2016/17 Toronto Raptors Season Thread !!

[raptorizedguy]

If lowry was smart he would take a pay cut and go to the spurs. As for the raps, if lowry does indeed go maybe we should look at jrue? Although he's injury prone, but when hes healthy the guy can score and defend, great 2 way player. He would blend in well with our team and coming to his prime. I dont think joseph is starter material maybe just a decent back-up.

But when he is healthy is not what I like to here in getting a replacement for Lowry .. This is when the Raps pro scouting has to work overtime .
Somewhere there is a Lowry ( Lowry wasn't a alsrar when he got here ) and the Raps are going to have to find him ... The nucleus or core of this team is still Colengelo's team ... Maybe the Raps GM is going to have to make a bold move to put his imprint on this team . So far Carol
is one of his failures in putting his imprint .

 

[raptorizedguy]

A lot has been said about Raps losing to Lebron ... Another factor that can't be ignored is team payrolls are way far apart and
Cavs are spending crazy money over the cap

 

[frankcastle]

Watched a youtube video that listed what they thought was the best free agent on each NBA team.

Zack Randolph and Paul Millsap were two that jumped out at me.

Chris Paul and Durant too.

 

[frankcastle]

Interesting that Lowry ends the year on the DL. with all the opinions that he could go back to Philly, they've just had too many problems with injuries. Interesting to see if they would take on another guy with such history.
I can't imagine us taking Stauskas. They won't give up Simmons or Embid. They have plenty of length on their team, so if we could get Covington, that would be awesome, but if we aren't in a bargaining position we might have to settle for Gerald Henderson.

Don't sign and trades have to include salaries close to each other?

Why would Kyle go to Philly that is a terrible team.

 

[Dawgger]

Don't sign and trades have to include salaries close to each other?

Why would Kyle go to Philly that is a terrible team.

Kyle is from Philly. He also said he wants a ring and I don't see him getting one in Philly. Sign and trades are done so that the player can get the max salary, in this case it would be Lowery. Philly would be sending a bunch of players this way to get close to the pick, problem would be unless they included one or more of their youngsters, and a draft pick or two, there isn't any veteran on the Philly roster that the Raps would really want.

My guess he either resigns here or heads for the Spurs.

 

[Dawgger]

Watched a youtube video that listed what they thought was the best free agent on each NBA team.

Zack Randolph and Paul Millsap were two that jumped out at me.

Chris Paul and Durant too.

I am not a Randolph fan but Milsap is a fit especially if Ibaka and Patterson move on. Durant and/or Paul, oh I WISH!

 

[whynot888]

I always liked millsap. I think he is a better fit than ibaka

 

[gfelover]

raps withdrawal kicking in.... Much to contemplate suddenly for short and long term perspectives, but another season is done and done. Been spoiled with the successes the last few years and such is success that one's expectations are always compromised. Boys have given us moments the last few years yet I think we may be totally different come October 1.....

not sure what will, can or may happen over the next few weeks but Masai and team have a lot to deal with. Good luck to them! To all who have shared our commitment to this team, thanks for the share and have a great summer! Especially to the gif that keeps on gifing......:bump2:

 

[smuddan]

Interesting to hear that Masai say the team needs a culture change. Maybe he's thinking along the lines of what Shanahan did with trading Phaneuf and Kessel, and/or getting the best coach money can buy ?

I found myself had trouble getting excited about this past Raptors season, partly because my sports interests gravitated towards the Leafs' surprisingly exciting season, but mainly due to the predictability of the NBA games. We knew the Raps would make the playoffs and we knew they couldn't beat Clevland as long as James was there, and it looks like things won't change for at least a couple more seasons. The officiating when playing against a Lebron team is also a big turn off.

 

[Dawgger]

Saw clips of Masai's press conference,..... stay tuned info to follow when he has something to tell the world! Suggested it would be a month or more before any decisions were made and a plan was drawn up.

 

[Dawgger]

smuddan, interesting you mention the officiating, as I have similar feelings. The NBA officiating is IMO, at best, suspect. Stars get away with a lot more than the average guys do, and God forbid an average joe should get in the way of a star. The officiating is inconsistent and needs to be improved. 3 officials on the floor, surely they should be able to confer and get it right more than they currently do.

 

[raptorizedguy]

Saw clips of Masai's press conference,..... stay tuned info to follow when he has something to tell the world! Suggested it would be a month or more before any decisions were made and a plan was drawn up.

In isn't weird that this franchise had its second best season in their franchise history but its seems we need a culture change and have to blow it up ... Shouldn't Masai have the biggest apology then blaming the coach . This coach had to play with a rookie PF for most of the season and a SF who isn't good enough to play in the D-League . I hear Lowry has interest in playing in Philly ... The 76ers have a lot of draft pics and so can you say " sign and trade " ...

Lets face the fact that Lebron is the Jordon of this era and he is playing out of his mind right now and add the fact the the Cavs payroll is 20 million more then the Raptors should also not be ignored . DeRozan is still young and lets hope some of the draft pics develop more next year and we don't blow it up .

Holly shit is the NBA weird ( Other then Cavs and Warriors ) ... Teams take turns blowing each other out .... We rip on DeRozan and Lowry but other Lebron it seems all stars rotate like their teams with huge games and duds ...

 

[frankcastle]

Found a youtube video of Kyle's exit interview..... said he is opting out.

In a way that is good. IT allows the raptors to go in a different direction and both parties save face.

 

[frankcastle]

I am not a Randolph fan but Milsap is a fit especially if Ibaka and Patterson move on. Durant and/or Paul, oh I WISH!

You never know if the WArriors win a ring and they can't afford the whole group. Maybe Durant goes elsewhere for max money.

CP may want to try else where as the clipper are like the Raptors.... good regular season, poor post season.

Long shot but hey big 3 happen.

 

[Dawgger]

Found a youtube video of Kyle's exit interview..... said he is opting out.

In a way that is good. IT allows the raptors to go in a different direction and both parties save face.

Philly newspaper suggesting that Kyle leaning toward to Philly, could just be a slow news day in Philly or Colangelo wants to spend a lot of money on a veteran PG. They do have the youngsters and picks to make something happen if a sign and trade is in order.
As I said previously, I don't think Lowery merits a max salary on a long term deal. in fact not sure he even merits max salary.

You never know if the WArriors win a ring and they can't afford the whole group. Maybe Durant goes elsewhere for max money.

CP may want to try else where as the clipper are like the Raptors.... good regular season, poor post season.

Long shot but hey big 3 happen.

Golden state has a few guys that will be UFA's. No way they can afford to bring them all back at top dollar.
If Lowery moves on Chris Paul would be an awesome replacement. Durant, who wouldn't want him?!!! KD is an awesome player and comes across as an awesome person. Paul still not a free agent but he has the opt out option this year and may yet exercise it.
You just don't know how much Masai has to spend or is willing to spend!
The other factor is which players are willing to move to Toronto????

 

[whynot888]

Paul replacing lowry wont really change anything. What the raps need are wing guys who can consistantly hit 3's. If the raps hit their open jumpers during the cavs series it would of been closer. Still not enough but at least be entertaining.

 

[Dawgger]

Paul replacing lowry wont really change anything. What the raps need are wing guys who can consistantly hit 3's. If the raps hit their open jumpers during the cavs series it would of been closer. Still not enough but at least be entertaining.

So if Lowery moves on who do you want to see at starting PG? IMO Paul is the best option out there. No question there are more pieces needed to get the Raps deep into the playoffs.

 

[mynameisearl11]

Philly newspaper suggesting that Kyle leaning toward to Philly, could just be a slow news day in Philly or Colangelo wants to spend a lot of money on a veteran PG. They do have the youngsters and picks to make something happen if a sign and trade is in order.
As I said previously, I don't think Lowery merits a max salary on a long term deal. in fact not sure he even merits max salary.



Golden state has a few guys that will be UFA's. No way they can afford to bring them all back at top dollar.
If Lowery moves on Chris Paul would be an awesome replacement. Durant, who wouldn't want him?!!! KD is an awesome player and comes across as an awesome person. Paul still not a free agent but he has the opt out option this year and may yet exercise it.
You just don't know how much Masai has to spend or is willing to spend!
The other factor is which players are willing to move to Toronto????

This is where you hope that Drake,Raps ambassador,would do his job selling the city to potential FA's.

 

[whynot888]

If lowry does walk, maybe perhaps try to sign ibaka and go after gordon hayward and for the 1 spot could get a patty mills for a good bargin

 

[frankcastle]

when kyle went down the raptors did okay with the back up pgs. so it is not dire to replace him if there happens to be someone who plays a diffrent position that could help the team.

great point made by a previous poster that even an upgrade in role players who can hit jumpers reliably could improve the team. imagine jv and serge under the basket with demar driving with two snipers waiting for the kick out.

demar has great mid range can get to the line but without guys the defense needs to respect on the perimeter teams can cheat against him.