Are the Raptors Just Unlucky?

A while ago, a NBA article (http://www.sportingnews.com/ca/nba/news/nba-playoffs-toronto-raptors-cavs-conference-finals-history-knicks-suns-kings-pacers/1mgfq3kc93amc1g4e6v8ddw8ht) caught my eye. It spoke about the Toronto Raptors, and their now routine, demoralizing defeat to the Cavaliers in the playoffs. The article mentioned that the Raptors were not that the last team to have their titles hopes stifled by a handful or even a single team again and again. How bout the Milwaukee Bucks or the Atlanta hawks of the 80s or even the Kings of the 2000s. Of course, the idea was to provide some sort of silver lining to portray the Raptors’ failures as products of unlucky matchups. To portray the Raptors as being in the wrong place at the wrong time. And that my friends, would be doing the biggest disservice to the teams mentioned above. The Raptors never had the moment taken from them. For that to happen, the moment had to be within their grasp to begin with. How about we start with the Cavaliers vs Raptors Round 1.

There once was a time where the Raptors were thought of as the surprise team of the Eastern Conference. They weren't the most explosive or most talented but they found a way to put together enough series wins to make it to the Eastern Conference finals. And then, against the favoured Cavaliers, back when Kyrie Irving was still on the Cavs, the Raptors faced the most daunting task they had ever faced in franchise history. Despite the expectations from many analysts of a relatively quick series for the Cavaliers, the Raptors pulled through with two impressive wins. Despite one sided victories by the Cavs at home that helped produce the end result of a 4-2 Cavs series win, the Raptors showed they were not to be taken lightly. And so, the Raptors ceiled their fate of ever being able to compete with Cavaliers again. DUN DUN DUN!

The following year, the Raptors had an impressive regular season, despite losing key defensive anchor Bismack Biyombo to free agency. After a hard fought first round series, the Raptors found themselves in a similar position to the year before: facing LeBron and the Cavaliers. You may question why I say “similar?” Well, apart from the consistency of the teams, there was one new key factor that the Raptors now had to deal with. Expectations. Due to the previous years’ series, the Raptors, for the first time in forever, were looked at as legitimate threats. And that is precisely when things started to unravel. The Raptors, having the confidence that they could compete with the Cavaliers, went into the series with their heads held high. Too high I might add. They should of just got out of the way. You know, with LeBron dunking all over them. The series was a rout. A quick 4-0 for the Cavaliers but for the Raptors, the series had much more of a lasting effect. For the first time, the Raptors had expectations and pressure to perform, and in their biggest moment, the Cavaliers and particularly LeBron, put them back in their place. At the very least, psychologically.

For then we come to this season. The season of 2017-2018. The season where the Raptors were the visionaries. Dwyane Casey, the Raptors coach at the time (unlucky), decided to reinvent the way the Raptors played basketball. A coach traditionally known for coaching defence attempted do the impossible. Turn DeMar DeRozan into a 3 point shooter. Considering it somewhat worked, he should win coach of the year just for that (I joke but low-key tho). Beyond that, the offense shifted, incorporating greater ball movement and more threes while maintaining the defensive identity. Add on to that, the depth of roster that gave the Raptors the, mostly undisputed, best bench in the league and the Raptors were well on their way to make noise. And which they did, up until a certain point. The Raptors won a franchise high 59 games in the regular season while averaging in the top 5 in offensive and defensive ratings throughout the season. With an impressive series win over the Washington Wizards, the ultimate stage was set. The Raptors versus the Cavaliers part 3, this time with the Raptors being the favourite. And once again, the Raptors and their stars in particular, showed that they were not ready for those expectations. The Cleveland Cavaliers, now removed of a superstar like Kyrie Irving, still dominated the Raptors. You could argue the Raptors had a couple close games but thats not what I’m talking about. Psychologically, the Cavaliers and LeBron James took the heart right out of the Raptor’s chest’s. The Cavaliers produced another sweep against the Raptors, making it so that the Raptors had lost 10 straight games to Cavs in the playoffs, in a row.

I for one was not surprised at all. After the game one loss and even after the game reached overtime, you could see the mental breakdown of the Raptors happen before your very eyes. Turnovers combined with bad shots. The fear of disappointing and losing to the same team again really never left them and despite a great regular season, all it took was that one loss for them to unravel. It also didn’t help for their psyche when LeBron hit ridiculous fadeaway after fadeaway over every defender the Raptors had (Thats why he’s the GOAT… right!?).

This is why the Raptors are not like those other teams mentioned in the article. The Raptors didn't lose because they were simply outclassed in terms of talent. I mean of course, LeBron is BY FAR the best player on the court but even still, the Raptors unit as a whole was praised all year long. The Raptors went 10+ deep throughout the season, getting consistent contributions from various players. Something, the Cavaliers had not been getting. The Raptors weren’t the Sacramento Kings of the 2000s running into the Los Angeles Lakers with both Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant. They weren’t the Bucks or Hawks of 80s who kept running into the Celtics, who to this day, is considered to have had the best frontline in NBA history. Despite being outmanned, these teams fought tooth and nail to bring their rivals down. They were never shaken after a loss (or when faced with expectations). They were never shaken when faced with expectations. These teams were mentally tough and that is precisely why the Raptors have no business being compared to them.

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