NBA Thread

[Orgfiller]

Apparently the 1st round going to SA is only Top 6 protected, so they better f***ing like their chances of climbing up to 6th - otherwise this is a disaster. Can't give up a Top 10 pick for Peoltl.

 

It’s next year’s pick, so they’ll get a new slate to end up with a good record and the have the pick be away from the lottery.

[Laika]

nothing I guess

[Brownie19]

It’s next year’s pick, so they’ll get a new slate to end up with a good record and the have the pick be away from the lottery.

 

Ah yes - I'm dumb.

 

I kind of hope Poeltl doesn't immediately lead to a lot of success this year. I'd love to see them keep a Top 10 pick and I guess now we have to resign FVV.

[Spanky99]

lol... Raps stink.

[Abomination]

lol... Raps stink.

 

This was not the 4th quarter a playoff team has.

[glory]

I don't see this as a hot take, but I think we are going to look back at this trade deadline as a defining moment for the Raptors over the next 5 years, and not in a good way. A team that was practically begging for a rebuild/retool gets this instead. They still have their 2023 pick, but that 2024 pick has very limited protection, so a 2024 tank doesn't look likely, and all of FVV/Trent/Poeltl are free agents after this season, so the Raptors will basically have to be a tax team to keep this same group together + a 2023 pick that will be closer to middle of the pack than top 5 in all likelihood. Even if this team makes a run, it's likely going to be the play in tournament for the right to see who gets to have their asses handed to them by Milwaukee or Boston in the first round. Not fun.

[connorp]

Yeah I guess they really like Poeltl fro his time there but nothing impressive about that trade. Mo Bamba is pretty similar and went for a single 2nd round pick and a player that was waived and so didn’t even count

[Orgfiller]

Yeah I guess they really like Poeltl fro his time there but nothing impressive about that trade. Mo Bamba is pretty similar and went for a single 2nd round pick and a player that was waived and so didn’t even count

 

Mo Bamba is nowhere near Poeltl in value lol. He couldn’t even get minutes on a s***** Magic roster.

[jaysblue]

I don't have high hopes for the Raps this season. Even if they get the play-in, they're getting knocked out R1.

[Brownie19]

I don't see this as a hot take, but I think we are going to look back at this trade deadline as a defining moment for the Raptors over the next 5 years, and not in a good way. A team that was practically begging for a rebuild/retool gets this instead. They still have their 2023 pick, but that 2024 pick has very limited protection, so a 2024 tank doesn't look likely, and all of FVV/Trent/Poeltl are free agents after this season, so the Raptors will basically have to be a tax team to keep this same group together + a 2023 pick that will be closer to middle of the pack than top 5 in all likelihood. Even if this team makes a run, it's likely going to be the play in tournament for the right to see who gets to have their asses handed to them by Milwaukee or Boston in the first round. Not fun.

 

I think there's certainly potential for this to blow up in their face. However - I think they feel the addition of Poeltl and a Top 10 pick this year (assuming FVV/Trent/Poeltl are extended) + the expected development of Barnes will put them right back in the thick of things in the East. They won't be a top 3 team, but with the Nets selling, there just isn't a lot of talent in the East. Miami is aging, Knicks suck, Atlanta/Chicago continue to underachieve, etc. They likely feel they can battle with Cleveland, Miami and Atlanta (maybe Chicago?) for the 4th or 5th seed - which would push the 2024 pick into the 20's, which is much less valuable.

 

They need some f***ing guards though - good god.

[jaysblue]

You have to hope the Raps extend Poeltl, FVV and/or Trent. At least 2 of the 3.

 

I think there needs to be some shakeup somewhere on the roster. Like you said make an upgrade at guard or if OG is upset here in Toronto, see if you could move him for multiple pieces or a similar type player. Hope Barnes develops into a better player and they should be in good shape.

 

Roster depth will be important as well. Given the Raptors lack of a superstar player, bench depth for this team is important especially when injuries occur.

 

I think the Raps are better getting back to being a 4th/5th place team in the East that could make the 2nd or 3rd round rather than be a losing team for 4-5 years in a row. At least they can always make a move that puts them over the top if they need to like they did with Kawhi for 2019. I don't see Boston, Cleveland, Miami, Atlanta or the Bucks being a huge roadblock as lets say the Cavs when they had LeBron. Raps fan base also will disappear if this team starts losing. It's not like the Leafs.

[Brownie19]

You have to hope the Raps extend Poeltl, FVV and/or Trent. At least 2 of the 3.

 

I think there needs to be some shakeup somewhere on the roster. Like you said make an upgrade at guard or if OG is upset here in Toronto, see if you could move him for multiple pieces or a similar type player. Hope Barnes develops into a better player and they should be in good shape.

 

Roster depth will be important as well. Given the Raptors lack of a superstar player, bench depth for this team is important especially when injuries occur.

 

I think the Raps are better getting back to being a 4th/5th place team in the East that could make the 2nd or 3rd round rather than be a losing team for 4-5 years in a row. At least they can always make a move that puts them over the top if they need to like they did with Kawhi for 2019. I don't see Boston, Cleveland, Miami, Atlanta or the Bucks being a huge roadblock as lets say the Cavs when they had LeBron. Raps fan base also will disappear if this team starts losing. It's not like the Leafs.

 

We've been so solid for so long that I don't know whether this is true or not. I think the Raps have a really solid fan base, but I certainly could be wrong.

[Krylian]

We've been so solid for so long that I don't know whether this is true or not. I think the Raps have a really solid fan base, but I certainly could be wrong.

 

They won't go anywhere. This city can handle losing...what they get frustrated with is incompetence and indecision. A management team with no plan or an idiotic one sets people off. If this team lingers in nowhere land (too good to draft high, and too s*** to actually have a shot at winning) people will get pissed.

[jaysblue]

We've been so solid for so long that I don't know whether this is true or not. I think the Raps have a really solid fan base, but I certainly could be wrong.

 

They do to a certain extent. You'll have fans across Canada and watching on TV but when it comes to the attendance at games, could be a different story. As a season ticket holder I see it. When the Raps are hot, I'm selling tickets online no problem. When they're cold and losing, it's tough to get rid of them. Just saying from my experience on that front.

 

Even during the NBA Playoffs in 2019. Game 7 against the 76ers, I couldn't even get face value for my seats. So instead I went to the game, and glad I did since it was probably the best Raps game in team history. But regardless that shows you that even this fanbase going into a Game 7 against the 76ers in R2, they don't even have the confidence or heck even willing to pay face value (season seat prices) for an important playoff game. If it was a Game 7 in Round 2 for the Leafs, those seats would be a hot item and no question sell fast for way more than face value.

[jaysblue]

They won't go anywhere. This city can handle losing...what they get frustrated with is incompetence and indecision. A management team with no plan or an idiotic one sets people off. If this team lingers in nowhere land (too good to draft high, and too s*** to actually have a shot at winning) people will get pissed.

 

Meh Raps fanbase is completely different than the Leafs. Attendance numbers will take a hit for the Raps if they start losing big. As a season seat holder, I see it even this season and in previous years when this team was even better. Trust me.

[Krylian]

Meh Raps fanbase is completely different than the Leafs. Attendance numbers will take a hit for the Raps if they start losing big. As a season seat holder, I see it even this season and in previous years when this team was even better. Trust me.

 

I disagree.

[jaysblue]

I disagree.

 

I've had Raptor season tickets since 2014. I'm not saying they'll all of a sudden get only 10K fans at the games, but there won't be much demand for tickets if this team starts to lose over the next 4-5 years. Even this season I see it a bit. It's way tougher to unload tickets even for a Friday night game which is unusual. Depends on the date and opponent obviously as well. Like I even said in a previous post, I couldn't even get rid of my seats for Game 7 against the 76ers in 2019 at face value. And that's a Game 7!

 

Leafs fanbase is completely different than the Raptors fanbase.

[Brownie19]

I've had Raptor season tickets since 2014. I'm not saying they'll all of a sudden get only 10K fans at the games, but there won't be much demand for tickets if this team starts to lose over the next 4-5 years. Even this season I see it a bit. It's way tougher to unload tickets even for a Friday night game which is unusual. Depends on the date and opponent obviously as well. Like I even said in a previous post, I couldn't even get rid of my seats for Game 7 against the 76ers in 2019 at face value. And that's a Game 7!

 

Leafs fanbase is completely different than the Raptors fanbase.

 

Imagine a crazy world where the Raps would need to reduce tickets costs during more difficult times to help draw more people to games. That would be really nice. I love basketball, but my 3 boys aren't super into it. I'd like to take them down to a game (wanted to go to the Grizzles game in December), but that cost for 4 tickets was f***ing nuts, so I said screw it.

[Krylian]

I've had Raptor season tickets since 2014. I'm not saying they'll all of a sudden get only 10K fans at the games, but there won't be much demand for tickets if this team starts to lose over the next 4-5 years. Even this season I see it a bit. It's way tougher to unload tickets even for a Friday night game which is unusual. Depends on the date and opponent obviously as well. Like I even said in a previous post, I couldn't even get rid of my seats for Game 7 against the 76ers in 2019 at face value. And that's a Game 7!

 

Leafs fanbase is completely different than the Raptors fanbase.

 

Leafs fanbase is an anomaly. No one is arguing that.

 

I just don't think you're going to see the major hit in attendance that you're implying. Will there be some? Of course...but I don't think it would be nearly that dire.

 

However, if this management group is going to slap bandaids on the team like the 2017 Jays did and try and present the illusion of a competitive team fans will see right through that and it will be worse...and I'm not talking about casuals. They're morons. But knowledgable fans know what they're looking at.

[jaysblue]

Yeah I hope the Raptors don't increase ticket prices again. They've been increasing them every year. I started out paying $5200 for my two seats back in 2014 which was very reasonable and now it's $8100. If the team isn't winning or doesn't have a chance at being a Top 3 or 4 team in the East, I don't see how MLSE can justify to continue raising prices.

 

For a family of 4 to go down to a Raps game is super expensive, especially if you buy from the Raptors online. Blue Jays are still the best deal in town for families or larger groups.

[Krylian]

Yeah I hope the Raptors don't increase ticket prices again. They've been increasing them every year. I started out paying $5200 for my two seats back in 2014 which was very reasonable and now it's $8100. If the team isn't winning or doesn't have a chance at being a Top 3 or 4 team in the East, I don't see how MLSE can justify to continue raising prices.

 

For a family of 4 to go down to a Raps game is super expensive, especially if you buy from the Raptors online. Blue Jays are still the best deal in town for families or larger groups.

 

They don't have to justify anything. If the tickets sell, there's your justification. They don't care about the family of 4...as long as someone buys the tickets they don't care who. Capitalism.

[Dick_Pole]

The Score offering +400 boosted odds on the Raptors to end up wit 43 or more wins. The team has to go 15-8 the rest of the way to make it. Wild card is three against the Wizards which aren't the auto-wins they once were but the rest of the schedule seems pretty winnable with only a couple games against Denver, Philly and ending the season with the Celtics and Bucks that hopefully won't give a s*** by the time those games roll around. Worth a shot.

[Horses Fart]

What the f*** is up with Ja Morant? It’s a shame because the kids got all kinds of talent.

[Abomination]

What the f*** is up with Ja Morant? It’s a shame because the kids got all kinds of talent.

 

I don't know, but it kinda feels like this is getting blown way out of proportion unless there's a lot more to the story.

[Krylian]

What the f*** is up with Ja Morant? It’s a shame because the kids got all kinds of talent.

 

The talent doesn't appear to be between the ears

[connorp]

I don't know, but it kinda feels like this is getting blown way out of proportion unless there's a lot more to the story.

 

Says the guy with him on his fantasy team. He’s definitely been a “thug” and not because of his skin color. Flashing guns and gang signs isn’t a good look. And he’s been in trouble with other things too. I know they’re not “role models” as Charles Barkley famously said, but you have to grow up and be a pro.

[connorp]

A lot of oldies here to remember Shawn Kemp. Arrested for doing a drive by shooting. Wow

 

Ah nobody got shot though

[AdamGreenwood]

Yeah I hope the Raptors don't increase ticket prices again. They've been increasing them every year. I started out paying $5200 for my two seats back in 2014 which was very reasonable and now it's $8100. If the team isn't winning or doesn't have a chance at being a Top 3 or 4 team in the East, I don't see how MLSE can justify to continue raising prices.

 

For a family of 4 to go down to a Raps game is super expensive, especially if you buy from the Raptors online. Blue Jays are still the best deal in town for families or larger groups.

 

Because as soon as you stop paying, you lose your seats, and have to get a higher row in the same section for the same price.

[Horses Fart]

Kevin f***in Durant. Sprained his vagina in the pre game.

[connorp]

Kevin f***in Durant. Sprained his vagina in the pre game.

 

Yeah, his pansy act sucks. Thought I was clear for a title in the board league and guy breaks again