Raps’ Roundup

How do the Raps shape-up heading into Game 1?

With Game 1 of the 2018-19 NBA season right around the corner, its time to take one last look at the new-look Toronto Raptors.The summer brought change not just in the flowers and trees, but also in the Raptors locker room. The blockbuster Kawhi Leonard trade on July 18, 2018, shipped DeMar DeRozan, Jakob Poeltl, and a Protected 2019 first round pick to the San Antonio Spurs, in return for Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green. Toronto fans, for the most part, were distraught and rightly so. DeMar DeRozan is arguably the greatest Raptor to ever grace the organization.

Quick Breakdown of DeMar DeRozan’s Career Stats

• 19.7 PPG
• 4.1 TRB
• 3.1 AST
• 44.8 FG%
• 28.8 FG3%
• 82.7 FT%

A few interesting stats DeMar DeRozan achieved during his time in The Six includes an effective field goal percentage of 46.3%, meaning that DeRozan was shooting inefficient shots like mid-range jump shots, instead of 3-pointers. Granted DeRozan has never been a fantastic 3-point shooter and although he has begun to adapt and evidently shot better from three last season compared to his overall, his style of game, especially given his shooting guard position, is not following the 3-point focused NBA. DeMar also had a career average of 17 player efficiency rating, two higher than the league average of 15, and had a 2017-18 average of 21. DeRozan also contributed 9.6 win shares last year and has a career average of 54 win shares, which means he has contributed an average of 54 wins. Although his game may not align with the trend of the current NBA, DeRozan is an amazing driver and finisher, with great post strength and control, and his ferocity and passion are unmissable on the court. The Spurs bagged an All-Star that will help them make a return to the playoffs.

 

Summer Additions

Kawhi Leonard

Kawhi Leonard is the first addition the Toronto Raptors made this summer, with DeMar DeRozan being shipped to San Antonio in return as discussed above.Leonard, 27 is a perennial all-star and one of the best defenders in the NBA, but I do not need to tell you any of that. Any NBA fan knows who this man is. But do we really know him? Leonard is infamous for being extremely reserved, with no Instagram, Facebook and only a twitter, which is inactive. Kawhi has been the center of attention for the majority of the year, with his so-called shunning of the San Antonio Spurs and refusal to play even when cleared by team doctors, becoming a spectacle and a couldn’t-miss saga. You may still be angry at Masai and if you are I understand, I was at a loss for words when the notification appeared on my phone on that fateful July morning. But alas, the dust has settled and we are geared up to go into the 2018-19 season with one of the leagues best players and new energy and expectations for this season.Enough chit-chat, its time for stats.

Kawhi Leonard Career and Playoff stats.

Regular Season Stats (Career)

• 16.3 PPG    
• 6.2 TRB
• 2.3 AST
• 49.5 FG%
• 38.6 FG3%
• 84.6 FT%
• 54.9 eFG%
• 22.1 PER
• 56.3 WS%

Leonard in the 2016-17 NBA season had a DFG% (Defended Field Goal Percentage) also known as the percentage of opponents shots when Leonard was guarding them of,

• 62.7% From less than 6 ft.
• 54.2% From less than 10 ft.
• 47.2% From 2 pointers
• 44.1% Overall
• 38.4% From 15 ft or greater (Including 3-pointers)

These are incredible defensive stats, especially from a guy who can also provide offensive boosts and score at will. Leonard stats, especially shooting percentages, and efficiency ratings show that he is already better than DeMar and could, and will most likely be, the X-Factor the Toronto Raptors were in need of.

 

Danny Green

I promise to not go on such a long spiel for Danny, even though he deserves it. Danny Green, the second return in the DeMar-Kawhi trade, isn’t talked about enough. With a career FG3% of 39.5% and a career defensive rating of 98.54, Danny Green is an underrated 3-and-D and has been overlooked in the Kawhi trade.An NBA champion, and 2016-17 All-Defense second team under his belt, Danny Green will look to bring his championship mentality and experience along with Kawhi, to the locker room. Guys like Fred, OG, Pascal, and even Malachi Richardson when he is included in the lineup can all learn from players like Green. Green, 31, has already shown flashes of what he can do when he dropped 22-4-2 against the Nets in Montreal during the preseason.

 

Greg Monroe

 

Greg Monroe is the final addition aside from the pre-season signings that include Kay Felder and Chris Boucher. Monroe, 28, has been bounced around the league in recent years. Drafted 7th overall by the Pistons in the 2010 draft, Monroe spent 5 years in the Motor City averaging 15.9 PPG and 10.2 TRB and 2.1 AST in his final season. In the 2015 offseason, Monroe signed a 3 year, $51.4 million max contract with Milwaukee. Since his first year with the Bucks, Monroe’s production has taken a dip. He went from 15.3 PPG and 8.8 TRB to 11.7 PPG and 6.6 TRB, and finally, to 10.3 PPG and 6.9 TRB

Monroe was traded to the Phoenix Suns in 2017 along with a first and a second round pick for point guard Eric Bledsoe. Monroe, with a large $18 million salary was waived and bought out by the Suns only two months later, in January.  Monroe signed with the Celtics and joined them for their end of season push, as well as playing big rotation minutes, taking pressure off of Al Horford. The Celtics did not resign Monroe, because of their draft pick Robert Williams, and the Raptors took the opportunity to acquire the experienced big-man, letting Lucas Nogueira walk. Monroe will provide yet another veteran presence in the locker room and much-needed physicality on the bench.