NBA: 30 Storylines Driving The 2015-16 Season

Apr 18, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; A general view of the Air Canada Centre prior to game one of the first round of the NBA Playoffs between the Washington Wizards and Toronto Raptors. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Toronto Raptors – Coasting to the Playoffs

Let’s face facts, the 2015-16 Toronto Raptors have about as much competition in the Atlantic Division as they did a year ago. For those of you who are unaware…there was no competition. Barring utter catastrophe or an unbelievable surge by another team (the latter is much less likely), the Raptors will have a cake walk to this season’s playoffs.

They addressed their wing play by bringing in former Atlanta Hawk, DeMarre Carroll. Terrence Ross remains a promising young talent, however he shouldn’t be any team’s premier option at the 3. His smaller frame, athleticism, and dynamic scoring ability (remember his 51-point outing a couple of years ago?) make him much better suited to play in the backcourt. Unfortunately for Ross, that is a position currently manned up north by Demar Derozan, a borderline star in his own right.

As for Carroll, he becomes the team’s top wing defender. Take into account his ability to score from beyond the arc and he is in many senses the ideal perimeter threat to pair with Derozan and Kyle Lowry, who excels at the drive-and-kick.

The team lost their perennial “veteran with a lot of potential yet still younger than most of their roster” guy when Amir Johnson relocated to Boston. Otherwise though, additions like Bismack Biyombo (who is similarly young, experienced, yet full of potential) will bolster a roster that will likely be vying for a higher seed in the East.

Last season, the Raptors were aided by importance that the NBA put on a team winning its division. They had a record that actually would have landed them a 5th seed, however because they reigned supreme in the Atlantic they were elevated to the 3rd seed. This year that support is gone. The Raptors will need to legitimately earn one of the conference’s top-4 records to receive the crucial home court advantage through the first round of the playoffs.

All in all, the team will likely be able to coast to a playoff berth this season. The true measure of their strength will be in seeing how far they can advance in the post-season.

Next: Rockets: Health Is Key