Although the NBA doesn’t return to a TV near you until Thursday, this lull in regular-season action is actually one of the most interesting times of the year. See, we’re just coming out of the All-Star Game, which means we’re being treated to all the chatter scooped up by reporters from league executives and agents and players themselves.
One of the best tidbits to be delivered in the aftermath of this year’s superstar exhibition in Los Angeles: The Toronto Raptors’ place in the Eastern Conference.
Yes, quite literally, they sit above everyone else. If the playoffs started today, they would hold the No. 1 seed, over both the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers. And yet, most would still pick the Cavaliers as NBA Finals favorites. That much hasn’t changed.
On the bright side, though, people around the league are prepared to recognize the Raptors as the biggest threat to Cleveland’s reign in the East. As The Athletic’s Jason Lloyd relayed:
For at least one more year, however, the Cavs remain on top. Regardless of how they’re seeded, the belief this weekend is that Toronto is the only viable threat that could prevent a fourth consecutive trip to the Finals — but everyone I spoke to picked the Cavs. Now, whether they have enough to topple the Warriors or Rockets is an entirely different conversation — they probably don’t.
Fans of the Celtics will no doubt feel jilted and outright disagree. A select few might even have the Milwaukee Bucks, Washington Wizards or even the Philadelphia 76ers in this spot. But make no mistake, the Raptors belong here.
Two teams entered the All-Star break with a top-five offense and top-five defense: Toronto and the Golden State Warriors. That’s beyond legit. Also beyond legit: The Raptors’ second unit owns the league’s best point differential per 100 possessions, according to NBA.com.
Combine this with DeMar DeRozan’s improved shooting, Kyle Lowry’s mastery of his off-ball role and head coach Dwane Casey’s superb rotations, and you’ve got a viable NBA Finals contender. And while the Raptors ultimately don’t seem like they’ll beat the Cavs, they have a better chance than any of their conference rivals—and that includes the Celtics, owners of the league’s best defense who seem one seasoned shot creator short of holding a genuine candle to Cleveland or Toronto.
