OKC Thunder vs. Toronto Raptors, 2019-20 team preview

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OKC Thunder Team Previews: Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors handles the ball on offense against the Brooklyn Nets (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images) /

Captain Bulldog:

Kyle Lowry got inked to an extension which Masai Ujiri hinted at on Media Day stating the bulldog point guard and pulse of the Raptors earned legacy status in the team’s title run. His numbers also speak to his time with the team:

Games – 5th
Points – 4th
Assists – 2nd
3-pointers – 1st
Steals – 1st
Triple-doubles- 1st

Lowry is the engine that stokes the Raptors. He’ll draw a charge at a key moment and more often than not it’s Lowry who stops an opponent’s run with a timely triple or perfect pass. For example, during Game 6 versus the Bucks (which clinched the Raptors Finals berth) while Kawhi Leonard sat on the bench a hybrid lineup erased the deficit.

But when Kawhi returned the end of the run occurred with a Lowry steal. While the vet could’ve tossed up the ball to Siakam or laid it in the basket, instead Lowry waited, knowing Leonard was trailing to tossed him the ball for the slam. The arena erupted and it debilitated the Bucks.

Likewise, people note how the Raptors won 17 of 22 games Leonard missed, but no one dives into the semantics. Of those 22 games, 13 (11-2) were part of back-to-back sets and 10 (8-2) of those on the second night while nine were on the road (7-2). Lowry doesn’t like to be rested. The evidence is all those Game 1 playoff losses and how Toronto excels in second games of back-to-back during his tenure.

Ujiri said Lowry has earned legacy status at media day which is why number 7 will be the first jersey retired by the Raptors and it’s well deserved.

Masai Ujiri:

At Raptors media day one after the other came to the podium with a common refrain — it wasn’t ‘champion’ it was ‘hungry‘. That mindset starts at the top with Masai Ujiri who has proven adept at all aspects of his job. He drafts well, is a master of trades and perhaps most importantly surrounds himself with quality team members.

He is behind the team who scout those diamond in the rough draft gems (watch for another undrafted specimen – Terence Davis this season). It’s his development team who prepared each of Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet, Norm Powell and this season Chris Boucher and Malcolm Miller for growth and ascension into the varsity system. AND it’s Ujiri and Nick Nurse who lured Adrian Griffin to Toronto.

Depending on how the Raptors start the season he’ll either pull a deadline deal for the team to defend the title or he’ll send out players to foster the draft closet or assets. As of now, Ujiri is also setting the stage for the summer of 2021. With Siakam’s extension, the only player contracts of substance on the books will be Powell and Anunoby (on a team option) plus two $1.7 million deals the team could waive for Matt Thomas and rookie Hernandez.

Don’t forget Ujiri was the first to see and meet Giannis — so if you know him the game plan is clear – to have Anunoby, Siakam, and Antetokounmpo as his big 3 for the future. Mark it down because if the Bucks stumble Toronto will have a very good shot at him. Of note: Josh Lewenberg of TSN spoke on air about Masai and Giannis history and relationship.

Spicy P might have company:

During the playoffs, the Raptors kept a lot of the team’s injuries on the down low. Lowry’s torn thumb tendon, Siakam’s calf, shoulder and groin, VanVleet and Danny Green both had thumb injuries and clearly Kawhi was nursing a wonky leg.

Yet, the biggest injury during the playoffs was OG Anunoby whose appendix burst the night prior to Game 1 of Round 1. He experienced complications keeping him out the entire playoffs. Overall it was a tough year for OG who suffered personal loss and other injuries. Coming into last season the buzz in the 6ix (and from Nick Nurse) was they were expecting BOTH Siakam and Anunoby to take big steps based on summer observations.

Cut to training camp this year and that same buzz is back. OG reshaped his already impressive frame (his body is so similar to a young Kawhi) is healthy and had time to process and deal with the offcourt situations. Based on his preseason performance he is clearly improved.

His offense was mostly limited to being stationed on the perimeter with maybe one basket drive every few games and very little ball handling. Already an elite defender, the big difference this year is how much he is handling the ball and how often he is driving the basket. I won’t go as far as to say he’ll take the herculean leap Siakam did in 2018-19 but the improvement is palpable.

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