It's a new season, but the objective is still the same for the Toronto Raptors. What we saw from the Dinos after opening week was a mix of old habits and new faces. Toronto got off to a slow start against the Pacers, but managed to take the lead in the second half (sound familiar?) and never looked back.

The goal this year is not only to win a third consecutive Atlantic division title, but to actually get out of the first round for the second time in franchise history. The team fought hard to fix the issue and get past the hump in the offseason, with a real bench overhaul that gives Toronto a deeper and more talented second unit.

Gone are the likes of Chuck Hayes, an undersized big man who struggled to contribute on the offensive end, Greivis Vasquez, a fan favourite but trigger-happy guard, and reigning Sixth Man of the Year Lou Williams. In come Bismack Biyombo, Luis Scola and hometown guard Cory Joseph, all with specific roles for the Raptors.

View photos The Vertical's Senior Writer Chris Mannix and Front Office Insider Bobby Marks dive deep into Toronto's conundrum with an ailing DeMarre Carroll, Minnesota's management woes heading into the off-season and Jimmy Butler's future in Chicago. More

DeMarre Carroll is in town to be the team's lockdown defender, as evidenced by his shadowing of Paul George in the season opener, which is something the Raptors were sorely missing in their past two playoff runs. Carroll held his own against George, forcing him to take bad contested shots all game. George finished shooting 4-17 from the floor, and was forced to contribute in other areas. Carroll is also expected to contribute on offense, whether it's knocking down a corner three or taking it hard to the hoop. He showed he was capable of that role last season and especially in the playoffs. His versatility to play both forward spots also allows the Raptors to go small and to counter opposing small-ball teams, which has become a trend in the NBA after the Warriors thrived last season.

Cory Joseph possesses the only championship pedigree on this team and is slated to take over Vasquez's role off the bench. He's been there, he's made the playoffs every year he's been in the league and he's won multiple first round playoff series. He'll even take over for Lou Williams as the player most mentioned in Drake's songs.

Luis Scola brings some veteran leadership to the squad as the team's only 30-year old. Head coach Dwane Casey's decision to slide him in the starting lineup in Amir Johsnon's role is a good fit next to Valanciunas' game. Scola knows who he is and what he brings to the table, and won't be making many poor decisions night in and night out.

Bismack Biyombo might just be one of the most under-the-radar signings of the offseason. A former top-10 pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, Biyombo still has all the defensive potential in the world. He was stuck in a Charlotte program that has been loading up on big men for the past few years (Biyombo, Zeller, Vonleh, Kaminsky), and eventually got filtered out of the team. He was always a project to begin with, and the Raptors scooped him up to be a defensive stalwart when Jonas Valanciunas takes a breather. While he fouled out against the Pacers, Biyombo contributed nicely on both ends of the floor.

View photos Indiana Pacers' Jordan Hill comes under pressure from Toronto Raptors' Jonas Valanciunas during first-half NBA basketball game action in Toronto, Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2015. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT More

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