Raptors rise in NBA power rankings with optimism ahead of the season
The Toronto Raptors are making waves as they gear up for the new NBA season, showcasing a promising trajectory in the league’s power rankings. Following a commendable preseason performance, the Raptors have emerged as a team to watch, ascending five spots in the latest evaluations.
Preseason Performance Sets the Stage
The Raptors completed their exhibition schedule with a solid 4-2 record, demonstrating competitive resilience by never losing a game by more than four points. This commendable showing caught the eye of CBS Sports writer Colin Ward-Henninger, who upgraded Toronto to the No. 21 position in his final power rankings before the season kicks off.
“If you had Toronto’s starting five on your fantasy team, you’d be buzzing heading into this season,” Ward-Henninger noted, referencing the potential of Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett, Brandon Ingram, Scottie Barnes, and Jakob Poeltl. However, he expressed concerns about the team’s offensive cohesion and defensive strategies, stating, “In reality, it’s hard to see how the pieces are going to fit together offensively, and how they’re going to cobble together a passable defense.” Despite these uncertainties, he commended the Raptors for their ambition in a league often characterized by teams opting for tanking strategies.
Significant Leap in Rankings
The Raptors’ five-spot leap marks the largest upward movement among all teams in Ward-Henninger’s rankings. Below Toronto, only the New Orleans Pelicans, Portland Trail Blazers, Chicago Bulls, Sacramento Kings, Phoenix Suns, Charlotte Hornets, Washington Wizards, Utah Jazz, and Brooklyn Nets reside, categorizing them as part of the bottom third of the league. This positioning implies that the Raptors are just outside the playoff picture, ranked as the 11th-best team in the Eastern Conference.
As they look to improve their standing, the Raptors will need to build on the positives from the preseason. Head coach Darko Rajakovic is expected to keep the team competitive, and on nights when opponents might not be fully engaged, this could be the edge needed to secure victories.
Looking Ahead to the Regular Season
With an eye on the future, the Raptors aim to leverage the addition of Brandon Ingram while maintaining overall team health. If they can effectively integrate their new talent and harness the potential of their roster, they could emerge as one of the season’s surprise contenders.
The Raptors are set to open their season tomorrow, venturing to Atlanta to face Trae Young and the Hawks. Fans can look forward to tipoff at 7:30 p.m. ET as the team embarks on its quest for a successful campaign.
