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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
November 17, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) shoots the basketball against Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) during the first quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

7) The Raptors beat the Warriors

Don’t forget the Raptors nearly beat the Golden State Warriors in both of their meetings last season. The weakness of the Warriors last year was also where lie their strength, the guards.

Steph Curry, a microcosm of an amazing offensive player that seems unstoppable, until he’s on the defensive end. The Cavs made hay by running every action against him – they would run screen and rolls where he has to guard the ball handler, they ran him through off-ball screens and took him off the dribble.

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The goal is to run Curry into the dirt, so it starts to hurt not only his defensive ability but his offensive game, namely his shooting. Being an iso/pick and roll team, Lowry and Valanciunas are able to employ this tactic impeccably to wear the Warriors’ superstar out.

If this Warriors team gets out in transition on a regular basis, the game is already over. Luckily because of those isolations and pick and rolls, the Raptors minimize turnovers and were fifth best in the league.

Klay Thompson isn’t a driver, as he generates most of his shots off catch and shoot’s. Also, being 6-foot-7, he is used to shooting over most of his opposition.

However, DeRozan is the same height as Thompson, which means he’s going to have to work a lot harder for his shots. Thompson won’t be able to post DeRozan either, meaning he’s going to have to rely on savvy cuts and fast break opportunities to rack up points.

The Warriors’ biggest issue this season will be rim protection, as Zaza Pachulia doesn’t look as apt as first thought when locking down the interior. The Raptors provide a healthy dose of drive to the rim regardless of who they play against and Pachulia will have his hands full with DeRozan and Lowry.

This is the most opportune time to run plays through Valanciunas, not just to slow down the game but to test Pachulia’s suspect post defense. If Pachulia can’t handle him down low, they’ll have to double and the Raps have enough shooting and play-making around Valanciunas to punish any sort of four versus three situation.

If Pachulia can prevent Valanciunas from scoring, he’s still going to have to scavenge on the boards to prevent him from any put backs. The Raptors also have CoJo, Siakam, Norman Powell and Terrence Ross coming off the bench, so all is not lost.

That being said, you can’t stop Kevin Durant – you can only hope to slow him down. The Raptors need to pray Carroll and his length holds Durant down somehow.

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