5 Things the Raptors Need to Make the Playoffs

I don't mean to shock you here, but the Toronto Raptors are only 5 games out of a playoff position. After their disastrous 4-19 start, the Raptors have gone 18-13 since and are a remarkable 6-2 since acquiring Rudy Gay. Of those last 6 wins, 4 have even come against teams currently in position to make the playoffs. So are the Raptors actually a good team? Probably not. But they're damn close!

With that in mind, and entering the true second half of the season, here are 5 things the Raps need to do to make the playoffs.

1. Maintain Defensive Consistency

This has secretly been the Raptors Achilles' heel all season. Currently, the Raps are in the top-10 in offensive efficiency, and they've been right around there all year. Defensively, it's another story. Toronto is not only 8th worst in defensive efficiency, they also allow opponents to shoot a ridiculously high 46.3% from the floor. Coach Dwane Casey is known for his defensive acumen, and he actually had the Raps defending at a relatively high level last season. But he just hasn't been able to get consistency out of his squad this year. Toronto has allowed fewer than 100 points in 7 of their last 9 games, so there's reason for some optimism here, but that trend has to continue if the Raps are going to make a playoff push.

2. Rudy Gay Needs To Get To The Rim

I'm not bashing Rudy here by any means. The Raptors are significantly better with him, so don't take this the wrong way. But seriously, the guy needs to stop settling for so many jump shots. According to Basketball Reference, Rudy hits around 57% of his shots within 3 feet of the rim, and the percentages take a dramatic dive as he gets farther away. No, he's not a get-to-the-rim-first type of player, but if he committed to it even a little bit more, his overall game would be way better. He loves that 12-15 foot pull-up jumper. What would make that shot more effective is the threat of him taking it all the way to the hoop. If defenders were a bit more worried of him going right to the bucket, he'd get way more space on those pull-ups and would become a more efficient scorer. It's a tried and true strategy: you've got to drive hard to open up the jumper. He's skilled enough to beat a lot of guys to the basket, so here's hoping we see a little more of that going forward.

Canadian Press

3. John Lucas III Needs To Hold Down The Backup Point Guard Job

While I was in on the Rudy Gay trade, my one big worry was what it meant for the point guard situation. Shipping Jose Calderon out of town essentially handed the backup point guard position to John Lucas III, a shoot-first combo guard who I never really bought into. It didn't seem like a good fit. Luckily for the Raps, Lucas has actually played some good basketball since the deal. Check out his numbers over the last 8 games: 10.2 points-per-game on 52.6% shooting (including a ridiculous 64.3% from beyond the arc), while playing just over 16 minutes-per-game. Not bad for a guy who averages under 6 points and shoots worse than 40% for his career! Surely, the field-goal percentage will drop a bit, and it'd be nice to see him rack up a few more assists (he hasn't topped the vaunted 2-assist mark since the Gay trade), but if Lucas can provide some scoring off the bench and help the second unit, the Raps are going to be in alright shape.

4. Get Some Reliable Post Scoring

This is "icing on the cake" territory. Toronto is clearly relying heavily on their wings to carry the team offensively, as the team consistently runs plays for Gay and DeMar DeRozan. Even when Alan Anderson hits the floor, he gets a ton of looks. So while the team doesn't feed the post all that often, it'd still be nice to see Amir Johnson and Jonas Valanciunas step up and get some buckets down low. During Toronto's 5-game winning streak the Johnson/ Valanciunas combo has been wildly inconsistent, scoring 25 and 28 combined points in the first two games, before slipping to 16, 5 and 13 combined over the last three. The Raptors don't need a ton of post scoring to win games, but to really be a force in the second half of the season some of the bigs need to up their game.

5. Bargnani's Gotta Go

Here we are again. I thought Bargs had to go earlier in the season, but it's even more clear to me now. He just doesn't fit with this team in any way. Hopefully general manager Bryan Colangelo can find a partner willing to take on Bargnani's big salary (Toronto would have to take some money back to be sure), and can either add some depth to the front court or find a true backup point guard by Thursday's trade deadline (sorry JL3, I know I just said you were playing alright but you're still John Lucas III...).