When discussing the championship prospects of the Toronto Raptors, there are a significant number of green lights, and one obstreperous red.
Among the greens:
- continuity is well-established. The coach has proven himself capable of winning both in the regular season and (finally!) in the playoffs. The General Manager hasn’t put a foot wrong on any major decision since he (re)arrived in 2013. Ownership stands firmly and quietly behind its executives. Finances are not an issue. San Antonio North? Not yet, but on the way…
- the team’s roster consists largely of youthful veterans, and isn’t plagued by dissension
- unlike win-now squads like Brooklyn and the Knicks, the Raptors haven’t mortgaged their future by trading first-round trade picks
And the red light?