Title: Raptors 905 Report: Playoff streak, next-man-up culture still strong in G League bubble
Date: March 6, 2021
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis: In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, I wrapped up their regular season with a look at what’s driven their success, potential award winners, and more.
In their inaugural 2015-16 season, Raptors 905 finished 23-27, five games out of a playoff spot.
That did not make it an unsuccessful season. Getting the team off the ground was important, and finding serious playing time for Bruno Caboclo and a handful of other assignees was paramount to the team’s long-term developmental strategy. They also saw multiple non-Raptors earn NBA call-ups and, if that weren’t progress enough, they won seven of their last eight games.
The momentum carried. The 905 won the championship in just their second season, made it back to the finals the following year and got to the second round in 2018-19. Last year, the season stopping short ended a 9-2 stretch of play that had vaulted the 905 back into — you guessed it — a playoff position. A shortened, compressed and quarantined 2020-21 season would not allow the 905 to break from their identity. Amid the usual turmoil of injuries, callups and transactions, the 905 have dominated.
Blake Murphy Sports Writing 