The Toronto Raptors enter the 2013-14 season with plenty of optimism after some big time additions, and the loss of a player viewed as dead weight. With plenty of Eastern Conference teams, particularly Atlantic Division teams, tanking in hopes of a top draft pick, a playoff spot seems well within the team\u2019s grasp. <\/p>\n
Toronto Raptors<\/strong>
\n Eastern Conference<\/strong>
\n 2012-13 Record: 34-48<\/strong>
\n Odds to win title: 150 to 1<\/strong>
\n Odds to win conference: 66 to 1 from [dfads params=’groups=63740&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\nToronto Raptors<\/strong><\/p>\n
Team Page<\/a> | Past Results<\/a> | Remaining Schedule<\/a> | Player Stats<\/a> |\u00a0Player Roster<\/a><\/div>\nKey Losses<\/h3>\n
Andrea Bargnani \u2013 A move considered long overdue by many Raptor fans, Bargnani certainly overstayed his welcome. His three-point shooting ability was always overstated, and he was always a liability at the defensive end of the court and under the boards. Maybe he\u2019ll be able to revive his career in New York, but this feels like addition by subtraction for the Raps.<\/p>\n
Top Newcomers<\/h3>\n
D.J. Augustin \u2013 The backup point guard spot for the Raptors has been an albatross in recent years, but Augustin should put an end to that, giving the team quality minutes off the bench playing behind Kyle Lowry.<\/p>\n
Check out our in-house Handicapper!!! Buy Razor Ray’s NBA Season Package Today!<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n
Tyler Hansbrough \u2013 Toronto fans love hustle players, so they are going to immediately fall in love with Hansbrough, who will bring energy off the bench, and is quietly one of the better rebounders in basketball.<\/p>\n
Steve Novak \u2013 Let\u2019s not pretend that Novak is any more than what he is \u2013 he knocks down his three-point shots and does little else. Even still, if used correctly, he can be an invaluable asset.<\/p>\n
Top Players<\/h3>\n
Rudy Gay was brought in to be \u2018the guy\u2019, and he didn\u2019t disappoint last season with his tremendous closing abilities. [ad-6571516]<\/p>\n
He\u2019ll form a strong backcourt with Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan. Jonas Valunciunas has plenty of people excited and could be the NBA\u2019s next addition to the ranks of elite big men.<\/p>\n
Strengths<\/h3>\n
Head coach Dwane Casey had the team playing great basketball down the stretch last season, and it started with their work at the defensive end. Now, with Andrea Bargnani out of town, expect the team to step up their play at that end of the court. With a dynamic backcourt, the Raptors should be able to fill the bucket with ease as well, making them a tough out night in and night out.<\/p>\n
Weaknesses<\/h3>\n
The team could have trouble up front. Jonas Valanciunis is the team\u2019s best big man, but is still raw, and he also had plenty of foul trouble a year ago. That adds up to big minutes for guys like Tyler Hansbrough and Amir Johnson, who are good players, but will get outplayed by elite big men every time.<\/p>\n
2013-14 Prediction: 44-38<\/h3>\n
The Raptors\u2019 roster might not jump off the page, but expect coach Casey to get the most out of his troops. It\u2019s important to remember that the landscape of the NBA will be a little different this season, with a slew of teams tanking in hopes of landing the top pick in the loaded 2014 draft.<\/p>\n
The talent gap between the haves and the have nots is as great as it\u2019s ever been, and while some may disagree, the Raptors certainly feel they\u2019re haves.<\/p>\n
Expect them to pad their win total against some of the lesser teams in the Association and back their way into the playoffs.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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