At this rate, the Raptors appear hellbent on making one thing absolutely, positively clear: they will not brook any Power Rankings bullshit. At 12-1, riding a six-game win streak, and looking (casually!) like the best team in the Eastern Conference, why not? Why shouldn’t they feel this way?
There are reasons to be concerned, of course. The Raptors have been an historically good team during the regular season (for the past five years), and then given way in the playoffs. Sure, yes, feel nervous about that. Their immediate rivals are improving, some through dramatic trades for Jimmy Butler, of which remain nonplussed.