Déjà vu

image via Toronto Sun

The Toronto Raptors started the season 1-4 and all signs leaned toward another long season and missing the playoffs once again. Since then the team has gone 11-1, playing a very inspired brand of basketball led by their stars and their bench.

The Core Four on the Maple Leafs may have been disbanded, but the Raptors top four guys have been leading this team in every area. Ingram has been the shot maker the team has been missing. Scottie has been amazing in all facets of the game, R.J continues to do it all and Quickley is putting up good numbers as well. The leaders are leading and have put the league on notice that this is a team to be reckoned with. At least they should have.

The bench led by the likes of Mamu, Dick and Schead have all stepped up, Schead especially who is second in the league in assists per 48 minutes or whatever it is which is crazy to me. He has been super consistent this year and has provided stability at the point guard position because let's be serious, Quickley can have moments of on and off play. Battle has also provided that scoring spark off the bench and CMB has been a pleasant surprise guarding everyone and providing spurts of offence. I believe a lot of the team's early success can be attributed of what they watched during the Blue Jays magical post season run. This Raptors team seems to be really connected and everyone seems to be friends with each other. Team chemistry is one of those things that every championship team has and this team seems to have it. The schedule during this 11-1 hot streak has been very easy and there have been a lot of wins versus the likes of the Nets, Wizards and rest of the bottom feeders of the East. But they have also beaten the Bucks and Cavs and the brand of basketball they have been playing is conducive to beating any team. It really is fun to watch. Their dedication to defence, the flow in their offence and playing good team basketball is what has lead to this early season surge. The good part about this is that I believe it is sustainable since the team has bought into the brand of basketball that Darko preaches and ultimately the success of the team in the regular and post season will depend on how healthy the team can be.

Regardless, this is a very promising start to a season where most Raptors' fans could not have expected much. Maybe a playoff spot or a play-in appearance, but nothing more than. This hot start has me remembering 2019 and maybe the success of the Jays is still on my mind, but it is nice to cheer for a Toronto sports team. The Leafs sure ain't providing that for anyone. Yikes!