GAME 1, 2019 Playoffs, Orlando Magic @ Toronto Raptors, 5pm EST, Sportsnet One

[GLF]

lol. I'm the last person on this board to defend Casey. Nurse was supposed to bring superior in-game adjustments, but it didn't look like it slowed down DJ freakin' Augustin. We'll see how the freewheeling approach works out. I still think it's Raps in 6ix.

But it did. He only scored 1 point in the second half until that terrible break down at the end unfortunately. We just need to play harder and hit more shots. To me it was a weird loss and Orlando hit some touch shots man. I truly don't think that keeps up

[The Great One]

Championship level teams usually sweep their 1st round opponents. This team looked exactly like the Raptors of the last 5 years. What's the common denominator? Lowry choking in G1 of the playoffs.

Read a lot of Nick Nurse comments here how he only played Kawhi 33 mins. LOL. 33 mins is actually a lot of mins. They're playing the Magic not the Warriors. If you can't beat the Magic at home with your best player playing 33 mins then you're in serious trouble.

Also read how the Sixers also lost G1. LOL. The Sixers best player is CLEARLY not 100%.

The Raptors should still win this series. But this team ain't makin the Finals. Not when Lowry is your starting PG.

[The Great One]

DeRozan btw had 18/12/6 last night. Hmm.

[Puffer]

The rest of the games should be easier to follow at least. The new format unblocked a couple of posters. I took the time to correct that mistake so can spend less time on "forum spam" now.

Was watching the game on PVR. Got a text on my phone during the third quarter. "Memphis 104 - Toronto 101." Turn off your phones or ignore it during games.

[slaw]

But it did. He only scored 1 point in the second half until that terrible break down at the end unfortunately. We just need to play harder and hit more shots. To me it was a weird loss and Orlando hit some touch shots man. I truly don't think that keeps up

For emphasis....

[slaw]

Everything you're complaining about relates to Nurse's "relaxed" approach that the players were just raving about a couple days ago. Clifford, Pop and Casey are more of the old school 'drilling home those habits' type of coaches. I've been concerned about laissez faire approach all season and at least for one game, the disciplinarian style won out. The Magic looked crisp and well prepared. The Raptors have taken on Nurse's laid back persona.

Many of us on here have been on about this since December. But, but, but.... we'll see. Just game one. Lots of ball left. Raps have more quality than the Magic, but need to use it for more than 10 minutes.

[golden]

Many of us on here have been on about this since December. But, but, but.... we'll see. Just game one. Lots of ball left. Raps have more quality than the Magic, but need to use it for more than 10 minutes.

Perhaps getting punched in the mouth was the best way to start the playoffs. Like, wake TF up. Kate Heindl had the best assessment of game 1: Raptors played like an "entitled" team. Like they expect to waltz straight to the NBA finals. And it's kind of been like that ever since they beatdown the Warriors at Oracle. Meanwhile, Orlando played a ton of grit and hunger. Magic are not going to let us play pretty, high IQ, Spursian basketball. They're going to turn it into a street fight.

[RaptorsVictim]

I understand very well that KL was so bad, but I think Nurse was the worst. It is very easy to put your hands and eyes on his mistakes :
1- Breaking the offensive flow of many players.
2- Not spacing the team well on the floor.
3- Too many minutes for bad players and few minutes for good players and that is killing me, it is fucking playoff, there is no way you try it.
4- Dany Green was hitting shots, Nurse should have run more plays for him.
5-Powell was defending the perimeter really well, and he took him out.


I am so sorry to say that even if we won this series, sooner or later we will be in trouble due to Nurse's way of running the team.

[golden]

So, let's wrap up game 1 with this sadly prophetic discussion:

If the raptors struggle in game 1 and round 1 again, and struggle the whole way thru, I'm convinced theres choking powder mixed in Canadian water. This is a 90% new team.

Or... It's Lowry syndrome

Or... Lowry & Nurse.

Wouldn't that be the ultimate sick paradox. When you get to the final test (this year) and realize the one thing that's stopping you from the last couple steps is the one thing you've always required to get you to that point.

that's the type of shit to keep a raptor fan up at 3 am, staring blankly out the window into the darkness

Makes perfect sense, though. When the games really matter, Lowry's lack of size and athleticism prevents him from being "the man" in those key moments when we need it the most, against elite competition. That, and his tendency to get the shooting yips.

Raps in 6.