The Toronto Raptors are working off one of the NBA's most divisive offseasons. Poll a swath of hoops heads about their summer, and you'll get answers varying from "They got worse," to "They're fine," to "They'll be better."

So what's a podcast to do when cooking up their 2017-18 preview?

Bring on Blake Murphy (@BlakeMurphyODC), the Managing Editor of Raptors Republic, to drop insight.

Chief among the questions posed to Mr. Murphy: What's the deal with the DeMar DeRozan? He has become one of the most polarizing players alive—more divisive than the Raptors are themselves. He will be expected to shoulder more offensive responsibilities in the wake of the Cory Joseph trade. Is he ready? Is this the year his on-off splits without Kyle Lowry finally turn?

The Raptors' clumpy frontcourt rotation may have also come up (it did). They have a ton of talent, but not one of their best 4-5 options is the whole package. General manager Masai Ujiri has instead assembled an army of specialists, right down to Serge Ibaka, who isn't good for much more than a few blocks and quality catch-and-shoot efficiency.

Still, for as much as you may dislike what the Raptors did this summer, one thing's for sure: They aren't going anywhere. Patrick Patterson and P.J. Tucker are big-time losses, but they picked up one of the NBA's sweetest-shooting wings in C.J. Miles. Lowry hasn't gone anywhere. Norman Powell seems overdue for a breakout.

Things are still happening in Toronto. Let's figure out how good the Raps can be.

As always, be sure to subscribe to and rate Hardwood Knocks on iTunes. You can also find us on Stitcher and BlogTalkRadio. And as 50 Cent's biopic suggests: Follow Andy Bailey (@AndrewDBailey), Dan Favale (@danfavale), the show (@HardwoodKnocks) and NBA Math (@NBA_Math) on Twitter or die trying.

105 - Making the Leap from Good to Great: 2017-18 Toronto Raptors Preview

Share

Embed