie is Kyrie, and he’ll give them a boost, but Boston’s daunting 3-wing combo of Jaylen Brown, Gordon Hayward, and Jayson Tatum doesn’t look too dangerous next to Danny Green, OG Anunoby, Kawhi Leonard, or even Serge Ibaka in a pinch. Valancunias doesn’t provide that much scoring for Al Horford to neutralize, and the series might just boil down to who can score more between Kyrie and Kawhi. If I’m Toronto, I’d focus on earning home-court and bet on Leonard.
Other Dark-Horses
The Pacers have Victor Oladipo, Myles Turner, and Tyreke Evans, but Toronto has more stars and depth. The Pistons’ frontcourt would give Toronto headaches, but their backcourt is far from adequate. Finally, we all know the Wizards will be brawling in the locker room by the playoffs. Honestly, the rest of the East doesn’t pose much of a threat whatsoever.
Considering the weakened state of the East, Toronto has a legitimate chance to claim LeBron’s vacated throne. A good series of tests against Philly and Boston await them, but they’ve put themselves in a good position to fight for the East.
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