Heading into the season, many predicted that the Celtics and Warriors would clash in the NBA Finals. Despite the Raptors making a big splash in the offseason by acquiring Kawhi Leonard, many felt that the Celtics’ depth and dynamic talent would lead them out of the Eastern Conference after falling short the two previous seasons.
However, so far it has been the Raptors that look like the best team in the conference, owning a 20-4 record and 6.5-game lead over the Celtics in the standings. The Raptors have been getting it done on both ends of the floor, as they own the league’s second-ranked offense and ninth-ranked defense (which could improve throughout the season as they continue to integrate the new additions).
Leonard is leading the way, returning to a near-MVP level, while Kyle Lowry is proving to be a more than worthy sidekick as he leads the league in assists. Other players such as Pascal Siakam, Danny Green and Serge Ibaka have stepped up to provide a lending hand throughout the first quarter of the season.
The Raptors have the talent and depth to play a variety of ways. If they aren’t overwhelming you with their offense, they can lock you down with their switchable defense that boasts several strong defenders on the wing. Of course, the NBA season is long and plenty can change between now and the playoffs, especially as it relates to the top contenders in the Eastern Conference.
That begs the question: will the Raptors make the Finals? Vote in the poll below and share your thoughts in the comments section!
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Will Kawhi stay? Maybe.
The better the clippers play the more likely he is to leave
yuppppppp
I voted no because this is an Amerocan sport. American teams should be in the finals not a Candida team. Just like hockey should be only Candida and no hockey teams in Florida, California, Texas, or Hawaii
What is Candida?
Did an American invent basketball?
Your wrong on so many levels, but spelling Canada wrong multiple times is just icing on that cake. Basketball is an international sport, in fact its one of the most popular international sports. Several of the best basketball players in the NBA are from other countries.
A Canadian invented Basketball. Comments like this make us want to take it back!
He was Canadian-American, living most of his life in the US, and it was invented IN the US.
Most likely going to be the 1st or 2nd pick in the nba draft next year RJ Barrett on Duke is from Canada
lmao this comment
A little penicillin will clear up that Candida in no time.
Lol
Toronto will not make it to the finals, will get to the ECF if they face off Boston in the EC semifinals, I think either Milwaukee or specially Philly can beat them in play off series, though Toronto will dominate the RS. Philly is the top team for the Finals, Milwaukee the dark horse, Toronto & Boston don’t see them in the Finals, unless they do some big change to improve their teams.
Ah yes, Milwaukee and Philly… the two teams that Boston topped last season. Makes sense
How does last season play in to who is better this season exactly? Butler is huge add and so far Boston looks far worse with the vets playing than they did without. Long season yet, but both Philly & Milwaukee are largely improved over last year while the Celts appear to have regressed badly. Not sure Toronto has the depth come best of 7 time but we shall see. Boston is not in this conversation until they prove they can merge the vets with the kids.
You’re not sure Toronto has the depth? They are considerably deeper than both Philly and Milwaukee. Usually the argument is that depth is less important in the playoffs.
They have flopped year after year after year after…. they swapped out Derozan for Leonard. That does not add depth. It makes one spot on the floor much better, but adds nothing else. Meanwhile the young Sixers and Bucks have another year of experience under them. Toma-toe, To-Mah-to I suppose…. just not buying that anything really changes for the Raptors until they prove otherwise
And the young Raptors don’t have another year of experience? I feel like you’ve never even watched them play.
I guess we will see in June. I watch them get the early boot every year. I’m underwhelmed. But I’m just 1 guy. Can they? Sure, but this poll is foolish at the 20 game mark with the other East C teams just starting to ramp up now.
i mean, you contradicted yourself within two sentences:
“Boston looks far worse…Long season”
I dunno how you *can’t* take last season into consideration
74% yes as I write this. So BOS, PHL, MIL, DET, IND & others have to split the remaining 26%? I think some people saw “will make the finals” and read “could make the finals”. I mean they do have as fine a chance as any. The EC has a top 6.
A) the stupid “Candida” teams should only make the finals in hockey is a poor attempt at being funny.
B) x%sure, read the last line of the post before the vote. “Of course, the season is long and plenty can change…”. Obviously, none of us has a crystal ball, but based on your logic, no team in either conference should get more than 15-20% of the vote. All you know is what you know today, and based on where we sit on December 3rd, if I were going to put money down on a team, I would put it on the Raps to go to the Finals.
I agree, if I had to pick one team, right now. But if I WERE gambling, I would remember last year, losing money on the same guess and proposition! (My Cavs were in disarray then.)
It would be about the odds if this was betting, and we didn’t get any. I would prefer Detroit and long odds rather than Toronto and short odds.
Ask me in June. You don’t win the conference after 24 games. At this point last year they were 17-7. They’re a couple of games better but there’s a LING way to go and Boston & Philadelphia will have a lot to say about who reaches the finals.
Sorry, that reply was meant for someone else
Another lame team name.
Always take the field… unless it’s the warriors