Raptors Report Week 3: Schedule Gettting Easier

The Raptors didn't have a terrific week, but by no means were they terrible.

The schedule hasn't been easy so far, the Raptors haven't really had an easy stretch of games. People are also forgetting how young this team is and that it will take a while for them to figure out how to win or close out games.

What the Raptors need is a leader, somebody to close games for them, and they are losing many close games because of this.

The Raps played four games this week against pretty tough opponents. They took losses to the Golden State Warriors and Charlotte Bobcats at home, both games they were in till the very end.

Then they took a trip to Florida to face a tough back-to-back that consisted of Orlando and Miami. They played a great game, beat Orlando and ended their six-game losing skid.

The next night, they hung around, but Miami was too much for the Raptors, especially on a back to back. Miami was fully rested and healthy while the Raps were tired and had injuries to some of their best players, Linas Kleiza and Leandro Barbosa.

Record: 1-3

Performance on a scale of 1-10: 6.5

Positives

The win against the Magic was terrific—the team played great. DeMar DeRozan and Andrea Bargnani looks to be a promising duo, Sonny Weems is starting to take better shots and Jose Calderon is looking like his old self, which is a huge boost for the team.

The defense hasn't been bad, and the offense is starting to get a little more consistent.

Negatives

Still, the Raptors are looking for a leader. Somebody to close out games. Even though they beat the Magic, they almost let that one slip at the end of the game, and you just can't do that.

Linas Kleiza has been disappointing, but that could be because of his injury.

Overall, this team isn't playing bad basketball, and the wins will come as the schedule becomes easier. Look for the Raptors to pick up their play as the season goes on as well.

GO RAPS!

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