The Toronto Raptors, to end 2020, bear little resemblance to the champions of 2019. Three starters are gone, and so too is their Sixth Man. A new winner is crowned every year, and so by definition championships are not carried forward, but to be chased all over again from the moment they are won.
Toronto is still pursuing that gold ball, but they lack elite talent. That was true from the moment Kawhi Leonard went home in the middle of the night last July, and it is nothing to be ashamed of. There are only a half-dozen stars at any given time who decide the title race.