NBA Thread

[RobinThicc]

Canadian 5 star recruit Shaedon Sharpe committed to Kentucky

 

Projected to go around the top 5 in the 2023 nba draft.

[Dick_Pole]

The Vegas win total for the Raptors this season is 36.5. That's looking very juicy. This team isn't going to do f*** all in the playoffs but is still a good regular season team. The east isn't as chumpy as it once was so the Raptors won't rack up the wins against easy opponents like they have in the past but I can still see 45, maybe up to 50 wins.

[RobinThicc]

Damn dude, 50 wins is nuts

 

Raptors are a pretty bad team this year. I can very easily see them being under 37 wins. They cant score.

[Krylian]

The Vegas win total for the Raptors this season is 36.5. That's looking very juicy. This team isn't going to do f*** all in the playoffs but is still a good regular season team. The east isn't as chumpy as it once was so the Raptors won't rack up the wins against easy opponents like they have in the past but I can still see 45, maybe up to 50 wins.

 

Raps are getting nowhere near 50 wins.

 

If they're a .500 team I consider that a win.

[Dick_Pole]

50 was my optimistic total. 45ish is my guess, maybe 43-47. I've totally drunk the Raptors Twitter kool-aid on Anunoby.

[glory]

Yeah if the Raptors finish around .500, that would be a major accomplishment. A big reason for the team's regular season success in year's past was Lowry. Now the team is without him, plus have to deal with an injury to Siakam on top of that.

 

It's going to be a growing year, most likely. The East is probably still bad enough for the Raps to be in the play-in games, but anything beyond that would require a lot of things going right (OG taking the next step, ROY Barnes, etc).

[RobinThicc]

Masai on the radio saying there will be growing pains and asking for patience.

 

He knows the team will be trash this year lol

[Brownie19]

Masai on the radio saying there will be growing pains and asking for patience.

 

He knows the team will be trash this year lol

 

That's probably good - we need another lottery pick if we're going to contend again anytime soon.

[glory]

Masai on the radio saying there will be growing pains and asking for patience.

 

He knows the team will be trash this year lol

 

You could tell Masai was aiming to do this after the championship. He practically made no effort to improve the club after Kawhi left, and kind of just let core players leave (Green, Ibaka, Gasol) without adequately replacing them. Stanley Johnson, Chris Boucher, Patrick McCaw, Matt Thomas, Aron Baynes, etc, are not players you sign expecting to keep the team competitive. It was a very slick tank job, which didn't work in 2020 since they were still really good with Ibaka and Gasol still in the front court, but definitely worked after that with those two leaving and being replaced by Baynes.

 

This issue with the current team is half court offense. They'll have trouble scoring most nights, especially with Siakam out. Defense will probably be excellent, but they lack a go-to scoring option. Another high lotto pick would be nice. The East is probably still bad enough in the bottom end for the team to have a real shot at a play-in game, but it really depends on whether they can score enough in the half court to be competitive. Defensively and effort-wise, they will be.

[RobinThicc]

I could honestly not see them being that good defensively. The lack of experience and defensive rebounding will really hurt them.

[Abomination]

Nurse makes the best faces.

 

Barnes is looking pretty good. I think he'll be really fun to watch once he gets the jitters out a little.

[Abomination]

I kind of like what I'm seeing, we just can't make any shots tonight. Ugly score, but some good signs.

[Abomination]

I don't know how this Raptors team will do against some of the elite big men like Jokic, but they're going to give lots of teams absolute nightmares. Boston isn't getting any kind of looks at all. Pressure and hands everywhere.

[Dick_Pole]

I placed my bets. Over 36.5 wins and for the Raptors to make the playoffs. We'll see who is right me or the naysayers. This team isn't in tank mode it has a lot of good young players. Just no one great. That's a recipe for a .500+ season and 6-8th seed in the east.

[BlueRocky]

Scottie Barnes is an animal

Masai does it again!

[BlueRocky]

 

Don’t forget this guy

[Dick_Pole]

Barnes was a beast last night but he needs to repeat that at least for another two months before I join that hype train.

[Krylian]

Barnes was a beast last night but he needs to repeat that at least for another two months before I join that hype train.

 

He's only 19. He'll look great one night then 24 hours later look like a College Sophomore. The consistency will take time, but he's got the right tools in the toolbox.

[Dick_Pole]

Exactly. That's why I say wait two months before anointing him the real deal. All I know is he played a big part in embarrassing the Celtics. A rare feat which is all I can ask for when a Toronto team is in Boston. Hope he does that consistently against the Sixers too.

[Abomination]

 

Don’t forget this guy

 

He kinda reminds me of Harrell. Pretty useful bench player.

[Brownie19]

It's super early, but Barnes looks great and Precious looks like that athletic, energetic big we needed. Oh, and Suggs looks like he can't shoot.

 

LaMelo Ball and Ja Morant look like they are about to destroy the league...

[connorp]

It's super early, but Barnes looks great and Precious looks like that athletic, energetic big we needed. Oh, and Suggs looks like he can't shoot.

 

LaMelo Ball and Ja Morant look like they are about to destroy the league...

 

Super early is an understatement lol. I have Anthony Edwards in the board keeper league and I remember dropping him at some point in the latter first half, nobody picked him up. Then second half he was one of the better players in the league. His issue was efficiency to start as well

 

That said, I wouldn’t be surprised if Barnes ends up being the better player. Toronto gets the benefit of the doubt I think

[BlueRocky]

ESPN has the Raptors line up

 

PF Achiuwa

SF Anunoby

SF Barnes

SG VanVleet

SG Trent jr

[Dick_Pole]

1-3 +6 point differential. This is peak 2020's Raptors basketball.

[Spanky__99]

1-3 +6 point differential. This is peak 2020's Raptors basketball.

 

I legit turned it off when they were down 20. I have to watch the 2nd half now.

[Abomination]

Anunoby with some great plays on both sides of the ball. 5 steals at half time!

[Abomination]

Steph Curry has now gone 3 straight 4th quarters without scoring

[connorp]

Chris Grenham: Marcus Smart: “I would just like to play basketball. Every team knows we’re trying to go to Jayson and Jaylen. Every team is programmed and studied to stop Jayson and Jaylen. I think everybody’s scouting report is to make those guys pass the ball. They don’t want to pass the ball.“

 

Tell us what you really think Marcus.

[Spanky__99]

So the Raptors have been decent, just beat the Knicks on the road above 500 and playing okay tonight thus far? Some of you guys still think they stink?

[Abomination]

So the Raptors have been decent, just beat the Knicks on the road above 500 and playing okay tonight thus far? Some of you guys still think they stink?

 

I think whatever Nick Nurse is being paid, it isn't enough. I am a little concerned about FVV running the offense so far. It hasn't been as smooth as I'd like to see, especially when they're not on the run. That might improve a bit when we get Pascal back though.