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Toronto Raptors 2014-15 season preview: What you need to know
The Toronto Raptors open the 2014-15 regular season on Wednesday night at home against the Atlanta Hawks. Here's what you need to know as they look to defend their division title, reach the playoffs again, and make it out of the first round this season.
2013-14 REVIEW:
Record | 48-34 |
Offensive efficiency | 105.8 (9) |
Defensive efficiency | 102.4 (9) |
Pace | 94.4 (23) |
The Raptors were Atlantic Division champions, made the playoffs for the first time since 2007-08, and recorded a franchise-best 48 wins. They lost their first-round series against the Brooklyn Nets in seven games. A top-10 offence and defence per possession, every key contributor is back and the team's bench depth is improved.
OFFSEASON RECAP:
IN | OUT |
G Kyle Lowry (4-yrs/$48M)* | F John Salmons (trade) |
F Patrick Patterson (3-yrs/$18M)* | F Steve Novak (trade) |
G Greivis Vasquez (2-yrs/$13M)* | G Dwight Buycks (waived) |
F James Johnson (2-yrs/$5M) | G Nando De Colo (free agency) |
G Lou Williams (trade) | G Julyan Stone (waived) |
C Lucas Nogueira (trade) |
|
F Bruno Caboclo (draft) |
|
* Re-signed |
|
Re-signing Lowry was the most important move of the Raptors' offseason. The 28-year-old point guard is coming off a career year and opted to stay in Toronto and build on last season's success.
Patterson and Vasquez, who fit in immediately as complementary players after being acquired from Sacramento in the Rudy Gay trade, were also re-signed to multi-year deals. Adding Lou Williams, a score-first guard, and James Johnson, an impact defensive player, will really help the second unit.
Bruno Caboclo, the 19-year-old first-rounder who was famously declared to be "two years away from being two years away" after his surprise selection on draft night, starts his rookie year on Toronto's bench and far down the depth chart. He could also see time in the D-League.
THREE THINGS TO WATCH:
1. Will Jonas Valanciunas and Terrence Ross make the jump?
Valanciunas and Ross are entering their third seasons in the NBA. Both made strides in their sophomore years and for the Raptors to take another step they need to continue getting better and be more consistent.
2. Can they stay healthy again?
Last season Toronto's primary starters avoided significant injuries and missed a total of 13 games. That's an absurdly low number and they'll be lucky to stay that healthy this season.
3. How many Raptors will be all-stars?
DeMar DeRozan was named an all-star for the first time in 2013-14 and Lowry deserved a spot alongside his backcourt mate but was left off the roster. If the Raptors are one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference, there's a good chance that DeRozan and Lowry will be in the all-star conversation again.
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