NBA Toronto Raptors thread

[justafan22]

I think they give next year a run with lebron gone, and if they can't win, then next offseason the trades happen.

 

[Ivan13]

I see no way in which they can match up with a healthy Celts squad. Philly I'm not sure about, they are still a question mark to me, trending upward, but I assume they will show some growing pains next season as they won't be a "come out of nowhere feel-good story" anymore.

 

[justafan22]

I see no way in which they can match up with a healthy Celts squad. Philly I'm not sure about, they are still a question mark to me, trending upward, but I assume they will show some growing pains next season as they won't be a "come out of nowhere feel-good story" anymore.

they're tied for the 2nd best team in the east right now. No one else is as good as them, and this even giving philly some credit. That's why the kawhi rumors might make some sense. They have a chance with him to beat a healthy celtics team

 

[robertmac43]

Hmmmm.

 

[Avs_19]

Hmmmm.

That would be an interesting move. When Zach Lowe was asked where Kawhi will go he guessed the Raptors and they're the betting favourite on at least one site now. Those two things might go hand in hand and the odds could've shifted after Lowe's comments but I believe it was just a complete guess on his part and not a sourced report.

I'm not sure what a trade would look like but if all it cost was something like DeRozan, Anunoby, and a 1st then I'd do it. I really like Anunoby and think it's a big risk but we're talking about a top three NBA player if healthy. You're likely blowing it up in two years anyways when Lowry, DeRozan, Ibaka, and JV all come off the books.

 

[Five Alarm Fire]

Hmmmm.

As a Raptors fan, I really hope this doesn't happen. Kawhi is going to drag his feet on any team he's traded to and then walk. I'd rather protect guys like OG, FVV than take such a high risk.

I still can't believe the circus he's become. It feels totally uncharacteristic of him. Makes me think his uncle/agent are the ones driving this.

 

[Dr Pepper]

Looks like we're starting a new era in Toronto.

 

[Stylizer1]

Looks like we're starting a new era in Toronto.

I think if Toronto has a really good season and Khawi actually gives Toronto a chance he might like the situation more. His chemistry with the team will ultimately determine if he stays.

 

[Stylizer1]

The Raptors have never had as deep of a team as they have now. The issue I have is lack of specialists. They don't have a 3 point specialist, nor a rebounder you can consistently get you 10-15 boards a night, or an elite defensive guy. At some point the bench is going to be shortened and then there will be more focus on guys who lack big game experience. This is why I maintain that DeRozan has to raise his game as does Lowry and so far they haven't.

Bump.

 

[Stylizer1]

Kevin Durant is going to come to Toronto after next season and team up with Khawi. Weed will be legal and Durant will be in heaven.

 

[le_sean]

Kevin Durant is going to come to Toronto after next season and team up with Khawi. Weed will be legal and Durant will be in heaven.

It’s legal in California.

 

[Stylizer1]

It’s legal in California.

Sure but is there any challenge left playing for GS? Do you think he wants to play there for the rest of his career even when another team emerges as the new favorite? Travel is a lot easiser playing in the east because the majority of teams are in a small area.

 

[Glenn Isildur Healy]

If KD leaves Golden State, he's going back to OKC

 

[Dr Pepper]

I say he goes to Cleveland.

Hell, by the time Durant leaves Golden State, Seattle might have another team. Imagine how perfect that'd be.

 

[c9777666]

With all due respect to the Celtics and Sixers...... I don’t think Toronto is scared of those guys.

There’s only one boogeyman for the Raptors and he is not in the East anymore.

I mean, with LeBron gone and a new world in the East, you really think Toronto is going to be shaking in their boots at Embiid/Simmons or a Celtics team they have matched up well against recently? I doubt it.

Plus, considering how Toronto last year matched up well with the Rockets (2-0) and held their own against Golden State (combined margin of those games- under 10 points)

If the Pacers had KO’d Cleveland, Casey still had a job and Toronto would have played GSW in the Finals.

There is no fear factor in the East anymore with you know who gone.

 

[Stylizer1]

With all due respect to the Celtics and Sixers...... I don’t think Toronto is scared of those guys.

There’s only one boogeyman for the Raptors and he is not in the East anymore.

I mean, with LeBron gone and a new world in the East, you really think Toronto is going to be shaking in their boots at Embiid/Simmons or a Celtics team they have matched up well against recently? I doubt it.

Plus, considering how Toronto last year matched up well with the Rockets (2-0) and held their own against Golden State (combined margin of those games- under 10 points)

If the Pacers had KO’d Cleveland, Casey still had a job and Toronto would have played GSW in the Finals.

There is no fear factor in the East anymore with you know who gone.

You are the king of wishful thinking.

 

[dahrougem2]

With all due respect to the Celtics and Sixers...... I don’t think Toronto is scared of those guys.

There’s only one boogeyman for the Raptors and he is not in the East anymore.

I mean, with LeBron gone and a new world in the East, you really think Toronto is going to be shaking in their boots at Embiid/Simmons or a Celtics team they have matched up well against recently? I doubt it.

Plus, considering how Toronto last year matched up well with the Rockets (2-0) and held their own against Golden State (combined margin of those games- under 10 points)

If the Pacers had KO’d Cleveland, Casey still had a job and Toronto would have played GSW in the Finals.

There is no fear factor in the East anymore with you know who gone.

The Celtics still have a better overall team, and the 76ers have arguably the second-best starting lineup in the league after Golden State. They are absolutely teams that can make Toronto worry.

 

[Baxterman]

With all due respect to the Celtics and Sixers...... I don’t think Toronto is scared of those guys.

There’s only one boogeyman for the Raptors and he is not in the East anymore.

I mean, with LeBron gone and a new world in the East, you really think Toronto is going to be shaking in their boots at Embiid/Simmons or a Celtics team they have matched up well against recently? I doubt it.

Plus, considering how Toronto last year matched up well with the Rockets (2-0) and held their own against Golden State (combined margin of those games- under 10 points)

If the Pacers had KO’d Cleveland, Casey still had a job and Toronto would have played GSW in the Finals.

There is no fear factor in the East anymore with you know who gone.

1. If they don’t fear the Celtics who are a much better team than them then they are idiots.

2. Who cares if they don’t fear them. Talent wins and they are not the most talented team.

Also this LeBron being the only issue for them narrative is such BS.

LeBron wasn’t in the Nets team that beat them, LeBron wasn’t in the Wizards team that beat them, Lebron wasn’t on the Pacers team they barely beat or the Heat team they needed multiple injuries to barely squeak by.

If the Raps beat Lebron last year they get killed by the Celtics in the ECF.

 

[c9777666]

1. If they don’t fear the Celtics who are a much better team than them then they are idiots.

2. Who cares if they don’t fear them. Talent wins and they are not the most talented team.

Also this LeBron being the only issue for them narrative is such BS.

LeBron wasn’t in the Nets team that beat them, LeBron wasn’t in the Wizards team that beat them, Lebron wasn’t on the Pacers team they barely beat or the Heat team they needed multiple injuries to barely squeak by.

If the Raps beat Lebron last year they get killed by the Celtics in the ECF.

By that logic, the Lightning should have killed the Caps in the ECF. You know, that whole exorcising demons thing.

 

[Baxterman]

By that logic, the Lightning should have killed the Caps in the ECF. You know, that whole exorcising demons thing.

?

Those teams were pretty close talent wise and hockey is much different than basketball.

I am not sure what your point is. What does exorcising demons have to do with anything?

 

[Stylizer1]

Looks like this is going to be the year Toronto fans have been waiting for. Once Leonard gets the rust off this team should be 1&2 with Boston.

 

[Five Alarm Fire]

Cautiously optimistic this year. I don't think last years team was as good as our record/underlying stats suggest. We beat up on a lot of poor teams and our holes defensively were exposed against top teams.

With that being said, DeRozan for Kawhi is a massive upgrade on both sides of the floor. JV looks like he's being better utilized under Nurse. This is probably the deepest rotation we've ever run with, 1 through 15. There are reasons to suggest this team will be better next year. I'm don't think we're on Boston's level, but I think we're head and shoulder above anyone else in the East (including Philly).

 

[Stylizer1]

Cautiously optimistic this year. I don't think last years team was as good as our record/underlying stats suggest. We beat up on a lot of poor teams and our holes defensively were exposed against top teams.

With that being said, DeRozan for Kawhi is a massive upgrade on both sides of the floor. JV looks like he's being better utilized under Nurse. This is probably the deepest rotation we've ever run with, 1 through 15. There are reasons to suggest this team will be better next year. I'm don't think we're on Boston's level, but I think we're head and shoulder above anyone else in the East (including Philly).

Boston's clearly coached extremely well and have a very athletic squad. My worry is that JV slows us down/not as versatile as other athletic centers. I'm hoping Monroe finds his athleticism from Detroit and brings that off the bench.

 

[Flukeshot]

New season begins today. I'm not really a basketball fan but it looks like a fun year to jump on.

 

[Stylizer1]

Other than giving Ibaka the the green light to shoot 3's team is looking good.