Tied for first in the Eastern Conference with a record of 8-1, the Toronto Raptors have started the 2018-19 season in record fashion. The offense is clicking, the defense is rapidly improving and the players are hustling. All in all, the team is exceeding early expectations.
Understandably, the fans are excited and are salivating at the team’s potential. Many are thinking that this is the year the Raptors finally break through and make it to the NBA Finals.
It’s always important to keep things in perspective. Here are some indisputable facts:
1) For the past five years, the Toronto Raptors, Canada’s only NBA franchise, has enjoyed consistent success in the regular season
2) The Raptors have a rabid fanbase— in Toronto, across the border and around the world— that’s passionate and full of belief, despite the team’s playoff failures
3) The team has never won an NBA championship
Nonetheless, here’s a bold opinion: The 2018-19 Toronto Raptors aren’t just going to the NBA Finals, they’re beating the Golden State Warriors and winning it all in seven games.