Superjudge wrote:
View Post
Announcement
Collapse
No announcement yet.
Can Raptors compete for #1 seed in east this upcoming season?
Collapse
X
-
Yabadabayolo wrote: View PostThe kings are doing well. Gay is doing great over there and dmc looks like he finally figured everything out. Watch them be this years suns but actually make the playoffs
As for the raps, they can divinely compete for 1st in the east. Cleveland looks like it needs time to gel and probably won't finish 1st. 4/5 most likely. Our only real competition is wash, and the bulls. The bulls are going to be with and without rose for the year and wash is wash.
I think there's a solid chance9 time first team all-RR, First Ballot Hall of Forum
Comment
-
-
-
-
YoungGunRaptor wrote: View PostIts to early to tell for sure, but we can savour being on top of the East right now alongside Chicago. But in the end, only one team will be left at the top. Can the Raptors be that team? Time will tell.
Comment
-
Obviously this is cherry-picking a range that makes us look good, but:
Highest win totals over last 70 games:
Spurs: 50
Clippers: 49
Raptors: 48
OKC: 47
Houston: 47
Golden State: 47
Memphis: 47
Miami: 45
Portland: 43
Dallas: 43
Phoenix: 43
Indiana: 42
Given the favourable schedule, it's not unrealistic to think that by game 18 (one year anniversary of the Rudy Gay trade), we could be the top team in the league over an 82 game stretch.
Comment
-
"I WANT THAT PURPLE STUFF!" Time to drink the purple Kool-Aid!
I've been trying to keep perspective on what is the realistic ceiling for this team. When I was back in Canada at the end of October I remember having conversations with some friends who live in Toronto, (who are general Toronto sports fans). In particular I remember having a conversation with a buddy, that something like this...
ezz_bee: Pay attention to the Raps this season they are going to be really good.
buddy: Yeah the are going to be good.
ezz_bee: But I'm worried I'm losing my perspective, that I'll letting myself get caught up.
buddy: Don't worry about that, the raps are really good...
ezz_bee: Yeah, but sometimes I start talking myself into believing they could make the Eastern Conference Finals.
buddy: Whoa, you need to pump the breaks on that. That's not happening. They'll definitely make the playoffs, but they're going to lose in the second round.
ezz_bee: Yeah, that's why I'm worried about letting my enthusiasm out of control. But I still think the Raps are underrating going into the season. If the Cavs take too long to gel, and/or Chicago has health issues, I could see us being right there in the mix at the top of the conference.
The Raptors are unequivocally the best, and most consistent team in the Eastern Conference to date, and It's not even close. We're tied for the best record in the league, with the Grizzlies (who we've beaten). You can argue about strength of schedule, but we're 3rd (behind Dallas, and GS) on Hollinger's auto-power rankings, (which takes SoS into account - Grizz are 6th). We're 6th in DRtg, 2nd in ORtg. Tied for 2nd with GS (behind Dallas) in NetRtg.
I've been keeping perspective since the season started, and here's where I'm at.
The media is still talking about how Chicago and Cleveland, can and will get better, and that's true. But so will the Raps. Although both teams have a higher level than the raps then could get to, I don't think Cleveland will be able to play their best basketball this season (or in the playoffs). Chicago, has a better shot, and them at their best is still probably better than the Raps at their best, but here's the thing: I think Toronto will be playing their best basket-ball in May. And I think that Raps have a 50-50 chance or better against either of these teams if they are playing at their pinnacle. Chicago is going to have to beat us, we aren't going to beat ourselves. If they aren't firing on all cylinders, then they're in trouble.
We're not playing good basketball, we're playing great basketball. We have all season to fine tune so we reach our potential of amazing basketball. Baring an unlikely jump by JV or TRoss, that's were we top out. A level below the "all-time great basketball" that the Spurs reached last season. Very few teams have the potential to reach that All-Time Great level, and even fewer actually realize that potential.
Good basketball gets you into the playoffs, and maybe even the second round
Great basketball gets you into the second round, and possibly even the Conference Finals
Amazing Basketball gets you a spot in the Conference Finals, and an opportunity to take home the hardware.
All-time Great basketball: Gets you the hardware, and a legacy.
I've seen enough. It's no longer about us proving that we can play with the best in the East. Now it's up to the rest of the East to prove they can play with us.
See you in the Conference Finals.
EDIT: This must be how Jason Terry felt, when he tattooed the L O'B T on his arm.Last edited by ezz_bee; Sun Nov 23, 2014, 08:34 AM."They're going to have to rename the whole conference after us: Toronto Raptors 2014-2015 Northern Conference Champions" ~ ezzbee Dec. 2014
"I guess I got a little carried away there" ~ ezzbee Apr. 2015
"We only have one rule on this team. What is that rule? E.L.E. That's right's, E.L.E, and what does E.L.E. stand for? EVERYBODY LOVE EVERYBODY. Right there up on the wall, because this isn't just a basketball team, this is a lifestyle. ~ Jackie Moon
Comment
Comment