Early NBA Power Rankings For 2013-14

Apr 17, 2013; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors power forward Amir Johnson (15) during the game against the Boston Celtics at the Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Celtics 114-90. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

#20. Toronto Raptors

2012-2013: 34-48

Head Coach: Dwane Casey

Signed: Quincy Acy, DeMar DeRozan, Landry Fields, Rudy Gay, Aaron Gray, Amir Johnson, Kyle Lowry, Steve Novak, Quentin Richardson, Terrence Ross, Jonas Valanciunas

Rationale: The Raptors finished 2012-2013 with five straight wins against playoff teams. They were 18-19 overall after trading for Rudy Gay; over a whole season, that’s an eighth seed. Gay can see now, though the question remains whether he can effectively share the court (and the ball) with DeMar DeRozan. Jonas Valanciunas is an early contender for Most Improved Player, but unless he morphs into an All-NBA big, it’s hard to see the Raptors doing anything of consequence as is.