Same sentiments and which i do fully agree.Why would say that they arent performing the same neither have or doesnt have Kawhi into their team?
You can really see their perseverance on each play and as said they are top 2 in the East and still saying that they arent minding much or do perform well
on regular season? Its somewhat contradictory i shall say.
Raptors cared more about the regular season this season compared to last year IMO because they are in a mission to prove that they are still a great team even without their best player, last year, they are struggling when Leaonard is under "load management" so they are more reliant on Leonard that time but this time, they are better as a team as everyone are scoring.
Exactly, and fore sure everyone noticed that this year, they are playing as if nothing had happened to the team. Of course, Kawhi has departed, but they are still performing very strong with Siakam (new contract worth hundreds of millions) and Fred VanVleet also playing very well.
Even the NBA media is so quiet about it, we won't heard anything from the Kawhi departure, so it means that no one from the Raptors players and management are affected, if they are, they look at the bright side (winning a championship with Kawhi).