Lake Show Life
Fansided

Los Angeles Lakers: Did we get a finals preview vs. Toronto Raptors?

By Kevin Germany

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 01: Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors passes the ball against LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half of an NBA basketball game at The Arena in the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 1, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ashley Landis - Pool/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 01: Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors passes the ball against LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half of an NBA basketball game at The Arena in the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 1, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ashley Landis - Pool/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

Can the Toronto Raptors make the NBA Finals without Kawhi Leonard?

The Toronto Raptors may repeat as NBA Champions. The way they got there last year was mainly on Kawhi Leonard’s shoulders. Kawhi literally took every shot in a pivotal Game 7 vs the Philadelphia 76ers down the stretch, including his iconic fadeaway from the right corner.

This year, the Raptors team looks more like the 2004 Detroit Pistons, the last championship team without a true superstar. Or they could be one year away like Detroit in 2003.

Both today’s Raptors and the 04’ Pistons were both the stingiest defenses in their time. But the offenses were night and day… as in the Pistons’ offense put fans to sleep at night and the Raptors’ offense woke them up at the start of the day.

The Raptors’ offense is a well-spaced machine of beautiful passing, decisive drives, and exemplary shooting. All of the Raptors top guys shoot above 35% from three. Pascal Siakam should be voted Most Improved Player again.

Big men Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka are elite in both protecting the rim and knocking down outside shots. Raptors coach Nick Nurse was the architect of the only defense to slow down Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks, a 3/2 matchup zone.

But who do they go to in the game’s final possession? With their season on the line?

Yes. They are the defending champs for a reason. 

Milwaukee lost to them in the playoffs but that was with Kawhi. Without him, the Bucks beat them twice with Giannis averaging 27.5 points, 17 rebounds, and 8 assists.

And even with Kawhi, Milwaukee won the first two games in their Eastern Conference Finals showdown last season. Then the Raptors won the next four in a row. Milwaukee will be ready for Toronto’s matchup zone which stifled Giannis last season.

The other matchups are also questionable at best. Boston is 2-1 against them and can match the Raptors’ collective speed. Philadelphia, Indiana, and Miami have a chance. The Raptors are favored against everyone except Milwaukee and maybe Boston.  But how do they fare against the Lakers in a hypothetical NBA Finals matchup?

I would not overreact to last night’s game. I think it will be much closer than expected. It is an interesting matchup.

Let us look into a Los Angeles Lakers-Toronto Raptors NBA Finals matchup.

Home/Lakers News