The Toronto Raptors have tied their 2016 NBA first round series with the Indiana Pacers at one game each thanks to a 98-87 win in Game Two Monday night.
They also put together quite an impressive season, going 56-26 to finish second overall in the Eastern Conference behind the Cleveland Cavaliers.
DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry had amazing regular seasons, and Jonas Valanciunas is an absolute beast.
However, the team itself is just not at a championship level... yet.
Right now it’s looking like the Raptors will make it to the Eastern Conference finals and meet the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Sure, they have a chance at beating the Cavs and advancing to the NBA Finals, which would be an amazing accomplishment in itself, but I’d say the chance is about a 35% one.
The only thing is, they’d then meet either the San Antonio Spurs or Golden State Warriors, either of whom would stop the Raptors quicker than a meteor.
The fact of the matter is, the best two teams in the entire NBA are in the Western Conference. Heck, maybe the top three, as the Oklahoma City Thunder might be ranked above the Cavs and Raptors.
For this season, Raptors players and fans alike have to recognize that they probably won’t win a thing. They’ll most likely make it to the Eastern Conference finals and then get bounced.
The positive thing, though, is that it’s an improvement.
It’s growth.
This team has come a very long way in a fairly short time, and things are looking very bright in Toronto, for at least one of their major sports franchises.
This is not the Raptors’ year... yet.
Nor will next year be.
If they can keep this core group together for a couple more seasons, however, the Raptors won’t be an afterthought from the East.
They’ll be the champs.
