Raptors Discussion: v97 Raptor's 2024-2025 - Training camp begins Oct. 1

[Bjindaho]

They really need to tank next year so they don’t lose that top 6 protected pick.

But knowing Masai, who has seemed to have lost his mind, they will be a middling team without a first rd pick again.

In order to guarantee that they don't lose the pick, the Raptors would have to finish last. Every other spot and there is a chance that they lose the pick. Some food for thought.

 

[Suntouchable13]

It seems more and more like Kawhi Leonard was in it just for the paycheck, he is not a “playoff warrior”. I looked at the boxscore of game 5 from last night, Kawhi Leonard out with a knee sprain. He has done NOTHING since 2019 championship except get hurt/injured all the time.

 

[GoonieFace]

In order to guarantee that they don't lose the pick, the Raptors would have to finish last. Every other spot and there is a chance that they lose the pick. Some food for thought.

Yeah, I forgot about the ability to drop in the lottery. That trade just made no sense whatsoever.

 

[Bjindaho]

Yeah, I forgot about the ability to drop in the lottery. That trade just made no sense whatsoever.

Masai was too close to Nurse. NN should have been let go at the beginning of the year when the issues started popping up (such as refusing to acknowledge that the bench existed). Instead Masai ran the team based on NN being able to turn things around.

 

[stats1]

They really need to tank next year so they don’t lose that top 6 protected pick.

But knowing Masai, who has seemed to have lost his mind, they will be a middling team without a first rd pick again.

This. He’s really hoping he finds another Kwahi trade… not going to happen. Unless he’s willing to really go out and trade for a star we’re stuck in the middle.

 

[saska sault]

It seems more and more like Kawhi Leonard was in it just for the paycheck, he is not a “playoff warrior”. I looked at the boxscore of game 5 from last night, Kawhi Leonard out with a knee sprain. He has done NOTHING since 2019 championship except get hurt/injured all the time.

Torn Meniscus unfortunately... Lots of rumors out there he has a hard time walking in his daily life, could be he is just a physical freak but due to his unique length, wingspan, etc he just is not able to stay healthy. Either way, he won us a championship and Nurse is gone so its really a fresh start coming up.

They really need to tank next year so they don’t lose that top 6 protected pick.

But knowing Masai, who has seemed to have lost his mind, they will be a middling team without a first rd pick again.

I am not the most educated but could we not just make the playoffs for 2 years and not give up a lottery pick altogether?

 

[stats1]

Torn Meniscus unfortunately... Lots of rumors out there he has a hard time walking in his daily life, could be he is just a physical freak but due to his unique length, wingspan, etc he just is not able to stay healthy. Either way, he won us a championship and Nurse is gone so its really a fresh start coming up.



I am not the most educated but could we not just make the playoffs for 2 years and not give up a lottery pick altogether?

When he got traded here there were already rumors that his knee issues would only get worse as the years went on. He’s got a chronic knee problem

 

[Suntouchable13]

Torn Meniscus unfortunately... Lots of rumors out there he has a hard time walking in his daily life, could be he is just a physical freak but due to his unique length, wingspan, etc he just is not able to stay healthy. Either way, he won us a championship and Nurse is gone so its really a fresh start coming up.



I am not the most educated but could we not just make the playoffs for 2 years and not give up a lottery pick altogether?

Good explanation. Makes sense. Just from the outside, looks like he has mailed it in since getting his big contract in his home town. But yes, those injuries he has are painful. No doubt.

 

[saska sault]

Good explanation. Makes sense. Just from the outside, looks like he has mailed it in since getting his big contract in his home town. But yes, those injuries he has are painful. No doubt.

No doubt the "load management" is a huge deal for the NBA. Paying these guys 40 million plus and they take maintenance days is a concern, an even bigger concern when guys play half the year... Its a league wide problem. Makes you wonder if these athletes are soft or just are pushing the literal physical limits of a human body at this point... look at a guy like Zion Williamson and how he plays. The Pelicans have actually tried to retrain him how to walk.

 

[Cor]

I think we'll see some major changes this summer.

 

[GoonieFace]

Torn Meniscus unfortunately... Lots of rumors out there he has a hard time walking in his daily life, could be he is just a physical freak but due to his unique length, wingspan, etc he just is not able to stay healthy. Either way, he won us a championship and Nurse is gone so its really a fresh start coming up.



I am not the most educated but could we not just make the playoffs for 2 years and not give up a lottery pick altogether?

The pick in the Poetl trade is top 6 protected, so technically you are correct, but that would mean being in the middle with this team, which shouldn’t be the goal

 

[TheTotalPackage]

It seems more and more like Kawhi Leonard was in it just for the paycheck, he is not a “playoff warrior”. I looked at the boxscore of game 5 from last night, Kawhi Leonard out with a knee sprain. He has done NOTHING since 2019 championship except get hurt/injured all the time.

I am extremely thankful to Kawhi for bringing the championship here to Toronto.

But the moment he signed with the Clippers, I've always enjoyed seeing them lose. Getting bounced last night was extremely satisfying.

He could have rolled it back on a 2-year deal with the group that won the championship and it's quite possible they would have won one or two more rings.

 

[thewave]

I am extremely thankful to Kawhi for bringing the championship here to Toronto.

But the moment he signed with the Clippers, I've always enjoyed seeing them lose. Getting bounced last night was extremely satisfying.

He could have rolled it back on a 2-year deal with the group that won the championship and it's quite possible they would have won one or two more rings.

I think they could have repeated at best, but most likely made it the finals again.

 

[DuklaNation]

I just really struggle with Masai’s idea that this team can do anything just because he thinks the East has parity. Weak argument… either you’re building up or going for the title, the middle ground is the worst place to be and that is exactly where we are. I just have a feeling eventually Masai is going to bail and take a major job somewhere else. Seems like he hasn’t done squat with this team since 2019

100%, in the NHL, this would be a reasonable argument. In the NBA, you need high end talent.

The other way is complete team buy in similar to Pistons early to mid 2000s. But in today's big $ and stat focus, I just can't see that working anymore.

 

[Dr.Funk]

 

[hockeywiz542]

Chris Boucher on Nick Nurse, the Raptors' season & NBA playoffs

April 26, 2023

Chris Boucher and Mike Roach discuss what the Raptors organization learned from this past season and shares thoughts on Nick Nurse, Kawhi Leonard, Draymond Green, Dillon Brooks and more!

 

[MAB1]

Good explanation. Makes sense. Just from the outside, looks like he has mailed it in since getting his big contract in his home town. But yes, those injuries he has are painful. No doubt.

Kawhi isn't that guy. At his peak he was arguably better than slightly past prime LeBron. You don't go from late lottery pick to arguably the best player in the NBA over the #2 player of all time by mailing it in. If Zaza doesn't injure him in 2016-17 and set this all off the NBA probably looks a lot different.

He's like Embiid or a more severe AD, chronically injured, just a ticking time bomb. For the Raps, at least they got a chip before Kawhi's career went down like it did.

As an NBA fan though I wonder how different the Clippers would've fared if they kept SGA despite Kawhi wanting George. Could've had a young superstar to carry the load while Kawhi load manages.

 

[Leaf Rocket]

the udoka commentary was kind of a kick to the nuts.

 

[hockeywiz542]

 

[hockeywiz542]

 

[MAB1]

the udoka commentary was kind of a kick to the nuts.

Houston: Potential for Wemby, Green, cap space, no income tax, big market

Detroit: Potential for Wemby, Future star in Cunningham, cap space, an actual future

Toronto: 29 year old face of the franchise that would rather be playing soccer and an undrafted chucking midget that's popular for looking like Drake and had one good playoff series in 2019. Their best young player plays like a right-handed Thad Young.

Oh and their President/GM devalued their 2023 pick and traded their 2024 pick for a player they still need to sign this off-season (he could technically walk)

People that didn't wanna trade Barnes + for Durant last off-season. I asked what Barnes potential could be, #1 on a title team or an all-star of Iggy caliber (supporting star)? In the end even the latter might be asking for too much at this point.

 

[Suntouchable13]

What happened to the Bucks? I mean 1st seed losing to number 8 is very rare

 

[MAB1]

What happened to the Bucks? I mean 1st seed losing to number 8 is very rare

Top heavy team loses their only star at the beginning of game 1. Giannis barely played game 1, was out 2 and 3. The Heat to the Bucks are what the Bruins are to the Leafs. They can just guard that team really well regardless of what seed they are.

 

[MarMarSab3]

Holl lol

 

[Dr.Funk]

Top heavy team loses their only star at the beginning of game 1. Giannis barely played game 1, was out 2 and 3. The Heat to the Bucks are what the Bruins are to the Leafs. They can just guard that team really well regardless of what seed they are.

Jimmy Butler also turns it up like 5 notches in the playoffs.