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Toronto Raptors: 10 Bold Predictions for the 2016-17 Season

By Demar Grant

May 27, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Fire shoots up from the basket arms during player introductions prior to the Toronto Raptors hosting Cleveland Cavaliers in game six of the Eastern conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre.The Cavaliers won 113-87. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
May 27, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Fire shoots up from the basket arms during player introductions prior to the Toronto Raptors hosting Cleveland Cavaliers in game six of the Eastern conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre.The Cavaliers won 113-87. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /
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Toronto Raptors
Oct 1, 2016; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard Cory Joseph (6) dribbles past Golden State Warriors guard Phil Pressey (26) in the fourth quarter at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Peter Llewellyn-USA TODAY Sports /

1) Cory Joseph gets serious Sixth Man of the Year consideration

Aside from being born in Toronto, Joseph felt very little sixth man buzz last year. It doesn’t help that Patrick Patterson averaged the same minutes (25.6) off the bench as CoJo last year.

However, a new season brings new views. With Jared Sullinger injured at the beginning of the season, 2Pat should be thrust into the starting lineup, leaving CoJo to fend for himself off the bench.

Toronto’s offence is guard-oriented with tons of screen and rolls, which CoJo loves to do. Joseph has managed to increase his point totals each year with additional minutes and with Kyle Lowry falling on the other side of 30, he may see another small bump in his minutes total.

Joseph made the jump from 6.8 points per game to 8.5, while shooting 27.3 percent from deep. I mentioned this before, but his corner shooting in Toronto is better than his corner shooting was in San Antonio

Overall, Joseph just needs to sort out his three-pointer above the break and he should see a bump in his three-point percentage. Sprinkle in the fact he’s the team’s best defender behind Lowry and DeMarre Carroll and we’re looking at a Sixth Man of the Year candidate.

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