It is possible to imagine the Toronto Raptors, these Toronto Raptors, playing for another championship. It would be far from easy, of course. But you can imagine them defending the hell out of other teams, reaching Milwaukee, building a wall against Giannis Antetokounmpo again, and making enough shots. That’s what these Raptors tell themselves, anyway, in this remarkable season.
“I’ve been in a position where you play great defence, and Klay Thompson is making half-court shots,” forward Serge Ibaka said before Wednesday night’s game against the Indiana Pacers. “And you cannot do nothing on that. But I see this team, and all the guys really want to play defence.