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TSN Basketball Analyst

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Five (well, seven this week) quick hoops thoughts as the NBA season kicks off this week.

1. JARED SULLINGER (Raptors): A significant blow to the early season prospects for this team that had hoped to continue its rise from last season.  When you consider the departure of Luis Scola, James Johnson and Bismack Biyombo and now this injury, the Raptors don't have an abundance of guys with a proven consistent professional track record. I understand that none of them were stars, but they all had some degree of experience that helps a whole lot. The margin of error is a little slimmer, but it can be overcome.  I don't want to hear the nonsense about reducing Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan's minutes. The job is to play and to win games - plain and simple. With that slimmer margin, it's ludicrous for anyone to even bring that up right now. Bottom line, Lowry and DeRozan will need Cory Joseph, Terrence Ross, Jonas Valanciunas, Patrick Patterson and DeMarre Carroll to be at their very best early on to weather this storm. The roster has seven players that are relatively young and unproven with Norman Powell (I'm a fan) being the most promising of the group.  That's a lot of pressure, but I've always been impressed with the patience and confidence that Masai Ujiri shows in his players and the ability of Dwane Casey to find a way to adapt and adjust somehow and someway. Sometimes, adversity brings out the best in folks and provides an opportunity for growth later in the season.  Buckle in.

2. RAPTORS (50-32,3rd in the East): I'm staying on the bandwagon and feel confident that they'll find a way to play at a high level in the East. Very difficult to expect them to finish with 56-plus wins, but they've been very good the past three seasons, winning 48, 49 and 56 games. This season, I see them taking a very small step back yet will be right in the mix come springtime if they can stay healthy. Love their leadership, management, coaching and guard play. I do worry about their depth and overall experience. It's about improving through the season and peaking in mid-April. It might be a trade deadline deal to get this team back deep into the Eastern Conference Finals again. Other clubs are improving. Keep an eye on Ross and Jonas Valanciunas – it’s their time. The organization has invested time, minutes, energy, development resources, faith and contract extensions in both of these guys. And it’s time for that investment to come to full fruition this season. If it does, the Raptors will be playing deep into the spring.  Lowry and DeRozan need guys around them to be consistent producers to take some pressure off of them.  Both of these guys need to be ready to provide them that much needed help.

3. DEMARRE CARROLL (Raptors): I loved this signing last year. Unfortunately, we didn't get a chance to see him close to being healthy last season. They really need him out on the court consistently and right. With Sullinger hurt for a while, his versatility at the 3/4 spots will be crucial on some nights. James Johnson quietly gave them some decent play when Carroll was banged up. It will be interesting to see if they can match up with folks with a big 3 and stretch 4 who can hurt you. Carroll's presence and Patrick Patterson's ability to do that are huge. Pascal Siakim is a good get, but patience will be needed. And your veterans have to be there for you.  I really liked Drew Crawford and felt bad that there was no room for him. He could give you what James Johnson provided as a backup.  Pretty soon, a guy like Bruno Caboclo who has similar size is going to have to give you something. In the meantime, they really need Carroll at his best.    

        

4. EAST CHAMPS: (Cavs over Celtics): I love the pickup of Al Horford for Boston. They'll be in the hunt, but the Cavs have the main guy in LeBron James. Don't ever count them out. 

5. WEST CHAMPS (Warriors over Clippers): I think Doc Rivers’ crew will finally break through and get to the West Finals. There’s too much at stake there in the short term.  The Warriors are the best team in the NBA and will rule the West - they have too much firepower. They'll give up more points than they have the past few years but good luck trying to match them for 120 points on some nights.            

6. DON'T SLEEP ON THESE GUYS (Jazz and Pacers): Both teams got better in the off-season and are ready to make noise. The Pacers have Jeff Teague, Thaddeus Young and Al Jefferson with a fully healthy Paul George and improving Myles Turner. The Jazz have George Hill, Boris Diaw and Joe Johnson to give them veteran experience. I love Rudy Gobert, while Rodney Hood is an emerging player. Also, youngsters Trey Lyles and Dante Exum are ready to take another step.  Don't sleep on these teams.

7. NBA CHAMPS (Warriors over Cavs): It will be Round 3 between these two team in the Finals and this time Draymond Green won't be foolish enough to get suspended for a critical game.  And that Kevin Durant guy can play a little bit. Steph Curry and Klay Thompson are wonderful - they'll be tough to beat.