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NBA Power Rankings: Spurs on top? Kawhi not

By Brandon Jefferson

Mar 4, 2017; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) drives to the basket as Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Ricky Rubio (9) defends during the first half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2017; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) drives to the basket as Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Ricky Rubio (9) defends during the first half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 23, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) is congratulated by teammate guard DeMar DeRozan (10) after a basket in the fourth quarter against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Toronto Raptors defeated the Utah Jazz 104-98. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 23, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) is congratulated by teammate guard DeMar DeRozan (10) after a basket in the fourth quarter against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Toronto Raptors defeated the Utah Jazz 104-98. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports /
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Toronto Raptors 37-26

Last week: 1-2
Last rank: 6th

Kyle Lowry is out for the rest of the regular season so we won’t be able to see the two best friends that the NBA has ever had until the playoffs come around. With Lowry out, the Raptors must try to work in their new additions without their All-Star point guard. Serge Ibaka and P.J. Tucker are not necessarily going to require Lowry (or DeMar DeRozan) to have the ball less or give up shots for them, but that chance to get timing down or understand tendencies or what a player likes, etc., are things that Lowry is going to miss out on should not go unmentioned.

Lowry is likely going to have to use the Raptors first round matchup to try and make up for missed time. Right now, that would pit them against the Hawks. While Atlanta isn’t likely to make much noise in the postseason if Toronto isn’t putting it’s best foot forward every game they could end up being eliminated at a much earlier time than expected. These moves were made in hope of getting a leg up on LeBron James and the Cavaliers, however, since the trade deadline teams like the Celtics and Wizards have leaped ahead of the Raptors in the standings. Were these deals too little too late? We won’t know for sure until Lowry is back on the court.

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