Last night’s 104-103 loss at home to the Brooklyn Nets was as heartbreaking as it gets for the Toronto Raptors and, of course, the team’s incredibly dedicated fan base. While the season overall was a pleasantly surprising success – winning the Atlantic division and finishing with the best overall record in franchise history – losing so achingly close to the deeply experienced, luxury tax-laden, no fans Nets stings. And it better not happen next year – no matter who the opponent in the first round of the playoffs. Here are four things the Raptors need to do this offseason to ensure their second ever second round playoff appearance in 2015…
Re-sign Kyle Lowry
Yeah, he missed (was blocked) a shot to win the series last night, but re-signing starting point guard Kyle Lowry should be priority number 1. He won’t command maximum money and is undoubtedly an all-star calibre player with all the intangibles Toronto’s basketball team has lacked for so long.
Keep Casey
Coach Dwane Casey is a Coach of the Year candidate in a season where whispers of tanking circulated long before the All-Star break. He maximizes the potential of all players in the rotation and can be credited for reversing Lowry’s sometimes difficult attitude, which has plagued him in previous stints. He’s been responsible for keeping the Raptors in almost every game this season – seriously, did they ever get blown out? – and even takes the subway to games. Pretty notable.
Add a veteran presence
If this series wasn’t proof of how valuable veteran leadership is in the playoffs, and to success as a whole, we don’t know what is. Sure, Pierce and Garnett are way past their prime in terms of playing ability, but their contributions throughout this seven game series cannot be understated. Is it time to bring back Vince Carter?
Keep the fans engaged
If Brooklyn had a 6th man on the court in the refs (joking; kinda), so did the Raptors through their fans, who are arguably the best in the league. They motivated the team through rough patches and scoring streaks in all seven games both inside and outside the Air Canada Centre – even for away games, which is more than what Brooklyn fans displayed at home. Drake, keeping doing whatever it is you do as Brand Ambassador… even if that means rolling lint so get some extra hype going.
#LYNL | (Live Your Notable Life)
Want more updates on the most Notable things happening so you know before your colleagues do? Get our exclusive newsletter here and follow us on Twitter for all the latest.