Toronto Raptors Preview 2021

PreviewsNBAEASTERN CONFERENCEAtlantic Division

Oct 12

Our Toronto Raptors preview 2021 observes that from the 2013-2014 through to the 2019-2020 season this team finished first in the Atlantic Division six times. The one season they were not first, the Raptors came in second. During that time, Toronto won one NBA Championship (2018-2019). Last season, just two years removed from when they won their first and only NBA title, the Raptors finished fifth in the division, 12th in the conference, and out of the playoffs. It was a rough season, as the Raptors posted 27 wins and 45 losses. The 2021-2022 season doesn’t look anymore promising.

Raptors Frontcourt

Our Toronto Raptors preview 2021 finds that the frontcourt is in disrepair. Last year, after losing front men Marc Gasol, Serge Ibaka, Toronto did little to replace them. Late into last season, they signed Khem Birch who had been waived by the Magic. Birch, who in four seasons has never started more than a dozen games in any year, can hit from inside and is a better defender than rebounder. Chris Boucher, who also has four seasons behind, offers the skills. At small forward last season, OG Anunoby was asked to do more, and he responded well, averaging over three more minutes and scoring 5.3 more points per game. He hit field goals at the rate of 48 percent and threes at 39.8 percent.

Power forward Pascal Siakam, who’s been with Toronto for his entire five-year NBA career, has seen his shooting percentage fall. The former 50-plus percent field goal shooter who hit threes 37 percent of the time, saw his output drop last season. Im 2020-2021, Siakam knocked in just 45.5 percent of his twos and 29.7 percent of his threes. At times, he seemed unmotivated. Plus, after he sat out the fourth quarter in a loss to the Cavs, Siakam had a postgame confrontation with head coach Nick Nurse. The power forward, who underwent offseason surgery on a torn labrum in his left shoulder, will miss the start of this season. Fourth overall 2021 NBA Draft pick Scottie Barnes will likely see minutes. Also, former Miami forward Precious Achiuwa, who’s in his second NBA season, will play. This will be a learning experience for all.

Toronto Raptors Preview – Backcourt

Former Miami forward Goran Dragic joins the team in an attempt to compensate for the loss of Kyle Lowry. Lately, the 33-year-old has seen his production drop. However, he is a reliable and disciplined player. Malachi Flynn is also an option. Last year in his rookie season, Flynn averaged 19.7 MPG, recording 7.5 PPG and 2.9 APG. His shooting percentages need to rise, as he completed 37.4 percent of his twos and 32.1 percent of his threes.

Shooting guard Fred VanVleet starts his sixth NBA and Raptor season. Each year, he’s shown improvement and undertaken more responsibility. The last two seasons, VanVleet has started at point, averaging 36 MPG. In 2020-2021, he was good for 19.6 PPG, 6.2 APG, and 4.2 RPG. VanVleet is shooting close to 40 percent from the field and over 36 percent from downtown. Additionally, Gary Trent Jr. offers solid, dependable minutes.