In a recent piece by Sportsnet’s Michael Grange, Raptors coach Dwane Casey, discussing the wide open nature of the NBA’s Eastern Conference, asks the question, “Why not us?” It’s the right mindset to have as the season tips off and it’s the hopeful outlook you want your team to have to start the year, but in reality, there are obvious answers to that question that the Raptors and their fans probably don’t want to hear.
Toronto is a perfect example of the NBA’s middle class – a quality franchise that can make the playoffs every year, but isn’t going to win a championship, which means they’re not in a position to draft an impact newcomer, but they also don’t have a high enough profile to attract the marquee free agents. Those Kevin Durant to the Raptors because him and Drake are boys dreams you’re still holding on to? Let them go; it’s not happening.
It’s a paradoxical situation that faces plenty of franchise in every sport – you’re too good to strip things down to the studs and rebuild, but at the same time, there is no real way for you to take that next step and become a contender, unless someone elevates their game out of nowhere or the best teams in the league are infected with the plague while you manage to avoid the illness.
Neither are very likely to happen, which puts Toronto right back where they’ve been the last few years: a 45-50 win team that will likely win the Atlantic Division, advance to the playoffs and might be good enough to make it through the first round.
Don’t get it twisted: that’s a much better existence than being the Philadelphia 76ers, constantly waiting for next year and the next asset to come along, telling fans to be patient while recent draft picks fail to step on the court or spend another year in Europe. It’s just that it’s not as good as being one of the elite teams, the majority of which reached their current standing by being really bad and drafting well once upon a time before luring big-time free agents to appealing locations to round out their ensemble.
Toronto’s worst season in recent memory landed them the fifth-overall pick, which they used to select Jonas Valanciunas. It was the right pick and a very good pick, but “JV” is more of a secondary piece than a star to build around, which kind of limits the Raptors’ organic upside.
Without getting a franchise player in the draft, building a contender is even more challenging and as good as Toronto has done at winning some recent major trades and bringing in quality pieces in free agency, they’re still left looking for that one real breakout star that can carry them to the next level.
Hometown fans will be quick to defend the talents of Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan, the Raptors’ backcourt tandem that have each made the All-Star Game in recent years, and while they’re very good players, the would be the second or third option on a championship contender and anyone that can’t recognize that is wearing blinders.
Until Toronto either tears it down and spends a couple years drafting at the top of the lottery or convinces an in-their-prime, All-Star free agent to make the trip north, they’re going to keep being part of the NBA’s Middle Class.
