Sask. hockey player resting at home after neck slashed by skate
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'Considering the circumstances ... this is best-case scenario,' Cole Cusitar said.
Despite trading away the best player in their franchise’s history, this might be that long-awaited miraculous year for the Toronto Raptors.
Wherever basketball is discussed the question is being asked: Are the Raptors the best team in the NBA?
After back-to-back victories to open their four-game, west-coast road trip — despite missing their new, best player, Kawhi Leonard — there’s a buzz around Canada’s lone NBA team. Paced by veteran guard Kyle Lowry they beat the reigning champs by 20 points in Golden State. Warriors star Kevin Durant said afterwards the Raptors were a perfect blend of youth and experience and that they were now among the league’s best teams. The Raps lost big man Jonas Valanciunas for four weeks with a dislocated thumb, but Leonard should be back soon.
With superstar LeBron James moving from Cleveland to Los Angeles, the Raptors have an easier path through the East playoffs and no longer have to rely on Demar DeRozan, the fan favourite and inconsistent star who was dealt for Leonard. Leonard’s a great player, but the Raptors have won seven of eight games when he’s not in the lineup. Sounds miraculous.