Toronto Raptors: 6 revelations from Game 6 victory over Wizards

The Toronto Raptors’ bench mob saved the day against the Washington Wizards in a 10-point victory, to claim the series 4-2 and move on to the next round.

Fred VanVleet is back, the bench mob has returned to normal and the Toronto Raptors advanced in the playoffs with a 102-92 win over the Washington Wizards.

The Raptors will await the victor of Game 7 between the Indiana Pacers and the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Raptors are resting instead of weathering another Game 7. If you ever wanted evidence that we’re living in the bizzaro world, the Raptors and Cavs have brought it right to your doorstep.

Welcome to the sixth playoff edition of Raptors Revelations. We’re doing 6, because, you know, Toronto… Drake… Raptors… It’s gonna be fun so strap in.

These are the sobering, snarky or dare I say, smart thoughts that stick with me when I watch Raptors games. These are the revelations.

1. Fred VanVleet is the bench

Every group has a member that stands out above the rest. The Jackson 5 had Michael Jackson, NWA had Ice Cube, Wu-Tang Clan had Method Man, BROCKHAMPTON has Kevin Abstract and the bench Mob has VanVleet.

The Bench Mob (or Shadow Squad or Bench Browskis or whatever we’re calling them now) up until the playoffs was a celebrated unit of players, each bringing their own elements to the table. It didn’t take until the playoffs to see who the biggest influence was.

The Raptors’ bench floundered through the entire series without Steady Freddy in the lineup, spending most games in the red. The starting lineup for the Raptors dominated the series, but when the like of Mike Scott, Ty Lawson and Kelly Oubre stepped on the court to challenge Pascal SIakam, Delon Wright and Jakob Poeltl, things got squirrely.

VanVleet’s absence and return to the lineup highlighted how important he really is to the team. Don’t forget VanVleet closed games for the Raptors this regular season; he’s vital to the team’s success.