The Toronto Raptors have had the best season they've ever had. In a season that almost saw coach Dwane Casey's job on the hot seat, and talks of star DeMar DeRozan possibly leaving in free agency, the Raptors were able to play beyond a level they ever have, and fight all the way to the eastern conference finals.
Unfortunately that season ended on Friday night at Air Canada Centre, in Game 6 against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Raptors held their home court through games 3 and 4, but ultimately, LeBron James and the Cavaliers were on another level and were just too much.
There were some bright spots and some low spots for the Raptors, glaring in this years playoffs that calls for its own attention. For starters backup center Bismack Biymbo likely earned himself a nice contract in free agency this summer, because he played with great energy, tough defense, blocked shots, and elevated his play, when starting center Jonas Valanciunas suffered a sprained MCL.
Stars Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan struggled with their scoring consistency, sometimes at the same time, and that was a problem with the team keeping up at times, suffering blowouts on the road, and again to end their season on their home floor.
This summer, the Raptors have to think about paying the max to DeRozan, and finding suitable numbers to satisfy Biyombo, to add with their 9th overall pick in this years draft. The biggest key for the Raptors is to keep building on what they have and continue to improve, and Coach Casey believes they will do just that.
Dwane Casey: “We’re learning. We’re not where they are right now. We’re gonna be.”
— James Herbert (@outsidethenba) May 28, 2016
Narrowly escaping the loss of his job this season, and increasing in wins each year as the Raptors coach, Casey has another year left on his contract. Consistency is a key to climbing the ladder of success in the NBA, so the Raptors' next season will be even more important than this years, if that determination hasn't already begun.
Casey: "I really think we're a step ahead of the process… We still have a ways to go… That next step is the biggest one we have to take"
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) May 28, 2016
That next step is being able to win that Game 6, and win a tough game on the road to advance to the NBA Finals.
[button width=”full” button size=”bigger” color=”custom” align=”center” textcolor=”#ffffff” texthcolor=”#ffffff” bgcolor=”#8b0000″ link=”https://clutchpoints.com/kyle-lowry-hangs-cavs-fans-after-game-despite-blowout/”]NEXT: Kyle Lowry hangs out with Cavs fans after game despite blowout[/button]
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