Raptors Discussion: v89| Those are some big rings | Raptors out to defend their championship

[The Nemesis]

Reminds me of James Johnson

Hopefully he's less streaky than Johnson was.

 

[Amadeus]

Hopefully he's less streaky than Johnson was.

in the current state, he is. But Johnson was a great defender and so is RHJ.

 

[leafsleafs]

This will sound weird, but I kind of saw a twinkle in Kyle Lowry’s eyes last night. “ I taught you grasshoppers well”.

...as far as the compete level goes.

 

[Suntouchable13]

Such a fun team to watch. They play so hard on D

Davis looks really good. Will be another steal.

I am not sure we will have enough offense to beat the top teams in the playoffs but we will put up a fight for sure.

Who knows? Who thought that they would be 3-1 on this road trip missing all these guys? Clinched a winning road trip also, by the way, with the win last night. Anything is possible with this team right now. I can't count them out.

 

[stickty111]

 

[Morgs]

Siakam, MIP to MIP.

Won't happen obviously, but seriously though; the guy went from a good bench player to arguably the best #2 in the league, to a top-10 player. Sure, he's not winning MVP this season with Giannis being even better than last year, but I don't see how anyone is even close to this type of improvement.... again.

 

[Mitchy]

I always used to be so jealous and envious of teams that would get star players later in the draft. It's unreal now to think we got a legitimate superstar at 27. Not to mention, an undrafted gem like FVV and hopefully, TD. It's crazy how far this team has come. The Raptors are a model franchise and now they are the ones that other organizations are envious of and try to emulate.

Feels good, man.

 

[Stylizer1]

I wish the Leafs played as hard, smart and passionately as the Raptors do. Raptors even show up for back to backs - imagine that.

Whose's the most Gary Roberts type of player in the league they can go out and get?

 

[Kurtz]

Whose's the most Gary Roberts type of player in the league they can go out and get?

I was hoping we'd trade for Domi, but that ship has sailed. The closest right now imo would be Matthew Tkachuk - I'd ship Marner's ass for him in a split second, but Calgary would never do it.

 

[Giuseppe Sallo]

Whose's the most Gary Roberts type of player in the league they can go out and get?

the problem is look at the Leafs top 6, all skilled, no defensive attributes. They're soft. Mix that with Babs shoddy system and poor D -- well, they struggle.

look at Bruins... Toughness everywhere ex: (Marchand). Guys can play dirty, shoot and score all areas.

imo: Hyman is also crucial... He is an engine/ can forecheck.

Pascal
FVV
OG
ibaka

(Btw impressed with Boucher/Davis)

vs

Matthews
Marner
Nyles
AJ
JT

Spot the difference? Raps have better two way players who can score and play d. Leafs don't... And their D core is average.

You know it's a wake up call when Ovechkin sees your glaring holes.

 

[yvrtojfk]

What ya'll think Fred Vanvleet will get when he becomes a UFA?

 

[sparxx87]

What ya'll think Fred Vanvleet will get when he becomes a UFA?

Max he’s eligible for, and I hope he gets it in Toronto.

Cut from the same cloth as Kyle Lowry with more talent. He’s a keeper.


Never excited to watch the opponents but really looking forward to Doncic-Porzingod. Mavs are a team I don’t see much of.

 

[The Nemesis]

Max he’s eligible for, and I hope he gets it in Toronto.

Cut from the same cloth as Kyle Lowry with more talent. He’s a keeper.


Never excited to watch the opponents but really looking forward to Doncic-Porzingod. Mavs are a team I don’t see much of.

I like VanVleet, but let's not go nuts. He's not more talented than Lowry. He's not even necessarily better than Lowry was at the same age/career span. And peak Kyle was league-wide elite, top 3-5 PGs in the NBA good. VanVleet is a good starter and a strong team leader, but he's not at that level. And he lacks Lowry's playmaking and rebounding ability.

Sometimes I feel like people forget just how good peak Lowry was because those Raptors teams underperformed in the playoffs.

 

[Plat87]

Yeah, I dont think FVV is more talented than prime Lowry. Prime Lowry was a 18-22 ppg 7 apg that shot 40 percent from 3 and was a hound defensively which he still is a pitbull on the defensive end.

 

[sparxx87]

I like VanVleet, but let's not go nuts. He's not more talented than Lowry. He's not even necessarily better than Lowry was at the same age/career span. And peak Kyle was league-wide elite, top 3-5 PGs in the NBA good. VanVleet is a good starter and a strong team leader, but he's not at that level. And he lacks Lowry's playmaking and rebounding ability.

Sometimes I feel like people forget just how good peak Lowry was because those Raptors teams underperformed in the playoffs.

I wasn’t saying FVV was better. I think he’s more skilled/talented and might have a higher ceiling.

The ‘cut from the same cloth’ was more towards the mental/physical toughness/motor from the undersized guard.

...and he’s an NBA champion.

 

[Jozay]

Powell is so trash.

 

[Suntouchable13]

OG is a G, not even wearing goggles. How does his eye look like nothing happened?

 

[Eyedea]

Fred’s rise is outstanding but he’s not more skilled/talented than Lowry. Lowry’s pedigree is a 5 star recruit from HS that butted heads with coaches and management throughout his career until Masai gave him an intervention and put him on the HOF path.

 

[sparxx87]

Yeah, I dont think FVV is more talented than prime Lowry. Prime Lowry was a 18-22 ppg 7 apg that shot 40 percent from 3 and was a hound defensively which he still is a pitbull on the defensive end.

I think effective would be a better word. Talent doesn’t equal success. I wasn’t suggesting FVV was better but I think he’s got more in his bag, especially as a scorer.

Lowry knows how to play the game as good as anyone. I’m not trying to sell him short.


Side note - 17.1 ppg/7.6 ast/4.6 reb - 40 3pt%

 

[Suntouchable13]

I don't know why people don't like Leo. I think he is a funny guy.

 

[Mickey Marner]

I don't know why people don't like Leo. I think he is a funny guy.

Jack Armstrong is calling the game. Rautins does sportsnet.

 

[Suntouchable13]

Jack Armstrong is calling the game. Rautins does sportsnet.

Leo is in the studio with Rod Black.

 

[Suntouchable13]

It's unreal how they keep finding these guys like Thomas and TD.

 

[Mickey Marner]

Even by NBA standards, Doncic wears ridiculous shoes.

 

[AcerComputer]

Did they take back the two points from Porzingis?