These Raptors look quite different – and that’s a good thing

FIGHT THERE
Only three games in, it has become pretty clear that these aren’t your father’s Raptors. This is a tough-minded, hard-working group that has shown an ability to fight through some of its weaknesses through hard work and gritty play.
Finally, Dwane Casey has a group in his own image – and he likes what he sees, though like any coach, he is far from satisfied.
“I believe this group is tough,” Casey said after the game. “I don’t know what the scoreboard is going to say (during what Casey says will be a “bear” of a trip to Dallas, Oklahoma City, Miami and Orlando), but I do know we’re going to go in and compete for 48 minutes, whoever’s out there on the floor.”
THE MOVEMENT
Another difference is far better ball movement and spacing on offence.
Last year’s group went one-on-one to a fault and while this year’s version can still improve even more at moving the ball, the difference is clearly visible.
The old Raptors rarely turned the ball over, but also rarely passed. These guys are no longer great with the ball (seventh from the bottom in assist-to-turnover ratio), but are now middle of the pack in assist percentage and assist ratio and still humming along at No. 8 in offensive rating (points scored per 100 possessions).
Yes, it is still very early, so don’t put too much weight into any of these stats, but interesting to look at some immediate trends and you can still draw conclusions from the eye test.
Casey is not yet sold:
“We’re creating opportunities with the offence, we had 22 assists, but we’ve just got to get crisper with it. Guys have to understand good shot, bad shot,” he said.
CHAIRMEN OF THE BOARDS
The dominance on the boards is also a new wrinkle for what had been a bottom of the barrel rebounding group (especially when it comes to defensive rebounding) in the past.
These of course are very early days, but the Raptors currently lead the NBA in rebound percentage at 57.3% (OKC ranks second, so that should be an interesting battle). Only Toronto, Sacramento and Detroit rank in the top five in both offensive and defensive rebounding percentage, and both those teams have monsters in the middle in DeMarcus Cousins (now injured) and Andre Drummond.
Has Jonas Valanciunas become a monster too? He is seventh in rebounds per game (tied with Cousins) and seventh in rebound percentage as well (just behind Cousins and just ahead of Drummond).
As the league goes small, the Raptors have gone big (even when the team goes small in the backcourt, it has mostly stayed big up front) and it seems to be working.
BACKUP PLAN
Cory Joseph had his best game yet and was a steadying force, expertly directing the second unit.
“Cory’s a good point guard, he gets (you) the ball in your spot,” said Terrence Ross.
“He runs the offence and also attacks. There’s so much that he does that creates for everyone else.”
Joseph had six assists, a couple of buckets and rebounds, three steals and not a single turnover.
The bench was very good, with Ross and Patrick Patterson (16 points, second on the team, including 4-of-5 on three-pointers) powering the attack.
RECORD
DeMar DeRozan on Casey setting the Raptors win mark:
“It’s definitely great. I’m happy for him. He’s a player’s coach. He’s one of them guys that always keeps you in a positive mindset. You go out there and play for him, you can’t do nothing but play hard for him because you understand that he’s going to have your back through the good and the bad.”