The Toronto Raptors are facing a very difficult reality.
For the second season in a row, they were eliminated by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the playoffs. Last year they reached the Eastern Conference Finals and sent the series to six games before being eliminated. This year they met the Cavs in the second round and were swept.
Talking following the sweep, Raptors star DeMar DeRozan put matters pretty bluntly, stating that if they had LeBron James on their side, they would have swept.
DeMar DeRozan after Cavaliers swept Raptors: "If we had LeBron on our team, too, we woulda won." pic.twitter.com/UEgukLJm1S
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) May 7, 2017
The comment was said tongue-in-cheek in response to a “what if” question.
This was said tongue in cheek, responding to a "what if" question, by the way.
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) May 8, 2017
Raptors coach Dwane Casey shared a similar sentiment, saying that LeBron “was the difference” in the series.
Casey on LeBron: "Anytime you have number 23 you can flip any switch you want. He was the difference. They did flip a switch"
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) May 7, 2017
The truth is they’re right.
James has been spectacular in the postseason while his Cavs have gone 8-0. LeBron averaged 36 points on 57.3 percent shooting, 8.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1 block and 1.3 steals per game against the Raptors. He was on such cruise control that he even faked drinking a beer.
Between his time in Miami and now Cleveland, James has reached six straight NBA Finals and is looking to make it seven. That means if you want a shot at a ring in the East, your best chance is by teaming up with James rather than going against him. That’s what has to be so frustrating for the Raptors.
