The Raptor Report: The “Moment”

Billie Jean King

Great, Only a Raptors “Moment"

Through out the history of Raptors Basketball there has always been that “moment." The “moment" that is well known among Raptor fans. It was a time during the game, where even if the Raptors were winning by 20 points, or by 10 points, 1 point, or if the game was close. It was during that “moment" where you felt fear, and had a sense that the Raptors would find a way to lose the game in dramatic fashion.

A winning culture takes time to build and the Raptors winning culture is no different. It started with reaching certain levels and figuring out how to get past them. The first round of the playoffs, for a long time, was a giant wall for the Raptors to break down. There was a period of five playoff runs in a row where the Toronto Raptors were eliminated in the first round (2002, 2007, 2008, 2014, 2015).

The Raptors continued to grow and finally moved past the first round, since the Vince Carter trade. They then encountered a guy named Lebron James, and he plagued the Raptors for years. Masai was sick of mediocrity and decided to make a risky, but monumental move. As we all know, Masai had traded the beloved DeMar DeRozan away, and brought in Kawhi Leonard.

The Only Great Raptors “Moment"

Even with Kawhi Leonard leading the Toronto Raptors, the media still didn"t believe they could win, or give them their earned respect.

Everything changed when Kawhi hit “THE SHOT" in game 7 of the second round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs. This led to the Raptors beating the Bucks in the Eastern Conference Finals, and of course going on to beat the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals to become the NBA Champions. This is the greatest moment in Raptors history.

You can check out my view of “THE SHOT" below!

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-h3fh_iNu0s]

The Raptors “Moment" is Only Great

At the start of the 2019-20020 season, the media and many fans around the NBA assumed that the Raptors would go back to their old ways. The “moment" would be too big for them and that they would ultimately fail. They believed that it was only because of the greatness of Kawhi Leonard that allowed them to understand and capture the “moment."

This year the Raptors are proving the neigh sayers wrong once again, obviously without Kawhi. Every game the Raptors play, as fans we are now anticipating “the moment." We are waiting for the Raptors to take over the game, and be like a snowball at the top of the hill ready to roll down and knock out anyone in their path. The Raptors are among the NBA elite and it has been amazing to see the development of winning culture in the Raptors organization.

Solidifying Second Place

Despite many injuries, the Raptors still are managing to win games. Even more impressively, they have gained a full three game lead on the Boston Celtics. This will make it difficult for the Raptors to lose their second place seeding in the East.

First and second place in the Eastern Conference is a highly sought after commodity. It would mean their first round of the playoffs would be against a team with a below .500 record. Alongside having home court advantage for the first two rounds of the playoffs.

The top six teams in the East are all very competitive. This means that the first round of the playoffs for the third and fourth seed will be no easy task, even though they would have the advantage of home court.

Meanwhile, Another Winning Streak

If you check out the previous Raptor Report: Lesson Learned, you can see the “HOT TAKE" section near the bottom. That is to say the Raptors are on another winning streak defying the odds, as it was a tough road trip.

The Raptors had big wins against the Suns, the return of Steph Curry & the Warriors, the Kings, and a tough Jazz team on a back-to-back. The game that was most impressive was their latest against the Jazz. The Jazz have been steaming hot and on their own five game winning streak. For them to win on a night where they were undermanned, and on a back-to-back, will go down as one of the most impressive wins this season.

The streak has been extraordinary as they haven"t had the services of Fred VanVleet. In addition to the injury woes they only had Marc Gasol for 15 minutes against the Kings. The Raptors are playing it safe with the health of their starters. Their bench has proved that they can step-up and continue their on-court success. We are also wishing for a speedy recovery for Norman Powell after spraining his ankle two minutes into the game verse the Jazz.

In conclusion, the Raptors are a force to be reckoned with, and with the injury bug biting the Milwaukee Bucks significantly for the first time, the Raptors strength in their depth is a class above.

THE RAPTOR REPORT: WOULD YOU RATHER?

1. Have the Toronto Raptors win the Championship against Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers.
   – Showing the world & Kawhi Leonard that he made a huge mistake in leaving.

   OR

2. Have the Toronto Raptors win the Championship against Lebron James and the Los Angeles Lakers.
   – Getting revenge on Lebron James for plaguing the Raptors over and over in the playoffs.

Leave a comment below with your answer and why!

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