Let’s face it – when it comes to basketball, the main goal is getting that ball into the basket. And for the most part this season, the Toronto Raptors have been, well, kind of terrible at it. It’s not like nobody’s talking about it; we’ve all had those conversations. It’s just that accepting the reality of it has taken some time. And while we’ve heard all the excuses – pre-season, early days, injuries – it seems the Raptors are simply struggling with, um, being the Raptors.

But wait! There’s hope, folks! Raptors head coach Nick Nurse is all about the optimism, at least when it comes to talking about the Raptors’ shooting. In fact, he makes it sound like a turnaround is just around the corner. While they’ve had a solid 17-11 record over the past couple of months, it’s the shot-making that needs a bit of a boost. Sure, they’re creating some good shots, but it seems there’s still plenty of room for improvement.

I don’t want to rain on anyone’s parade, but it’s worth mentioning that just after Nurse’s comments, his team went on to lose against Boston, with a measly 6-of-33 from deep and 41.1 per cent overall. Ouch. So, how did the rematch go, you ask? Well, more of the same (only worse, somehow), resulting in a 121-102 loss and dropping Toronto to a 40-41 record this season. Slim chances of overtaking Atlanta for the No. 8 seed, officially spoiled.

Now, for some certainty: The ninth-place Raptors will face off against old friend DeMar DeRozan and the 10th-place Chicago Bulls in the first play-in tournament game in franchise history. Should they win, they’ll need another victory to secure the eighth and final playoff spot, and from there, it’s a seven-game series against the first-place Milwaukee Bucks. Easy peasy, right?

In all seriousness, the Raptors have actually been a strong defensive team since the all-star break. Their main issue? You guessed it – shooting. While they’ve had their ups and downs this season, they do have room to improve right across the board. And though they’re good at generating shots, it’s time for them to start sinking them.

After all, it’s much easier to win games when you can score. With 81 games down and the same story playing out, it’s clear that the Raptors have some work to do. So here’s to hoping that Coach Nurse’s optimism turns into a reality, and the Raptors finally find their shooting groove. Because if there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that Toronto could use a win.