Ten games into the season, Toronto still has its championship level confidence.
Last year, without Kawhi, the Raptors were 17-5 in his 22 load management games, which seems less fluky this year by the game. They’re 7-3 so far, which includes a win against the Lakers in L.A., and are currently tied (with four teams) for second place in the East.
Who’s got the magic sauce?
Pascal Siakam, or, according to Marc Stein’s iPhone, Paskal Shaka. He’s playing at a career-high level, averaging a team-high 26 points, 9.5 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game, validating his four-year $130 million extension he signed this offseason. He’s also getting 77.4 touches per game -- 18th in the league -- compared to only 59.1 a game last year.
Fred VanVleet is averaging 15.8 points and 7.7 assists per game, both career highs.
Kyle Lowry’s shooting, scoring and touches are all way up from last season, though he’ll miss a few weeks with a fractured thumb.
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