What’s Next For The Toronto Raptors?

The Raptors have had an unfortunate NBA season, to put it mildly. Just two playoff series after topping the regular season of the Eastern Conference with a 59-23 win-loss record, they succumbed to the Cavaliers in a sweep. This prompted many basketball fans and experts to believe that they are just overwhelmed by LeBron James’ presence.

The hurdle that is James is something the Raptors can’t seem to pass. And it showed in their tentative play throughout that series. Even the newfound chemistry between Toronto stars Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan wasn’t enough; the surrounding talent didn’t show up in all four games.

Image source: raptorshq.com

The good news is that James is likely leaving Cleveland this offseason, and chances are high that it will be for a Western Conference team. This will remove the obstacle that has kept the Canadian franchise from moving forward in the playoffs. However, this would also mean that the Raptors will never get the chance to redeem themselves and prove that they can beat a LeBron-led team in the East.

The firing of their coach Dwane Casey is the newest Raptors hurdle. It’s not usual for a coach-of-the-year candidate to get booted off a team, especially one who led the team to the top of the standings. But management probably decided that the shackling Toronto got from Cleveland was too much and too embarrassing, and they had to put the blame on someone. All in all, the Raptors’ future is uncertain, and it might take more than just firing their coach to claw their way back up the NBA ladder.

Image source: medium.com

Shaun Benderson here, a college student from the University of Florida. I’ve been passionate about sports since I was a kid, so I’m now starting to share my thoughts about my favorite leagues and teams. Visit this blogfor similar reads.

Top reasons Luka Doncic should land the top pick in next year’s NBA draft

18-year-old Slovenian player Luka Doncic is already turning heads this early, and many basketball aficionados are picking him to be the shoo-in top pick in next year’s NBA draft. Let’s take a closer look at why this argument is becoming more and more agreeable. 

Image source: sportsillustrated.com

Firstly, Doncic is young and already very skilled. He just turned 18 recently, yet has already gotten significant awards in the European League, including MVP for three rounds during his team Real Madrid’s semifinal run. Alongside countryman and NBA star Goran Dragic, the 6-foot-8 star likewise just led Slovenia to its first FIBA EuroBasket championship, beating Spain, France, and Serbia in the process for the historic 2017 win. 

While Donkic is not as athletic as most top draft prospects from the US, he has a very high basketball I.Q. and a generally complete skill set for his age. During Slovenia’s recent run in EuroBasket, he outplayed the likes of Lauri Markkanen, Bogan Bogdanovic, the Gasol brothers, and even Latvia’s best player and New York star Kristaps Porzingis. 

Donkic sees the floor really well, and his passing skills is complemented by a high three-point shooting clip and impressive inside drives. It’s becoming the norm stylistically for big guys in the NBA to shoot from the outside and bring the ball down, and Donkic fits well with this trend.

Ultimately, the conversation boils down to drafting Donkic over Michael Porter Jr. and Marvin Bagley III. But rapid improvements in this still-teenager’s game spiced up by international recognition and awards are surely making him the most solid top-pick contender. 

Image source: theringer.com

Hello, my name’s Shaun Benderson and I’m currently studying at the University of Florida. As a sports fan, I’ve always wanted to start my own sports blog. For similar reads, drop by this blog.

NBA free agency 2017: top prospects at each position

Now that the 2016-17 season is over, the focus shifts to the NBA free agency, especially at how the teams will counter the inevitable Warriors dynasty. There are a lot of players becoming free agents this year but here’s a list of the top prospects for each position to help you keep track of people in this wild NBA free agency 2017. 

Image source: performgroup.com

Point Guards 

Stephen Curry - 25.3 ppg, 6.6 apg, 4.5 rpg Chris Paul - 18.1 ppg, 9.2 apg, 5.0 rpg, 2.0 spg Kyle Lowry - 22.4 ppg, 7. 0 apg, 4.8 rpg George Hill - 16.9 ppg, 4.2 apg, 3.4 rpg Jeff Teague - 15. 3 ppg, 7.8 apg, 4.0 rpg 

Shooting Guards 

J.J. Redick - 15 ppg, 1.4 apg, 2.2 rpg Dion Waiters - 15.8 ppg, 4.3 apg, 3.3 rpg Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (restricted) - 13.8 ppg, 2.5 apg, 3.3 rpg Tim Hardaway Jr. (restricted) - 14.5 ppg, 2.3 apg, 2.8 rpg Andre Roberson (restricted) - 6.6 ppg, 1.0 apg, 5. rpg, 1.2 spg 

Small Forwards 

Kevin Durant - 25.1 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 4.8 apg, 1,6 bpg Gordon Hayward - 21.9 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 3.5 apg Otto Porter (restricted) -13.4 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 1.5 apg Danilo Gallinari - 18.2 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 2.1 apg Andre Iguodala - 7.6 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 3.4 apg 

Power Forwards 

Blake Griffin - 21.6 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 4.9 apg Paul Millsap - 18.1 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 3.7 apg Serge Ibaka - 14.8 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 1.6 bpg Pau Gasol - 12.4 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.1 bpg Dirk Nowitzki - 14.2 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 1.5 apg 

Centers 

Nerlens Noel (restricted) - 8.7 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 1.0 bpg Mason Plumlee (restricted) - 10.4 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 3.5 apg, 1.1 bpg Kelly Olynk (restricted) - 9.0 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 2.0 apg Dewayne Dedmon - 5.1 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 0.8 bpg Nene - 9.1 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 1,0 apg 

Image source : bleacherreport.net

Hi there, Shaun Benderson here from the University of Florida. I’ve been a sports fan for as long as I can remember. Add me on Facebook and let’s talk about sports.