It's never too early to discuss Raptors 2019-2020

[Dawgger]

No Gasol No Ibaka No matter, Nurse will find a way! 15 in a row! AWESOME!

 

[Dawgger]

And others like the Timberwolves will find a way to lose. You have 6'10" Karl Anthony Towns being defended by 6'5" Hollis-Jefferson. Instead of feasting from the post with multiple easier shots like Antetokounmpo does, Towns went only 5-13 by taking 3 pointers. Leo Rautins was critical all night long. Nick Nurse would not have allowed that nonsense to continue.

Go Raps Go!

Nurse started H-J for a reason, had he wanted height he could have gone to Boucher or moved Siakim. Saw H-J stop Towns down low on a couple of occasions so they had seen something. Towns and the Greek Freak are two completely different players, no comparison.
One game before the all-star break, the Nets, in Brooklyn. After the barn burner here, the Raps should be up for that game! (I hope!)

 

[Insidious Von]

Towns is what Fred Sanford would describe as a big dummy. He disrespected Andrew Wiggins by making a scene over the arrival of his buddy D'Angelo Russell.

Nice Nurse is the best coach in the NBA and they have the best developmental team in 905. With Masai help, Canada should get enough votes for a seat on the UN Security Council.

 

[Dawgger]

When your defender yields 5" and 35 pounds as Hollis Jefferson did vs Towns, that is a mismatch. If you are an NBA player worth your salt, you ought to take advantage by bullying your way in the post for easier baskets. The fact Towns did not shows he is not an elite player. Rachel Nichols and her team on The Jump made exact same observation.

The Greek freak and Towns are two completely different players? That was exactly my point. The Greek freak would have tortured Hollis Jefferson, no matter how good a defender the latter is supposed to be. Having added a 3-point shot and mid-range jumper to his game, Giannis is a much better player than his MVP last season. Scary. He should win the MVP again this year.

You do realize we are agreeing with each other? Of course Towns should have gone inside continually and eaten him up but he didn't! Duh!!!! I think I V got it right with the "Big Dummy" remark. I still am giving Nurse credit for the move cause when I saw the starting line ups I gave a loud WTF!
Giannis is special. He seems to have it all. Should repeat as MVP!

 

[derrick76]

I don't give a shit about basketball, probably my least favorite sport, but this Raptors team is something else. Kudos!

lol. Who cares. It's the North American sport that's truly global...unlike the ones you give a shit about. :nod:

 

[The Oracle]

And Kyle lowry brings some intensity to the all star game thus solidifying his reputation as a gamer around the league.

I'm a fan.

 

[kyleb899]

The only Toronto sport team, I like is the Raptors.
GO RAPS GO

 

[Dawgger]

The Raptors whipped the Indiana Pacers by 46 points yesterday. But that victory illustrated all that is wrong with the current NBA. The Pacers weren't making threes and yet they kept shooting them - and missing. The Raptors captured the long rebounds and converted them into easy fast break points. The 3-point craze is the doom of many teams every night.

The Milwaukee Bucks are in town tomorrow. This Eastern heavy weight battle should be a precursor to the Eastern division championship. The internal battle between Giannis and Ibaka will go a long to determine who wins the game.

I think you have to give the Raps defense a little more credit. They pressured Indiana from the outset and were relentless for pretty much 48 minutes. When Indiana did go inside they were getting beat up. Raps also got to rest their starters for the bulk of the 4th Q which may help against the Bucks tomorrow.

 

[|2 /-\ | /|/]

The Raptors whipped the Indiana Pacers by 46 points yesterday. But that victory illustrated all that is wrong with the current NBA. The Pacers weren't making threes and yet they kept shooting them - and missing. The Raptors captured the long rebounds and converted them into easy fast break points. The 3-point craze is the doom of many teams every night.

The Milwaukee Bucks are in town tomorrow. This Eastern heavy weight battle should be a precursor to the Eastern division championship. The internal battle between Giannis and Ibaka will go a long to determine who wins the game.

Can’t wait for this game.

 

[Insidious Von]

Didn't watch either the Raptors nor the Leafs...getting caught up on Star Trek: Picard.

Classic moment, The Portuguese Lothario getting roasted!

 

[wazup]

Last was the night we realized as fans that there won't be any title this year. That was a drubbing by a team at the end of a 3 games in 4 nights stint.

 

[wonkyknee]

Last was the night we realized as fans that there won't be any title this year. That was a drubbing by a team at the end of a 3 games in 4 nights stint.

True, just like they kicked our ass the first two games of the Conference finals last year. We know how that ended up. We just had a bad night. I mean that was the first bad night Ibaka had all year that I can remember. Miwaukee plays big. Ibaka had a bad night and Gasol wasn't playing. Milwaukee certainly has a great chance to win the East, but its far from certain. Toronto still has a chance too.

 

[Dawgger]

The Raptors continued their bone-headed style of play in their loss to the Hornets on Friday by shooting 3 after 3. They went 10-42 on threes. And again with the starters logging ridiculous playing times. Okay, Ibaka, FVV joined Gasol on the injury list just as Norman Powell returned. But playing Powell 36 minutes just when he returned from injury? Insane. Time management by Nick Nurse has got to be the worst of any NBA coach by a country mile. Remember, these players also go at it hard in training. So its a double whammy. It started at the beginning of the season and hasn't stopped. This is the main reason the Raptors have the most injuries to their front line players. Sad, really.

Time management has been strange. If they were kicking ass and getting huge leads so they could rest the front line players, I wouldn't bitch, but, the starters have to play extended minutes continually. Lowry and Ibaka have bodies that are aging as basketball years go and we have to hope they have something left come playoffs. Gasol has had enough time off he should be reasonably fresh.
Please note khufu, I am agreeing.
I went back a few pages looking to see where I disagreed with you on 3 point shooting and couldn't find it. I think the 3 pointer in today's game is a necessity, but, guys that shoot 3's have to be able to hit them with some consistency. For the most part we are in agreement on 3 point shooting. Live by the 3 and it is pretty easy to die by the 3!
Truth is, I agree with most of your posts and enjoy them!

 

[tonytwist007]

The Raptors continued their bone-headed style of play in their loss to the Hornets on Friday by shooting 3 after 3. They went 10-42 on threes. And again with the starters logging ridiculous playing times. Okay, Ibaka, FVV joined Gasol on the injury list just as Norman Powell returned. But playing Powell 36 minutes just when he returned from injury? Insane. Time management by Nick Nurse has got to be the worst of any NBA coach by a country mile. Remember, these players also go at it hard in training. So its a double whammy. It started at the beginning of the season and hasn't stopped. This is the main reason the Raptors have the most injuries to their front line players. Sad, really.

So true

 

[Dawgger]

Congratulations to the Raptors qualifying for the playoffs by defeating the Warriors 121-113 last night. This is the earliest date and the lowest number of games taken by the Raptors to be in the playoffs. The game was much closer than the score line would indicate as the Warriors missed 2 free throws and 2 open 3s in the closing minute.

Nurse did an excellent coaching job. Even though Pascal was having a rough night, Nurse still called 2 plays for him at the end and Pascal rewarded him both times by driving and scoring circuit shots and a feee throw as he was fouled. And the Raptors registered 8 turnovers in the final frame. Norman Powell had a career night with 37 points, his highest ever while OG and McCaw were exceptional defensively. And Ibaka, who returned from injury, eschewed the 3 for a yeoman’s performance in the post.

Great job all around!

Did not watch the game and any highlights I have seen have been pro Raptor! So great post and thanks. 2 missed 3 pointers at a crucial time goes back to a previous conservation you started. Hope Powell continues to play well and if he does should at least get some mention for the most improved player award. Interesting you mentioned McCaw and his defensive work, he needs to do that consistently and add some scoring to go along with it. The potential is there and with playing time it should come as the confidence improves. now that a playoff spot is guaranteed I hope there are no serious injuries and the aging stars are not over used. Need them healthy and energized!

 

[wonkyknee]

The Raptors defeated the Kings 118-113 last night. It featured the return to action of Marc Gasol, who came off the bench. KLo played almost the entire 4th quarter with 5 fouls without fouling out and still delivered 15 points in that frame. Spicy P scored 12 points in the last 2 1/2 minutes. Norman Powell continued his hot streak with 31 points.

FVV stayed out with his sore right shoulder. I suspect he will not feature in tonight’s back to back against the Jazz. The Raptors don’t play again after tonight until Saturday, giving FVV more time to rehab his injury.

Go Raptors!

Didn't realize we had such a week, not playing for amost 5 days straight. Will be interesting to see how boston, philly and Miami do all week.

We do look pretty strong when the team is health and guys like Powell OG and Gasol are playing their best ball. excited for the playoffs.

 

[K Douglas]

What a big win in Utah tonight by the boys. Tough place to win and coming off a back to back. If only the Leafs had half the heart of this Raptors team. Serge Ibaka is playing his best ball of the season right now. Third straight double double. Siakam great game as well 2 assists short of a triple double. Lowry well what can you say, made a key 3 pointer down the stretch. Guy is so clutch.

Now I get that Nurse really likes McCaw's defense but man 43 minutes of playing time? His offense is woeful. And he had a key turnover in the last minute that could have been damaging.

 

[wonkyknee]

Even more impressive considering Gasol did not feature after re-injuring his hamstring last night and high scoring Norman Powell leaving the game after only 90 seconds upon colliding with OG. McCaw compensated for his woeful offense with a stellar defensive performance. This is the first game I have understood why Nurse is so fond of him.

Did Gasol reinjur sunday or was he just being managed on a back to back?

 

[curr3n_c1000]

Lets push for Nick Nurse Coach of the Year.

 

[jdeck]

Did Gasol reinjur sunday or was he just being managed on a back to back?

Managed due to back to back games