Qwyjibo
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Junior Member
Posts: 56
Likes: 28
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Post by Qwyjibo on Mar 19, 2016 16:10:31 GMT
I guess the Raptors are ok. If this is the most positive you'll ever be about the Raptors, I'll take it! I'm actually really impressed with the team this year. They've exceeded my expectations overall. This offseason will be a huge one though with all the assets in play (the lottery pick, Biyombo, maybe consolidating some of the young players like Wright who won't have a spot). - Lowry is just amazing. He's pushing Bosh for 2nd best player in franchise history and will probably be it soon. - Derozan has made the first significant leap in overall production from last year to this year to the point where I'm comfortable with him being such a high-usage player. Assuming he continues his current offensive production. - JV and Patterson are both damn solid players. - Ross doesn't suck as much as he used to. I still think he's the most likely Raptor to get traded in the offseason, due to his contract. - I think the questionable end of game situations will be a little bit better when Carroll is back. I don't like Cory Joseph being on the floor in those spots. His primary use on offense is being a ball-handler to let Lowry play off the ball a bit. The problem is that he can't shoot and he's not extremely skilled at the attacking the rim. At the end of games, Lowry and Derozan will dominate the ball so Joseph is nothing more than a spectator who isn't a threat to hit perimeter shots. Carroll will change that.
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Post by Last Stand on Mar 19, 2016 16:22:05 GMT
If this is the most positive you'll ever be about the Raptors, I'll take it! I'm actually really impressed with the team this year. They've exceeded my expectations overall. This offseason will be a huge one though with all the assets in play (the lottery pick, Biyombo, maybe consolidating some of the young players like Wright who won't have a spot). - Lowry is just amazing. He's pushing Bosh for 2nd best player in franchise history and will probably be it soon. - Derozan has made the first significant leap in overall production from last year to this year to the point where I'm comfortable with him being such a high-usage player. Assuming he continues his current offensive production. - JV and Patterson are both damn solid players. - Ross doesn't suck as much as he used to. I still think he's the most likely Raptor to get traded in the offseason, due to his contract. - I think the questionable end of game situations will be a little bit better when Carroll is back. I don't like Cory Joseph being on the floor in those spots. His primary use on offense is being a ball-handler to let Lowry play off the ball a bit. The problem is that he can't shoot and he's not extremely skilled at the attacking the rim. At the end of games, Lowry and Derozan will dominate the ball so Joseph is nothing more than a spectator who isn't a threat to hit perimeter shots. Carroll will change that. I agree with most of this. For me, it's Lowry, DeRozan, and above average/average/below average role players. If they continue to play at a high level and the new emphasis on defense continues at the pace they play, then they will definitely make a strong playoff push. I think there is a lot more buzz around the league that the Raptors should at least make the ECF before losing to the Cavaliers. It's pretty refreshing to say the least and even Casey made huge strides this season. His ATO's have been great, he's running a great lineup with Lowry and the bench, he's trusting some of the younger players more so this season than season's past. While you bring up Lowry is pushing Bosh for the 2nd best Raptor (I agree), Casey is easily the best coach the Raptors have ever had given the roster isn't that great on high end talent. I don't think Masai will move anyone unless there's another GM that's desperate. If there's anything that is an A+ for Masai as a GM, it's his trades. Every trade has been a win for the Raptors: Bargnani, Gay, Salmons, and Vasquez trades have all gotten the available talent the team has today. I think he's also the best GM the team has ever had too. Lastly, I do hope the star players can keep up this level for at least another 2-3 years (at least Lowry, before he goes down further in his 30's) as the Raptors are still lacking that 3rd star player to take pressure of them. I still think that's JV, who was playing like a fringe all-star before injury his hand.
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Post by Last Stand on Mar 19, 2016 20:00:20 GMT
Team picture is up.
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Post by Last Stand on Mar 20, 2016 17:19:05 GMT
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Post by Scottie4Hottie on Mar 20, 2016 19:39:46 GMT
I am really impressed with our off season acquisitions. I really can't complain. They've added some actual depth to the roster. We're deeper than ever I really wish we don't play the Bulls in the first round. But it seems that the Bulls are locked to other play Cavs or Raps.
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Post by Last Stand on Mar 20, 2016 20:40:10 GMT
Powell in the lineup again. Good, considering Orlando is going with 3 guards.
JV still out of the lineup, Biyombo with another start.
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Post by Last Stand on Mar 20, 2016 20:51:21 GMT
5th game in 7 days, but the defense had shown up early. Everyone clicking well so far.
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Post by Last Stand on Mar 20, 2016 21:09:08 GMT
Patterson is out with a sore right ankle. JJ and JV are available but I don't know if they will play.
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Post by Last Stand on Mar 20, 2016 21:29:44 GMT
Yeah, Orlando fought back. Got fix that up on the defense.
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Post by kungfro on Mar 20, 2016 22:09:09 GMT
Oladipo having his way right now.
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Post by Last Stand on Mar 20, 2016 22:22:28 GMT
DeRozan ice cold from the field. Can't happen man.
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Post by kungfro on Mar 20, 2016 23:02:40 GMT
Scola sure is getting hot at the right time in the season.
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Post by Last Stand on Mar 20, 2016 23:31:37 GMT
Not really a great win... But it's good that the young guns are getting more burn. Liked what Thompson was doing late in the 4th.
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Post by kungfro on Mar 20, 2016 23:53:09 GMT
Not really a great win... But it's good that the young guns are getting more burn. Liked what Thompson was doing late in the 4th. I feel kinda bad for Wright, from what I've seen of him he could probably get decent minutes from several teams in this league, but it's hard to break the rotation of Lowry/Joseph
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Post by Last Stand on Mar 21, 2016 1:02:43 GMT
Not really a great win... But it's good that the young guns are getting more burn. Liked what Thompson was doing late in the 4th. I feel kinda bad for Wright, from what I've seen of him he could probably get decent minutes from several teams in this league, but it's hard to break the rotation of Lowry/Joseph He has no jumper, but can be a good floor general. Isn't ready contribute meaningful minutes till he fixes that shot.
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Post by Scottie4Hottie on Mar 21, 2016 14:25:38 GMT
Not really a great win... But it's good that the young guns are getting more burn. Liked what Thompson was doing late in the 4th. I feel kinda bad for Wright, from what I've seen of him he could probably get decent minutes from several teams in this league, but it's hard to break the rotation of Lowry/Joseph We're really strong at PG. I do love his defence, he'll be a good assets in a couple of season. I love how he can play both positions.
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Post by Last Stand on Mar 21, 2016 14:27:21 GMT
I feel kinda bad for Wright, from what I've seen of him he could probably get decent minutes from several teams in this league, but it's hard to break the rotation of Lowry/Joseph We're really strong at PG. I do love his defence, he'll be a good assets in a couple of season. I love how he can play both positions. He can guard different positions, but he can't really play the role of a SG on offense yet. No jumper, everything to the ring.
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Post by Scottie4Hottie on Mar 21, 2016 14:31:09 GMT
We're really strong at PG. I do love his defence, he'll be a good assets in a couple of season. I love how he can play both positions. He can guard different positions, but he can't really play the role of a SG on offense yet. No jumper, everything to the ring. I agree but he can play the role of Joseph in a couple of season. He'll work on that jumper, he's a long term depth player.
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Post by ballup on Mar 21, 2016 22:33:48 GMT
After 3 seasons and JV doesn't hit 30 mpg.
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Post by Last Stand on Mar 21, 2016 22:40:28 GMT
After 3 seasons and JV doesn't hit 30 mpg. He's not that great in Casey's system to begin with. This year, he's missed a good chunk of games and the Raptors haven't missed a beat. Infact, they have a better win percentage without him. I still have more faith he will become the 3rd star the Raptors need after Lowry and DeRozan, but outside of early this season, I haven't seen the case. He's also got some competition for his playing time in Biyombo. Lucas Nogueria is an interging talent as well. JV is overall better but doesn't fit the system like those 2 can consistently.
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Post by Last Stand on Mar 23, 2016 22:41:05 GMT
Raptors vs Celtics tonight for the last time. Raptors lead the season series 3-0, looking for the season series sweep and looking to clinch their 3rd straight playoff spot. Game Preview: www.nba.com/raptors/gameday-032316
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Post by kungfro on Mar 23, 2016 23:59:22 GMT
Good to see Val back in the lineup. Is Lowry resting tonight? I missed the start of the game.
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Post by dm on Mar 24, 2016 0:03:11 GMT
:C BB-8 back on the bench.
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Post by kungfro on Mar 24, 2016 3:38:26 GMT
I don't think the Raps care about grabbing that 1 spot. They do got a sizable lead over the third spot, so maybe it does make sense to save players for the playoffs, I really wanted to see them go for it though.
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Qwyjibo
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Junior Member
Posts: 56
Likes: 28
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Post by Qwyjibo on Mar 25, 2016 21:16:31 GMT
No Lowry, Patterson, and (still) Carroll made for one of the ugliest lineups in a long time. It's hard to create a gameplan when you have almost zero competent perimeter shooters. Plus the one that's supposed to somewhat be (Ross) totally stunk it up. The moment any guard put the ball on the floor, the Celtics collapsed into the paint. Derozan, Joseph, Wright, Powell... you don't need to respect any of their perimeter shots.
I hope when Carroll is back, there won't be any issues getting him to gel with the high usage guys. I'd like to see his combo of defense and 3pt shooting cut into the minutes of Joseph, Ross, and Powell.
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Post by Last Stand on Mar 25, 2016 21:20:37 GMT
No Lowry, Patterson, and (still) Carroll made for one of the ugliest lineups in a long time. It's hard to create a gameplan when you have almost zero competent perimeter shooters. Plus the one that's supposed to somewhat be (Ross) totally stunk it up. The moment any guard put the ball on the floor, the Celtics collapsed into the paint. Derozan, Joseph, Wright, Powell... you don't need to respect any of their perimeter shots. The hilarious part was that they STILL brought the lead down to 1 point in the 4th with Wright-Ross-James Johnson-Thompson-Biyombo lineup. I think it is safe to say that Boston is an ideal opponent for Toronto in the 1st round. They probably won't drop to the 7th seed but they certainly don't impress me that much.
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Post by Last Stand on Mar 25, 2016 22:30:29 GMT
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Post by Last Stand on Mar 26, 2016 2:21:09 GMT
Bad play by DeRozan. You can't get ejected in a game that close regardless of calls.
2nd time he's been ejected.
Also, I didn't see much of a push.
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Post by kungfro on Mar 26, 2016 2:27:49 GMT
Bad play by DeRozan. You can't get ejected in a game that close regardless of calls. 2nd time he's been ejected. Also, I didn't see much of a push. Yea that was hardly bad enough to warrant going at the refs like that. Raps had a legit shot of getting back into this too.
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Qwyjibo
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Junior Member
Posts: 56
Likes: 28
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Post by Qwyjibo on Mar 26, 2016 2:49:44 GMT
Patterson is probably a better perimeter defender than any currently healthy SG or SF on the Raptors. I'm not sure if that's a good thing though.
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