As Kyle Lowry fought through the defensive coordination of Deron Williams and the monumental presence of Kevin Garnett, it was almost obvious that he would successfully bring the Toronto Raptors past the Brooklyn Nets and into the Eastern Conference Semifinals. After all, the entire country had laid out their heart and souls on him to deliver miracles even when all seemed to be already long gone. Sadly, the most obvious outcomes–especially those that are the most desirable–can be undermined.

Be it through poor judgment, ignorant assumption, or even luck of the draw, what begins as an expected success can easily conclude as an unexpected defeat.

As Lowry struggled and weaved through the Brooklyn defense, he tossed up the basketball in a last-second attempt to seal the Raptors’ position in the next round. However, like the dinosaurs they passionately embellish, the Toronto Raptors quickly saw their world burn up in flames. There was no way of adjustment or escape, as the meteor that came crashing into the orange rock proved what the men in red-and-white attempted to avoid all along: the truth hurts.

But the pain of the truth equals the constructive capacity that it brings along with it. With this in mind, the unexpected defeat becomes a catalyst to better prepare and adjust for expected success. Although the Toronto Raptors have been eliminated from playoff contention, it is valuable to reflect on where this team has come from through three momentous photographs of their (pre)historic 2013/2014 season:

1. The impact of forward Rudy Gay being traded to the Sacramento Kings.

This involved number 22 himself, center Aaron Grey, and forward Quincy Acy being sent to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for guard Greivis Vasquez, center Chuck Hayes, forward Patrick Patterson, and forward John Salmons. What at first seemed like a peculiar change proved to be something far greater, as the Raptors went on to have a near-impeccable season after the trade was completed. As seen in the photograph above, the crater left behind by the dispatched middleman was instantaneously rectified by those who were originally by his side: Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan. Finishing third in the Eastern Conference (although not being a definite reason for triumph due to the deficiencies of many of the eastern squads) gave the Raptors a reason to be proud for their refined chemistry, which goes to show that a few shuffled pieces can shift aspirations away from undermined presets.

2. The budding camaraderie between Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan.

With both the heading and the photograph in conjunction, there is almost no need to explore this further. However, like the bond that has grown between Lowry and DeRozan, friendship is one of the most under-appreciated factors in team chemistry. Any player can pass the ball, and any player can shoot the ball, but it takes two–or even three, four, five, and counting–to understand and recognize what it means to truly be successful. Although winning a championship is the prime determination for any player in the National Basketball Association, the unity between Lowry and DeRozan shows that the best awards don’t always come from playoff victories. Not only does this reflect in the unified passion of the Air Canada Centre, but it also signifies the beauty of the Toronto Raptors as both a professional basketball team and a group of chums that can defy any incoming threat with the power of amity.

3. The rise and fall of the Toronto Raptors in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, Game 7.

As mentioned previously, many factors can attribute to a difficult loss, such as ignorance, assumption, and luck. In the case of the incredibly close Game 7 between the Toronto Raptors and the Brooklyn Nets, each of these can be recognized as variables in how the game played out to the final one-point Raptor deficit. However, as the photograph illustrates, the ending result was as unchangeable as it was devastating. Paul Pierce rejected Kyle Lowry’s final attempt, which sent Lowry to the hardwood bedazzled and heartbroken. Although the Toronto Raptors had an impressive team foundation throughout the year, it was this final play that revealed how valuable Kyle Lowry was to the team and to us in the north. His pending, passive state with DeRozan kneeling over him echoed something of a baptism, with Lowry being recognized of his efforts and relinquished of his blunder. As a leader, a companion, and a labourer, Kyle Lowry is not a one-man team as many seem to believe, but rather, he is the defier of ignorance, assumption and luck. With the proper moves, the proper comrades, and the proper defeats, Lowry will lead the Raptors to defy the odds and reach expected success.

And that is exactly why I watch basketball. A meteor collision will always bring an inevitable outcome, but the Toronto Raptors are just beginning to paint their own picture (or as I like to call it, a “rapture”) as to how their desire and expectance will coincide with the sheer impact that they have just experienced.