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Leading up to the start of the 2014-15 season, we'll be asking 20 questions about the team. Some of them more serious than others. All of them hopefully interesting or at least enough to spark a meaningful discussion. After hours of brainstorming, we came up with a perfect name for these articles, we're calling them 20Q's.
Who will be the Raptors' MVP this season?
Harsh Dave:
I wouldn't have a problem with Jonas Valanciunas, DeMar DeRozan or Kyle Lowry here. JV's role should increase this season, and DeRozan's ascension to All-Star status has been well documented. However, Lowry's production and leadership win out for me. He's a tough defender, the best at creating offence off the bounce on this team, and hopefully a deserving All-Star this season.
Mitch Robson:
Yes, it's the stereotypical answer but Team MVP is Kyle Lowry. He's the leader that holds this squad together on and off the floor and puts all the pieces together in-game.
Chris Walder:
The Toronto Raptors will go as far as Kyle Lowry takes them. Doubters will be in for a rude awakening if they truly believe that Lowry's remarkable 2013-14 turnaround was merely a result of it being a contract year. He'll be in All-Star conversations once again, even with the likes of Derrick Rose and Rajon Rondo healthy and back in the mix.
James Park:
The Raptors MVP this season will be none other than Kyle Lowry. DeRozan will continue to grow, but for the first time in his career Lowry genuinely feels wanted. He'll be motivated to prove that last year was not merely a contract year anomaly, but a true measure of his abilities.
Joshua Santos:
The Raptors MVP this year will be Kyle Lowry. Coming off an historic season when expectations are at an all-time high to make it to the second round of the playoffs, Lowry will be player who gets them there.
What will the Raptors regular season record and place be?
Harsh Dave:
48-34, 3rd in the East behind Cleveland and Chicago
Mitch Robson:
Repeat as Atlantic division champs, remain at third in the East behind the Cleveland Cavaliers and Chicago Bulls. And I foresee a slight improvement on last year's win total with the team ending up at 52-30.
Chris Walder:
51-31. Third in Eastern Conference with a second-straight Atlantic Division title.
James Park:
47-35, 1st in Atlantic, 3rd in Eastern Conference
Joshua Santos:
The Raptors regular season record will be 62-20. As daunting as it seems, they will exceed expectations and smash records in the process.
How far will the Raptors season go?
Harsh Dave:
Lose in the 2nd round to Chicago in six games, after defeating Miami in a 7-game first round series.
Mitch Robson:
After advancing through the first round with a 4-2 series defeat of the Charlotte Hornets, the Raptors' second round matchup will be a brutal fight against the Bulls. The Raps will fall in a 7-game series to set up a Cavs-Bulls Eastern Conference Final.
Chris Walder:
A first round series victory over the Atlanta Hawks in six games before ultimately losing in the Eastern Conference semi-finals to the Chicago Bulls in six.
James Park:
A valiant effort will be to no avail as the Raptors lose in the 2nd round to the Chicago Bulls. The good news is, they'll make it to that series by beating the Atlanta Hawks in 6. Damn you, Pau.
Joshua Santos:
The Raptors will go to the second round of the playoffs. The Dinos will play Indiana in the first round. After that, they'll advance to meet the fearsome Chicago Bulls in the second round. The Raptors will take them to the limit, but ultimately lose.
What Raptors-Drake related product would you like to see this year?
Harsh Dave:
He already got fined for shouting out Kevin Durant, right? Just run with it now. Be slick and change the name to "Melvin Grant Bobblehead Day." Market it as an ode to a randomly selected fan. The Bobblehead could look JUST enough like KD so it's evident that it's him, but not enough to get fined. MELVIN GRANT 2016!
Mitch Robson:
With Drake rebranding Toronto as "The 6", all I can do is hope for that to be printed across a sweet, new alternate jersey.
Chris Walder:
Drizzy Cheeze Whiz. It's the best you've ever had.
James Park:
Please, please, please roll out the Drake (Foam) Hands. Please? For those unfamiliar with "Drake Hands", just watch.
Joshua Santos:
The next Drake-Raptors product will be a gold plated OvOxRaptors Chain. A limit edition run, these massive chains - think Flavor Flav -- will be featured on Drake Night. The chain will feature the signature OVO Owl on one side and the Raptor on the other.