5 things we learned from the Cavaliers erasing the Raptors

CLEVELAND, OH - MAY 05: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers hits the game winning shot over the outstretched hand of OG Anunoby #3 of the Toronto Raptors to win Game Three of the Eastern Conference Semifinals 105-103 during the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena on May 5, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

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TORONTO, ON – FEBRUARY 26: DeMar DeRozan #10 of the Toronto Raptors and Kyle Lowry #7 look on during their NBA game against the Detroit Pistons at Air Canada Centre on February 26, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /

2. Culture blowup?

There was a lot of talk prior to the season about a culture reset in Toronto. DeMar DeRozan would need to take less contested mid-range shots and start moving the ball more. Jonas Valanciunas would need to learn how to use his size and strength more. Kyle Lowry would need get on the defensive glass in order to push the ball and set the offense sooner. If the top guys bought in, everyone else would fall in line.

The top guys bought in.

They passed the analytics and the eye-test. They did everything you wanted them to do ahead of their second round series against the Cavaliers. But the result was the same.

Now, the Raptors are at an even bigger crossroads. Their top four guys are under contract for at least one more year. Lowry and DeRozan are signed for the next two. They can bring back their entire roster, making only a minor change or two and hope it’s enough next season.

Or they can start all over.

It’s easier said than done. “Trade everyone.” Rarely do teams get equal value for All-Stars. Lowry is 32 and unlikely to improve further. DeRozan will be 29 after the offseason and is who he is. Serge Ibaka and Valanciunas are complimentary pieces with limited upside.

They can hope next year is when LeBron finally gets old. But even if that happens (it won’t happen), Boston and Philadelphia are only getting better.

This looked to be Toronto’s time. Now, their window might be shut with this core.

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