Raptors can get back to the top with what they’ve built, Masai Ujiri thinks

(Toronto) The Toronto Raptors were a revelation last week.

Chosen by virtually no one to make a splash in the Eastern Conference, the Raptors won 48 games to finish fifth and gave a tough 76^ers of Philadelphia before being eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.

The president of the Raptors, Masai Ujiri, therefore chose continuity rather than dismantling everything during the offseason, believing that his young team has everything it takes to – eventually – find itself again among the best in the NBA.

“We won a championship and now we’ve kind of taken a step back,” Ujiri said. We start to go back up again and we want to go to the end again, where we were. Are we good enough to win a championship? I don’t know if we’re still there. Are we good enough to grow and step forward? I think so. »

While chemistry and continuity are hard to quantify, Ujiri is a believer. His consistent approach saw him keep a dozen players from last season, including five starters who all averaged more than 15 points per game.

The equal opportunity within the Raptors ensured that it was the only NBA team to achieve this feat. They did the same in 2019-20, becoming the first roster in 46 years to have five starters who averaged more than 15 points per game.

And there’s no reason to believe the young core won’t be better this season.

“I think we’ll have a great team,” winger OG Anunoby said. I think everyone will have improved. We are all on the same wavelength. Last year it was more about the learning process at the start of the season (after the off-season changes, including the loss of star player Kyle Lowry). Everyone was trying to get to the level. We are counting on the return of many. I think it will go smoothly from the start. »

In 2021-22, Pascal Siakam has had a slow start to the season, having missed the first 10 games to recover from shoulder surgery. He finished the campaign with per-game averages of 22.8 points and 8.5 rebounds. He boldly made it known on the Raptors’ recent media day that his goal was to become a top-five player in the league.

“I just feel like it’s time to move on,” he said. I want to be one of the best. »

Starting point guard Fred VanVleet has vowed to be smarter with his body after missing the Raptors’ final three games of the season and Games 5 and 6 of the playoffs with a strained hip flexor.

However, the starter Raptors fans can’t wait to see is likely Scottie Barnes, whose fourth-overall selection in the 2021 draft raised eyebrows. Barnes averaged 15.3 points and 7.5 rebounds per game while defending all positions and was named NBA Rookie of the Year.

Barnes’ ankle injury in Game 1 against the 76s^ers was a blow to Toronto’s playoff hopes.

The Raptors kick off their season Wednesday by visiting the Cavaliers in Cleveland. And it’s not too early for VanVleet.

“It’s time,” he said. We had a very good preparatory calendar and a very good summer. I think we’re all looking forward to getting on the pitch, giving it our all and we’ll see what happens. The start of the season is an exciting time for us, especially for the fans. I can’t wait for Wednesday night. »