The Toronto Raptors are the NBA Champions, although only a few believed that they would even make it to the Eastern finals. Head coach Nick Nurse and his team proved them wrong, being this seasons's best team and having players stepping-up from the lower ranks and beating the best teams in the league: the Sixers, the Bucks and the Warriors.
Raptors scored 111,5 points per game in the finals series vs Golden State, having 53% at 2p shots and 35% at 3p shots, outscoring their opponents by having six players with double digit score per game. Moreover, they were the better team in rebounds (41,7 rpg) and in assists (230 apg), whereas the absence of Kevin Durant due to his injury is not to be overlooked for Steve Kerr's team (they had only 105,8 ppg in the series).
Raptors scored 111,5 points per game in the finals series vs Golden State, having 53% at 2p shots and 35% at 3p shots, outscoring their opponents by having six players with double digit score per game. Moreover, they were the better team in rebounds (41,7 rpg) and in assists (230 apg), whereas the absence of Kevin Durant due to his injury is not to be overlooked for Steve Kerr's team (they had only 105,8 ppg in the series).
Fast break points
One of Golden State's weaknesses is defensive transition, specially when Cousins or Bogut are playing. So, after a deflection or after a defensive rebound, Toronto's players ran the court often, scoring 10+ points in every finals game, exploiting Siakam's athleticism and the scoring abilities of Leonard, Lowry and Green.
Kawhi Leonard's consistency
The best player in a raptors jersey this season (or arguably ever), Kawhi Leonard has proven that he can lead a team to a ring. His improvement in shooting off the dribble added to his reliable 3p shot and his top level defense, not to mention his ability to penetrate and score at will.
The finals MVP had 26,8 points per game, 9,8 rebounds, 5 assists and shot with 48% for 2p and 36% for 3p and was the cornerstone of his team.
The finals MVP had 26,8 points per game, 9,8 rebounds, 5 assists and shot with 48% for 2p and 36% for 3p and was the cornerstone of his team.
Pascal Siakam, the unexpected star
Kyle Lowry: the good soldier
A guy who once was a young camper in the Basketball without borders program of the NBA, now is a player making an impact in the NBA finals, being the second scorer for his team. The Cameroon-born athletic forward scored in many ways: dunking in the fast break, driving to the hoop, posting-up, through pick & dive action and cutting off the ball. He even made 5 threes (2 of them in the last game), but this was his only low percentage shot (5/21-24% in the series).
He scored 19,8 points per game (with 59% in 2p field goals), he grabbed 7,5 rebounds and had 2,2 assists, having an important part winning the championship.
He scored 19,8 points per game (with 59% in 2p field goals), he grabbed 7,5 rebounds and had 2,2 assists, having an important part winning the championship.
Kyle Lowry: the good soldier
The Vilalnova alumni had to reach the age of 33 to make it to the finals, being in his 7th season in Toronto. He's not a primal scorer as four seasons ago, but he dished the most assists of his career this season (8,7 apg), being the main creator of his team. He also scored by driving to the basket, when Cousins switched on him during pick n' roll actions.
He completed the series having 12,8 points, 7,2 assists and 4,2 rebounds and shooting with 37% at the three.
He completed the series having 12,8 points, 7,2 assists and 4,2 rebounds and shooting with 37% at the three.
Marc Gasol's key role (continuing from the series against the Bucks)
Spanish center Marc Gasol was the "glue" to the Raptors' offensive flow, having the ability to pass the ball well and being a threat from behind the arc. His defenseive effort was also in a good level.
Against the Warriors he had 11,8 points, 7,3 rebounds, 2,7 assists and 54% at 2p field goals.
Fred Vanvleet: the X-factor
Despite being really ineffective in the first playoff games, the 25 year old guard exploded after his wife gave birth and he was a serious threat in the finals too. Vanvleet made history, scoring 16 3p shots coming off the bench for a finals series, one more than Robert Horry and JR Smith. His defensive effort on Stephen Curry is notable too.
His finals stats were 14 points per game (3rd team scorer), shooting 40% for three and 52% for two.
Serge Ibaka: the effective
Having Ibaka playing behind Gasol and Siakam is a luxury, since the Congo-born forward is a beast on the offensive glass and very reliable at finishing at the rim, either by cutting off-ball or in pick & dive situations. His ability to hit the open spot shot was there too, completing the series with 11,3 points, 3,5 rebounds (2,3 of them offensive) and shooting 58% dor two point field goals.
