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NBA Power Rankings: Highs and lows for the Toronto Raptors

By Ian Levy

TORONTO, CANADA - JANUARY 6: Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors looks on with Serge Ibaka #9 of the Toronto Raptors during the game against the Indiana Pacers on January 6, 2019 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Ron Turenne/NBAE via Getty Images)
TORONTO, CANADA - JANUARY 6: Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors looks on with Serge Ibaka #9 of the Toronto Raptors during the game against the Indiana Pacers on January 6, 2019 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Ron Turenne/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 1: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on against the LA Clippers on January 1, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 1: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on against the LA Clippers on January 1, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Previous: 8th. Philadelphia 76ers. 8. team. 93. . 26-14

Reporting on Jimmy Butler’s frustration with his offensive role and open challenging of coach Brett Brown dominated the headlines at the end of last week. But these reports on a fractured locker room overshadow a few simple truths — the 76ers have improved, a lot. They are 6-2 over the last games and their point differential since the Butler trade (plus-3.5 per 100) puts their pre-trade mark (minus-0.1 per 100) to shame. The chemistry may be worse, but the on-court product is better.

And to Butler’s concerns about his offensive role, his usage rate and shot attempts are almost identical to what he was getting in Minnesota. Any complaints he has, then, are about where, when and how he’s getting his shots. His shooting numbers, at least from beyond the arc and at the line, are better in Philly. So, I guess, if the 76ers are better and Butler is getting the same numeric opportunities and, numerically, producing about the same with those opportunities, we’re really talking about one man’s comfort level. Do with that what you will.

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