Houston @ Toronto 7:00 SN1

[MACK11]

Gotta give some props to CalgaryRapsFan for that last post. And OldSkoolCool you hit the nail directly on its head. Respect!

Hell Yeah Shout out to calgary!

[CalgaryRapsFan]

Attacking the basket is way better because it gets the bigs in foul trouble. Getting the team's bigs in foul trouble is key as it forces them to go to less talented bench players to quarterback their defense and rebound....two major keys of winning basketball games that take a hit just by driving instead of leaning into perimeter players for the foul call

The biggest frustration with DeRozan is that he is capable of doing everything people want him to, and does do that stuff sometimes. The issue I've always had with him is a consistent effort to play smart and play efficient.

A perfect positive example of this was during the game last night when he got a nice pass in the one corner and faked a catch-and-shoot, getting the defender to fly by him, then proceeded to take it forcefully to the rim for a dunk. I've said for years that he is talented enough to take it hard to the rack like that (a la VC in the early days) and I love it when he does. Unfortunately, he too often tries to avoid contact and/or attempt a circus shot (yes, I understand the desire to go for an and-1), rather than take it with force. Yes, he's statistically good at getting to the line, but being more aggressive (or aggressive more often) would mean even more trips to the line (and getting opposing players in more foul trouble).

He's talented enough and more than capable enough, I just wish he'd play smarter and more efficiently, more often. Any criticism has always been borne out of frustration because we can see how good he could be, not out of hate.

[Primer]

First off, it's an opinion, not a statement of fact. Second, it's not like a single game proves anything about anything.

Second, I'm will to bet that somebody who feels the Raptors are 'doomed' without Lowry wouldn't be swayed because they beat a Houston team with Howard/Beverley. How can BS be called without knowing what context 'doom' is even meant? Were they referring to a single game, to the team's post-season chances, to the likelihood of getting past the 2nd round, or something else?

Disagreeing is one thing, but going through a thread with the benefit of hind-sight and targeting specific posts/posters, just seems to be a little excessive to me. To each their own, I never expect everybody to agree with me anyway, so I don't take posts personally.

Comments in the game thread are generally relevant to the game, and posters should be able to assume that and respond accordingly. Why is the onus on me to delve into his doomed statement and think of all the possible reasons he could have said that, when the obvious answer is that he posted in the game thread, at the start of the game, in reference to the game at hand.

The most important thing you said is this "I never expect everybody to agree with me anyway, so I don't take posts personally."

People need to roll with the punches and not take it personally. If they get super defensive when somebody points out they were wrong then maybe they don't have thick enough skin to post on a forum.

[Primer]

The biggest frustration with DeRozan is that he is capable of doing everything people want him to, and does do that stuff sometimes. The issue I've always had with him is a consistent effort to play smart and play efficient.

A perfect positive example of this was during the game last night when he got a nice pass in the one corner and faked a catch-and-shoot, getting the defender to fly by him, then proceeded to take it forcefully to the rim for a dunk. I've said for years that he is talented enough to take it hard to the rack like that (a la VC in the early days) and I love it when he does. Unfortunately, he too often tries to avoid contact and/or attempt a circus shot (yes, I understand the desire to go for an and-1), rather than take it with force. Yes, he's statistically good at getting to the line, but being more aggressive (or aggressive more often) would mean even more trips to the line (and getting opposing players in more foul trouble).

He's talented enough and more than capable enough, I just wish he'd play smarter and more efficiently, more often. Any criticism has always been borne out of frustration because we can see how good he could be, not out of hate.

If DD took it to the hoop consistently he would lead the NBA in FTA. I think that's where the frustration stems. But at the same time, he's 5th in the league in FTA and 3rd in FTM. That's ridiculously freaking good and it seems like a lot of people on here don't realize that, and only bitch about how he should be shooting even more FT's.

[OldSkoolCool]

The biggest frustration with DeRozan is that he is capable of doing everything people want him to, and does do that stuff sometimes. The issue I've always had with him is a consistent effort to play smart and play efficient.

I just wish he'd play smarter and more efficiently, more often.

I personally don't think DD is able to do it all the time because of his limited handle and slow feet, which is why we see him settle for the 2 because it is the shot he knows he can get.

BUT

The philosophy of getting to the rim shouldn't be placed just on DD's shoulders. The team as a whole often settles for the mid range and I would like to see us improve our ability to get to the rim, as well as utilize our big's in the paint more because 1) they are efficient in there and 2) because they are all very good FT shooters and they will get contact/foul calls. The team as it stands is imbalanced and puts too much emphasis on perimeter guard play, DD is a large part for this because he is our leading scorer and his habits will rub off on the rest of the team. I think this is a must solve problem going forward as a team, and not just emphasis on one player, but it does start with DD.

3 future goals for continued building of the team:

1) More drive and kick
2) better utilization of posts
3) 3 point shooting to open lanes/stretch floor and knock down kicks from the post/drive

[special1]

Far less annoying in my opinion. I freaking hate it when the thread starts with people shitting all over the Raptors and how doomed we are. Maybe having someone remind them at the end of the game what foolish statements they made earlier will encourage them to hold their tongue a little longer next time they wanna take a dump on the team.

I agree. I'm not sure why people feel the need to defend emotional fans.....some of these posters need to get a grip. Basketball is a game of runs.....ever heard that before? The new trend is to now shit on the team after WINS because we didn't hold a 20 point lead from start to finish.....what is up with these people??

[CalgaryRapsFan]

If DD took it to the hoop consistently he would lead the NBA in FTA. I think that's where the frustration stems. But at the same time, he's 5th in the league in FTA and 3rd in FTM. That's ridiculously freaking good and it seems like a lot of people on here don't realize that, and only bitch about how he should be shooting even more FT's.

I'm not saying he should take it to the hoop looking for contact every time he has the ball. I also give him full credit for improving his ability to get to the line, whether from driving or off pump-fakes. However, there are usually a couple times every game where he takes it to the basket and get frustrated at the lack of a call, which from the eye-test is because he went in soft looking to avoid contact (he contorts himself to make a circus shot). I've said for several seasons now that if he took it hard and tried to dunk over people on those occasions, the refs would have no choice but to blow the whistle and give him even more FT attempts. As I said, he's talented enough and capable enough.

[Primer]

I'm not saying he should take it to the hoop looking for contact every time he has the ball. I also give him full credit for improving his ability to get to the line, whether from driving or off pump-fakes. However, there are usually a couple times every game where he takes it to the basket and get frustrated at the lack of a call, which from the eye-test is because he went in soft looking to avoid contact (he contorts himself to make a circus shot). I've said for several seasons now that if he took it hard and tried to dunk over people on those occasions, the refs would have no choice but to blow the whistle and give him even more FT attempts. As I said, he's talented enough and capable enough.

Sounds like the perfect thing for DD to work on over the summer so he comes back even better next year, continuing his trend of improving year over year.
The All Star selection and playoff run will certainly help his reputation with refs and send more of the questionable calls his way.

[CalgaryRapsFan]

Comments in the game thread are generally relevant to the game, and posters should be able to assume that and respond accordingly. Why is the onus on me to delve into his doomed statement and think of all the possible reasons he could have said that, when the obvious answer is that he posted in the game thread, at the start of the game, in reference to the game at hand.

The most important thing you said is this "I never expect everybody to agree with me anyway, so I don't take posts personally."

People need to roll with the punches and not take it personally. If they get super defensive when somebody points out they were wrong then maybe they don't have thick enough skin to post on a forum.

Fair enough in the game thread.

However, if I think out loud in a game thread, at the start of the game when I find out that Lowry is not playing, that "the Raps are doomed without Lowry", I'd have an issue if somebody targeted my post the day after a game and attacked me personally. Point out that we won that game without him all you want, but don't attack me and say I was a hater and whatever else. Yes, the use of the word "doomed" was likely a bit of hyperbole brought on by an emotional reaction, but it hardly warrants a barrage of personal attacks.

I agree that posters sometimes need a thicker skin. I'd also say that posters should stick to posting their own opinions, rather than attempting to tear down their fellow posters. I mean we've been having an enjoyable exchange, despite not agreeing on every point. But it's been respectful and we haven't felt the need to attack each other... that's the part I just don't get.

[stooley]

I personally don't think DD is able to do it all the time because of his limited handle and slow feet, which is why we see him settle for the 2 because it is the shot he knows he can get.

BUT

The philosophy of getting to the rim shouldn't be placed just on DD's shoulders. The team as a whole often settles for the mid range and I would like to see us improve our ability to get to the rim, as well as utilize our big's in the paint more because 1) they are efficient in there and 2) because they are all very good FT shooters and they will get contact/foul calls. The team as it stands is imbalanced and puts too much emphasis on perimeter guard play, DD is a large part for this because he is our leading scorer and his habits will rub off on the rest of the team. I think this is a must solve problem going forward as a team, and not just emphasis on one player, but it does start with DD.

3 future goals for continued building of the team:

1) More drive and kick
2) better utilization of posts
3) 3 point shooting to open lanes/stretch floor and knock down kicks from the post/drive

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=1435847526657047



This one's not bad.

[OldSkoolCool]

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=1435847526657047



This one's not bad.

I do like when DD posts up and that also helped #3. See how good it is when the ball goes inside first how open of shots you can get?

But the ball isn't getting into the bigs. If there was a foul call it would again be on a perimeter player and has the same effect as a foul on the long 2. Need to get that ball into the trees and get the opposing teams into foul trouble, that should be a team goal going into every game.

When opposing bigs get into foul it helps everything you do.

[Primer]

Fair enough in the game thread.

However, if I think out loud in a game thread, at the start of the game when I find out that Lowry is not playing, that "the Raps are doomed without Lowry", I'd have an issue if somebody targeted my post the day after a game and attacked me personally. Point out that we won that game without him all you want, but don't attack me and say I was a hater and whatever else. Yes, the use of the word "doomed" was likely a bit of hyperbole brought on by an emotional reaction, but it hardly warrants a barrage of personal attacks.

I agree that posters sometimes need a thicker skin. I'd also say that posters should stick to posting their own opinions, rather than attempting to tear down their fellow posters. I mean we've been having an enjoyable exchange, despite not agreeing on every point. But it's been respectful and we haven't felt the need to attack each other... that's the part I just don't get.

It's pretty much the first comment that sets the tone. You didn't use hyperbole or anything outrageous to express your opinion and my responses were similar. But when somebody starts with a sensational hyperbolic statement, then they should expect similar responses. I also don't consider it a personal attack to tell someone they were wrong, but it seems like a lot of posters here do. The comments that started this whole discussion between us were quoted replies with one word "wrong". How is that a personal attack?

As for calling people haters, some posters on here are haters, and shouldn't get their panties in a knot because someone calls them out on it. When every single comment they make about DD includes something disparaging him, that's being a hater. I think it's totally fine that posters do that, but like I said, don't get all whiny when someone calls you out on it.

[special1]

If DD took it to the hoop consistently he would lead the NBA in FTA. I think that's where the frustration stems. But at the same time, he's 5th in the league in FTA and 3rd in FTM. That's ridiculously freaking good and it seems like a lot of people on here don't realize that, and only bitch about how he should be shooting even more FT's.

Thats the thing. Thats my biggest issue with some of the posters on here. Some criticize DD for is consistency but don't criticize other players who should be doing the very things they expect from Demar (how often does Ross get to the line?). Demar is top 10 in scoring and free throw attempts/makes.....what more can you possibly want?

In all fairness, if you're going to critize someone (OldSkoolCool this is for you)

Demar's rookie season FTA 2.5 per game in 21 mins / Demar's second year his FTA rose to 4.9 per game at 35 mins

Ross's rookie season FTA 0.6 per game in 17 mins / Ross' second season rose to 1.1 FTA per game in 26.4 mins

Just take that in.... I wonder when you will start to criticize Ross.

Demar averages 7.9 FTA per game this season BTW.

[Primer]

Thats the thing. Thats my biggest issue with some of the posters on here. Some criticize DD for is consistency but don't criticize other players who should be doing the very things they expect from Demar (how often does Ross get to the line?). Demar is top 10 in scoring and free throw attempts/makes.....what more can you possibly want?

In all fairness, if you're going to critize someone (OldSkoolCool this is for you)

Demar's rookie season FTA 2.5 per game in 21 mins / Demar's second year his FTA rose to 4.9 per game at 35 mins

Ross's rookie season FTA 0.6 per game in 17 mins / Ross' second season rose to 1.1 FTA per game in 26.4 mins

Just take that in.... I wonder when you will start to criticize Ross.

Demar averages 7.9 FTA per game this season BTW.

I think Ross has better handles than Demar too, so he should be driving more than him.

Sadly, Demar has a tendency to lose the ball when driving through traffic (off his own foot, or simply the ball just gets away from his hands somehow). So increasing his drives to the basket would also increase his turnovers and might not be a net positive. I'm sure it's something the Raptors analytics department looks at.

[psrs1]

Fans are emotional. It's no different than when people start talking about how we can take Indi easily in the 2nd round and should really start planning for an ECF showdown with Miami, right before a loss to the Celtics or whoever. Fans get high when the team is doing well and low when the team is doing bad, which the instantaneous access of the net only serves to magnify.

The easiest thing to do is to try and remember not to get too high or low, and to avoid posts that reflect your temporary extreme state of mind. Hahaha ya right, this is a forum in real time, as others have said! I think the onus is on readers to remember to apply context to posts, rather than take each and every one so literally!

GLF gets teased for his in-game mood swings, but I find it entertaining and appreciate his passion. I'm not the least bit worried about his health hmmm... should I be??? lol

I love GLFs passion. He is an easy target but should not be discounted as is often bang on.