GET TO KNOW YOUR RAPTORS BEFORE THE SEASON TIPS OFF
A look at the Raptors opening night roster:
KYLE LOWRY
Point guard, 6-1, 29 years old, 10th season
2014-15 stats per game: 17.8 points, 6.8 assists, 4.7 rebounds
What they need: Slimmed down Lowry is quicker which helps with keeping his man in front of him and should make him more explosive getting to the basket. Not wearing down physically as the year goes on is a key.
DEMAR DEROZAN
Guard-forward, 6-7, 26 years old, seventh season
2014-15 stats: 20.1 points, 3.5 assists, 4.6 rebounds
What they need: He’s one of the best mid-range shooters in the NBA and among the league leaders in getting to the free throw line. Extending his shooting range to be a consistent three-point threat would make him all the more dangerous.
DEMARRE CARROLL
Forward, 6-8, 29 years old, seventh season
2014-15 stats: 12.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.3 steals (with Atlanta)
What they need: Perimeter defence was one of the glaring weaknesses in Toronto last season and he’ll have to lead an improvement there. He needs to get his points in the flow of the game and not force the issue offensively.
PATRICK PATTERSON
Forward, 6-9, 26 years old, sixth season
2014-15 stats: 8.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, 26.4 minutes
What they need: Whether he starts or comes off the bench, the prototypical stretch four has to be the team’s main front-court three-point threat. Improvement in rebounding is a must if he’s going to play larger minutes this season.
JONAS VALANCIUNAS
Centre, 7-0, 23 years old, fourth season
2014-15 stats: 12.0 points, 8.7 rebounds, 1.2 blocks
What they need: He spent a lot of the summer working on a face-up game, but he can’t fall in love with a 10-foot baseline jumper because he’s a solid post scorer. He absolutely must become better defensively against pick-and-roll offence.
CORY JOSEPH
Point guard, 6-3, 24 years old, fifth season
2014-15 stats: 6.8 points, 2.4 assists, 2.4 rebounds (San Antonio)
What they need: He’s a gritty defender and that’s just what the Raptors need in the backcourt and his championship pedigree with the Spurs is welcome. He’s an improved shooter but needs to facilitate on offence rather than look for his own stuff.
TERRENCE ROSS
Guard-forward, 6-7, 24 years old, fourth season
2014-15 stats: 9.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 82 games played
What they need: Consistency has always been an issue with the highly athletic wing who’s coming off summer surgery to clean up ankle bone spurs. Maybe he can blossom at both ends with a bench role on an offensively challenged second unit.
LUIS SCOLA
Forward, 6-9, 35 years old, ninth season
2014-15 stats: 9.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, 20.5 minutes (Indiana)
What they need: For the first time in years, the Raptors have a savvy veteran who’ll play regular minutes and take on an on-court leadership role well. He doesn’t do anything spectacularly, but he’s a great ball mover and needs to be a steadying influence.
BISMACK BIYOMBO
Centre, 6-9, 23 years old, fifth season
2014-15 stats: 4.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.55 blocks (Charlotte)
What they need: Anything they get offensively from him will be a huge bonus, his role is to protect the rim and anchor the defence. Already lauded as one of the best communicators on the court, he needs to mask the deficiencies of teammates.
JAMES JOHNSON
Forward, 6-9, 28 years old, seventh season
2014-15 stats: 7.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, 19.2 minutes
What they need: He is the team’s best pure athlete; big, quick and explosive and all he needs to do is harness that and it’s fine. He has a tendency to go rogue at times, which has limited the coaches trust.
DELON WRIGHT
Point guard, 6-5, 23 years old, first season
2014-15 stats: 15.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, 5.2 assists (NCAA)
What they need: The first-round draft pick has to sit back and listen and learn for the most part, he won’t get many minutes, but he’s a solid long-term project. And he should get used to the drive to Mississauga.
NORMAN POWELL
Guard, 6-4, 22 years old, first season
2014-15 stats: 9.8 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.1 steals (NCAA)
What they need: An intriguing prospect who turned a lot of heads with his play in the summer league, for whatever that’s worth. He is unpolished offensively, but has the size and strength to be a capable defender. Another D-Leaguer.
BRUNO CABOCLO
Forward, 6-9, 20 years old, second season
2014-15 stats: 1.3 points, 0.3 rebounds, 2.9 minutes
What they need: He’s far less skittish on the court now compared to his rookie season and that’s the kind of improvement management wanted to see.
LUCAS NOGUEIRA
Centre, 7-0, 23 years old, second season
2014-15 stats: 1.0 points, 1.8 rebounds, 3.5 minutes
What they need: It’s hard to say because he’s been injured for a vast majority of his time on the roster. That would suggest it’d be wise for him to toughen up a little bit so he can go to Mississauga and be something more than a spectator.
ANTHONY BENNETT
Forward, 6-8, 22 years old, third season
2014-15 stats: 5.3 points, 3.8 rebounds (Minnesota)
What they need: The 2013 No. 1 pick is as intriguing a player as the Raptors have ever had. No one’s sure exactly what his position is but if he can carve out a niche and find one skill that makes him invaluable, he could be a keeper.