NBA Thread

[Frag]

Nick Nurse: All Star

[Spanky__99]

Ho hum... 10 in a row!

[Dick_Pole]

The Raptors did what they needed to do and ran the table on those s*** teams. Securing #2 seed should be top priority. The difference between basically getting a bye for round one and having a battle. If Butler goes into Milwaukee's bracket I can see the Raptors having a reasonably easy path to the Conference Finals. Then after that you just gotta pray but I think that would be considered a pretty successful follow up season.

[Dick_Pole]

Double checked this because I was sure they won every game they were supposed to win and yup. 22-0 against sub-.500 teams in the east, 13-14 against everyone else lol

[jaysblue]

The Raptors did what they needed to do and ran the table on those s*** teams. Securing #2 seed should be top priority. The difference between basically getting a bye for round one and having a battle. If Butler goes into Milwaukee's bracket I can see the Raptors having a reasonably easy path to the Conference Finals. Then after that you just gotta pray but I think that would be considered a pretty successful follow up season.

 

Securing the #2 seed is imperative. I don't know who mentioned on here before that the Raptors should just focus on getting to the Playoffs healthy and that seeding isn't the most important. Obviously being healthy in the playoffs is super important, though seeding plays a huge role as well. Like you said, you want an easy first round matchup and home court in the second round vs. a team like Indiana, Boston, Miami or Philly if you meet one of them. If they can get to the Conference Finals against Milwaukee, the Raps have a fighting chance as we saw last season. The Raps would give the Clippers or Lakers a run for their money if they made the Finals.

[jaysblue]

Double checked this because I was sure they won every game they were supposed to win and yup. 22-0 against sub-.500 teams in the east, 13-14 against everyone else lol

 

That's what a team is supposed to do during the regular season. Beat up on sub -500 teams to bump them up in the standings, and play around .500 against winning teams. And most of those games against winning teams were close, so it's not like the Raptors got destroyed. I hate the misconception that the Raptors can only beat losing teams and can't beat the good teams.

[Dick_Pole]

Yes, plus a lot of the tougher matchups the Raptors have had have come when the team was shorthanded or have been on the road. I was following up on a point I made earlier. That this team wins when it is supposed to win. No embarrassing inexcusable off-night losses to teams like the Hawks this year. Though there have been a few close calls. That's a sign of good coaching.

 

Now watch them screw up the Bulls game lol.

[Frag]

Yes, plus a lot of the tougher matchups the Raptors have had have come when the team was shorthanded or have been on the road. I was following up on a point I made earlier. That this team wins when it is supposed to win. No embarrassing inexcusable off-night losses to teams like the Hawks this year. Though there have been a few close calls. That's a sign of good coaching.

 

Now watch them screw up the Bulls game lol.

 

Ya jinxed em!

[glory]

Securing the #2 seed is imperative. I don't know who mentioned on here before that the Raptors should just focus on getting to the Playoffs healthy and that seeding isn't the most important. Obviously being healthy in the playoffs is super important, though seeding plays a huge role as well. Like you said, you want an easy first round matchup and home court in the second round vs. a team like Indiana, Boston, Miami or Philly if you meet one of them. If they can get to the Conference Finals against Milwaukee, the Raps have a fighting chance as we saw last season. The Raps would give the Clippers or Lakers a run for their money if they made the Finals.

 

The team with the top 5 player on their team usually wins in the playoffs. The Raptors won last year because Kawhi was a top 3 player in the league (with a case for best in the league). The only team in the East with a top 5 player is Milwaukee, so I can't see the Raptors having a real chance against them. Competitive? Sure, but that series is over in 5, or 6 at best games. With that said, get to the ECF and go 5-6 games with the Bucks after losing 40% of a finals starting lineup and replacing them with undrafted players and RHJ? I'll take it. That would be a sweet victory lap.

 

As far as seeding, yeah the Raptors need the #2 seed. It not only puts them in position to avoid the Bucks until the ECF and get an easier first round opponent (although a healthy Kyrie would be dangerous if it ends up being the Nets at 7), but also gives them home court against similar teams like the Heat and Celtics. HCA matters when it is teams with similar talent, and the Raptors have the championship experience edge on top of that.

 

Get the #2 seed and let the chips fall from there.

[Laika]

The team with the top 5 player on their team usually wins in the playoffs. The Raptors won last year because Kawhi was a top 3 player in the league (with a case for best in the league). The only team in the East with a top 5 player is Milwaukee, so I can't see the Raptors having a real chance against them. Competitive? Sure, but that series is over in 5, or 6 at best games. With that said, get to the ECF and go 5-6 games with the Bucks after losing 40% of a finals starting lineup and replacing them with undrafted players and RHJ? I'll take it. That would be a sweet victory lap.

 

As far as seeding, yeah the Raptors need the #2 seed. It not only puts them in position to avoid the Bucks until the ECF and get an easier first round opponent (although a healthy Kyrie would be dangerous if it ends up being the Nets at 7), but also gives them home court against similar teams like the Heat and Celtics. HCA matters when it is teams with similar talent, and the Raptors have the championship experience edge on top of that.

 

Get the #2 seed and let the chips fall from there.

 

You never know. Toronto won everything, in part, because the Warriors were banged up. Giannis could twist his ankle in G1 of the ECF. Even with Giannis healthy there is a small chance they could steal a game or two and pull of an upset.

[jaysblue]

You never know. Toronto won everything, in part, because the Warriors were banged up. Giannis could twist his ankle in G1 of the ECF. Even with Giannis healthy there is a small chance they could steal a game or two and pull of an upset.

 

I wouldn't count Toronto out against Milwaukee. Like you said, they could pull an upset. I still consider the Bucks favourites in a series vs. the Raps. Raptors weren't 100% when they first played the Bucks earlier in the year. So the upcoming games against them will be indicators. As well, the Bucks have all the pressure on them. If they don't make the Finals this season, it's a huge disappointment for them.

[Abomination]

Surprised no one has mentioned the big 4 team basketball trade last night.

 

To Houston: Covington, Bell, 2nd

To Atlanta: Capela, Nene

To Minnesota: Beasley, Hernangomez, Turner, Vanderbilt, 1st

To Denver: Green, Bates-Diop, Napier, Vonleh, 1st

[Boxcar]

The team with the top 5 player on their team usually wins in the playoffs. The Raptors won last year because Kawhi was a top 3 player in the league (with a case for best in the league). The only team in the East with a top 5 player is Milwaukee, so I can't see the Raptors having a real chance against them. Competitive? Sure, but that series is over in 5, or 6 at best games. With that said, get to the ECF and go 5-6 games with the Bucks after losing 40% of a finals starting lineup and replacing them with undrafted players and RHJ? I'll take it. That would be a sweet victory lap.

 

As far as seeding, yeah the Raptors need the #2 seed. It not only puts them in position to avoid the Bucks until the ECF and get an easier first round opponent (although a healthy Kyrie would be dangerous if it ends up being the Nets at 7), but also gives them home court against similar teams like the Heat and Celtics. HCA matters when it is teams with similar talent, and the Raptors have the championship experience edge on top of that.

 

Get the #2 seed and let the chips fall from there.

 

Khris Middleton has been pretty f***ing good too

[Krylian]

Raps outscored 43-18 in the 2nd quarter.

[Abomination]

Raps outscored 43-18 in the 2nd quarter.

 

The Pacers were making some sick shots, but we need to make it harder on them too.

[P2F]

How can that be a timeout? f***ing NBA referees, man.

[Abomination]

Okay. I'd say we stole that one. It all counts!

[P2F]

Wow. That was an impressive comeback win for their 12th straight.

[Frag]

The Raptors are the anti-Leafs.

[Dick_Pole]

Nice comeback win to finally end Toronto's 11 game win streak curse. Both Raptors and Jays have had multiple 11 game win streaks and lost #12 every time. Leafs...who knows. Doubt they ever got to 11 wins in a row in their history to blow #12.

[Krylian]

Nice comeback win to finally end Toronto's 11 game win streak curse. Both Raptors and Jays have had multiple 11 game win streaks and lost #12 every time. Leafs...who knows. Doubt they ever got to 11 wins in a row in their history to blow #12.

 

Leafs winning streak is 10, to start the 93-94 season.

[The Cats Ass]

Nice comeback win to finally end Toronto's 11 game win streak curse. Both Raptors and Jays have had multiple 11 game win streaks and lost #12 every time. Leafs...who knows. Doubt they ever got to 11 wins in a row in their history to blow #12.

 

Can't really compare the 2 sports. NHL only has had 16, 12 game win streaks. NBA has had 119.

[Carlos Danger]

Nada??? Miami got stronger? We are staying pat??

[Orgfiller]

Nada??? Miami got stronger? We are staying pat??

 

Miami acquired a 36 year old who hasn't played all season and gave him an extension on top of it along with Jae Crowder who honestly isn't that good. I'd rather stay put than give up anything to make the same additions.

[Carlos Danger]

Miami acquired a 36 year old who hasn't played all season and gave him an extension on top of it along with Jae Crowder who honestly isn't that good. I'd rather stay put than give up anything to make the same additions.

 

Good point. However, Gasol is only a year younger and was only acquired as a veteran defensive specialist and he made a huge difference with his D and to the team.

 

I see Iguodala potentially being same type of boost.. I hope you are right... Apart from the Bucks obviously, Miami is the team that worries me most out of the East in the playoffs.

[Laika]

Nothing really made sense for Toronto. I would have been bummed to see OG or certain other young players dealt for a marginal upgrade. No pressure on Toronto to make a big move either. They are kind of playing with house money right now as defending champs, so they have the luxury of staying responsible. Fans will love them no matter how deep they make it this year.

[Beans]

Ya, I’m happy they didn’t make any moves.

 

There was less pressure this season not just because they’re the defending champs, but because through 51 games last year they were 36-15 and through 51 games this year they’re 37-14.

 

They've got a lot of capital with the fans right now.

Edited February 7, 2020 by Beans

[Dick_Pole]

There is absolutely nothing the Raptors could have done that made any sense based on the deals I saw out there. They have no need to shed contracts and really no need to take on any either. Stick with the young guys. Miami just went from the fourth best team in the East to the...fourth best team in the East.

[glory]

The only place the Raptors could have upgraded was SF (OG hasn't been very good) but no one who was actually moved in other trades would have made a difference. No point making a lateral move or marginal upgrade. OG is still young, so even if he's just a role player long term, they don't have to move him now. Stick with the current group and see what happens.

 

The Raptors (like a lot of teams) are preserving cap space for 2021 when Giannis is a FA. They won't add anyone whose contracts runs beyond next season, so that limits their options as well.

[Chappy]

Raptors 7GB. Improved or not by seasons end?