Yahoo Sports senior NBA analyst Kevin O’Connor is joined by Nekias Duncan to discuss Toronto’s outlook for this season – and what the team needs to do on both ends of the floor. Check out the full conversation on “The Kevin O’Connor Show” and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you listen.
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Video Transcript
Let’s move on to the Toronto Raptors this offseason.
I love their draft.
They took Colin Morrey-Boyles in the lottery.
Elijah Martin, one of my favorite sleepers in the 2nd round.
They signed him to a two-way contract and the rotation this year.
It’s a weird team, Mays.
Like this is a weird, weird roster around Scottie Barnes, Brandon Ingram now in his 2nd season, RJ Barrett, Emmanuel quickly, Jacob Perel, a bunch of young guys off the bench.
What are you watching for from the Raptors this season?
Number one thing on your mind, the first time you turn on a Raptors game in October.
Number one thing for me is going to be.
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Trying to figure out what their identity is going to be.
Cause I look at this Raptors roster and my general thought is they have like 11, maybe 12 guys that I feel like they can give competent NBA minutes on any given night.
And I think there is some value in that.
But I’m also like, their defense slanted lineups do not have enough shooting and creation.
Their offensively slanted lineups don’t have enough defense for me to feel comfortable.
Enough defense for me to feel comfortable.
So like which portion are they going to lean on most and then from there, how do they find the balance?
I think your point about some of their defensive slanted lineups don’t have enough shooting and vice versa with their offensive slanted lineups don’t have enough defense.
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And to me, I think with this team, that that is going to be the question for them when it comes to being competitive this year, is there enough shooting?
The answer is probably no to that question, but to me, that the Raptors, it’s not about being competitive this year.
It’s about, as you said, finding your identity, finding out who your keepers are, who the guys are that you want to keep long term and who you want to build with.