Sir Charles in Charge
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NBA Atlantic Division Outlook: Are The Celtics Ready To Overtake Toronto?

By Ryan Piers

Oct 30, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Toronto Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry (7) drives the ball against Boston Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas (4) defending during the 2nd quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Toronto Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry (7) drives the ball against Boston Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas (4) defending during the 2nd quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 11, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry (7) talks to guard DeMar DeRozan (10) against the Miami Heat in game five of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Heat 99-91. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
May 11, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry (7) talks to guard DeMar DeRozan (10) against the Miami Heat in game five of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Heat 99-91. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Toronto Raptors

2015-16 Record: 56-26 1st in Atlantic Division, 2nd Seed East 

The most mundane team in the conference might be the Toronto Raptors. Or maybe predictable is the right word. With three straight conference title trophies in the case, the Raptors are setting a foundation similar to, say the 90s Atlanta Braves or the 2K New Orleans Saints- constantly competing and regularly winning the division.

The only difference is those two teams at least scratched out one title. Despite the talent, the chances of a Raptors championship are slim.

Yes, they are buoyed by extreme backcourt talent. One of the NBA’s great stories, good guy Kyle Lowry evolved from a late first round pick into maybe the Eastern Conference’s best point guard. When on, DeMar DeRozan is an elite scorer that gets to the rim with ease. And the team’s starting frontcourt is made of brutes to compliment the pure grace and skill of its backcourt.

But is it enough to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers, or more specifically LeBron James? Last year, the Raptors finally made it out of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs, a first for the franchise. But the fell to Lebron and company in the Eastern Conference Championship.

Potentially, Cleveland gets lackadaisical. That’s the thought at least, leaving the window open for the Raptors to take the East. They were two games away last year, and a trip to the NBA Championship would be a massive leap forward for a franchise that appears to be competitors for the foreseeable future.