NBA Thread

[theblujay]

I really thought Lowry was the one holding this team together, but I guess they really are a true team

[eastcoastjaysfan]

I really thought Lowry was the one holding this team together, but I guess they really are a true team

 

They're so motivated. They've been in almost every single game this year. They've played every top team tough. The only really stinker that I can remember off hand is the game in Sacramento.

[John_Havok]

I'll go on record saying that I would've bet a lot of money that they lose both games against Houston/Indiana without Lowry.

 

That is unbelievable really.

 

Perhaps a blessing in disguise for Lowry to go down at this point in the season. Not that the Raps don't need him to have success, they certainly do, but playing a few games without him will force the other starters to realize what they need to do to step up their game, and maybe when he comes back, they keep the new intensity and realize they can take it to another level.

[jays_fever]

I'll go on record saying that I would've bet a lot of money that they lose both games against Houston/Indiana without Lowry.

 

That is unbelievable really.

 

Honestly, I'm still not sure what to make out of a possible Indiana Toronto match up. But pushing them to a game 7 would be huge going forward. With continued progress of JV and Ross, along with an improved bench, I can see this team winning 55 next year

[eastcoastjaysfan]

Perhaps a blessing in disguise for Lowry to go down at this point in the season. Not that the Raps don't need him to have success, they certainly do, but playing a few games without him will force the other starters to realize what they need to do to step up their game, and maybe when he comes back, they keep the new intensity and realize they can take it to another level.

 

He's also playing badly hurt. Will be great to get him 7-10 days off. I'd sit him until next week to be honest.

[John_Havok]

Honestly, I'm still not sure what to make out of a possible Indiana Toronto match up. But pushing them to a game 7 would be huge going forward. With continued progress of JV and Ross, along with an improved bench, I can see this team winning 55 next year

 

One thing I've noticed about Ross, it's almost like he's playing under so much control that he's stifled. His athleticism is off the charts but when he drives with the ball he's so deliberate in his motions. Hopefully just a product of being young and lacking the kind of confidence that only comes after being in the league a few years, but it's very evident he has all kinds of talent to spare.

[jays_fever]

One thing I've noticed about Ross, it's almost like he's playing under so much control that he's stifled. His athleticism is off the charts but when he drives with the ball he's so deliberate in his motions. Hopefully just a product of being young and lacking the kind of confidence that only comes after being in the league a few years, but it's very evident he has all kinds of talent to spare.

 

I just don't think he really has the ball handling skills to be able to put the ball on the deck repeatedly and get in the ball into the paint. When defenders fly out on him he;s shown he has the ability to fly past them and make that nice pull of shot though. Either way, his ball handling skills should be a point of emphasize this summer

[SpeedyGose]

At the very worst Ross is an elite 3 + D guy, which are extremely valuable.

 

Love this team man, sit lowry for the next 2 or 3 games. Our schedule is so soft from here on out, 4 games against the worst of the worst (mil, phi, det)

[Dylan]

Raps won? NICEEEE

[eastcoastjaysfan]

At the very worst Ross is an elite 3 + D guy, which are extremely valuable.

 

Love this team man, sit lowry for the next 2 or 3 games. Our schedule is so soft from here on out, 4 games against the worst of the worst (mil, phi, det)

 

They've got the Bucks (road) and then the Sixers/Knicks at home. Lowry should not play a minute this week. I like what I've seen from De Colo. He can fill in admirably in that time.

[Caper]

They've got the Bucks (road) and then the Sixers/Knicks at home. Lowry should not play a minute this week. I like what I've seen from De Colo. He can fill in admirably in that time.

 

Yip agree 100%. Anyone that needs to rest... needs to rest. Allows guys like De Colo to acclimate a bit more.... you might need him in the playoffs. I was sure we were getting swept on these last 3 games.... and would be able to comeback at Chicago in the easy stretch, that is the last 6. 2 out of 3 is huge... I was not expecting that at all.

 

It was a blessing in disguise that Lowry got hurt. As long as he can play some limited minutes in the last 3 games.

[SpeedyGose]

We need to sweep the rest of the season to keep 3rd seed, considering how easy Chicago's schedule is too.

 

I'd like to see Lowry back for NYK if possible, they've been playing better as of late. If he needs more rest that's fine but I think they are the biggest threats left on our scheudle

[Grant77]

At the very worst Ross is an elite 3 + D guy, which are extremely valuable.

 

I don't know if he'll ever reach the same level, but Ross reminds me a lot of Kawhi Leonard as a rookie. I think he can improve his defense (not a criticism) and he'll need to create more opportunities on the dribble if he wants to reach the next level.

[SpeedyGose]

I think Kawhi and Ross are much different players. KAwhi is undoubtedly a better defender (he's elite), Ross is above average at this point. However, they are pretty equal as far as offensive impact is concerned and Ross has more potential to grow.

 

Since Casey has been giving Ross more minutes after the ASG (23 games, small sample but still enough to matter for a sophomore), his TS% is .590 - Kawhi is .597. Considering half of Kawhi's shots come off cuts and slashes that are a product of Pop's system. Also Ross attempts 7(!!!) 3s a game and shoots them at a 41% clip.

 

In summary, both really good role players who do different things offensively. Kawhi with the advantage defensively and Ross the higher ceiling.

[SpeedyGose]

Might wanna get the starters back in eh?

[dineke]

I don't think Ross has a higher ceiling at all. Leonard has DPOY potential if he's not already...

[Dylan]

RAPS WIN! TFC WIN! JAYS WIN!

 

leafs...

[GD]

All three major Toronto sports teams win! What a day.

[theblujay]

All three major Toronto sports teams win! What a day.

 

MLS is even more irrelevant than you

[admin]

Raps looking pretty good. Crazy they are third in the East, and they would be outside the playoffs in the West in 10th place.

[GD]

MLS is even more irrelevant than you

 

Fatcow, King and GordieDougie don't appreciate that. We mandate you treat us with respect.

[eastcoastjaysfan]

RAPS WIN! TFC WIN! JAYS WIN!

 

leafs...

 

Literally a perfect sports day. I didn't even know the Raps were playing yesterday. Watching the replay now, they didn't look that good. Whatever. A win is a win.

[theblujay]

JV had another double double. He's getting better every week

[jays_fever]

I think Kawhi and Ross are much different players. KAwhi is undoubtedly a better defender (he's elite), Ross is above average at this point. However, they are pretty equal as far as offensive impact is concerned and Ross has more potential to grow.

 

Since Casey has been giving Ross more minutes after the ASG (23 games, small sample but still enough to matter for a sophomore), his TS% is .590 - Kawhi is .597. Considering half of Kawhi's shots come off cuts and slashes that are a product of Pop's system. Also Ross attempts 7(!!!) 3s a game and shoots them at a 41% clip.

 

In summary, both really good role players who do different things offensively. Kawhi with the advantage defensively and Ross the higher ceiling.

 

Ross using ball screen effectively and being able to get them off is huge. There's a lot of great 3 point shooters who are pretty lousy players in general and can't get free or really do anything useful.

 

I'd take Leonard 10 times out of 10 though over Ross and it isn't a 1A 1B thing either. He can guard any wing player straight up and Ross simply can't

[eastcoastjaysfan]

So this team is 39-20 since the Rudy trade.... That's equivalent to a team winning 107 games over a baseball season.

 

Elite team is officially elite? (Maybe we should win a playoff series before proclaiming that though lol)

[SpeedyGose]

Ya'll ready for a Raptors-Bobcats semis matchup? lol Pacers are about to get all they can handle

[TRM]

Hopefully Washington can hold off Charlotte and stay in the 6 spot. Matching up against Charlotte would be a rough first round situation.

 

(All this contingent on the Raps holding on to the three.)

[eastcoastjaysfan]

Ya'll ready for a Raptors-Bobcats semis matchup? lol Pacers are about to get all they can handle

 

Really wouldn't be surprised to see Indy get bounced in the first. They look incredibly vulnerable.

[Caper]

Every week I look to see where the Raps are at in the weekly power rankings at ESPN. This week they went 3 and 1... with the one loss being against Miami.... So they drop a spot to 13.... Geeze.

[eastcoastjaysfan]

Every week I look to see where the Raps are at in the weekly power rankings at ESPN. This week they went 3 and 1... with the one loss being against Miami.... So they drop a spot to 13.... Geeze.

 

They won't be taken seriously until they make the 2nd round at least.