What I expect
My expectations for the team going into the season is for really entertaining, competitive basketball across the season, every game, every possession. But I want to talk a little bit about what I expect to see from the individuals who will have the opportunity and responsibility to take on larger roles during the season.
Pascal Siakam
I’ve had casual/bandwagon Raptors fans and NBA fans alike ask me if Pascal Siakam was the biggest surprise for the Raptors last season. And my answer is always the same.
Not even a little bit.
Those of us who have been watching Pascal play for a few years now knew he was special. We knew this was coming. It was exciting and wildly satisfying to see it happen the way it did last season, but it was in no way a surprise. And this season, I fully expect Pascal to step into the role left open by the departure of Kawahi Leonard.
Will he dominate in the same way? No, I’m not saying that.
What I am saying is that I am confident that with the ball in his hands, Pascal is going to be a reliable entertaining first option on the floor for the Raptors this year. I think Spicy P is ready to take the next step and I’m really looking forward to seeing it happen this season.
Norman Powell and OG Anunoby
There are starting minutes available to gobble up for both OG and Norman with Leonard and Green gone and I expect to see both of them step up. And if I’m being honest, I don’t even like to use the term “step-up” when it comes to these guys. I think the phrasing, step in, is much more appropriate.
Powell thrives under pressure and in starting positions. I had a conversation just yesterday with a Raptors’ fan who only watched the playoff run last season who had nothing good to say about Norman. But what I’ve seen from him proves to me that it was just the opinion of another casual fan. Norm has shown flashes of what he is capable of especially as a starter and I believe that with consistent starting minutes those flashes will grow into at the very least, a consistent glow.
OG Anunoby had one of the unluckiest years of any Raptor I can think of last season, but many of us haven’t forgotten his potential. With a healthy OG and consistent playtime to get him rolling, I think he could be another player for the Raptors that comes as a surprise to other fanbases. But for me, he’ll just be living up to his potential.
Matt Thomas
Other than seeing how the work Ben Simmons did on his jumper this summer translates into his game this season, Matt Thomas is the player I’m most excited to see take the floor. Having seen his interview after practice on October 1st, it’s completely clear to me that this is another high character pick by Masai Ujiri. His attitude of working hard and proving himself every day is an echo of the Raptors’ successful under the radar signings that came before him.
But the most exciting thing to me about Thomas is his shooting. My very first favorite players I can remember as a child were those who shot from range. When I played in rec leagues in my 20s, I was a shooting guard with a consistent three in my arsenal. I’ve always had a soft spot for the ability to shoot from range. And if his stats are any indication, Matt Thomas could very well be my favorite Raptor in the 2019- 20 season.
Matt Thomas was arguably the top jump shooter outside of the NBA last season posting an eFG% of 82% on catch and shoot jump shots including 99% when left unguarded.
— Synergy Basketball (@SynergySST) July 1, 2019
When I think about these stats with the way Marc Gasol’s addition to the Raptors at the trade deadline last season improved their ability to take and make three-point shots, I cannot wait to see how Thomas fits into the lineup. I have a really good feeling about it.