NBA Thread

[dineke]

They all finally showed up for like the first time this series. Will they all produce on Tuesday as well? Otherwise, all 3 have been pretty horrible this series offensively.

 

If it wasn't for Leonard, the Raptors would have been swept by the 76ers. If this team still had DeRozan, there is no way they win Game 4 yesterday. Leonard has played above and beyond whereas the rest of this Raptors team (other than Siakam) have been nonexistent. Leonard is the one carrying this team on his shoulders right now.

 

Leonard is carrying the offense but that's what he's supposed to do especially after rest 20 games in the regular season. Lowry/gasol/green have been mediocre offensively but they're a big part of why the raptors are the best defensive team so far in the playoffs and that should not be forgotten.

[Dick_Pole]

Um... Gasol and Lowry played good today. Serge was also pretty good compared to his other games in the playoffs.

 

And I'm just saying they better continue as such to hit the finals. Leonard carrying the team into the finals...I can see him considering sticking around. Leonard carrying the team and they still bow out to the 76ers or Bos/Mil, he likely goes.

[Dr. Dinger]

And I'm just saying they better continue as such to hit the finals. Leonard carrying the team into the finals...I can see him considering sticking around. Leonard carrying the team and they still bow out to the 76ers or Bos/Mil, he likely goes.

 

If Leonard can carry this team to a finals, he’ll really have no reason to stick around. He’ll have 2 rings, 2 Finals MVPs, and the knowledge that he can get a max contract in a city of his choosing and the knowledge that he can carry an otherwise mediocre team to a championship by himself.

[Bobthe4th]

Kawhi spent nearly a whole season sitting out with the Spurs, to try to force a trade to the Clippers. He's going to LA no matter what happens in the playoffs.

[Terminator]

How much more can the Raptors offer him because they hold his Bird Rights than other teams?

 

Everyone thought Paul George was going to leave for LA but in the end it was like an extra 50 mil so he stayed. I think Leonard is probably gone but the Raps have a small chance in retaining him mostly because of the Bird Rights.

[jaysblue]

Leonard is carrying the offense but that's what he's supposed to do especially after rest 20 games in the regular season. Lowry/gasol/green have been mediocre offensively but they're a big part of why the raptors are the best defensive team so far in the playoffs and that should not be forgotten.

 

They all need to play better offensively or else this team isn't getting to the NBA Finals, let alone getting by the 76ers.

[jaysblue]

How much more can the Raptors offer him because they hold his Bird Rights than other teams?

 

Everyone thought Paul George was going to leave for LA but in the end it was like an extra 50 mil so he stayed. I think Leonard is probably gone but the Raps have a small chance in retaining him mostly because of the Bird Rights.

 

 

Raps can offer him an extra $50 million. That's a lot to turn down. Raps could also offer him load management, sitting him 15-20 games without really hurting the teams chance at a high seed or playoff spot in the East.

 

Also, from the looks of it, Leonard doesn't like the media attention/spotlight, so Toronto is a better fit than a market like LA or New York. Could be a significant factor as well.

 

As long as he knows he has a chance at winning an NBA Championship in Toronto for the next 4-5 years, get a good amount of rest during the season, I don't know why he wouldn't want to stay. Best chance to get to an NBA Finals is in the East IMO, especially if the Bucks can't keep Giannis after.

[connorp]

Celts not much intensity in the 4th. Kyrie isn’t coming back

[Abomination]

Celts not much intensity in the 4th. Kyrie isn’t coming back

 

Bucks have a choke hold on the series. I kinda feel like our current roster matches up better against them anyway, so I'm good with this. That's assuming we advance of course.

[Dick_Pole]

Raps can offer him an extra $50 million. That's a lot to turn down. Raps could also offer him load management, sitting him 15-20 games without really hurting the teams chance at a high seed or playoff spot in the East.

 

Also, from the looks of it, Leonard doesn't like the media attention/spotlight, so Toronto is a better fit than a market like LA or New York. Could be a significant factor as well.

 

As long as he knows he has a chance at winning an NBA Championship in Toronto for the next 4-5 years, get a good amount of rest during the season, I don't know why he wouldn't want to stay. Best chance to get to an NBA Finals is in the East IMO, especially if the Bucks can't keep Giannis after.

 

If Ujiri convinces Leonard that he has a decent shot of signing Giannis, that could be a factor as well. Those two plus Siakam would make a very nice trio on a championship team and the Raptors would have freed up cap space by then to get a decent ball distributor once Lowry's bones turn to dust. I don't view many other cities outside of Los Angeles as a threat. Unfortunately, a very big threat and likely favourite. Whoever wins the draft could also play a factor.

[P2F]

If Ujiri convinces Leonard that he has a decent shot of signing Giannis, that could be a factor as well. Those two plus Siakam would make a very nice trio on a championship team and the Raptors would have freed up cap space by then to get a decent ball distributor once Lowry's bones turn to dust. I don't view many other cities outside of Los Angeles as a threat. Unfortunately, a very big threat and likely favourite. Whoever wins the draft could also play a factor.

 

Is this actually viable if Kawhi stays? I always assumed it would have to be one or the other (if either).

 

I realize it's still likely they end up with neither, but this is a sexy thought.

[dineke]

Is this actually viable if Kawhi stays? I always assumed it would have to be one or the other (if either).

 

I realize it's still likely they end up with neither, but this is a sexy thought.

 

They'll have the capspace to do it but there's no indication Giannis would sign here other than Masai being african. Also, the Bucks look to have a better future than the Raptors anyways.

[Krylian]

Lol @ that flop by Draymond Green.

[Abomination]

Lol @ that flop by Draymond Green.

 

I was thinking the same thing. He's making a lot of soccer players pretty proud.

 

Someone who plays as rough as he does shouldn't be flopping.

[connorp]

Houston taking it to em

[connorp]

They'll have the capspace to do it but there's no indication Giannis would sign here other than Masai being african. Also, the Bucks look to have a better future than the Raptors anyways.

 

Thanks for throwing some cold water on that nonsense lol

[Krylian]

Thanks for throwing some cold water on that nonsense lol

 

Raps are taking a huge step back after this season me thinks.

[Abomination]

Pretty epic flop by Chris Paul there too.

[Abomination]

Houston got away with one there. How do you leave Durant and Curry THAT open with a chance to tie the game?

 

This is a good series.

[Dick_Pole]

They'll have the capspace to do it but there's no indication Giannis would sign here other than Masai being african. Also, the Bucks look to have a better future than the Raptors anyways.

 

https://www.google.ca/search?source=hp&ei=lprRXOf4I8uE5wLsqrjwAw&q=masai+ujiri+giannis&oq=masai+ujiri+gianni&gs_l=psy-ab.1.0.0.1773.10789..13567...0.0..0.101.1534.17j1......0....1..gws-wiz.....0..0i131j0i3j0i22i30.DnH5eWJvZ8Y

 

Umm, the relationship runs a little deeper than their heritage originating from the same continent. But sure let's run with that. They were both a couple of savage spearchuckers before the white man introduced them to a basketball, therefore they are soulmates.

 

The Raptors are going to have a hard time, just like about 25 other teams would, in attracting top stars. They have a better than average chance in signing two of them. It's okay to speculate/dream. It's not like I'm saying they'll go and sign Durant.

 

Also connor is a bald idiot and should go find a U.S.-based baseball team to fawn over since he hates our city/country so much.

[connorp]

If you want to wait on the Tooth Fairy like Jim is waiting on the Great Pumpkin, I don’t begrudge you that. No need to be mean

[P2F]

Thanks for throwing some cold water on that nonsense lol

 

It was just a hypothetical. Nobody here has resigned themselves to assuming it's going to happen.

[Carlos Danger]

They are reporting Embid is still fighting respiratory problem and not 100% for tonight's game. Watch him come out and have a career night like when Michael Jordan was sick or knowing our luck his sub will have a career night...

[connorp]

They are reporting Embid is still fighting respiratory problem and not 100% for tonight's game. Watch him come out and have a career night like when Michael Jordan was sick or knowing our luck his sub will have a career night...

 

The TNT guys were torching him after the last game being like “nobody cares that you’re sick if you’re out on the court”...which is kinda true really. I think he’d sit this time if he truly wasn’t ready to play

[Carlos Danger]

The TNT guys were torching him after the last game being like “nobody cares that you’re sick if you’re out on the court”...which is kinda true really. I think he’d sit this time if he truly wasn’t ready to play

 

Yes, they were saying he had more minutes than games 1-3 when he was supposedly sick.. If you are playing 11 mins no touches and sick maybe an excuse. If you are playing 35 mins and touches, you can't use sick as an excuse..

[Abomination]

WTF is up with that NoFrills ad?

[Spanky__99]

WTF is up with that NoFrills ad?

 

lol... I was thinking the same.

 

Ghost call?

[Abomination]

Serge has a pretty big welt under there. Do it to them, not us Kawhi!

[Orgfiller]

It's nice to see the whole team showing up for once instead of having Kawhi and/or Pascal do everything.

[Angrioter]

Siakam is good