The 2023-24 season has not started as the Toronto Raptors envisioned. After the Nov. 6 loss to the Miami Heat, Toronto is now 9-12.
Not an ideal start for a team looking to be in the playoff mix. After being eliminated in the Play-In Tournament last season, the Raptors opted to run it back.
Some changes were made though as Darko Rajakovic replaced championship head coach Nick Nurse. The Raptors then brought in Dennis Schroder to replace Fred VanVleet, who signed with the Houston Rockets in the summer.
While it is early, things have to turn around sooner rather than later to build winning habits. Toronto is currently the 11th seed in the conference, have lost two straight and are 4-6 in their last 10 games. Jakob Poeltl described the mood of the team thus far, via Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun:
I asked Jakob Poeltl about the mood of the Raptors right now as the losses come too frequently and mistakes pile up. “It can’t keep going the way it’s going right now. I think we all know, it’s not horrible, but it’s not up to our standards or what we expect from ourselves.”
— Ryan Wolstat (@WolstatSun) December 7, 2023
Toronto unfortunately suffered another bad loss to a Heat team that did not have Bam Adebayo or Tyler Herro. Those absences did not seem to affect Miami at all.
The Raptors look to bounce back against the Charlotte Hornets who will be without their star in LaMelo Ball.
Rajakovic doesn’t shut down idea of changing starting lineup
Now three games under .500, Toronto has to start looking for answers to pick up some wins.
Change may begin with the starting lineup as Rajakovic did not shut down the idea of tinkering with the starting five.
Have you subscribed to the Raptors Nation YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch interviews, exclusive coverage from events, participate in live shows, and more!
