Perceived by some as one of the weaker performing teams in the playoffs, the Toronto Raptors seems to have gotten an unfair reputation for folding when the lights are the brightest.
In fact, the last three times the Raptors have bowed out of the postseason, all three exits have come to the hands of LeBron James and his Cleveland Cavaliers. As the leader on Toronto, it can be frustrating for DeMar DeRozan to see his team ousted in such a fashion to the same team every year. Following their getting swept by the Cavs again this year, DeRozan’s frustration was apparent after the game and he candidly spoke about facing the Cavs yearly.
DeMar DeRozan: "The last three years have been rough for us, competing against this team." pic.twitter.com/AynmOt9CCc
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) May 8, 2018
DeMar DeRozan on facing LeBron James for the 3rd year in a row: "We had three opportunities. We're not sure if we'll get this opportunity again." pic.twitter.com/I6MnHvd9ST
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) May 8, 2018
Obviously, DeMar DeRozan and the Raptors are physically and mentally fatigued after a long, hopeful season ultimately didn’t come to fruition. Losing to the same team for the third consecutive postseason certainly didn’t make things better for a team now desperately in need of some change.
The first thing to give this summer could be the head coaching position where NBA executives expect Dwane Casey to be fired after receiving Coach of The Year consideration earlier this year. Casey has been the Raptors coach throughout their shortcomings in recent years and maybe a change there will change the culture.
Regardless, the outlook remains bleak for Toronto who’s two ball-dominant stars are now aging and hovering around 30 years of age. As long as LeBron remains in the East it looks very unlikely anyone is able to break through and take him down and the futures are much brighter in both Philly and Boston than Toronto. This coming offseason will determine the direction Toronto continues to go moving forward.
