Raptors at Cavaliers
THE STORY: Two teams deep in rebuilding projects and void of
superstars meet to open the season in Cleveland. Expectations are
minimal for the Cavaliers and Toronto Raptors in Year 2 following the
departures of LeBron James and Chris Bosh, respectively. The Cavaliers
last season narrowly avoided becoming the first team in NBA history to
have the best and worst records in consecutive seasons when they topped
the Minnesota Timberwolves by only two victories. All of that misery was
spun into two of the top four picks in the draft, while the Raptors
begin this season without a rookie on the roster for the first time in
team history. The Raptors selected Lithaunian center Jonan Valanciunas
fifth overall, knowing full well he intended to remain overseas for
another season. The Cavaliers contemplated taking Valanciunas at No. 4,
but ultimately settled on forward Tristan Thompson. The Raptors have a
new coach in Dwane Casey, who has been forced to work quickly to
establish an identity and culture during a condensed training camp.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, SNET (Toronto), FS Ohio (Cleveland)
ABOUT THE RAPTORS (0-0): Casey’s keyword during training camp was
accountability. With little time to implement a system and no room for
errors, Casey, 54, made it clear everyone on the roster would be treated
equally and all would pay dearly for repeating the same mistakes time
and again. Players respect his up-front, straightforward approach and
his attention to detail. Whether it pays off in victories this season
remains to be seen.
ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (0-0): Cleveland
is the first team since the 1983 Houston Rockets to have two of the top
four picks in one draft, but neither Kyrie Irving nor Tristan Thompson
may start the opener. Thompson is certainly a bench player, while coach
Byron Scott remains torn on whom to start at point guard. He would like
to go with Irving, but the absence of summer league and abbreviated
preseason may force him to start Ramon Sessions and slowly ease Irving
into the role.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Raptors center
Jamaal Magloire on Monday will become the first Canadian to play for the
Raptors. Thompson, selected fourth overall last summer, is the highest
drafted Canadian player in the lottery era of the NBA draft.
2. Cavaliers forward Antawn Jamison averaged 22.5 points last season against the Raptors.
3.
The Raptors shot a league-worst .316 on 3-pointers last season, while
the Cavaliers were the worst team defending the 3-pointer as opponents
made 41.1 percent.