Nothin' But Nets
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NBA: Preseason Ranking for the Eastern Conference

By Tj Porreca

Mar 17, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) is defended by Chicago Bulls forward Taj Gibson (22) during the second half at the United Center. Chicago won 118-102. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) is defended by Chicago Bulls forward Taj Gibson (22) during the second half at the United Center. Chicago won 118-102. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 11, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) celebrates his basket with point guard Cory Joseph (6) and point guard Kyle Lowry (7) against the Miami Heat in game five of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Heat 99-91. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
May 11, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) celebrates his basket with point guard Cory Joseph (6) and point guard Kyle Lowry (7) against the Miami Heat in game five of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Heat 99-91. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Toronto Raptors

Can Toronto duplicate their stellar season from a year ago?

That is the question that will be answered throughout the course of the 2016-17 season.

The Raptors are coming off a season in which they nearly got the No. 1 seed in the East. Toronto, at 56-26, trailed the Cleveland Cavaliers by just 1 game at the end of the regular season.

Toronto then hit the floor running for the playoffs, making it all the way to the Eastern Conference finals. It’s easy to forget now, but there was a time when it looked like the Raptors might knock off the Cavaliers. Cleveland, of course, went on to win the series in six games, and win the championship. But Toronto had an unprecedented season for their franchise, and they will now look to build on it this season.

Toronto re-signed DeMar DeRozan, and has Kyle Lowry locked up as well. The duo were both recently part of Team USA’s gold medal team. Playing alongside some of the top players in the NBA, Lowry and DeRozan surely gained invaluable experience from the Olympics.

Now, the Raptors will hope to get to where Cleveland was last season. It’s a lofty goal given Cleveland’s dominance of the conference since LeBron James returned, but Toronto nearly made it happen last season.

Next: No. 2