Raptors inconsistency shows need for improvement

JEREMY JAMES FOKUOH
Feb 6/2015

Although the Toronto Raptors are considered one of the NBA’s top team (33-17, second in the east), with an all-star break approaching and the trade deadline looming, the Raptors need to see improvement on the court.

As the 2014-2015 NBA season continues, the Raptors are on pace to set a franchise high in wins. They are looking to assert their dominance over the Atlantic Division as they work to be the division champs for a second year in a row. But even with all the success Toronto is gaining, fans and analysts are saying this Raptors team is not built to win a championship just yet.

“We’re right there,” said Jayden Burns. “We have all the right pieces, but we’re going to need a lot more improvement inside if we want to make it past the second round of the playoffs, let alone the NBA Finals.”

The Raptors have been consistently criticized for their lack of size in the post and rebounding. They rank 21 out of 30 in rebounding and 26 in defensive rebounding. No championship team has ranked lower than 20.

Analysts and fans point fingers at starting power forward Amir Johnson for the low rank in rebounding. Averaging 5.7 rebounds per game, it doesn’t seem to be enough to help the Raptors become an elite team.

Johnson is in the last year of the five year contract he signed in 2009. With an expiring contract and the trade deadline approaching, General Manager Masai Ujiri can either move Johnson and another contract (forward Landry Fields is also in his last year) to provide the team with a grounded veteran rebounder or allow his team to test the waters in the post season.

“He’s not that bad, but there’s obviously much better in the league than Amir Johnson,” said Michael Gyebi. “To keep him would be a gamble. If you don’t, you’re going to lose out on someone that’s worth something.”

The Raptors look to take advantage of a much needed break during NBA All-Star Weekend 2015. Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry will start in his first ever all-star game while the rest of the team enjoys the break. With inconsistency and slow starts becoming a problem, the Raptors will need to find improvement in those areas as well.