SMALL TRIMS
New NBA season more about tweaks for Raptors than wholesale changes
The Raptors, coming off a 51-win season, look to make tweaks instead of wholesale changes.
While the Toronto Raptors headed into the off-season amid talk of a “culture reset,” their new look is more of a trim than a completely new ‘do.
DeMar DeRozan, the team’s leading scorer and master of metaphors, was asked about a change in playing style as the team held media day Monday, the traditional opener to NBA training camp.
It’s more about tweaks than wholesale changes.
“You trim it down a little bit, they’re going to say you look a little different, but you’re still you,” said DeRozan, continuing the analogy. “You might walk with a little bit more of a swagger, you’re going to feel a little bit more confident about yourself.”
The Raptors rolled to a 51-win season and a second-round playoff appearance last season, but their ugly sweep by Cleveland left the team - and fans- disappointed. President Masai Ujiri talked about the need for a culture reset, and a change in offensive style.
“I can tell even by some of the workouts and the tone of our meeting (Sunday), it’s something I think we’re going to at least make an effort to do and see how well we can do it,” Ujiri said. “We’ve played a certain way for the past few years and I think it’s gotten to a point where, everyone agrees, if we can make some little changes ... they don’t have to be drastic, I don’t think, because
some of the things that we do well has gotten us to a place where we are.”
Coach Dwane Casey said the offensive focus may be as fundamental as “on time, on target passes,” which proved problematic in the post-season.
Hours before boarding an afternoon flight to Victoria, the players mugged and flexed for photos, and went through an assembly line of interviews as part of their media day duties. Talk of U.S. President Donald Trump and his criticism of athlete protests, both in the NBA and NFL, dominated
the day.
Several Raptors were outspoken on the subject.
“I think the president brought a lot of this stuff on himself ... he’s got to look in the mirror after making all these statements, saying all these crazy things about guys that’s trying to do the right thing, stand up for what’s right,” DeRozan said. “You’ve got your president on Twitter more than a 12-year-old saying the most outrageous things for people who are trying to do something right. It’s crazy.”
DeRozan and Kyle Lowry, who
signed a three-year deal worth US$100 million in the off-season, anchor a core that remains largely intact. Toronto’s key additions include sharp-shooter CJ Miles (trade), and rookie OG Anunoby (draft). Gone are Canadian point guard Cory Joseph and gritty forward P.J. Tucker.
This camp marks a first for DeRozan, Lowry and Serge Ibaka, who had just a couple games together last season before heading into the playoffs. Ibaka was acquired in a trade while Lowry was sitting out 21 games after surgery on his wrist.