Take a Shot for Me: Previewing the Raptors' Season Using Drake Songs

This might sound strange, but the Toronto Raptors were a pretty good basketball team for a solid chunk of last season. Sure, it all went to shit after the All-Star break, but there were some really good times before that. The team started quick out of the gates, and even led the Eastern Conference for a bit. Hell, they didn't miss a beat when DeMar DeRozan was injured.

Much of this can be attributed to the form of Kyle Lowry Hashtag NBA Ballot (sidenote: is that his legal name now?). Lowry, of course, carried the team during DeRozan's absence, and was rewarded with his first All-Star Game start. The team set a franchise record for wins and, oh yeah, Lou Williams picked up a Sixth Man of the Year Award.

While images of Drew Gooden spotting up from deep, John Wall blazing past Lowry, and Paul Pierce being Paul Pierce remain on the minds of fans, we at VICE Sports prefer to look on the bright side. With all due respect to Nav Bhatia, no fan of the Raptors shines brighter than Drake.

Drake, the most popular rapper on planet Earth, is a fan and employee of this team. He's the most recognizable face in the crowd whenever he attends a game, and (regardless of what you think about him) he's had a pivotal role in the evolution of the Raptors.

Season previews around this time of year result in overkill, so we decided to preview the Raptors' season the only way that made sense—by using Drake songs.

Have you heard about the new and improved Lowry?! He's skinny! It might have appeared in a couple of… headlines. Lowry's transformation has become one of the preseason talking points not only in Toronto, but around the league.

The transformation came after Lowry had a miserable playoffs, which only became more evident when he couldn't keep up with a younger, faster player in Wall. "I had someone tell me I fell off, ooh I needed that / And they wanna see me pick back up, well, where'd I leave it at?"

DeRozan, the longest tenured Raptor, works extremely hard at his craft. Despite spending time on some awful teams during his formative years, the Raptors' swingman adds new facets to his game every year and consistently improves."I was trying to get it on my own / Working all night, traffic on the way home." The ninth overall pick of the 2009 draft, DeRozan was taken after notable busts Hasheem Thabeet and Jonny Flynn. Fast forward to 2015, and he's entering a contract year right as the salary cap is set to explode. "I just think it's funny how it goes / Now I'm on the road, half a million for a show."

There were bigger names than DeMarre Carroll in free agency this past summer, but the Raptors targeted the swingman because he filled an obvious need. "All the girls, they got attention / But I just always feel like they're in need of something you got." A prototypical 3-and-D wing, Carroll's ability to hit open shots and defend the other team's best perimeter player is going to be very valuable to the Raptors. After all, when you give a guy $58 million, you better hope he shuts it down.

Veteran big man Luis Scola appears to have beaten out Patrick Patterson for the starting power forward position. He's seen it all at multiple levels, and is a welcome presence in the locker room. "I've been everywhere / where you know me from?" The oldest player on the roster, Scola's ability to do the little things should bring stability to a starting lineup full of scorers. "Am I down, am I down? / Yeah, I'm all the way down / We'll be fine."

"Fuck being on some chill shit," because Jonas Valanciunas is poised to break out. The lumbering Lithuanian received a shiny new contract extension this summer, but it was given to him with the hope that he would continue to improve his game on both sides of the floor. "I'm on some Raptors pay my bills shit." Simply put, his contribution HAS to go from 0 to 100, real quick. A combination of more touches, Amir Johnson's departure, and actually playing in the fourth quarter should allow that to happen.

Will the Raptors sign Terrence Ross to a contract extension before the November 2 deadline? "Hoping for a check again, ain't no tellin'." Will the fourth-year swingman adapt to his new role as the team's primary scorer off the bench? Again, "ain't no tellin'." Does his shy personality (and general propensity to settle for jump shots, instead of driving to the basket) prevent him from fulfilling his potential? "They think I'm soft, think I'm innocent." Perhaps it's time to find out if he's either that Ross from four years ago, or if he's at a higher place.

As of a few weeks ago, Patrick Patterson was the nominal favourite to take the starting power forward position. "Are we still good? Are we still good?" He responded by going out and having a wretched preseason, averaging 3.0 points and 2.1 rebounds per game. Suffice to say, Scola is likely starting the season opener. "Who is your replacement? Are we still good? Are we still good?"

What can Raptors fans expect out of new signing Bismack Biyombo, a seemingly no-nonsense big man who legitimately enjoys defending and rebounding against opposing frontcourts? "I'm quiet with it, I just ride with it / Moment I stop having fun with it, I'll be done with it." Toronto fans have a history of appreciating blue-collar players, so they should take warmly to Biyombo. "I'm the only one that's putting shots up / And like a potluck, you need to come with it."

Whether it's cocking that joint back and banging on Andre Drummond or his undefeated MMA career, James Johnson embodies "5 AM in Toronto." "Damn, this shit could go on a tape / Bitches loving my drive, I never give it a break." Despite impressing in short spells last season, Johnson found himself out of the rotation for long stretches, including during the playoffs. "A couple albums dropped, those are still on the shelf / I bet them shits would have popped if I was willing to help." With Carroll in town and Ross coming off the bench, he probably figures he'll see even less time. Could his expiring deal be trade bait this season? "Coming live from the screw face / livin' out a suitcase."

The former No. 1 overall pick is on his third team in as many seasons, and time is running out. The Brampton native hasn't lived up to expectations, and is hoping to rebuild his career by coming home. Toronto had nothing to lose by signing Bennett and, at the very least, he can help fill up seats in Mississauga and star for the Raptors 905. "I know exactly who you could be."

The Brazilian Kevin Durant isn't close to being a final product, and his raw tools will get the chance to further develop in the D-League this year. "And fans of this freshman is about to get iffy / While this young'n that you doubted is about to get busy." The "two years away from being two years away" tag will take a while for Caboclo to shed, but he's been working hard on and off the court to improve himself. "I just wanna be, I just wanna be successful."

Bebe and Bruno could have their own reality show. The Raptors' Brazilian duo's bromance knows no bounds and it's clear they enjoy each other's company. Bebe is three years older, so one imagines that he looks out for Bruno. "I be there for you / I'll take care of you."

Where is Delon Wright? No, seriously, where the hell is he? That's a sentiment that will be frequently expressed this year, as Wright isn't expected to see much playing time. Now if only he could dance like DJ Esco…