Out-of-market perception undervalues the Toronto Raptors, creating a larger disparity than recent coverage. National and international media increasingly scorn "treadmill teams" that sit near the middle of the standings. Roster construction emphasizes length, strength and defensive structure over individual creation and shooting, and coaching tactics focus on possession hacking and marginal gains. The point guard functions largely as a shooting specialist, while wing positions offer defensive versatility with limited shooting and the center spot lacks reliable shooting. Organizational intent and roster choices suggest the team can outperform external expectations and prioritize winning.
Whether it's Louis highlighting the growing distaste for "treadmill teams" that makes most national media, or international media in this case, scoff at any team that's relatively close to the middle; or whether it's Samson highlighting the growing complexities in teambuilding, and by extension, team success - there's reason to believe these Raptors can outpace outside expectations. Maybe most importantly, they want to.
An innovative head coach of the Toronto Raptors is trying to win around the edges by hacking the possession game. The front office turns roster imbalance into a supposed strength, doubling down on length and strength and defensive structure while shrugging at the need for individual creation. The point guard is a shooting specialist who perhaps is limited at driving and creating for others, at least when compared to other starting point guards around the league.
Positions 2-4 are versatile defenders yet limited when it comes to shooting. There is certainly no shooting from the center spot. If this description reminds you of either the current Raptors, led by Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes, or the last era of the Raptors, led by Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam, you're right.
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