What is your take regarding the NOP vs Raptors? I'm going with NOP this. They practically hammering every team on their way just this preseason. Look, I know that New Orleans isn't a team that have an experience in playoffs, unlike Raptors that is a championship contender team but they have the best passer in the league and soon to be ROTY. If they can continue this chemistry they are building, I'm sure they'll be unstoppable. With the raptors, losing Kawhi is a big thing.
I'm with the Pelicans in terms of pre-season games. They are playing aggressively and we all noticed that. However, in terms of a head-to-head meetup, once the seasons commences, I will go with the Raptors. Even without Kawhi, we all noticed their evolution coming from a choked team to a well-improved team. Raptors shut down most of the top player's last playoffs especially the Greek Freek which is unstoppable not just because of Kawhi but the whole team's effort playing defense. Their defensive type of play will surely continue even without Kawhi. They stopped the monster Giannis so I'm sure they can handle well the young Zion even how athletic he is.
As for the Pelicans, there is one thing I want to follow if he will blend properly to the team, especially to Zion, and that is Brandom Ingram. I want to see if he will still pursue his desire of being the main center of the offense. As you noticed in his 3 years unsuccessful run with the Lakers, he always acts as the main man even LeBron was there. He always does that ISO thing and failed last shots during clutch even there are other players around who is uncontested. There are lots of failed selfish plays etc.
Now that Lakers traded him, I'm sure there is a sort of
"I will show Lakers how good I am" on his mind and surely he will more focus on improving his offensive phase. I just hope he is matured enough to think that he needs to let go of his pride if he saw Zion is playing good in every particular game.