Raptors look to use preseason to mesh old with new and build identity

BURNABY, B.C. – After burning out a bit down the stretch last season, Kyle Lowry is back looking fitter than ever. After missing significant time with a groin injury early on, DeMar DeRozan is eyeing a return to All-Star form. After signing a four-year, $64 million deal, Jonas Valanciunas is working to break out in his fourth year in the NBA.

And after a busy offseason following a humbling first round playoff sweep, the Toronto Raptors believe the comprehensive changes they've made will allow their core players to achieve their individual goals, and in turn, power the team to group success.

The Raptors open their seven-game preseason schedule Sunday in Vancouver against the Los Angeles Clippers. There are plenty of new faces on the team this year, making this past week's training camp and the upcoming exhibition games extra critical.

Marquee free agent signing DeMarre Carroll is set to join Lowry, DeRozan, Valanciunas, and Patrick Patterson in the starting lineup, while Cory Joseph headlines a revamped reserve unit. In all there are seven players that weren't with Toronto last season expected to crack the 15-man roster.

"There's a sense of urgency that's there more so then there was last year. It's a different approach. Right now we understand there's so much we have to get done and learn. I liked last year's team. But this year's team I think we can do more with it offensively and defensively," said head coach Dwane Casey.

"I like the way our defensive progress is going. We're not there yet, but we've made some big steps this week," Casey continued. "We're not there offensively, but I feel like that's going to come. I like where we are in our camp."

PROJECTED 2015-16 RAPTORS DEPTH CHART

* new acquisition - (R) rookie

Carroll understands why he was brought in on a four-year, $60 million contract. Over the last two years in Atlanta, Carroll garnered a reputation as a tough and talented defender, something Toronto has lacked on the perimeter during that time. The Raptors want to reestablish a defence-first identity, and Carroll knows what his job is and he recognizes that job starts right away.

"Some of the things I look for in practice (are) the level of commitment to defence and competing," said Carroll. "We're going to be a defensive team. The biggest thing for me is being a vocal leader on defence."

That level of communication is crucial for a team trying to build chemisty. It's forced them to focus on the basics, and the Raptors' mainstays are clearly invigorated by the makeover.

"Everybody's coming out on both ends and definitely bring that energy that we definitely need," said DeRozan. "We're all on the same page. We have one goal and I think that's bringing us closer together."

It's an environment that even has a veteran like 35-year-old forward Luis Scola wanting to make a good impression.

"Being on a new team, you want to show what you can do. You want to make coach comfortable playing you (and) guys comfortable passing you the ball," said Scola. "If this would be my team for the last 10 years, maybe I'm thinking just get ready for the season (and) get in shape. It's a little bit different when you're playing for a new team. You want to do a little bit more."

Scola's not alone. That's exactly what all the Raptors – new and old – want to do: just a little bit more. The belief is that collectively, once the trust and confidence sets in among the players, that it will be more than enough to propel the franchise to new heights.

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Israel Fehr is a writer for Yahoo Canada Sports. Email him at israelfehr@yahoo.ca or follow him on Twitter. Follow @israelfehr