Raptors Need to Take Better Advantage of Homestand

Zan in the Key

Home Sweet Home

The Raptors have got to be glad to be home. Their six game road trip didn’t end the way they would’ve liked and they lost their grip on first place in the East, but now they are back home for a nice long home stand and they have to take advantage of it.

One of the things the Raptors did really well in the first part of the season was taking advantage of a favourable schedule. The next couple of weeks sees the Raptors play at home against very beatable teams. It is important to make the best of this time and solidify their spot near the top of the Eastern Conference standings.

Tough losses to Charlotte and Detroit are not want the doctor ordered, but the Raps still have winnable games coming up against the 76ers and Pelicans as well as a big battle with the Hawks on Friday.

Here’s hoping the Raptors can salvage the home stand and keep themselves in the battle for top spot in the East.

Return of the Mack

DeMar DeRozan is scheduled to return any day now and he cannot get here fast enough. While the Raptors have done a phenomenal job holding down the fort with DeMar out, his presence makes a huge difference.

The Raptors need DeMar DeRozan back soon. The team has held the fort without him, but needs him back on the court soon.

There have been games the Raptors lost because they needed someone to draw defensive double teams, make tough shots and get to the stripe. His presence opens the floor up for Kyle Lowry and Jonas Valanciunas and it puts all of the Raptors back into their designed roles.

DeMar is our best player and his return will be a huge boost for this team. The Raptors haven’t been able to get to the line nearly enough in his absence and his presence alone in the fourth quarter of close games will help the Raptors squeak out those tough wins.

Let’s hope he get back on the court soon and can stay healthy enough to lead this team deep into the playoffs.

Rotating Parts

With a tough loss against Charlotte this week Dwane Casey was forced to make some adjustments to his lineup moving Landry Fields back to the bench and adding James Johnson to the starting rotation.

Johnson adds a defensive presence that fits well with the rest of the starting unit. He can also rebound really well and finish at the basket. He helps open the floor and, unlike Fields, forces defences to stay on him. He did a great job against the Celtics and will be asked to do the same until DeMar DeRozan comes back, but there is some talk about keeping him in the starting rotation when DeRozan returns, meaning Amir Johnson or Terrence Ross would be moved to the bench.

Johnson has been a great energy player off the bench for the Raptors and would fit nicely in the starting unit should the coaching staff choose to keep him there. He has been part of the reason the Raptors have been getting off to better starts the last couple of games.

And1

There isn’t a player in the association this year that deserves to be in the All-Star game more than Kyle Lowry. Okay, maybe a slight exaggeration, but he has certainly done more than enough to be a starter and deserves to be there.

The Raptors fans really stepped up this week to try to vote Kyle Lowry into the game and it really showed the influence the franchise now has all over the country.

Last year the team used the slogan “We the North” to rally fans around the team during the playoff run, but it has become so much more than that. This team is now appropriately branded as “Canada’s team”. Fans are showing up all over the NBA in stadiums from Cleveland to Los Angeles and showing this league that Raptor fans are the best.

Whether or not Lowry is successfully voted into the All-Star game Raptor fans have demonstrated once again how great the fan base is here in Toronto and that this city is the best place to play in the NBA.

Kyle Lowry #NBABallot

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I’m not one to question the wisdom of Masai Ujiri. The man hasn’t done one thing wrong since arriving on the scene in Toronto. He’s taken this team to new heights and done an incredible job building the Raptors into a solid competitor in very short order. But what exactly are the Raptors doing with Bruno Caboclo?

I was all for the plan to keep Bruno in Toronto to learn the Raptors’ system and bond with the players and coaching staff. I thought that was a good idea, but I also thought he would be playing a little bit more than he has. This 19-year-old kid has only played 19 minutes in the NBA and it doesn’t look like he’s going to play much anytime soon.

The last few weeks the raptors have sent him down to Fort Wayne, watched him play a few minutes in the D-League and then recalled him. Now he’s back on the very end of the Raptors bench.

Wouldn’t he be better off getting consistent playing time in Europe or in the D-League?

The Raptors want Caboclo under their control and so far have refused to give him time in the D-League or overseas, but if Caboclo is going to take step forward in his development the Raptors are going to have let him play. It doesn’t look like that will happen in Toronto this season.

Kristoffer Pedlar
Zan Tabak Herald

Raptors conquering the West

Zan in the Key

How the West Was Won

When was the last time you remember a Raptors team going out west and playing with such confidence?

The Western road trip is usually something the Raptors and their fans cannot wait to get through. Not only is it gruelling on the body with the increase in travel and the time zone changes, but the team also has to compete against some of the best teams in the league.

This team has clearly brought their A Game out west and is giving some of the top teams all they can handle. With big wins against the Clippers and Nuggets and a tough matchup with the Blazers and Warriors the Raptors are showing the league that they are a force to be reckoned with.

The Eastern Conference doesn’t get a lot of “cred” around the league, but the Raptors are putting the West on notice that they are the Beasts of the East.

Kyle in Charge

It would be a fair argument to say that Kyle Lowry is one of the best players in the league right now. He has put the Raptors on his back and is leading this team to decisive wins over some of the best in the league without DeMar DeRozan.

Lowry has been a little bit of everything for the Raptors on this road trip. He’s been the scorer (a game high 34 points against Chicago), the distributor (11 dimes in a victory over Denver), and the heart (10 points in the 4th quarter against Denver) of this team.

Lowry’s willingness to take control when the game is on the line, his ability to draw a foul, take a charge or sneak into the paint and grab a key rebound is why he is in the thick of the MVP conversation at this point.

Lowry will likely not be voted into the All-Star game because fans almost never get it right, but if he is left off of the squad by the coaches then I just don’t understand basketball.

He deserves to be there plain and simple.

This is a call to all Raptor fans out there: tweet Kyle Lowry with the hashtag #NBABallot every time he scores a bucket and that should be more than enough to get Lowry into the game. He deserves to be there.

Christmas Exchange

There were a couple nice games on Christmas Day for the NBA, but all of the games really lacked the intensity we are used to on the Holiday.

The Warriors against the Clippers should have been great but wasn’t, the Heat against the Cavs had some intrigue with Lebron returning to Miami, and San Antonio against the Thunder was solid. But the Lakers? the Knicks? Is this really what NBA fans asked Santa for?

What the NBA needed to do was give their best teams a chance to be showcased. The Raptors deserved to be in one of those games. I’m obviously incredibly biased, but they are the best team in the East. The fans deserved to see it. Are you telling me a Bulls/Raptors matchup wouldn’t be good? or a Wizards/Raptors matchup couldn’t be a nice way to start off the Christmas day schedule?

Let’s hope the NBA gets it right next year and makes certain that their best teams are involved on Christmas day. The Knicks?, The Wizards? C’mon! The Raptors are one of the most exciting teams in the NBA and fans would have had a treat watching them play.

And 1

Coach of the Year

Dwane Casey has quietly done one of the better jobs in coaching this year, he is currently the coach in line to coach the all-star game and let’s hope he holds onto that opportunity.

Much of the credit for the Raptors success this year is attributed to Masai Ujiri, but Casey deserves his due as well. He has got this group playing unselfish basketball and right now they are doing it without one of their best players.

Casey has quietly guided this squad to first place in the East and deserves to be the coach at the All-Star game.
BRIAN SNYDER / REUTERS FILE PHOTO

The team is paying closer attention to their defensive game, and seem more than happy to make an extra pass, run down a loose ball or get others involved in the offence. This unselfish play is one of the main reasons the Raptors find themselves at the top of the Eastern Conference.

Casey’s calm, steady approach and his focus on the defensive side of the ball has really steered this team in the right direction. This group is buying into what he’s selling and the results speak for themselves.

Can’t think of a more deserving coach.

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All Hands on Deck

This road trip has showcased the importance of having a deep bench. The raptors started out the trip without Landry Fields who was filling in as a starter, and have seen important contributions from Tyler Hansbrough, Chuck Hayes, James Johnson. Raptors are going to go far because of their stars, but every now and then these bench guys are going to come up big and help the team steal a game here or there.

Hansborough in particular has come in and played very important minutes for the Raptors when Amir Johnson or Valanciunas were forced to take a seat on the bench.

having Landry Fields back into the starting rotation has allowed the second unit to play the way they were designed to. Every player has accepted their role and is doing their part to make this team better

Having guys who understand their role and who play without ego comes in handy when you are playing tough games on the road.

It also comes in handy in the playoffs.

Kristoffer Pedlar
Zan Tabak Herald

Raptors Focused on Road Ahead

Zan in the Key

Band of Brothers

This week we witnessed one of the nastiest dunks of the year by James Johnson which was promptly greeted with a body check from Andre Drummond. What transpired next is why this team is playing such great basketball this year. Immediately after the body check, Chuck Hayes got right into the face of Drummond and put him on notice that the James’ teammates were ready to rumble.

The Raptors are sticking up for each other this year, they are supporting one another and (not surprisingly) it is transferring over to their work on the court. The Raptors have been one of the most unselfish teams in the league this year. Every player seems happy to make the extra pass and each night it doesn’t seem to matter who shows up on the score sheet. This team was built incredibly well and with DeRozan out it is becoming even more apparent. This team is getting production from everyone from the heart of the lineup to the end of the bench and everyone seems happy and ready to accept their role.

Black and Yellow

So the new Logo came out this week and it has prompted quite a firestorm on the old inter webs. There is a lot of hate floating around right now and it is understandable. The logo took a few seconds to figure out and it’s new. The colours are different, the graphic is new and nobody was really asking for a new logo. Change isn’t easy, especially in a year where we are all celebrating the past.

I have it on good authority that the uniforms will be very impressive and the new logo, in many ways, supports the culture change taking place here in Toronto. The Raptors are no longer that cartoon dinosaur. Sure, it’s great as a throwback jersey, but this team has moved on from that era. A change was definitely due, but this logo change has not been handled well.

PR 101 says you don’t come out with important news on a Friday afternoon. There was little to no fan fare with this unveiling. It was kind of just posted on social media the way someone might post pictures of food they just cooked. The fans hate was instant, the players don’t seem to like it and Drake is washing his hands of the whole thing.

This will not end well.

Road Warriors

The Raptors did what they were supposed to do the last couple of weeks taking advantage of a favourable part of their schedule, but now comes the work.

Starting last night the Raptors play six in a row on the road against some very tough competition. The team needs to ready themselves for some gruelling, playoff intensity basketball.

As they saw last night in Chicago, there is little room for error. The boys are going to have to dig deep and keep doing the things that got them to where they are. Share the ball, defend the basket and get to the line.

Last night against the Bulls they lost the script. They stopped contesting shots, they failed to rebound the ball consistently and failed to get to the line (especially in the fourth quarter). The Bulls simply wore them down and made plays late in the game.

So far this Raptors squad has shown resilience in the face of adversity, but the stretch of games out West will really give us a clearer picture of where this raptor team stands without DeRozan. A strong showing on this long road trip will be a huge boost for the club heading into the new year.

But they have to play smarter.

And 1

So if you didn’t already love Masai Ujiri before, you really have no excuse now. Ujiri took a bus load of Raptor fans down to the game in Detroit and not only did he provide the transportation to the game, but he also provided the entertainment on the bus ride down singing and rallying the group of Raptor faithful.

This is a GM who is intent on creating a winning culture in this city. The fans are behind the team, maybe now more than ever before, and it has so much to do with Ujiri.

His passion, generosity and love for the game is clear in everything he does. The franchise is lucky to have him as a leader. Oh, and he happens to also be very good at building a winning team.

In Ujiri we trust.

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Best wishes to Landry Fields, who took a hard fall in the Raptors win over the Pistons last week.

A few weeks ago an injury to Fields wouldn’t have concerned me, but Fields has been a very solid addition to the starting lineup in the absence of DeMar DeRozan.

He’s been strong on the defensive end and has played smart. He has a high basketball IQ and has been asked to defend the most dangerous offensive players on opposing teams. His presence in the starting rotation also meant that the second unit was able to stay in tact.

The Raptors could have used his defensive abilities last night in Chicago as Jimmy Butler and Derek Rose ate the Raptors up on the perimeter. Fields could have helped reduce the damage both players inflicted.

Fields, once forgotten, has become a very important player on this team. Hopefully the Raptors will have him back Saturday.

Kristoffer Pedlar
Zan Tabak Herald

Raptors Surging Forward Without DeRozan

Zan in the Key

Kyle in charge

Tabak Tuesday

Zan for Three

Too Legit to Quit

Let’s get this straight right off the top. This Raptor team is for real. They’ve got fight, they’ve got heart and they are continuously finding ways to win games. It has been a long time since this city has seen a team that is able to do the things that this team can. If you are already thinking about a top three seed in the East and a long playoff run, you might be getting a little bit ahead of yourself, but not by much.

This team is scoring in bunches and sharing the ball and finally playing more consistent defense. It would be fair to point out that the Raptors have had a fairly easy schedule thus far in the season, but they have come up big in games against tough teams. Yes, there was the loss to Chicago, but the Raptors also reeled off decisive victories over Washington, Atlanta, Memphis and Cleveland. The Raps are showing they can hang with the best in the league.

This Raptor team is going to make some noise. For the first time in a long time you can raise your expectations for this teams success.

This could and should be a very special year.

Sweet Lou

The Raptors biggest strength this year has definitely been their bench. Last year Masai Ujiri traded Rudy Gay for Vasquez, Patterson and Chuck Hayes. This summer Ujiri went out and added James Johnson and Lou Williams. Both have been incredibly effective when called upon.

Lou Williams is some kind of hot right now. He was brought in for his ability to provide instant offense off the bench for the Raptors’ second unit, but he’s been looking like our go-to guy this past week. He poured in 22 against the Bucks and followed that up with a very impressive 36 points in Cleveland. More than that, he has not been a deficiency on the defensive end.

His efforts off the bench earned him the Eastern Conference Player of the Week award and has Raptor fans seriously wondering how good he can be. Whether or not he can maintain his current pace, one thing is for sure; Williams will play a pivotal role for the Raptors this season.

We The North

Raptor fans are the best. They are. I’m not just saying that, they are absolutely the best fans in the association.

Not only are they loud and boisterous at the ACC for every home game, they travel with the team now. This week a large contingent of Raptor fans traveled to Cleveland for a very important clash against Lebron and the Cavs. Not only were the fans supportive throughout the whole game, they were often louder than the hometown Cavs fans.

Raptor fans are taking over.

In The Paint

Jonas

The Raptors are playing exceptionally well this season, but if they are going to make noise in the playoffs they are going to need their bigs to play better ball.

Jonas has shown signs that he is finally ready to turn the corner and provide that consistent double-double every night inside. Last night he was dominant inside against a much smaller Suns team and that advantage needs to be utilized more. He’s done a better job lately of staying out of foul trouble and is looking dominant on the offensive end. For some reason he is still not seeing a lot of court time in the fourth quarter. If he is going to become the player the organization and the fans envision, he is going to need fourth quarter experience.

There hasn’t been much to criticize Dwane Casey for this season, he’s been absolutely solid, but his handling of Jonas might be something to critique. Jonas is going to be a big part of the success this Raptor team has and when he plays well he deserves some fourth quarter burn. It makes sense to take him out if he’s been off defensively or is having foul issues, but give the kid a shot in the arm when he’s done well and let him finish the game. Jonas needs to learn how to get it done in the fourth.

And 1

Vince

It was refreshing to see the ACC crowd cheer Vince Carter this past week. He was one of my favourites growing up and I, like many, turned on him when he turned on us. He was, however, a huge part of the history of this franchise and deserved to be acknowledged. The ACC’s standing ovation for Vince after the jumbo-tron tribute will be remembered by anyone who cheered for the Raps during the Vince Carter years.

To the crowds credit, I loved the way they stood up for Vince after the tribute and then went right back to booing him once the game began. Raptor fans are the best (have I mentioned that yet?)

Kristoffer Pedlar
The Zan Tabak Herald

Raptors Ready for Big Test

No matter what has been said by anyone, this was not the first round matchup the Raptors were hoping for. Even if you choose to ignore the playoff history between these two teams (The Nets, behind Jason Kidd and Vince Carter, beating the Raptors in six games in 2007) or the massive difference in playoff experience (the Nets with a combined 459 playoff games played to the Raptors 94) the Nets are going to be a tough matchup. 

Brooklyn is a tough test for any team. They shoot well from the perimeter, something the Raptors have not had great success gaurding, and their team is full of older guys who understand the playoff atmosphere.

This the narrative you’re going to hear over and over again, especially if the Nets draw first blood on Saturday. Young vs. Old, Rookies vs. Veterans, Experience vs Inexperience. I’m sure the Raptors are sick of hearing about it. But still, that divide exists.

Brooklyn was built for the playoffs. Pierce, Garnett, Joe Johnson; this is what they live for and where they have had great success in the past. Even coach Jason Kidd, a rookie behind the bench, has a wealth of playoff experience to draw on. The Raptors don’t

This is not to suggest the Raptors should be counted out. They absolutely should not. Yes, many of the players will be making their playoff debuts on Saturday, but there is more here than meets the eye.

When looking at this current Raptors team it is easy to recall the ghosts of the past and beleive the trend of young Raptors teams losing in the playoffs will continue. Vince Carter and the Raptors couldn’t beat a veteran Knicks team they had dominated in the regular season. A young Chris Bosh couldn’t turn an Atlantic division title and 47 wins into a playoff victory against the veteran Nets in 2007. Every young team the Raptors have seen debut in the playoffs, have fallen short. Only one team in the franchise’s history has even made it out of the first round.

But this team isn’t like those other Raptor teams.

This team is deep. This team is built like a team and they have numerous weapons in their attack. In 2001 the Raptors relied heavily on Vince Carter and the veteran Knicks made life difficult for him. In 2007 the Nets knew Chris Bosh was the key to the Raptors’ team and they shut him down for their series. This year there are too many concerns for the Nets. Shut down DeMar DeRozan and you have to worry about Kyle Lowry. Shut down Lowry and you have to concern yourself with Terrence Ross, Jonas Valanciunas or Greivis Vasquez. After that you have to legitimatley worry about Amir Johnson, Tyler Hansborough and Patrick Patterson all of whom could play huge roles in this series.

This Raptor squad has a lot of different weapons to use and their strength is in their unselfish play. In every Raptor win this season ball movement and defensive play has been key. This Raptor squad likes sharing the ball. It is their unselfishness that makes them so dangerous to opposing teams. It’s not something they’re going to have to figure out how to do the way Carter did in 2001 and the way Bosh did in 2007. This team is already a well-oiled machine.

On paper the Raptors lead the Nets in a number of key statistics cheif among them Rebounding (Raps are 17th in the league while the Nets are 29th), defensive efficiency (10th) and field goal percentage. Of course, the games are not won or lost on paper, but this Raptors squad has something the teams of Raptor past did not.

They have the will to win.

At the beginning of the year this team wasn’t expected to do much more than fight for the first overall pick in the upcoming entry draft. When Rudy Gay was traded half way through the season it seemed clear that this team wasn’t going to be a contender. Following that deal the Raptors played some of the best basketball in the association. They found the right recipie to win.

Kyle Lowry was cemented as the leader of the franchise. He was no longer looking over his shoulder and the franchise put their faith in his talent and ability to lead. DeMar DeRozan, after the Rudy Gay trade, was finally free. He was the focal point on the offensive end and didn’t have to share touches with anyone else. Jonas Valanciunas was given more and more court time and responsibility and his game began to develop especially in the last month of the season. Amir Johnson got some help up front and was no longer being asked to carry the load for an entire 48 minutes. The team added a bench. A motley crew of characters that could, in the end, be the difference between winning and losing this series.

The Raptors are ready. This Atlantic division title wasn’t a fluke. It was the product of hard work, of playing together and of focusing on the big picture.

Come Saturday, the Raptors will look across the court and see a team that is more experienced than them, a team that has won championships, one that they are not supposed to beat. But the Raptors have heard that all season.

They weren’t supposed to make the playoffs, they weren’t supposed to win the division and they definitely were not expected to be one of the top three teams in the Eastern Conference, but here they are.

The Raptors are faster, tougher, they shoot better, defend better and rebound better and, most importantly, they play together.

On Saturday, the Nets will look across the court and see a team beyond its years. A team hungry for playoff victory and one that is very capable of bringing home a win.

While this likely wasn’t the matchup the Raptors were hoping for it is certainly one they are up for.

Get ready for one hell of a series!

Kristoffer Pedlar
Zan Tabak Herald

Time to Forgive and Forget

If you’ve been a Raptor fan for a long time, chances are you have a Purple Vince Carter jersey hiding somewhere in the recesses of your basement or hanging in a closet somewhere in your house. You likely also recall (in slow motion) the shot Vince rimmed out during the 7th game of the Eastern Conference Final against Philadelphia. You likely own a Todd McFarlane plastic statue of Air Canada himself and have fond memories of jumping up and down on your couch during the 2000 Slam Dunk Championship when Vince hit that between the legs dunk.

These are some of the fondest memories a Raptor fan can possibly have in the history of this young franchise; a history that is still very much in its infancy stage.

But Vince is still very much a part of the present in Toronto. Fans have not been able to let go of their anger toward Carter for the way he left town, nor have fans enjoyed Carter coming back to town and showing up his old team with game winning shots, ferocious dunks and all around good play. He’s beaten us at the buzzer and in the playoffs. The boos continue to rain down on the man who was once lovingly refered to as “half man, half amazing” every time he touches a ball at the ACC.

If you’re a current Raptor fan chances are you’ve gone down to the ACC and booed Vince Carter relentlessly as a member of the opposing team. You booed him for quitting on the team, for forcing a terrible trade out-of-town and for setting the franchise back for year and years.

How can one man elicit such joyous memories and such disdain at the exact same time?

Such is the legacy of Vince Carter in Toronto.

But maybe it’s time for all of us to let that hatred go. Let that anger dissipate and finally let bygones be bygones. Time has passed and surely the wounds of the past are, at least, somewhat healed.

The team currently playing for the Raptors are having a surprisingly successful season and there is an air of optimism surrounding the team, even in the midst of a three game losing streak. There is a lot to be positive about in Toronto these days; so why focus on the negative? Let’s try to remember the positivity that Carter brough the franchise.

Vince was the best basketball player to ever put on the Raptors uniform and he should be remembered for what he did. He gave the city the most exciting 6 years of basketball that have ever been seen around these parts. He brought the franchise respectability, notoriety and a sense of belonging in this league.

Should we have been mad when he asked for a trade, quit on the team and lowered his trade value before leaving town? absolutely.

But it’s time to let it go.

He is the greatest player to ever put on the Raptor jersey and he has never been properly thanked for the good he brought this franchise.

Now, fans pay money to come and see the Raptors play. They pay good money and should be able to cheer or boo any player if they so choose, but doesn’t Vince deserve that one last ‘thank you’ from the fans before he gracefully heads for the exit?

Carter is in his 16th NBA season and is likely near the tail end of a solid career. There wont be many chances remaining to see Carter visit the ACC as a member of the opposing team. Wouldn’t it be nice to see him finally get the ovation that his tenure as a Raptor truly deserves?

Now there are two sides to this Carter debate.

The first (which I have been a part of since he left town) refuses to forgive and forget. They want Carter to pay for holding the team back and for the way he unceremoniously left town all those years ago. It doesn’t matter how much time has passed, there is no forgiveness to be had.

To that group Carter is an outlet to vent the many frustrations that being a fan of this team has brought them.

The second group is more willing to let bygones, be bygones. They would be willing to welcome the star back to Toronto with open arms should he want to return for a victory lap or a “Roy Halladay contract” at the very end of his career. A popular suggestion online would see Carter return to Toronto this summer as a free agent to finish his career where it began.

Vince was a star in Toronto. Though his departure hurt, he should be remembered for greatness he brought to the city.

Whether that fits into the plan Masai Ujiri and Tim Leiweke have long-term for the franchise remains to be seen, but it’s a cute idea.

In truth, Carter’s exit did start the Raptors on a downward spiral that didn’t end until their Atlantic Division championship in 06-07. The team was seen as a disaster around the league and that perception took years to rectify. Had he stayed (and played to his ability), maybe he could have helped the franchise return to the playoffs. Maybe he could have given us another few years of that old VC magic. So disgruntled fans are certainly entitled to their frustration.

Another popular Raptor fantasy involves an alternate universe where both Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady stayed with the franchise long-term. Such a pairing could have resulted in a dynasty for the Raptors.

Of course, that’s all just theory. One which admittedly McGrady, himself, even agrees with.

“In hindsight, looking back, obviously I wish I had stayed in Toronto…There’s no doubt we could have contended for a championship. I think about that often.”

So, true, there is a lot to be bitter about when reflecting on the legacy of Vince Carter. A lot of ‘what ifs’ and ‘could have been’. So many unanswered questions and unrealized potential.

But one fact remains true; For six and a half years this city had one of the greatest players in the world to call their own. He excited us, wowed us, took us to heights we never thought possible and then, yes, even broke our hearts.

This city has never seen his equal (and may never again). It is time we celebrate the best player this city has ever had. He’s paid his debt.

On Wednesday night Carter returns to the ACC as a member of the Dallas Mavericks; let’s finally give him the welcome he deserves.

Kristoffer Pedlar
Zan Tabak Herald

Raptors in Good Hands

MLSE made some noise by making some bold moves to bolster the on-field talent of Toronto FC. The acquisitions of Jermain Defoe, Michael Bradley and Dwayne De Rosario show that MLSE is willing to spend money to make Toronto a winning team in MLS. These moves instantly make TFC a legit contender and a big time draw in the city.

But what does this have to do with the Raptors?

It’s simple: the man behind these big time, game-changing acquisitions is the same man who is in charge of the Raptors. Tim Leiweke, was brought in to make a splash and help lure big name talent North of the border. He is starting to live up to this task.

With the additions to TFC, Leiweke is showing that he is more than capable of making the big time moves necessary to win. Jermain Defoe is, arguably, the second biggest acquisition in the history of MLS and one that was probably more difficult to acquire than people think. The biggest acquisition in MLS history is, of course, David Beckham (also acquired by Leiweke). If he is able to make this kind of impact with TFC, then there is no telling what he can do with the Raptors.

I can’t help but recall the first press conference Leiweke ever had as president of MLSE. He made it very clear from the onset of his time as president that the Raptors and TFC were a big priority. It was a small comment, but one I picked up on at the time: He said, “I don’t think it’s any secret the emerging question and the first action is going to be the Raptors…”

Of course, at the time, Leiweke was directly referring to the fate of then GM Bryan Colangelo, but make no mistake, since Leiweke has arrived, he has been very heavily involved and focused on the Toronto Raptors organization.

First he hired Masai Ujiri, the reigning executive of the year and a man who had to be sold on leaving a very good situation in Denver to come to Toronto. Next, he helped orchestrate the bid and landing of the 2016 All-Star game for the city. Next, is likely the acquisition of a big name talent that will help make the team a serious contender for that ever so important 2016 season.

Tim Leiweke was brought to MLSE to create championship calibre teams and, so far, that is exactly what he is doing.
Photo by: JUAN OCAMPO / ANDREW D. BERNSTEIN & ASSOCIATES

Now, Leiweke isn’t directly in charge of the day-to-day transactions the Raptors make. He is more of an overseer. It was Leiweke who chose to bring in Ujiri to turn the fortunes of this franchise around and make those day to day decisions. So far Ujiri has done just that. But Leiweke’s influence around the league cannot be understated and his ability to land the big fish will likely play a key factor in the teams immediate future and the decisions that Ujiri makes.

Leiweke’s resume includes, most notably, a long stint in Los Angeles where he was president and CEO of AEG who own and operate the Kings, Galaxy and Lakers. There he learned how to land the ‘Big Fish” with the Lakers. “I come from the NBA, I know a lot of people in the NBA, I’ve learned under the curve of Jerry Buss and Jerry West…You do not find two better teachers than those two guys on how to build an organization that not only wins one championship, but becomes the dominant organization.”

With words like these, he has gien hope to the Raptors fan-base that the long awaited return of playoff basketball is not far away; that this franchise is finally going to build a contender the right way and that the agony of watching top flight talent leave the city will finally be a thing of the past.

Since the Rudy Gay trade and the change in on-court strategy the Raptors are already looking like a playoff bound team and one that is playing very exciting basketball. The turnaround has been fast and may be happening earlier than originally anticipated. Much of the credit falls on Ujiri, the man Leiweke brought in.

Ujiri is one of the best minds in the game today. His ability to quickly turn around the fortunes of the Denver Nuggets despite losing Carmelo Anthony was a thing of beauty and he hasn’t looked anything but brilliant since taking over the Raptors. Trading Bargnani for future picks and financial flexibility was a solid move with an eye to the future and the Rudy Gay trade has resulted in the team you see on the court right now, but also added a wealth of additional assets.

Still, in a season where most teams are not putting their best team on the court, the Raptors need to be wary of getting too over-confident about the current on-court product. Yes, they have some good young pieces to build with, and yes they are winning a lot of games, but this is not currently a team that is going to do much more than challenge for a mid to low playoff spot in the long-term.

Leiweke knows this. He knows this is not a team bound for multiple championships at the moment. This is a team with some solid pieces, but lacking a true, legit star. Leiweke didn’t come here to just make the playoffs, he came here to compete for championships and I believe that is exactly what he is going to try to do. In order to get to that place he needs to land a ‘big fish’ for the Raptors.

The Raptors roster is currently a solid mix of young players and a number that could be very useful off the bench, but they lack that top-tier star. Don’t get me wrong, I believe that DeMar DeRozan has the potential to be a solid number 2 on a good team, but the Raptors need a number one. A star. A player that can take the game into their own hands. That’s where Leiweke and his influence around the league will come into play. If he can convince Jermain Defoe (still a very talented and useful player), to leave Europe to come to Toronto, then he can likely do the same with todays NBA stars.

In the next two years players like Durant, LeBron, Carmelo, Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving will all be available. Second tier guys like Eric Bledsoe, Greg Monroe and Lance Stephensen will also be available and could help deepen this team even further. Now I’m not suggesting the Raptors will have the ability to lure one of those big names north of the border, but with Leiweke in charge and the capspace now available, these next few years will be the best opportunity that the Raptors will ever get to add a franchise cornerstone.

Add to this the pressure Leiweke has put on himself and the organization to compete by the 2016 All Star Game and you have a recipie for success. 2016 is very much the end goal for the Raptors. Leiweke and MLSE want to be a significant player in the NBA by that time and the hope is, obviously, that at least one or two Raptors will be taking part in that game.

With the success of the current roster, it is clear the Raptors organization has the pieces and the resources to make a move in the very near future. Tim Leiweke clearly believes in the future of this organization, “The Raptors have that chance. They got the fan base, they got the ownership, they got the support economically.” That fan-base he refers to is now firmly behind the team again and desperately wants (and deserves) more.

Talk of tanking is now firmly in the rearview (probably for the best) and the focus is now on how to use this successful year to build on.

With the combination of Ujiri’s ability to evaluate talent and Leiweke’s ability to recruit top-tier talent the Raptors have a dangerous duo running the show. Also, do not underestimate the influence rap star Drake will have as well. Another Leiweke move that could have serious gains in the NBA where most players are big fans of the star. If coming to Toronto means getting to hang out with Drake on a regular basis, there are players that would very interested in that opportunity. It was a simple phone call by Drake to Defoe that helped tip the scales and bring Defoe across the Atlantic. His influnence cannot be understated.

Leiweke has made it very clear that the organization is ready to do what is needed to make this franchise a dominant one. “We will do whatever it takes, including spending to the cap on any of our teams or spending luxury tax for Masai…And Masai and I again, another very strong, good relationship. We see the world the same way. If there’s a move he can make now that ultimately makes this team better and doesn’t give up on any of our assets, then he not only has 100% of our support, we’re not afraid of the luxury tax at the right time. He just needs to make a decision on when the right time is.”

Whatever path the Raptors are going to take to get themselves into the championship conversation it is clear Tim Leiweke and Ujiri will be the ones steering the ship. With the leadership at the top of the franchise firmly in place, fans should enjoy the journey from here to 2016. Good things are in store for this franchise.

Kristoffer Pedlar
Zan Tabak Herald

Time to Get Excited Raptor Fans

If you watched the Raptors defeat the Pacers last night, and if you’ve been paying at least some attention to the team of late, you could be forgiven for thinking this team has a chance to make some noise in the Eastern Conference this year.

The Raptors have been playing exciting basketball. They’re sharing the ball, playing with intensity on the defensive end and as a result have surprised some pretty strong teams. Games that look like losses on paper have turned into wins and slowly the Raptors have creeped up the standings of the Eastern Conference and now sit in 4th but poised to go higher.

This wasn’t how the season was supposed to go. The plan before the season (in the eyes of the fans anyway) was to lose as many games as possible and increase the odds of drafting a high pick. This is the year home town hero Andrew Wiggins is pegged as a top three pick and adding him would almost surely lead to a brighter future and increased ad revenue. Tank Nation has been a constant and loud presence for most of the season, but are now growing quiet.

The ACC is alive again thanks to the Raptors recent play. Fans should embrace this raptor resurgence.

The Rudy Gay trade was supposed to be the first domino. The dumping of a big name with a big salary and the acquisition of expiring contracts and younger players. Losing Rudy was supposed to start the downward spiral that would hopefully end with a top three pick in the 2014 draft.

But something has happened since then. The Raptors have found themselves, individually and collectively, and are playing their best basketball in years.

Without Rudy dominating the offensive sets others have stepped up to contribute. We are finally seeing Jonas Valancunas getting consistent touches in the paint. Terrence Ross has been given the opportunity to play regular minutes and DeMar DeRozan is being asked to carry this team on his back in the late stages of close games.

All have answered the challenge.

The team is responding. The depth acquired in the Rudy Gay deal means everyone in the rotation has a very defined role on either side of the ball.

Most importantly Kyle Lowry has risen to the occasion. A player, often criticized for his quick trigger and inability to get others involved in the offense, has transformed into a team leader. He is sharing the ball, getting his teammates involved and is setting the tone on the defensive end.

You could be forgiven for writing this year off. Many of us did. But now it is time to embrace this team. They are playing exciting basketball and have a chance to do something no Raptor team has been able to do since 2001; win a playoff series.

Get down to the ACC, wear your jersey and cheer this team on. For the first time in way too long fans in Toronto have a team that seems more than capable of making the postseason and maybe going farther than that.

Whether or not you believe the current direction of the Raptors is the right one for the franchise in the long-term, you should let yourself enjoy the ride the team is currently on.

The city is buzzing about the Raptors for the first time in I don’t know how long. The team is fun to watch again and the ACC (if Wednesday’s game against Indiana is any indication) is back to being one of the best places to watch a game live.

Get on the bandwagon! There’s plenty of room.

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Kristoffer Pedlar
Zan Tabak Herald

The Kyle Lowry Conundrum

The Raptors, a team expected to compete hard this season for the number one draft pick, has had their plans altered by some truly inspired play and now look primed for a potential Atlantic Division title run.

The catalyst for much of the recent optimism in Raptorland is the man leading the team: Kyle Lowry. He has been everything the team has needed him to be and the Raptors recent resurgence has had his stamp all over it.

He has become the player he was envisioned to be when, then GM Bryan Colangelo, traded a 1st round pick to Houston for him. He is scoring at an impressive rate and is getting all of his teammates involved. One of the perceived issues with his game over his Raptor tenure has been his inability to involve the players around him.

With Rudy Gay’s departure, Lowry has taken over as team leader and the team is sharing the ball very well. Lowry has developed a good chemistry with Jonas Valanciunas and has helped Terrence Ross take the next step in his development.

Lowry’s future with the Toronto Raptors has yet to be decided and it looks like the decision will not be an easy one.

Lowry is looking like the player he was supposed to be last year.

The thing is he was almost dealt a few weeks ago and still might be on the block.

Surely, a deal that involves Lowry would cause immediate issues with team chemistry and be a clear signal that the 2014 NBA draft is more important to the franchise than the Atlantic Division title.

That’s not necessarily a mindset that most raptor fans disagree with, but is it the right choice?

Lowry is a young player (only 27 years old), and seems to have great chemistry with what would presumably be the Raptors future core in Amir Johnson, DeMar DeRozan and Terrence Ross. He has shown significant improvement in the last year and would seems to be a player worth building around. Since the Rudy Gay trade, Lowry has averaged 8.1 assists per game and looks like a totally different player of late.

Then again he is a free agent this year and is not necessarily worth the money he may end up getting. He is a talented, but flawed player. He traditionally shoots the ball too often, doesn’t shoot a high percentage and hasn’t been as effective on the defensive end in a Raptor uniform.

So what do you do?

Sell high and hope the lottery ping-pong balls fall your way? Take a shot at signing a young player with higher upside than Lowry? or do you keep him, extend his contract and see where this young team takes you?

DeMar DeRozan is having his best year as a pro and seems to have turned a corner into a player that can lead a team and close out games. Terrence Ross is just scratching the surface of his potential and we haven’t seen the best out of Jonas Valanciunas yet. Does the franchise want to mess with the current success? Would trading Lowry even mess with that current success?

Keeping Lowry long-term allows the Raptors to continue growing together. It also eliminates the problem of not having a point guard moving forward. The Raptors would either have to acquire one through the draft or through free agency in the off-season unless they are banking on Greivis Vasquez being the point guard of the future.

Lowry may be their best option going forward.

Then again maybe the plan is to get a high pick and take a PG like Marcus Smart out of Oklahoma State or Zach LaVine out of UCLA. Perhaps free agency has an option the Raptors might look at like Eric Bledsoe, Ramon Sessions or Avery Bradley. None of which are sure-fire options or much better than what Lowry may be able to provide. Add to that a trade involving Lowry would likely bring in a young player or some assortment of future draft picks and you have a lot of factors to consider before you move Lowry.

Masai Ujiri is faced with one of his most difficult decisions as general manager of this team. The fate of Kyle Lowry will have an immediate and far-reaching effect on this franchise. There is no clear choice to be made and fans may have to wait another month or so before the final decision is ultimately made.

One thing is certain, if we are to believe the words of Ujiri, This team will not finish in ‘no-mans land’. There will be a clear choice made as to where the Raptors are going to go this year. What that choice is exactly, will have everything to do with the future of the Raptors starting point guard.

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Kristoffer Pedlar
Zan Tabak Herald