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Meanwhile, under everyone's radar, Toronto is developing a second unit that could very well (finally) push the team to the next level. They're athletic and exciting, with a real sting to the defence. Two of the third-year players the Raps have been grooming for the past two years are turning into solid contributors (Norman Powell and Delon Wright), and this year's rookie, OG Anunoby, is looking like a stud of a power forward, but with three-point shooting in his arsenal. Not to mention Jakob Poeltl, a smart Austrian 7-footer showing some surprising shot-blocking athleticism.
It's gotta be the Raptors back in the conference finals with Cleveland this year if DeRozan keeps playing his game and Lowry stays healthy and doesn't get worn down. Boston was over-hyped even with Hayward and Kyrie in the line-up, but now with Hayward out they're a one-series-and-done playoff team. Cleveland and Toronto are known quantities expected to go deep into the playoffs, but the really intriguing teams will be Milwaukee and Washington. Will be fascinating to see what they do, including whether the Greek Freak fulfills the expectations that everyone is heaping on him this season.
The West is boring save for OKC.
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