NSL Insider - Team by Team: Toronto Raptors

by gc6, updated on Saturday, October 23 2021, 05:40 am EST

Well, where do we start with the Toronto Raptors.

Jesse is a polarizing figure around the league, but he is also one of the most respected. His team has dropped of this season compared to his last one, but it looks like the raptor may be ready to start peaking at the right time when the door is a bit more open for someone to swoop in and take the top prize of a NSL Championship.

On paper they are one of the best teams in the league. But they haven't really had the success that a team lead by superstar and 2k darling Paul George would have. Jesse is also a great GM at getting the talent though the door on Free agency day and via trades, so maybe

this year is the one where they finally put it all together. Also maybe not.

Its going to be hard cause a few teams have made strides this year, so it will be fun to watch another meltdown from the raps GM if they under achieve again.

Possible Line Up for Game Days (before free agency adds)

Point Guard: Markelle Fultz

Shooting Guard: Demar Derozan, Miles Bridges, Kenrich Williams

Small Forward: Paul George, Nic Batum, Danuel House Jr

Power Forward: Montrezl Harrell, Mitchell Robinson

Centre: Steven Adams, Mitchell Robinson

As you can see they are pretty much stacked. They dont really have a weakness in the starting line up, the second unit is a bit sketchy if they get a few injuries throughout the year. But they have more than enough firepower with the starters to overcome this and having a few

players at that position that arent ball dominate is probably a good thing. Cheap back up Point guards that can soak up a few minutes off the bench are a dime a dozen in free agency so im sure he will be fine on that front as well.

This team is all about Paul George though, hes in for a monster season in the NBA with his fellow super star team mate out for the year. And the will trickle down to the NSL you'd think, where he should be able to get back in to the nineties as far as 2k rating goes in no time at all.

�He�s carried teams before. He�s a great player,� coach Nick Nurse said, via shams on twitter. �This year we need more from him, more leadership, and to continue to play the way he played last season.�

Paul George rarely gets the credit he deserves as a ridiculously-skilled wing capable of leading an offense as the primary ball-handler and guarding anyone from point guards to power forwards. George has said multiple times over the last few months that he�s ready to be a Raptor for life.

Still in the prime of his career at age 31, it will be fascinating to see how he handles taking on this familiar role of being the defense�s main target. His leadership qualities have grown since he came over the border to Canada, and that tested his abilities on that front. He says he�s absolutely ready to embrace it, while attempting to strike a healthy balance between increased offensive usage and empowering his teammates with his underrated play making.

�That was enough going into this summer knowing what I need to bring, what I need to add, what I need to work on.... I�ve been in this position, so it gives me a level of comfort being the number one guy to start, and I�m ready to lead.� Said George via the Woj Pod

Mitchell Robinson also being back from a broken foot could give the raptors some X Factor this year as well. Hell of a defensive player the raptors will definatley be hard to score against. He could probably slot in at power forward next to Steven Adams and there is no chance anyone is scoring if they dare to take the ball to the rack.

"It was great seeing him out there man, especially with his presence. We missed him last year, of course. I played with guys that won a Defensive Player of the Year, and I feel like Mitch has that ability once he gets healthy to win that one day. He�s a big guy. It�s just gonna come the more he plays, the more he�s gonna get used to setting screens in different ways and making sure that he hits people, like that�s old school basketball right there, where you're laying wood on a guy every time you set a screen, and over the course of a game, that�s tiresome for a guard to keep fighting over a guy like Mitch. I�m happy that he�s on my team, and he�s a talent." said Miles Bridges via The Athletic

Anything less than a Championship in the next couple of years will be a major disappointment for the raptors. The window is wide open for this Toronto Raptors team as they have some stars in their prime and they are ready to rock.

Paul George is an NSL MVP candidate, but the worry is he might lose a few touches to new raptors second fiddle Demar Derozan on offense. None of this matters if you are winning of course, but its always nice to have an award for your troubles.

The main worry for this team is the unknown of this years engine. Will it be a good year for the raps where the team finally gels or will it be another post season flame out where the raptors go down in a screaming heap

The Main Dangers the Raptors will face this year in the quest for Ultimate glory are most likely the Portland Trail Blazers, Philly 76ers, San Antonio Spurs, Washington wizards, Charlotte Hornets and of course the Orlando Magic

In saying that though i still think the Raptors win it all and Paul George wins the NSL MVP and maybe even the NBA MVP, and you can reference this article at the end of the season to see that i told you so.

	WAS	98
	SA	123

	WAS	105
	SA	102

	SA	100
	WAS	104

	SA	106
	WAS	108

	WAS	118
	CLE	105

NSL Insider - Team by Team: Toronto Raptors

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