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Raptors Discussion: v93 | Panic level rising significantly

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DueDiligence said:
Pretty obvious that losing Ibaka and to a lesser extent Gasol is a real problem.
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the real problem is Siakam making way too many mistakes, OG was better tonight but made some gaffes late.

Powell has been horrendous. Len played Embiid tough tonight, but it wasn’t enough.

let’s face it, they are a average team right now. Siakam walking right back to the room was a bit disappointing, he needs to be a leader, not a baby.
 
I'm starting to get concerned. Ibaka and Gasol have left a massive void in our lineup that has been exploited so far. I like some of what I've seen from Baynes, Len and Boucher, but our interior defence and rebounding is definitely off.
 
Rather than write out my thoughts again, here's what I wrote on twitter (you'll have to click to see the entire thread I wrote) about Pascal and where I am with him.




Some other thoughts:
- We need to have confidence in Nick Nurse and Masai to right the ship. They will make the necessary adjustments. We already started to see that yesterday with Nick using Alex Len and Stanley Johnson in the rotation to try to find a hot hand. Next game we may see others get a chance like TD or Flynn.

- That said, perhaps we need to come to grips with the fact that this is an average team at the current moment simply because so many other NBA franchises improved themselves coming into the year...and we did not. While it is great to have high hopes, our chances of replicating last year's success does seem less likely by the day given what other NBA teams are showing. What that means for us, I'm not sure (a retool?). But just making the playoffs this year seems like a very realistic expectation, rather than expecting this team to make the Eastern Conference finals again, at least not with roster moves from Masai.

- I'm very concerned about what we have seen from Norm Powell so far. He certainly doesn't look in game shape, but that's not my concern. My concern is that he seems to have reverted back to the 'old' Norm that we saw when he first entered the league. Forcing plays and really not using his head to make the correct choices out there on the court. I think, psychologically, a lot of that probably has to do with it being a contract year for him. To me, it seems like he's trying to "overplay." He's seen his teammates like Pascal, Fred, OG, all getting their big raises and he's trying to do too much to try to make an impact instead of playing within his role and to his strengths. He's also clearly lacking confidence in his three point shot right now too, which is exasperating the issue as he's putting the ball on the floor trying to create instead of simply taking his shots when he has them. Hopefully this is something Norm can work through.
 
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I just think peopole need to reign themselves in. This team is very clearly in a transitionary period - it was fairly obvious that we'd be taking a step back this year. People have just been spoiled by us always coming out of the gate hot and defying expectations (we were the safest "Over" bet for over/under win totals) and now things just aren't coming easy anymore.

Of course, this isn't to say there aren't legitimate concerns because there are. Even in a transitionary year where it seems like we're asking everyone to play roles they aren't really meant for, there are several weaknesses getting blatantly exposes. Siakam is incredible one dimensional - he is basically a human beyblade, and it has been painful to watch. Even his fellow beyblade in Julius Randle looks better than him this season. His moves at this point are either to spin right into traffic and turn it over or shy away from contact and brick a layup, then to come back down, shoot a 3, and brick that too. You can tell how raw he is and the fact that he started playing late is showing more than ever. His feel for the game and reads just aren't there. He was great in the MIP year since no one figured him out and he got hot to start last year, but once he crashed back down to earth in the 2nd half and in the bubble, it's all been downhill. It's also really obvious how much Lowry is holding this offense together with glue and popsicle sticks. FVV cannot run an offense (he needs a playmaker beside him at all times), Norm cannot run an offense (and has his moments where he just forces things), McCaw and Flynn are the only other guys we have with some idea as to how to run an offense.

And it's pretty damn clear that we're missing Serge and Gasol. Serge had a knack for giving us a few buckets in the pick and pop whenever our offense ran dry and Gasol would never allow Embiid to go off on us like he did - I like Baynes, but it's a very clear downgrade. Even on offense, Gasol's playmaking and smarts made him a lot more useful than people remember, even if he wasn't getting buckets.



We legitimately have the worst offense in the NBA right now and we aren't getting to the line at all. I'm not that mad simply because I was expecting us to have a rough transitionary year where the flaws in a lot of our players get exposed. I just feel like this should be pointed out. They only way I'd panic is if Masai where to leave the org after this year for whatever reason (the lack of an extension is making me a little paranoid).
 
Is there anyone good in the draft this year? I wouldn’t mind tanking this year tbh, it just doesn’t feel the same without full arenas and not being in TO.
 
Cloned said:
Is there anyone good in the draft this year? I wouldn’t mind tanking this year tbh, it just doesn’t feel the same without full arenas and not being in TO.
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I don't disagree. If there was a year to do it without feeling it as much, this would be it.
 
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Cloned said:
Is there anyone good in the draft this year? I wouldn’t mind tanking this year tbh, it just doesn’t feel the same without full arenas and not being in TO.
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Apparently it's a strong draft, next year will be strong too. With highschoolers being allowed back in the draft soon the Raps have a chance to grab elite talents while not having to be a bottom 5 team. This year should definitely be a trade Lowry and tank year though.

I'm not a fan of FVV, I think he's not close to Lowry even at 35 and he's not a pure PG. A 5'11 shooting guard that's one of the worst guards in the league at finishing at the rim and a liability defensively is not ideal.

I'd keep OG for sure but Siakam and FVV I'd be taking offers on if I was Masai.

The goal should be to compete for championships, as great a job as Masai has done with undrafted players and late picks...it would be a hell of a lot easier if they could grab a top 3-5 wing talent in the draft and trust their development staff. If they can get dudes like Siakam and FVV to the level they're currently at, imagine what they could do with actual talent. The last time they did that was what? Carter in the late 90's?
 
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Just tank. Team sucks and nobody even cares about sports right now.

perfect time and perfect team to tank with
 
Guaranteed if the Raps lose to the Knicks tonight tank nation will be the loudest it's been since 2013. Cade, Suggs, Mobley, Kuminga and Green a pretty nice top 5 though.
 
I take this as they're tanking lol.

Lowry, Siakam, and FVV will take their turns getting some load managment against weakers teams.

Convenient excuse to sit Siakam tonight.
 
Good. He’s not above anyone else. Poor show of leadership on his part.

Siakam is in no man’s land. He doesn’t have the handles to create his own shot. He isn’t strong enough to back down people in the post or finish strong at the rim. It seems like he’s worked on his jumpshot during the offseason but he’s still not scaring anyone from 3 or mid-range. He has quickness over most big man but everyone in the league knows his spin-move is coming. NBA defenses know how to guard him and he hasn’t been able to adjust. He has completely lost his touch around the rim.
 
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Jozay said:
I take this as they're tanking lol.

Lowry, Siakam, and FVV will take their turns getting some load managment against weakers teams.

Convenient excuse to sit Siakam tonight.
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In reality, if we did bomb this year.. We still have huge cap flexibility, and contracts we can move to match salaries for other superstars who may want out. If we can keep Siakim, FFV, and Lowry resigns are at a similar cap hit... You can trade Powell pending his player option, Boucher, OG, Davis.. Lots of flexibility there to make a package with picks to go for a 3rd/4th high end option.

Still see this team being playoff bound, its a strange year. Think it will be until we hit the 25-30 game mark.
 
Ya NBA stars and players are constantly asking for trades etc. There’s always players wanting out. This year, next year. It never stops.
 
Basketball salaries are so out of control. 18 million per year for a scrub like OG?! What a joke. Guy gets more in one year to dribble a ball and jog up and down a floor half a year than any of us normal folk will earn in our entire lifetime.
 
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Oh and this Raptors team is absolutely horrible. Boring as f*** to watch with Lowry being the only exception as well as the only guy with a lick of talent. If Webster doesn’t rebuild this team now, it’s going to be a bottom dweller for many years. Not like they have a chance to beat any of the top East teams anyways.
 
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