"This iteration of the Raptors belongs to Scottie Barnes. Most importantly, Barnes has become the face of the franchise, and this is the first real chance to see what his version of the Raptors looks like in the playoffs."
"Toronto's success this season will not be measured by a championship. It will be measured by what this core shows it can build toward. If Toronto loses in four or five games and gets blown out, this run will feel like a failure."
"If Barnes can show what he looks like controlling a playoff series, he will make answering that question much easier. No one else on this roster comes close to impacting the game the way he does."
Scottie Barnes is set to lead the Toronto Raptors in his first playoff appearance, following a season where the team missed the playoffs for three consecutive years. The roster has undergone significant changes, with key players like Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet moving on. Expectations for the playoffs are tempered, focusing on competitive games rather than a championship run. The team's growth will be assessed based on the competitiveness of their playoff games, particularly how Barnes performs as the franchise's face and leader.
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