Raptor's 2016 Lottery Pick

Despite the Raptor's amazing regular season with a franchise record of 56 wins and 26 losses and that they made it all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals, our team managed to get the ninth pick in the NBA 2016 Draft; that's a lottery pick! It just amazes me that the Toronto Raptors has such a great pick in this year's draft when you consider what they did in 2015-2016; the Raptors got the ninth pick in the draft. I thought they would get a lower pick based on their performance but I'm glad they got a lottery pick nonetheless. That being said, here are the players that we're most likely going to draft.

The player that we're most likely going to draft for the 2016-2017 season is Jakob Poeltl. A 7'1 sophomore centre playing for Utah. He averaged 17.2 points per game and 9.1 rebounds per game in his sophomore season.. These are great stats for a sophomore. This is what HoopsHype has to say about him: "Poeltl is well liked by many scouts for his ability to play both ends of the floor and would add depth to the Raptors' front court." In my opinion, I think he would be a great addition to the team since we do need more depth to our front court but considering Biyombo's performance during the playoffs, I highly doubt that the Raptors will draft. However, Poeltl does show promise and it's not for sure if Biyombo, but if we do draft this sophomore, he'll be a great addition to the team.

The player that the Raptors have a possibility on drafting is Marquese Chriss. A 6'9 freshman power forward playing for Washington. Chriss averaged 13.7 points per game and 5.4 rebounds per game in his freshman season. Not bad considering it's his first college season but there are many players who have put in monstrous stats during their first season. This is what HoopsHype has to say about him: "Chriss is one of the biggest boom or bust picks of this year's draft. He is likely two years away from contributing anything meaningful. But his combination of length, athleticism, and shooting touch has scouts drooling." In my opinion, he'll also be another great addition to the team as it is not confirmed yet if we'll keep Patterson and Biyombo in our team. Even if they do stay, Chriss can also be a combo player playing in the small forward position considering his height. We need a player who can shoot threes and has athleticism for our small forward position. Ross and DeRozan switch between these two roles but considering their height and frame and that DeRozan is not a three point shooter and that T Ross is inconsistent with threes, Chriss will more than make up for that. Caroll is our starting small forward as of right now but drafting Chriss into the team will add depth to the team.

Personally, I would prefer Marquese Chriss over Jakob Poeltl. We really need a small forward that has athleticism, height, and can shoot threes. Chriss showcases the skills in his highlights. Even though he plays the Power Forward position, he can mix between small forward and power forward. Playing the small forward position also benefits the team as many small forwards are lower than 6'9 which will help us but there are also players like Kevin Durant and Paul George who are both 6'9 that play the small forward position. Chriss can match up to these two when you consider his build and height. Hopefully, I hope the Raptors draft this guy as he shows amazing potential to be a combo forward.

#WETHENORTH

The Raptors Have Been Tamed...

Unfortunately, on May 27, 2016, the Toronto Raptors have lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers. In this series, lost in game six resulting in four wins for the Cavaliers and only two wins for the Raptors. It was a very unfortunate night since we lost in our home court. The Raptors put up a great effort but it wasn't enough to force a game seven. However, they showed great resiliency after losing the first two games in the series by winning game three and four in the Air Canada Centre.

The player that stopped our team from advancing to the Championship series was the "King", LeBron James (Dude below). The King averaged 24.6 points per game, 2.2 steals per game, 7 assists per game, and 8.6 rebounds per game. These are truly monstrous stats coming from the small forward all-star as he averaged +5 in points, assists and rebounds and 2.2 steals per game is a great accomplishment. LeBron James has to be one of the greatest all-around players that the NBA has ever had. He showed why his team made it to the championship round by carrying his team. Mad respect for the man.

                                                       Picture Credit: Keith Allison

Making it all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals is more than enough in my opinion. Every consecutive season, starting when Dwayne Casey was the head coach, the roster has grown and matured as players. Every season, our record got better thanks to the roster developing their skills. As fans, we owe our wins to Lowry and DeRozan since these two great basketball players have stuck with us ever since they joined the team. Before, they were just average players who gave minor contributions. Today, they are one of the greatest back courts the Raptors has ever had and are all-stars. A really amazing feat for these two players. DeRozan and Lowry represent the face of the Raptors and I couldn't be more proud. Thank you Raptors an amazing regular season and post season.

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First Time to The EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS!!!

For the first time in Raptors history, they have made it to the EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS!!! WOOOOO!!! After 21 years of hard-work and dedication, our team has finally made it this far. Looks like the Heat wasn't too hot against the ferocious Raptors.

Just like the last series, our team was forced to play a total of 7 games to advance to the next round. It wasn't easy since we were matched up against the Miami Heat. The player that gave us a difficult time winning against the Heat was none other than Dwayne Wade. (Dude below)

                                      

  (Picture Credit: Kooroshication)

This shooting guard all-star is another player I respect and love as a professional basketball player and entertainer. I love how Dwayne Wade can make shots off of creating space and can take it strong to the rim. But with those qualities, he also made me despise him during the series. During the 2016 playoffs, he averaged 21.4 points per game, 0.9 blocks per game, 4.3 assists per game and 5.6 rebounds per game. Great stats coming off of a great player. However, with the loss of Whiteside and since Bosh couldn't play the entire series, Wade couldn't carry the team on his back against the Raptors. 

Even though they lost two of their key players during the series, they still put up a fight because of their resiliency. Miami showcased their skills and made us pay in some games. I have nothing but praise for this team for making our team play a really hard ball game against the Heat. It's unfortunate that Wade wasn't able to fight against LeBron James (his former teammate). What is fortunate is that our team was able to advance in the finals! I'm grateful for everything they have done as a team and for making their fans proud. Here's hoping to another securing another series against the Cavaliers.

#WETHENORTH

Our Second Time into the Second Round!

The last time our team, the Toronto Raptors, advanced to the Eastern Conference Semi Finals was way back in the 2000-2001 regular season against the New York Knicks. That was 15 YEARS AGO! Finally, after beating the Indiana Pacers in Game 7 in the NBA 2016 playoffs, we have made it.

It wasn't an easy task winning the series against the Indiana Pacers. That clearly shows since this series had to play a total of 7 games when you really need to win 4 games to advance. The player who made it difficult for the Raptors to get to the second round was this small forward all-star, Paul George (Dude below).

While I respected and loved him as professional basketball player and entertainer, he made me despise him during the series. In the 2016 playoffs, Paul George averaged 27.3 points per game (the most he has averaged so far in his playoff history), 2 steals per game, 4.3 assists per game and 7.6 rebounds per game (also, the most he has averaged so far in his playoff history). These stats that he put out every game are truly amazing but jokes on him; his team lost. I felt really sorry for him afterwards since it was his birthday the day after they lost the series but as a fan of the Raptors, we had to win that series.

Our team put all of their skills to the test against the team and I'm proud them. We may have had bad games due to our all-stars DeRozan and Lowry being inconsistent but they also showed why there were all-stars in the first place when they would put up monstrous stats in our wins. Not only that, but our bench did amazing as well so props to them, especially Powell and Joseph. Last but not least, we also owe our wins to BISMACK BIYOMBOOOOO. Such a great rebounder and he showed it in every game he played against the Pacers. Thank you Raptors for making it pass the first round; you guys deserve it.

#WETHENORTH

NBA Season 2015-2016 Marks The Best Season For The Raptors!!!

On March 30, 2016, marked a franchise record for the Toronto Raptors for most wins in a season! I was so excited when they finally go to the 50 win mark that my parents told me to be quiet. Not only was it a franchise record in wins, but it was the first time the Raptors won 50 games out of the 82 in a regular season. It was a great moment for the team, the fans, my family, and all of Canada. The Raptors deserved it under the leadership of coach Dwayne Casey.

When Dwayne Casey became the Head Coach in the 2011-2012 regular season, I didn't really know what to expect since I've never heard of him (and it was the first time I started watching NBA). All I remember was that our record ended badly with only 23 wins and 43 losses. But in every consecutive season that he coached, our record got better and better. In the 2012-2013 season, the team managed to get 34 wins; in the 2013-2014 season, the team secured 48 wins. These two seasons showed great improvement from not only the players but from the coach who led them as well. Moving along, in the 2014-2015 season, they won a total of 49 games. Not a great improvement but an improvement nonetheless. We owe our wins to our great coach; Dwayne Casey.

Overall, the Raptors did amazing as our franchise record for the 2015-2016 season is 56 wins and 26 losses. I couldn't have asked for anything more.

#WETHENORTH