The Future Of The Toronto Raptors

Without a doubt the biggest surprise success story in the NBA this season is the Toronto Raptors.  Well, perhaps it is still too early to call the Raptors a success story. It is only January. However, the Raptors have been one of the biggest surprises of the early part of the season.

On Dec. 9 many though the Raptors were going into a rebuilding mood, shutting the door on their season. It was the trade of Rudy Gay to the Sacramento Kings that got people muttering about the Raptors looking to redesign the roster.

Even in Gay’s absence the Raptors have been rolling.  In fact, they have been doing better without Gay. The Raptors are 10-5 since the trade and look pretty good while doing it.

Many NBA “insiders” have been claiming that the Raptors were open to trading anyone except Jonas Valanciunas and Amir Johnson.  These are clearly the two player the Raptors are planning on building their team around. Valanciunas in particular is really come into his own since Gay left Toronto.  In 11 out of 14 games since Gay’s trade , Valanciunas has reached double-digit scoring numbers. Not to mention he can pull the ball down as well.

Still Valancinas has yet to live up to expectation whenever he was first acquired by the Raptors a couple of years ago.  Toronto though looks like it is going to be patient with the young star and at only 21 years old, they are banking on him being the future of the team.

The Raptors are on a bit of a roll at the moment.  They have won three consecutive games.  However, their odds are not very good of winning a championship at 75/1, and they find themselves to be the underdogs quite a bit when it comes to the point spread.

I would not be throwing all my money at the Raptors just yet.  This franchise still has some growing to do and likely some growing pains to work out.  However, do not be surprised to see them contending for a title in the near future.