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*Photo via AP
After a disappointing end to the 2015 season, the Toronto Raptors have been fairly active so far as this off-season. There main goal was to get back to a defensive mindset and they aided that by adding defensive minded players like Demarre Carroll, Corey Joseph, Bismack Biyombo and Delon Wright. It’s safe to say that the Raptors are taking steps in the right direction, but what do they have to do additionally to become serious title contenders?
In an Eastern Conference that will undoubtedly be more competitive this year, the Raptors must really play well in order to keep their upper echelon status in the conference. The Raptors must improve in almost every facet of their game in order to maintain this status. Defense will be the key of course, as the Raptors were among the top offensive teams in the NBA last year.
Demarre Carroll will provide them with a go to defensive stopper on the wing, allowing Demar Derozan to conserve some energy for what he does best, and that is to perform on the offensive end. If the Raptors can continue to score like they did in the 2015 season while improve to being a top 10 defensive team, then they will have taken some serious steps forward into becoming a title contender.
Although they have been to the playoffs for the past two years and have gained some playoff experience, the Raptors are still lacking what Paul Pierce calls the "it" factor. The Raptors must find a go to experienced player who can help lead the team both by example and vocally. The Raptors may find that player through the evolution of someone they already have, like Demar Derozan, or they may have to go out and get that player.
The biggest hurdle for the Raptors though is the same hurdle for the other 13 teams in the Eastern Conference, and that is the man wearing number 23 for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Lebron James. James has dominated the Eastern Conference for the past five years, advancing to the NBA Finals and being crowned Eastern Conference champ each year. If the Raptors want to have any chance at making it to the NBA Finals then either LeBron James must retire or they have to find a way to stop him.
The acquisition of Carroll helps a bit, as he is a proven defensive stud, however stopping James isn't that simple. At this point the Raptors have a couple of bodies who can give their try at stopping James outside of Carroll, with the likes of James Johnson and Terrence Ross. Johnson is a proven defender, however due to a seeming issue with coach Dwane Casey he has struggled to get on the floor. Ross on the other hand has struggled to live up to his high pick potential and therefore may very well have lost his starting role with the acquisition of Demarre Carroll.
The Raptors have a lot to prove and work on during this off-season and then furthermore in the regular season. If they can improve defensively and continue to build a strong core they have the opportunity to be outside title contenders in a couple of years. Still, until Lebron James leaves the Eastern Conference, it will be tough for them or any Eastern Conference team to reach the NBA finals.