NBA: Grading the Atlantic Division for the 2019-20 season
Toronto Raptors: A-
The Toronto Raptors’ reign as champions has ended. They finished strong and had a great season overall. Toronto exceeded expectations after losing two significant players on their roster in Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green.
Helmed by management guru, Masai Ujiri, and coaching savant, Nick Nurse, the Raptors were already in a great position to have, at the very least, a good season. The champs used all the doubt as motivation, and proved lots wrong, as they displayed their brand of winning basketball from start to finish.
Pascal Siakam still needs growth in multiple areas of his game, but he showed lots of improvement as a number one option on a great team. The same can be said for Fred VanVleet and OG Anunoby – who exhibited jumps in development and poise all season long.
The Raptors ‘next man up’ mentality was evident as the team got great production out of lesser-known names in Chris Boucher, Matt Thomas, and Terence Davis II. There is much to look forward to as the Raptors continue their mentality of playing winning basketball, while also developing young talent.
Next. Milwaukee Bucks: 4 options on the table heading into the offseason. dark
They ended the season with a 53-19 record but lost in the second round of the playoffs against the Boston Celtics. Nail-biting thrillers happened throughout this 7-game stint – the title belt was ultimately taken away from the Raptors, as the core group was unable to hold on and advance.