Where Do The Raptors Rank In The East?

[inthepaint]

The whole narrative that Kawhi solely got the championship for the Raps is bullshit. He doesn't beat the Sixers without the play of Serge or without Gasol's defence on Embiid. He doesn't beat the Bucks (a series where we were down 2 games), without Lowry, Fred or Siakam. He doesn't get to make "the shot" on our homefloor, if the rest of the team weren't grinding the whole year and going 17-4 to get homecourt while he was sitting every back to back, receiving excellent rehab from McKechnie after not having played ball in a year.

Yes you need a high-end guy to win, but he needed the rest of the team just as much as they needed him. Even Lebron, the best player in world, didn't win diddly-squat on his first year with the Lakers where he had nobody (didn't even make the playoffs). Superstar Anthony Davis was going nowhere in New Orleans by himslef. Curry needed Klay & Draymond. Harden, arguably one of the best offensive players in history, is still looking. So is Giannis. It's a freakin' team sport. The fact that X Y or Z was the best player on the floor during a playoff run doesn't change that.

[slaw]

Rule of 7 theory.

Old school..... nice.

[golden]

Raps are indeed on the same pace this year. But what hasn't really changed is they need to show they can get over the playoff hump without a superstar. That really hasn't changed.

Starting in the second round, they could play a team that's arguably their equal or at least competitive. And their record against winning teams is still not good....and you face one 7 games in a row.....for weeks.

If the playoffs started today, then the Sixers would be out in the first round because they can't win on the road vs. winning teams. And yet, they are probably still everybody's favorite threat to knock off the Bulls. Meaning.... you can only take so much from regular season records.

In the pre-game interview vs. the Nets, Nurse said he was holding back some set plays for the playoffs, so that his guys could get reps with play-making and decision making skills. He said he was probably going to rein that in, down the stretch and in the playoffs. I was kind of surprised how open he was about that.

[slaw]

In the pre-game interview vs. the Nets, Nurse said he was holding back some set plays for the playoffs, so that his guys could get reps with play-making and decision making skills. He said he was probably going to rein that in, down the stretch and in the playoffs. I was kind of surprised how open he was about that.

Nurse is generally pretty upfront and if he is asked a question he will usually give a direct answer. He doesn't pander much at all and he seems pretty genuine.

[inthepaint]

If the playoffs started today, then the Sixers would be out in the first round because they can't win on the road vs. winning teams. And yet, they are probably still everybody's favorite threat to knock off the Bulls. Meaning.... you can only take so much from regular season records.

In the pre-game interview vs. the Nets, Nurse said he was holding back some set plays for the playoffs, so that his guys could get reps with play-making and decision making skills. He said he was probably going to rein that in, down the stretch and in the playoffs. I was kind of surprised how open he was about that.

Lowry-OG-Siakam-Ibaka-Gasol lineup coming down the pipe. Ain't nobody scoring against that.

[SkywalkerAC]

Why are they (TNT) discussing whether Zion can win ROY? He is, for all intents and purposes, ineligible having missed that many games. Maybe if he was up against the likes of Mike Miller or or Michael Carter-Williams, but even that would be a stretch.

[007]

Why are they (TNT) discussing whether Zion can win ROY? He is, for all intents and purposes, ineligible having missed that many games. Maybe if he was up against the likes of Mike Miller or or Michael Carter-Williams, but even that would be a stretch.

Yeah, if Brogdon got it over Embiid, then Morant (who’s been incredible in his own right) has to get it as things stand

[RandomGuy]

Why are they (TNT) discussing whether Zion can win ROY? He is, for all intents and purposes, ineligible having missed that many games. Maybe if he was up against the likes of Mike Miller or or Michael Carter-Williams, but even that would be a stretch.

They need topics, they need views.

[LJ2]

Yeah, if Brogdon got it over Embiid, then Morant (who’s been incredible in his own right) has to get it as things stand

Morant is going to be great, but one thing I've noted already is how consistent Zion is. while Morant is up and down from game to game, Zion (so far) is a consistent force every night. And you can tell teams are going to have to adjust to play him and not the other way around. Beast.

[DanH]

Raps are indeed on the same pace this year. But what hasn't really changed is they need to show they can get over the playoff hump without a superstar. That really hasn't changed.

Starting in the second round, they could play a team that's arguably their equal or at least competitive. And their record against winning teams is still not good....and you face one 7 games in a row.....for weeks.

14-11 against .500+ teams this year as of right now. 56% winning percentage.

They were 26-17 last year. 60% winning percentage.

And they've been brutalized by injuries this year. Really not concerned.

[G__Deane]

14-11 against .500+ teams this year as of right now. 56% winning percentage.

They were 26-17 last year. 60% winning percentage.

And they've been brutalized by injuries this year. Really not concerned.

I get it.

But they had a charmed playoffs last season with Kawhi.
I'm not counting on the same thing this season without him.

14-11 doesn't inspire tremendous confidence when you face other really good teams night after night in the post season grind where the fact that we've been injured all year actually gives you more reason to pause, not less.

Getting Gasol and Powell back without losing another key player of two the first night(s) they're back would be a great start

Bucks playing well all season and now the Celtics are hot. They and the Sixers both just beat the Clips back to back....looking forward to seeing how Nick keeps Serge hot with Gasol back and splits minutes for OG, Rondae and Davis with Powell back.

Hope everyone is healing up over the AS Break, frigid here in the GTA today, fire on, stay warm.

[slaw]

14-11 against .500+ teams this year as of right now. 56% winning percentage.

They were 26-17 last year. 60% winning percentage.

And they've been brutalized by injuries this year. Really not concerned.

Where is that record from? ESPN's expanded standings has them at 9-12 and based on just a quick look at the standings I count 9 wins on my fingers. Even if you assume Brooklyn is going to be over .500 that's 12-13.

Regardless, 14 of their last 27 games are against quality opponents, so there are plenty of good tests remaining.

[slaw]

14-11 doesn't inspire tremendous confidence when you face other really good teams night after night in the post season grind where the fact that we've been injured all year actually gives you more reason to pause, not less.

14-11 would be a very good record against over .500 teams. Same record as the Clips and Rockets. Just not sure that number is correct.

[LJ2]

I really hate this season long comparison media and fans are doing of our record with/without Kawhi after XX number of games. We are not a better team without a top 3 player on the roster and no amount of wins are going to change that. Rap's are still a damn good team with championship mentality and toughness.

[slaw]

I really hate this season long comparison media and fans are doing of our record with/without Kawhi after XX number of games. We are not a better team without a top 3 player on the roster and no amount of wins are going to change that. Rap's are still a damn good team with championship mentality and toughness.

I'm not sure anyone is arguing the Raptors are a better team but I do think many in the US media, in particular, are absolutely stunned that Toronto is this good without Kawhi and are amazed by the record (Nurse's interview on PTI was a good example). Teams just don't lose a guy like Kawhi and win more games the next season cause that isn't supposed to happen. Fans and media are talking about it cause it is a great story that should absolutely be celebrated regardless of what happens in the playoffs. Playoffs and championships are not the only things that matter.