Quietly, the Raptors closing in on East No. 1 seed

Tand maturing to understand they’re a lot closer than they are far away and if you start over you’re going way back. Just by bringing that whole group back and tweaking a few things, they’ve gone from good to great.”

The core players — DeRozan, Lowry and Jonas Valanciunas — are the constants. The Raptors are enthralled with their young players like Fred VanVleet, Delon Wright and Jakob Poeltl. The oft-enigmatic Serge Ibaka has been steady, and veteran C.J. Miles has been a steadying influence in Toronto’s second unit. Ask the Raptors, and they think it’s a perfect mix. “We can’t play for other people’s opinions and thoughts,” DeRozan said. “As long as we go out there and play and do what we know how to do, all that will speak for itself at the end of the day.”

There’s seven different nationalities represented in the Raptors locker room as well, a true melting pot.

And Casey has made coaching them look easy.

“Their two leaders have done a phenomenal job of coming in and being better,” said Basketball Hall of Famer Tracy McGrady, whose career started in Toronto. “I think their scouting and the guys who are making decisions did a great job of adding depth to their team. And that’s why they’re so good, man. Dwane Casey is doing a phenomenal job coaching them as well. Got to give him some credit.”

The credit will really come if Toronto goes deep in the playoffs.

The Raptors haven’t been to the NBA Finals yet, and made the East finals only once. But these are magic times in Toronto: The Maple Leafs are going to the Stanley Cup playoffs, the Blue Jays are about to start their season, Toronto FC is the reigning MLS champion, and the Toronto Argonauts will defend the Grey Cup when the CFL season starts.

“It’s a good time to be in Toronto,” Lowry said. “Just got to get the warmer weather.”

The Finals are in June. It’s plenty warm then.

hey do things differently in Toronto.