The Lakers’ frontcourt trio of Gasol, Odom, and Bynum only mustered 46.2/29.0 last season, and they won the stacked Western Conference.
These Raptors do have one glaring difference when compared with a team like the Lakers: Kobe Bean Bryant.
If the Raptors aren’t going to acquire or develop a high scoring swingman, they are going to meet the same fate as other teams that “look good on paper.”
Teams like the Nuggets and, Kidd/Carter, Nets had several All-Stars on the roster and should have won lots of games.
The balance of attack and deep rosters that contenders like Boston, San Antonio, and Detroit bring to the table were eerily absent for those two squads, just as they are for the Raptors.
Toronto, in an attempt to build this current team, has let go of strong supporting players and potential stars in the likes of T.J. Ford, Charlie Villanueva, and Roy Hibbert.
Rather than adding another low post scorer, it seems the more logical approach would have been to seek out a high-scoring shooter or deepen the reserves with role-players and attempt to shore up the Raptor’s abysmal defense.
Without a stronger bench and an explosive guard, this squad will continue to make the playoffs.
They will likely be contending for the Atlantic title with Boston, but will continue to get pummeled in the playoffs when they match-up against the deeper teams that dominate that conference.
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