Why the Toronto Raptors will earn a repeat NBA Finals appearance

NBA power rankings: Toronto Raptors

Nov 13, 2019; Portland, OR, USA; Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam (43) celebrates with guard Fred VanVleet (23) after making a basket against the Portland Trail Blazers during the second half at Moda Center. The Raptors won 114-106. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports

Most figured the Toronto Raptors were going to be in for a season of transition after losing reigning NBA Finals MBP Kawhi Leonard in free agency. Toronto did not go out and add anyone near his caliber. Instead, the defending champs would rely on unproven talents in that of Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam. 

Look at this team now. Toronto heads into Friday’s game against the Detroit Pistons with a 34-14 record and riding a nine-game winning streak. This team looks like a legit contender to compete for another NBA Finals appearance. 

Here’s why: Everything seems to be coming together at the right time for Nick Nurse’s squad. Siakam has morphed into a superstar. VanVleet has emerged as the face of the backcourt. Kyle Lowry is playing great ball, too. Depth remains a major asset for the Raptors. 

Pascal: Toronto would be nowhere near this position (second in the Eastern Conference) without Siakam emerging into a star right in front of our eyes. 

The Lowry/VanVleet dynamic: After struggling in last year’s playoffs (a common theme throughout his career), Lowry has picked up his game this season. Meanwhile, VanVleet is at another level after a solid performance last spring. 

The bench: Toronto favored keeping together a deep rotation rather than going out there and adding another star to replace Leonard. It has paid off big time.

Bottom line

The likes of Milwaukee, Boston and Philadelphia get more national attention from the Eastern Conference. They were considered the top contenders to unseat Toronto en route to an NBA Finals appearance this June.

While the Bucks are dominating at a level that compares to the Bulls of the 1990s and the recently-ended Warriors dynasty, there are question marks with the Celtics and Sixers. They are no longer seen as a cut above the defending Eastern Conference champs.

Toronto ranks in the top five in points allowed, defensive rating and defensive efficiency. It has five players averaging 15-plus points per game and a legit MVP candidate in Siakam.

Deep. Talented. Defensive-minded. Well-coached. Add these four factors together, and the loss of the reigning NBA Finals MVP doesn’t seem to be too much to overcome.

There’s absolutely no reason to believe that Toronto can’t come out of the Eastern Conference for a second consecutive season. In fact, I firmly believe this squad represents the Bucks’ biggest threat.

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