Defending champs fresh test for Raps
There were lessons learned last year, and lessons learned last week — some from the bitterness of defeat and some from the satisfaction of victory — that have helped raise the level of confidence the Toronto Raptors have as they take on a most formidable task.
They know full well what the Cleveland Cavaliers can do when they put their minds to it. They also realize what it takes to succeed against a tough, hard-playing opponent, all of which stands them in good stead as they begin their secondround NBA playoff series with the Cavaliers on Monday at the Quicken Loans Arena.
“They’re still the champs,” DeMar DeRozan said of the Cavaliers, who pasted Toronto in a six-game conference final a year ago. “Doesn’t matter what seed you are. Once you are in the playoffs, they are still defending something they won last year.
“We can’t do some of the same things . . . because LeBron is such an excellent shooter and all-around player.” RAPTORS COACH DWANE CASEY ON FACING LEBRON JAMES
“You still have to give them all the respect in the world, but it’s on us Game 1 to start something new and start chipping away at it.”
The Raptors may have a better idea of how to do that this time around. Not only have they seen the Cavaliers at peak efficiency thanks to last year’s playoff matchup, but Toronto has just come off a gruelling six-game series with the Milwaukee Bucks, who tested them in ways that were unexpected.
“That was a different kind of series where we had to get out of our com- fort zone to beat them,” P.J. Tucker said of the Bucks. “We had to go out and really fight and get our hands dirty, which in the past hasn’t been one of the things you would say about the Raptors. But we had to do that to beat Milwaukee. We had to really go out there and fight and grind it out, and I think we’re going to have to take pieces of that series into this one.”
There are many levels at which the Raptors will have to succeed to upset the NBA’s defending champions. Dealing with LeBron James is one thing, but finding a way to stop one of the league’s best three-point shoot- ing offences has to be on the list, as well as dealing with Toronto’s own history.
Despite the fact they extended Cleveland to six games a year ago, there really wasn’t much doubt about the inevitability of the outcome. The Cavaliers won their games easily, while the Raptors squeaked out wins. When it came time to close things down, the Cavs cruised in Games 5 and 6.
The Raptors knew they were overmatched at many spots on the floor, leaving general manager Masai Ujiri to make a couple of key acquisitions. Serge Ibaka is better suited to de- fending against a versatile Cleveland front-court. Tucker gives coach Dwane Casey aggressive defence to throw at James. The moves weren’t necessarily made with the Cavaliers specifically in mind, but they sure will help.
“I think whoever we had to beat, Serge and P.J. were great acquisitions for us to build a playoff-style team,” Casey said. “I don’t think you wake up dreaming: We’ve got to make every move to beat Cleveland. But to play playoff basketball, you have to have guys like that.”
Remembering what transpired a year ago will help the Raptors, but not as much as remembering what it took to subdue the Bucks and their best player. Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo isn’t James, but he’s not far off in his style of play: a big, strong, quick, aware superstar who can beat you in many ways.
“We can’t do some of the same things . . . because LeBron is such an excellent shooter and all-around player,” Casey said of the comparison.
“He’s not LeBron yet, but he’s similar as far as his size, his ability to go where he wants to go with the basketball.”