With We The North Support, Toronto Raptors a Good Bet
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Frank Doyle
The Toronto Raptors open the 2014-2015 with the momentum of last season’s playoff experience, and an entire nation, behind them. But the man who’s most important to their success this season is coach Dwane Casey.
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After last year, when the Raptors won 48 regular season games before losing a seven-game battle with the Brooklyn Nets in the first playoffs, the bar has been set. Now, anything but than a strong postseason performance will be a disappointment.
Sports Interaction has the Raptors’ regular season win total set at 48.5 and as a -105 favorite to win the Atlantic Division.
“This is the first time since this organization – even before I got here – had heightened expectations and I think that’s a good thing,” Casey told reporters. “It’s something we’ve got to embrace, we’ve got to take it and run with it because it’s going to be there.
“There’s no pressure, it’s good pressure. We’re defending division champions and we have to go out every night and play like it.”
Of course, it remains to be seen how his team responds to this pressure. Last year they were the loveable underdogs, but now they have to live up to lofty expectations – not only as a team but as individuals.
DeMar DeRozan, who averaged 22.7 points per game last season, spent the summer with Team USA. Now he’s +7500 to win the scoring title. Kyle Lowry is back after signing a multi-year deal in the offseason. Jonas Valanciunas worked out with Hakeem Olajuwon this summer in preparation of a bigger role on offence. Lou Williams is looking for a fresh start after coming to town following a stint with the Atlanta Hawks.
“They take their ‘We The North’ stuff really, really seriously. They had a lot of success last year, and they’re still not being talked about, and they take that very personal,” Williams told reporters. “I’m coming in with the mindset that I want to help, to be part of that culture and tradition they’re building.”
And at the head of that campaign is Casey. If he can get his team to play up to its potential, this should be a team that does win the Atlantic Division and makes some noise in the playoffs.
The Raptors have depth throughout the lineup and it’s going to be up to Casey to manage minutes and get the most of the team. He has all the tools, now he just has to tune this team up.
Toronto opens the regular season Wednesday at home to Atlanta.