Toronto Raptors Season Review

[Chilikonkarne]

The Raptors ended their season on a balanced record : 41-41
Pretty good but unsufficient when your team is competing in the East conference. We ended #10 and got the #13rd pick in the 2015 draft.
Year was not easy without active front office until Sim 24. We took over at 13-20 and ended up with a personal record of 28-21 (57.1%).
Toronto is not really balanced the way we want and I believe the team was really penalized by the low pace rate implemented last year in the league. We tried to adjust it before All-Star game with some movements but nothing tremendous happened, at least for now…
Let’s review the trade activity and the performance of each player for 2014-2015.

Trade

Cleveland Cavaliers
SENDS
CLE 2015 2nd

Toronto Raptors
SENDS
Danilo Gallinari - $10,854,850

Gallinari didn’t fit the system we want to have in Toronto. His big contract and suspicious % helped our decision to move him against almost nothing.
The “Rooster” was actively used during the season end but disappeared from the rotations during playoffs (11 minutes played for 1 point).

Player Performance



PG / KEMBA WALKER / 82G, 34.2 MPG / 18.6PTS, 8.4AST, 5.1RBD, 1.9STL, 0.6BLK / 38%FG, 86%FT, 34%3P / 0.8SF, 98%STP
Our general. Kemba is just everywhere as he can score, pass and rebound. The last best defensive player of the league should at least make one defensive team.
He has been the heart of our team all year long and will remain it for a long time since we plan to offer him the contract he deserves.
Few will complain about his percentages but we hope they will improve in the future if the league pace cap is increased.
Previous team : Charlotte



SG / MANU GINOBILI / 77G, 19.8 MPG / 7.0PTS, 2.9AST, 2.4RBD, 0.5STL, 0.0BLK / 38%FG, 87%FT, 38%3P / 0.9SF, 78%STP
Manu was promoted in the starting 5 few weeks after the new front office settled. Not really because of his performances which remained average but mainly to bring a threat at 3points next to Kemba. It was also a move to let DeRozan explode within the second unit.
It looks Ginobili reached his limits at 36. Indeed, he didn’t manage to step up as a reliable starter. He will probably retired at the end of the year or look for another team. But sadly, Toronto doors will remain close for him.
Previous team : San Antonio



SF / KAWHI LEONARD / 79G, 34.9 MPG / 18.7PTS, 2.5AST, 6.2RBD, 1.7STL, 0.8BLK / 48%FG, 74%FT , 36%3P / 0.9SF, 90%STP
Best player of the team. Kawhi has been phenomenal this year, especially the second part of the season when Derozan was moved to the bench. He got more ball touches and responsibilities but didn’t disappoint. He is the anchor of our team and will get a long term contract this summer in order to be in the North for a long time. Kawhi was by far our most popular player among the other GMs, no wonder why.
Previous team : San Antonio



PF / SERGE IBAKA / 67G, 31.2 MPG / 10.2PTS, 1.1AST, 6.0RBD, 0.6STL, 2.3BLK / 45%FG, 72%FT, 28%3P / 0.8SF, 63%STP
Difficult year for the Spanish power forward. He played a lot of games injured at the beginning of the season when the team was GM-less. His statistics dropped consequently. The second part of the season was better and he showed some improvement. The front office still needs to focus on his tendencies for next exercise in order to improve his productivity. For the information, Ibaka was almost traded this year but it didn’t work out at last minute. Probably a good new since he remains one of the best blocker of the league.
Previous team : Minnesota



C / TIMOFEY MOZGOV / 75G, 28.4 MPG / 7.2PTS, 0.9AST, 6.4RBD, 0.6STL, 0.8BLK / 50%FG, 83%FT, 20%3P / 0.9SF, 41%STP
Well, Mozgov didn’t play bad this year but far away from the level you can expect from a starting center. Our lack of talent at this position is the main reason we missed the playoffs. Best rebounder of the team, Timofey can surely bring value out of the bench. He has good % and valuable size. But his defense is a problem and he certainly cannot challenge the best center of the league every night. However, his cheap contract (4.5M) should push the front office to activate his team option unless they want to keep more cap for a free agent.
Previous team : Denver, Los Angeles L.



6th/ DEMAR DEROZAN / 82G, 34.8 MPG / 18.9PTS, 1.7AST, 4.9RBD, 0.8STL, 0.2BLK / 43%FG, 82%FT, 28%3P / 0.9SF, 63%STP
When the new front office took the lead, DeRozan was not seen as a keeper. Big scorer, he seemed to limit his partner more than helping the team to win. For the story he was almost exchanged before deadline but the front office got cold feet in the last minutes of the deal. Seems to be a good decision today since Demar is excelling off the bench with even one peak to 48pts. He has a really nice contract (9.5M) and will certainly remain a Raptor next year.
From Toronto



7th / SOLOMON ALABI / 24G, 22.8 MPG / 4.1PTS, 0.5AST, 5.4RBD, 0.4STL, 0.8BLK / 57%FG, 36%FT, 0%3P / 0.7SF, 47%STP
Most of you will know. When you take over a team, they are pieces you don’t like and you want to move. Then after usually 1 or 2 years (Trade, Draft, FA) the team is finally shaped the way you want and you have developed special bonds with your players. It is probably why we like Solomon, he was our first recruit. Yes he is incredibly raw from the offense side and his FT% could cost you few games the season. But we hired him to provide some defense and rebounds from the bench, what he did. Moreover he is not taking shots away from your starter and when he takes one, he usually score. However, Not sure he will be a Raptor next year since he remains a limited player and is injury prone.
Previous team : Charlotte, D-League



8th / JEROME RANDLE / 28G, 14.8 MPG / 4.4PTS, 3.3AST, 1.4RBD, 0.3STL, 0.0BLK / 46%FG, 33%FT, 40%3P / 0.8SF, 45%STP
Also a free agency pick. The little point guard from California university didn’t disappoint and was a solid backup for a limited playing time.
Good % in the perimeter and at 3 points (don’t look FT%, he has 70 in rating so it should be higher whit more games), 3.0 assists/turnover ratio.
His size is problematic and his stopping rate is suspicious but we like Randle in Toronto and will try to have him back here if he accepts the minimum.
Previous team : Charlotte, D-League



9th / LUC RICHARD MBAH A MOUTE / 65G, 16.2 MPG / 4.9PTS, 0.7AST, 3.5RBD, 0.3STL, 0.1BLK / 41%FG, 64%FT, 31%3P / 1.0SF, 59%STP
Stucked behind Leonard, Ginobili and DeRozan, Luc didn’t see much playing time this year. He is a correct player but we were not able to use his talents and the few times he had an opportunity to shine, he didn’t. To be honest, the front office wasn’t really high on Mbah a Moute but we are sure he will find a better fit next summer.
Previous team : Minnesota



10th / CHRIS COPELAND / 63G, 14.7 MPG / 4.8PTS, 0.5AST, 2.6RBD, 0.4STL, 0.0BLK / 46%FG, 75%FT, 44%3P / 0.9SF, 71%STP
Another miss-used player. The front office is not really fan of these hybrid players : Not able to rebound or block as Power Forward and too slow to defend against slasher. It’s a pity since Copeland is a great 3points shooter and could probably have a been used better. What is done is done and Chris is leaving and will try to find his 4th team.
Previous team : Indiana, Minnesota



11th / SEAN WILLIAMS / 10G 9.1 MPG / 2.0PTS, 0.2AST, 1.4RBD, 0.1STL, 0.0BLK / 56%FG, 100%FT, 0% 3P / 0.9SF, 67%STP
Sean was hired by the new front office as injury back-up. He didn’t play much but was quite effective when he had the chance to. He might be returing next year if we need to fill 13rd, 14th or 15th position.
Previous team : Detroit, D-League


J.Land being a fake player, I used Olivier Miller. You will understand why!

12th / JORDAN LAND / 60G, 17.1 MPG / 4.9PTS, 0.3AST, 4.1RBD, 0.3STL, 0.2BLK / 53%FG, 67%FT, 0%3P / 0.9SF, 4%STP
Decent player in offense, Jordan doesn’t have the conditions to play basketball in the NBA. With 303lbs, he is just a liability when it comes to defend drives and double-team opponent. Seriously 4%stop?! I am not even talking about fastbreaks…Jordan consequently saw his time decrease within the year and therefore will not be returning next year. He played mainly as injury back-up. I would suggest him to move to Europe where the pace is slower and Burger King still difficult to find.
Previous team : Free Agent



13th / JOSH DUNCAN / 36G 3.7 MPG / 0.7PTS, 0.1AST, 0.5RBD, 0.2STL, 0.1BLK / 32%FT, 50%FT, 0%3P / 0.7SF, 50%STP
He is capable when it comes to defense. Except for that he is pretty much useless. Will be on the market next summer.
Previous team : D-League



14th / NEJMANA NEDOVIC / 38G, 7.8 MPG / 2.2PTS, 1.4AST, 0.6RBD, 0.0STL, 0.0BLK / 32%FG, 63%FT, 22%3P / 1.1SF, 19%STP
An absolute hole in defense. Cannot shoot neither. But one more year under contract. Would be probably cut to free his spot when the first injuries strike next year.
Previous team : Golden State



15th / JOSEP FRANCH / 11G 10.1 MPG / 2.0PTS, 1.5AST, 0.6RBD, 0.1STL, 0.0BLK / 32%FG, 50%FT, 21%3P / 0.9SF, 48%STP
We don’t see any potential in the Spanish Point Guard. Nothing much to say, he will be leaving this summer. Maybe to Charlotte and its Spanish community?
Previous team : Free Agent

[NanashiWake]

Good read, I was actually considering doing something like this for my Wizards, but really good look into what the team was about this season.

I really, really like Khawi and Kemba combo. Shit's nice for years to come.

[andrei]

Good read - i like a detailed review of every player. Kemba, Kawhi and Ibaka are key. Really like them as your core. Yoi moved Demarr to the bench - did he not work out as a scorer at SG? Was it his poor FG%?

[Chilikonkarne]

Good read - i like a detailed review of every player. Kemba, Kawhi and Ibaka are key. Really like them as your core. Yoi moved Demarr to the bench - did he not work out as a scorer at SG? Was it his poor FG%?

Yes FG% was lower and it seems he was limiting the other players around.
I really like him from the bench subbing SG and SF for about 30 minutes a game

[NanashiWake]

Good read - i like a detailed review of every player. Kemba, Kawhi and Ibaka are key. Really like them as your core. Yoi moved Demarr to the bench - did he not work out as a scorer at SG? Was it his poor FG%?

Yes FG% was lower and it seems he was limiting the other players around.
I really like him from the bench subbing SG and SF for about 30 minutes a game

I've always tended to like this type of move in sim leagues for scorers that struggle with shot-selection. They always seem to thrive in the limited minutes cause they can lead the second unit and bring scoring where it is more specifically needed.

[Chilikonkarne]

Good read - i like a detailed review of every player. Kemba, Kawhi and Ibaka are key. Really like them as your core. Yoi moved Demarr to the bench - did he not work out as a scorer at SG? Was it his poor FG%?

Yes FG% was lower and it seems he was limiting the other players around.
I really like him from the bench subbing SG and SF for about 30 minutes a game

I've always tended to like this type of move in sim leagues for scorers that struggle with shot-selection. They always seem to thrive in the limited minutes cause they can lead the second unit and bring scoring where it is more specifically needed.

I also tested it in solo game with W.Matthews from the bench. Same result : High %FG and nice scoring.
And when led in conference finale I tried tu put him back with the starters, he collapsed.

However you need to have a player capable to start - Ginobili had troubles this year.

[andrei]

Agree - they can still play 30 or so mins but leading the offense seems to improve their FG% somehow

[emplep7]

Kawhi is a beast and your best player. Someone you shouldn't look to move. Kemba has poor shooting percentages that need some tweaking, but he does a lot of other things really well and you know how much I like him.

You have a good future and if you can land another max guy this FA then you will be a tough team. Finances could be tricky in the long haul though, especially if both Kawhi and Kemba get max offers. Might be worth exploring a S&T for Kemba.

[WillyJakkz]

This wil be a crucial offseason for the Raptors for sure, maybe even franchise changing.

Nice review and good luck.

[Rizzo]

Great write up. This off season will be huge for your team moving forward. Great job at moving Danilo Gallinari. Who the hell would trade for him? I'm shocked at Ibaka's down season but if he can come back next year and play the way his attributes say he should, he could be huge for your team's success going forward.

[dapralbe]

Yes good change for toronto leonard is secure maximum, and kemba i believe a lot of teams will have interest.

[Dennis]

I like that you didnt rush into any bad trades. Often GMs join and trade right away to let the team look more like "their own". But you didnt, got to know the league/engine/your team better and you are now able to make the changes your team needs this offseason. Will be a busy offseason, but you have so many different ways you can go with your cap/pick and trade assets.. It shoud be so much fun to be the raptors GM this offseason!
Good luck Chili!

[Marcos_Beck]

I hope I have enough time to write a great review for my team like this one. Great read, very well done Chili!

Too bad you're in the East, otherwise you'd have already made the playoffs.. I like Kawhi, not as a leader, but you know I like him a lot. You still miss a big-time player to lead in crunch time, and some few pieces that fit well with your team, but your big-4 is undeniably good.
Good luck at this offseason mate, you have a lot of work to do. That's going to be a busy offseason for the North don't matter the direction you choose to take, don't matter ift's trading, going hard at FAs..

[Chilikonkarne]

Thanks for the feedbacks.
Offseason will be interesting but I am not putting too much pressure on it.
Indeed the Raptors was one of the weakeast bench this year. I am sure few good additions could put us back on the playoffs map!