Raptors Discussion: v93 | Panic level rising significantly

[Marmoset]

The disappointing thing is that Detroit was playing without their starters too, it was the Pistons bench warmers vs the Raptors bench warmers, a test for them and they failed miserably.

I'm not surprised by the lack of offence from our bench guys because that's just not the skill set most of them have. The disastrous defence was very disappointing and concerning.

That said, to have so many key guys score ZERO points in the game (at least before garbage time) is also disappointing and concerning. When the Raptors were around 60 points for the game I think only four guys had scored.

 

[GoonieFace]

I'm not surprised by the lack of offence from our bench guys because that's just not the skill set most of them have. The disastrous defence was very disappointing and concerning.

That said, to have so many key guys score ZERO points in the game (at least before garbage time) is also disappointing and concerning. When the Raptors were around 60 points for the game I think only four guys had scored.

It was embarrassing really. Dennis smith Jr/milhaliuk/macgruder/rookie Saban Lee just lit the Raptors up. These guys are essentially bench players themselves, our fanbase would call these guys garbage, but they smoked us. They wanted it more, guys like Davis and Yuta had a chance to shine against a terrible team but laid a huge egg.

 

[sparxx87]

It was embarrassing really. Dennis smith Jr/milhaliuk/macgruder/rookie Saban Lee just lit the Raptors up. These guys are essentially bench players themselves, our fanbase would call these guys garbage, but they smoked us. They wanted it more, guys like Davis and Yuta had a chance to shine against a terrible team but laid a huge egg.

But Matt Thomas, who was -20 in 22 minutes but made a few shots late in the 4th when the game was over was somehow good, in your opinion?

This was probably their worst defensive effort all year. Giving up 125 to the Pistons while getting killed on the boards and in the paint. They made shots from 3 they won’t usually make, but the game was lost on the inside.

 

[Plat87]

I'm not surprised by the lack of offence from our bench guys because that's just not the skill set most of them have. The disastrous defence was very disappointing and concerning.

That said, to have so many key guys score ZERO points in the game (at least before garbage time) is also disappointing and concerning. When the Raptors were around 60 points for the game I think only four guys had scored.

Yup, wide open shots for the Pistons from the tip off.

 

[GoonieFace]

But Matt Thomas, who was -20 in 22 minutes but made a few shots late in the 4th when the game was over was somehow good, in your opinion?

This was probably their worst defensive effort all year. Giving up 125 to the Pistons while getting killed on the boards and in the paint. They made shots from 3 they won’t usually make, but the game was lost on the inside.

I said he looked decent, compared to the rest of the team. They got destroyed by a G league team any way you slice it. It’s always an excuse when the Raps lose. Last time it was Korkmaz for Philly or Pritchard for Boston. It seems to be a pattern.

 

[sparxx87]

I said he looked decent, compared to the rest of the team. They got destroyed by a G league team any way you slice it. It’s always an excuse when the Raps lose. Last time it was Korkmaz for Philly or Pritchard for Boston. It seems to be a pattern.

I’ve watched the game twice now. He was useless on offense and a liability on defense. He made Rodney McGruder look like a superstar... He managed to salvage his stat line with a few makes off bad defense in garbage time while still managing -20 in 22 minutes.

I’m not sure how you’d classify his impact as anything other than a massive negative.

As far as excuses - they just have a very small margin for error. They need to play elite defense to win most nights... when the get killed in the paint and on the glass like they did last night, it’ll be hard to beat anybody... especially if they allow 20 made threes.

 

[hockeywiz542]

Raptor Kyle Lowry’s Toronto home sells for $5.12 million | The Star

Chalk it up as a rare loss for an all-time Raptor.

Kyle Lowry was asking $5.3 million for his Toronto home. This week, it sold firm for $5.12 million. That’s a shade less than the $5.25 million Lowry paid for the property in 2017, the same summer he signed the biggest deal of his career — a three-year contract worth $100 million to play point guard for Toronto’s NBA team.

The five-bedroom, 10-bathroom mansion is a dream home by plenty of measures. Estimated at 5,000 square feet, it features an elevator, remote window blinds, a gourmet kitchen, sauna and backyard waterfall. A possible turn-off to would-be buyers: The property’s tree-covered yard, located just east of Bayview Avenue, backs onto Highway 401.

The home, owned by KL7 Inc., a nod to Lowry’s uniform number, was put on the market about a month ago, only days before the Raptors announced they’ll play the remainder of their 72-game schedule in Tampa, Fla., where they’ve been playing “home” games at Amalie Arena since the season began in December. Currently playing out the final year of his contract, Lowry’s NBA future remains uncertain.

 

[hockeywiz542]

Raptors interested in Ricky Rubio as potential Kyle Lowry replacement - FortyEightMinutes

The Raptors are making ground in the Eastern Conference, though Masai Ujiri & Co. continue to evaluate several scenarios ahead of the trade deadline. One of which involves Ricky Rubio, as the team would have interest in adding the point guard, sources tell FortyEightMinutes.com.

The franchise’s interest in Rubio, who will make just $17.8 million next season in the final year of his contract, is dependent on Kyle Lowry‘s situation. There are mixed reports on whether the Raptors intend to move on from Lowry and/or “make right” by him in sending the point guard to a preferred destination.

The question of whether the Raptors will be buyers or sellers at the deadline is one that they are keeping tight-chested. Though, as a rival executive explained, that’s partially because they don’t necessarily need to dive headfirst into either direction.

“Do they have to pick a lane? No,” a rival executive tells FortyEightMinutes.com. “Why would they give up leverage at this point?

 

[trellaine201]

How do buyouts work in the NBA? How much do these buyouts count against a teams cap?

Wasn’t Blake Griffin owed like a bazillion dollars? Sarcastic but you know what I mean.

Thanks

 

[Suntouchable13]

Too bad Covid has robbed Toronto fans of a proper send off for Lowry, if he indeed is playing in his last season as a Raptor.

 

[yvrtojfk]

Raptors interested in Ricky Rubio as potential Kyle Lowry replacement - FortyEightMinutes

The Raptors are making ground in the Eastern Conference, though Masai Ujiri & Co. continue to evaluate several scenarios ahead of the trade deadline. One of which involves Ricky Rubio, as the team would have interest in adding the point guard, sources tell FortyEightMinutes.com.

The franchise’s interest in Rubio, who will make just $17.8 million next season in the final year of his contract, is dependent on Kyle Lowry‘s situation. There are mixed reports on whether the Raptors intend to move on from Lowry and/or “make right” by him in sending the point guard to a preferred destination.

The question of whether the Raptors will be buyers or sellers at the deadline is one that they are keeping tight-chested. Though, as a rival executive explained, that’s partially because they don’t necessarily need to dive headfirst into either direction.

“Do they have to pick a lane? No,” a rival executive tells FortyEightMinutes.com. “Why would they give up leverage at this point?

I'd throw up if we get Rubio.

 

[John Price]

 

[hockeywiz542]

 

[trellaine201]

If Lowry is indeed leaving after the year I don’t understand why they wouldn’t look into trading him this year.

 

[hockeywiz542]

 

[Jozay]

No effort when it comes to these designs.

 

[hockeywiz542]

Raptors won't trade Lowry at deadline, but must author graceful end to era - Sportsnet.ca

This is about Kyle Lowry, and this is about the end.

It’s about the last big step in what should be a Hall-of-Fame career for the iconic Toronto Raptors point guard and the first chance the Raptors have had to navigate a graceful exit for a player whose legacy should serve as a cultural shorthand for the organization within the NBA for years to come and as a touchstone for the franchise and for the city for decades beyond that.

There’s a lot of ground to cover, so let’s start here: Lowry is not going to be dealt before the March 25 trade deadline. It’s not that the Raptors and Lowry haven’t mulled over the pros and cons of making a mutually agreeable deal for the 15-year veteran heading into free agency, or that there isn’t interest in the six-time all-star who comes with a shipping container’s full of intangibles along with averages of 18 points, 5.5 rebounds and seven assists per game along with 40.3 per cent shooting from deep -- all marks that are in the neighbourhood of his career peaks.

But, but, he... sold his house!

It means nothing. Lowry closed the deal on his $5-million home in North Toronto a few weeks ago, yes, but remember: It’s been home to only a quiet hum since last March with no prospect of Lowry and his family living there until next September. If Lowry needs somewhere to stay in Toronto by then he can buy it, rent it or move into a spare wing at Drake’s house until things get sorted out. A house empty that long was a loose end in need of tidying up. End of story.

“That place was vacant and just sitting there, so there’s nothing to read into that at all,” Lowry’s agent Mark Bartelstein said. “That’s a residue of the pandemic.”

But beyond that context, surveying the market and assessing where the Raptors are, it’s more and more clear the chances of a deal happening are remote and the notion that Lowry is pushing for one is far-fetched.

Lowry made his position quite clear the other day via his Instagram story, but multiple league sources I’ve spoken with over the past two weeks who have reason to know Lowry’s thinking has echoed the theme.

The persistence of the speculation is a nuisance, even if the reporting of it is understandable.

 

[Emerica]

"Ya'll got any more chevrons?"

 

[hockeywiz542]

 

[Marmoset]

No effort when it comes to these designs.

The Raptors might have more jersey designs than players in their next game. This is an unfortunate trend for the NBA.

 

[xtra]

I like the jersey; it’s simple but effective in connecting the two eras

 

[hockeywiz542]

 

[Suntouchable13]

Unless the Raps can add a legit star somehow, they should just stay pat. What will adding someone like Tucker do anyway? Pointless. They are not going to beat Brooklyn or Philly anyway.

 

[GoonieFace]

Another dud by Terrance Davis, how many chances is this guy going to get. Unfortunately, everyone else looks like trash too. Hopefully they can keep losing so we can score a legit prospect.

 

[BlueForever75]

The Raps issues correlate with 3 of their better players being held out the past 2 weeks. FVV, Siakam and OG wins us 3 of the 5 we lost at minimum.

How the NBA can allow the Raps to play with COVID in their dressing room is besides me.

The Raps are a definite playoff team with a full lineup. Their winning ways will recommence starting the next game.