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Toronto Raptors 2015 NBA Season Preview

By Cody Williams

Apr 15, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) sits on the bench prior to the game against the Charlotte Hornets at the Air Canada Centre. The Hornets won 92-87. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 15, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) sits on the bench prior to the game against the Charlotte Hornets at the Air Canada Centre. The Hornets won 92-87. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 18, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) looks to pass the ball as Cleveland Cavaliers guard Matthew Dellavedova (8) defends during the first half at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 18, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) looks to pass the ball as Cleveland Cavaliers guard Matthew Dellavedova (8) defends during the first half at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Offensive Breakdown

The Toronto Raptors were one of the best offensive teams in the NBA last season, coming in as the third most efficient offense in the league overall last year, trailing only the Los Angeles Clippers and Golden State Warriors. However, the 108.1 points per 100 possessions at least has the potential to get even better for the Raptors this season.

Again, I don’t think that you can overestimate the value of adding DeMarre Carroll for this team. Not only is just a standalone good shooter on the perimeter, but he also has the ability on the defensive end to defend multiple positions. Subsequently, the Raptors have a prime opportunity to put him at the four and play small-ball, which could just make their offense even more efficient.

The only concern you might have about the offense is the departure of Lou Williams. While Cory Joseph is a more-than-capable backup point guard, Williams was so much of the bench unit’s offense last season. How the second unit looks without him is still in question and could ultimately affect the team’s overall offense.

Defensive Breakdown

One of the dirty little secrets about the Raptors last season, despite the fact that they ended up with 49 wins on the year and in the postseason, is that they were not great on the defensive end of the floor. Specifically, Toronto ranked just 23rd in the NBA last season in terms of defensive efficiency, giving up 104.8 points per 100 possessions on the year.

However, there is warranted hope that the defense will improve this year. Obviously the addition of DeMarre Carroll, who proved to be elite on that end of the floor last season with Atlanta, factors into that. The departures of Greivis Vasquez and Lou Williams while adding Cory Joseph could also be beneficial in that regard, though, as there’s a chance their defense on the second-unit will take a step forward. Ultimately they could move easily into the top-half of the league after their moves in the offseason.

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