*Photo via USA Today Coming into this season, Kyle Lowry wanted to be in better shape so that by the time the playoffs rolled around he would be ready to lead his team on a run. Lowry delivered and came into the season in noticeably better shape, and his play to start the year has proved it. Lowry is averaging a career high 22 points per game for the 12-9 Toronto Raptors. To go along with his points per game, Lowry is also averaging 6.2 assists and 4.8 rebounds per game. His

Here’s the first edition of the OTG staff power rankings! #NBA #Rankings #NBAPowerRankings #NickDiesingFay #ChrisStewart #KoryWaldron #JoeKeller #JoeVayas #MikeRicci #JohnKim #RussellSchmidt #MaxRusso

*Photo via vhio The Toronto Raptors are off to a solid start this season with a record of 6-3. One reason for their early season sucess is their improved defense. Through the first nine games of this NBA season the Raptors rank 8th in opponents points allowed, which is a major improvement from last year’s team. This past summer, General Manager Masai Ujiri had one major goal; to improve the team’s defense. He did this by bringing in players like DeMarre Carroll, Bismack Biyom

Boston Celtics – Last Season Wasn’t Luck. *Photo via Getty Images The Boston Celtics didn’t add any huge free agents this offseason, which has led them to be overlooked as a playoff team in the newly improved Eastern Conference. But the Celtics have a talented 5’9” point guard coming off the bench: the soon-to-be 2015-16 Sixth Man of the Year, Isaiah Thomas. The C’s will go as far as Thomas can take them. This team will be defined by his success as a leader on and off the cou

The internet has a way of turning everyday moments into legend, and there is no exception during the NBA season. Meme’s have become a pop culture phenomenon and some of the most liked, retweeted and shared posts on the internet. Now I know the NBA does a great job holding press conferences and handing out big trophies for deserving players. Even the NBPA wanted to get fancy and hand out their “Players Awards” on BET (guess they weren’t that fancy). With everyone seemingly giv

*Photo via USA Today For years, Reggie Jackson was labeled a capable backup point guard with scoring ability who flashed star power. There was one problem however; he was stuck behind one of the best point guards in the NBA, Russell Westbrook. Jackson, an obvious talent, just needed an opportunity to turn those flashes into full-fledged stardom. Enter, DEEEEETROOOIT BASKETBAAAAAALL. The Detroit Pistons, who have always had the names to be a playoff team in the Eastern Confere

*Photo via AP After a disappointing end to the 2015 season, the Toronto Raptors have been fairly active so far as this off-season. There main goal was to get back to a defensive mindset and they aided that by adding defensive minded players like Demarre Carroll, Corey Joseph, Bismack Biyombo and Delon Wright. It’s safe to say that the Raptors are taking steps in the right direction, but what do they have to do additionally to become serious title contenders? In an Eastern Con