Where Do The Raptors Rank In The East?

[DanH]

I was just thinking about the Nets situation: Both Kyrie and KD are out for this season. So why not let Atkinson finish the season coaching these guys and then go separate ways in the off season? Why do this when the team is playing pretty well and could steal a couple of games in the post season? I can totally see these guys free-falling for the remainder of the season, and if I'm any young talent on that team (Levert) I'm taking the first exit opportunity outta there since it's pretty clear that locker room is going to be toxic.

Just even harder to can the coach if he sneaks a few playoff wins. If anything they probably should have fired him earlier while the team was losing games with Irving in the lineup. Easier to sell the narrative.

[LJ2]

So unless there is a dramatic change in the standings, it looks like our first round match up will be either Orlando or Brooklyn. It really doesn't matter, but is there a team you'd rather face? Orlando has lost any mojo they had at this time last season and look like a shell of what they may have been. F-Brooklyn?

[DanH]

So unless there is a dramatic change in the standings, it looks like our first round match up will be either Orlando or Brooklyn. It really doesn't matter, but is there a team you'd rather face? Orlando has lost any mojo they had at this time last season and look like a shell of what they may have been. F-Brooklyn?

I think it would be more fun to crush Brooklyn. But yeah, either team should be no concern.

[planetmars]

I think Orlando would be easier, especially since Isaac is done for the year. Nets still have guys like LeVert and Dinwiddie that can do damage and steal a game. But we're not losing to either team. At worst we might lose 1 game like we did against Orlando last year.

[S.R.]

Looks like the Bucks have started resting guys? Or they just throw in the towel now if Giannis isn't playing? Strange timing, they only have 2.5 games on the Lakers and should be pushing for homecourt through the playoffs. Have a feeling they'll need it.

[Demographic Shift]

Looks like the Bucks have started resting guys? Or they just throw in the towel now if Giannis isn't playing? Strange timing, they only have 2.5 games on the Lakers and should be pushing for homecourt through the playoffs. Have a feeling they'll need it.

Maybe just the end of a long road trip .... 3 games in four nights at altitude in Denver. Rest the bigger horses.

[G__Deane]

I think it would be more fun to crush Brooklyn. But yeah, either team should be no concern.

Brooklyn less travel time and the whole f Brooklyn narrative would be fun again.
Orlando gives the team a few days in the sun and a chance to go to the then-empty Disney Land.

No worries either way but I vote Brooklyn

[slaw]

So unless there is a dramatic change in the standings, it looks like our first round match up will be either Orlando or Brooklyn. It really doesn't matter, but is there a team you'd rather face? Orlando has lost any mojo they had at this time last season and look like a shell of what they may have been. F-Brooklyn?

Don't think it will matter but the Nets have a few guys (Dinwiddie, LeVert, Harris) who can get hot from three and maybe steal a game. The Magic don't really have a guy like that, so maybe that's some rationale for preferring Orlando? Can't see the Raps losing twice to either team.

[The Great One]

The Raptors should sweep both but I prefer the Nets over the Magic because the Magic are a boring team to watch.

[LJ2]

Don't think it will matter but the Nets have a few guys (Dinwiddie, LeVert, Harris) who can get hot from three and maybe steal a game. The Magic don't really have a guy like that, so maybe that's some rationale for preferring Orlando? Can't see the Raps losing twice to either team.

It's not a concern, but I was thinking that Gasol was so instrumental in shutting down Vuc in the playoffs last year and his health being what it's been this season what if he's not on the playoff roster in the first round. With or without Marc I figure we should be able to handle either team fairly easily.

[The Great One]

Chuck in his prime would eat Dray alive no matter the rules or era. Afterwards Dray could remember every way Chuck whooped his ass.

[LJ2]

LMAO, that is awesome!

[Demographic Shift]

With 20 or less games to go the regular season is coming to a close. Things that were considered lead pipe cinches didn't happen, there have been some incredible surprises no one saw coming as there are every year and there are things that turned out like they were supposed to...


Where did these guys come from ?

The OKC Thunder pulled a Lazurus this season. Left for dead by most after being asked to make good on a handshake agreement they had with Paul George that said we will trade you if you ask it looked bleak for OKC. Then they dumped Russell Westbrooke and took back an aging Chris Paul on a bad deal. Full fledged scorched earth rebuild right. More draft picks than they could count. Yet here they are with a shot at homecourt in the west. No one saw that coming. Billy Donovan is the only real competitor for COY along with Nick Nurse.

As the season opened most believed the Memphis Grizzlies would be able to hang on to their top 6 protected pick this year. Then .. they caught a tailwind and rode it to the 8th slot with 18 to go and like the Nets of last year will have to beat a lot of good teams to hold that perch. I think they do it. They are going to get back Jackson Jr before April.

The Dallas Mavericks were going to be a lot better in Luca Doncic's second year ....but this much better ? They are playing 600 ball and will finish 6 or better. This means they get a team outside of LA in the first round and have a good chance to get to the second round.

What the hell happened ?

What the hell happened to the Sixers ? Pretty much everyone felt these guys were going to be a team to be reckoned with this year. Yet here they are staring at 5 or 6 and a possible first round exit. Questions on the coach still swirl, roster construction still gets discussed more than not. All in all its not pretty in Hinkietown. A first round exit would most likely portend a siesmic shift for the home of the process.

The Portland TrailBlazers were in the WCF last year. They are in 11th and only up by a game on the decades long yardstick for incompetence the Phoenix Suns for 13th. They let Ennes Kanter go who for all his warts played really hard and he played hurt for them. They waved goodbye to glue guys who play hard for you in Maurice Harkless and Al Farouk Aminu and replaced them with no one. Terry Stots didn't get stupid overnight. Neil Olshey probably insn't on the hot seat but to go from the WCF to the Lottery not by design aint good.

Jekyl and Hyde Award

The Rockets. The up and down Rockets are currently making their way from 3rd and home court to perhaps 7 and a first round matchup with the Clips. We have talked a lot about the Rockets in this thread. A gimmick team. A dead team. Then they win a few and they are back in it. Who are these guys ? If they do slip to 7th and line up against the Clips no one is going to take that upset bet over Kawahi. Not even the late great TenfortheWin. Still you have to admire Daryl Morey for taking home run swings every at bat he gets. This year though he is going to strike out. In all likelihood D'Antoni will move on and Daryl will have to figure out how to retool at the draft and in FA. Would he move Harden ? This guy is in the same breath as Masai and Presti. Put nothing past him.

Coaches on the Hot Seat ?

Brett Brown...... Jim Boylen ....Mike D'Antoni.... Luke Walton ....Ryan Saunders in Minny.....and hey if Kenny Atkinson can get whacked for no apparent reason maybe Alvin Gentry in New Orleans might be closer to the door than he thinks if the Pelys come up short of the playoffs. .

Execs on the Hot Seat ?

GarPax in Chicago .. What can you say... They hired Boylen.

Vlade Divac has not moved the Kings forward despite just missing last year and having as much or more perceived talent this year. He has had all those high picks and has nailed but one.. D'Araon Fox. He also passed on Luca for a run of the mill big in Marvin Bagley. .

Koby Alltman in Cleveland only because Dan Gilbert might get up on the wrong side of the bed. In fairness Altman will lose Tristan Thompson for nothing and hasn't been able to find a home for Kevin Love for something. If he strikes out on trades at the draft and picks another ball dominant guard maybe he should be fired.

Worst run teams in the league.

The usual suspects. The New York Knicks are at their usual seat at the head of the class. On the podium are the Phoenix Suns and the Charlotte Hornets. On the bubble but close to the podium are the Wizards the Bulls and the once again Excremento Kings. They share one thing in common. They have horrible owners who can't build a management team.


Open to hearing about additional nominations or deletions from any category

[bertarapsfan]

I havent seen anyone mention it buck Brogdon in done for at least the regular season and potentially done for playoffs. Kinda went under the radar but i was expecting him to be a big piece of pacers playoffs hope he has that experience from the bucks runs

[bertarapsfan]

With 20 or less games to go the regular season is coming to a close. Things that were considered lead pipe cinches didn't happen, there have been some incredible surprises no one saw coming as there are every year and there are things that turned out like they were supposed to...


Where did these guys come from ?

The OKC Thunder pulled a Lazurus this season. Left for dead by most after being asked to make good on a handshake agreement they had with Paul George that said we will trade you if you ask it looked bleak for OKC. Then they dumped Russell Westbrooke and took back an aging Chris Paul on a bad deal. Full fledged scorched earth rebuild right. More draft picks than they could count. Yet here they are with a shot at homecourt in the west. No one saw that coming. Billy Donovan is the only real competitor for COY along with Nick Nurse.

As the season opened most believed the Memphis Grizzlies would be able to hang on to their top 6 protected pick this year. Then .. they caught a tailwind and rode it to the 8th slot with 18 to go and like the Nets of last year will have to beat a lot of good teams to hold that perch. I think they do it. They are going to get back Jackson Jr before April.

The Dallas Mavericks were going to be a lot better in Luca Doncic's second year ....but this much better ? They are playing 600 ball and will finish 6 or better. This means they get a team outside of LA in the first round and have a good chance to get to the second round.

What the hell happened ?

What the hell happened to the Sixers ? Pretty much everyone felt these guys were going to be a team to be reckoned with this year. Yet here they are staring at 5 or 6 and a possible first round exit. Questions on the coach still swirl, roster construction still gets discussed more than not. All in all its not pretty in Hinkietown. A first round exit would most likely portend a siesmic shift for the home of the process.

The Portland TrailBlazers were in the WCF last year. They are in 11th and only up by a game on the decades long yardstick for incompetence the Phoenix Suns for 13th. They let Ennes Kanter go who for all his warts played really hard and he played hurt for them. They waved goodbye to glue guys who play hard for you in Maurice Harkless and Al Farouk Aminu and replaced them with no one. Terry Stots didn't get stupid overnight. Neil Olshey probably insn't on the hot seat but to go from the WCF to the Lottery not by design aint good.

Jekyl and Hyde Award

The Rockets. The up and down Rockets are currently making their way from 3rd and home court to perhaps 7 and a first round matchup with the Clips. We have talked a lot about the Rockets in this thread. A gimmick team. A dead team. Then they win a few and they are back in it. Who are these guys ? If they do slip to 7th and line up against the Clips no one is going to take that upset bet over Kawahi. Not even the late great TenfortheWin. Still you have to admire Daryl Morey for taking home run swings every at bat he gets. This year though he is going to strike out. In all likelihood D'Antoni will move on and Daryl will have to figure out how to retool at the draft and in FA. Would he move Harden ? This guy is in the same breath as Masai and Presti. Put nothing past him.

Coaches on the Hot Seat ?

Brett Brown...... Jim Boylen ....Mike D'Antoni.... Luke Walton ....Ryan Saunders in Minny.....and hey if Kenny Atkinson can get whacked for no apparent reason maybe Alvin Gentry in New Orleans might be closer to the door than he thinks if the Pelys come up short of the playoffs. .

Execs on the Hot Seat ?

GarPax in Chicago .. What can you say... They hired Boylen.

Vlade Divac has not moved the Kings forward despite just missing last year and having as much or more perceived talent this year. He has had all those high picks and has nailed but one.. D'Araon Fox. He also passed on Luca for a run of the mill big in Marvin Bagley. .

Koby Alltman in Cleveland only because Dan Gilbert might get up on the wrong side of the bed. In fairness Altman will lose Tristan Thompson for nothing and hasn't been able to find a home for Kevin Love for something. If he strikes out on trades at the draft and picks another ball dominant guard maybe he should be fired.

Worst run teams in the league.

The usual suspects. The New York Knicks are at their usual seat at the head of the class. On the podium are the Phoenix Suns and the Charlotte Hornets. On the bubble but close to the podium are the Wizards the Bulls and the once again Excremento Kings. They share one thing in common. They have horrible owners who can't build a management team.


Open to hearing about additional nominations or deletions from any category

I would take suns out of worst run teams. They made good moves signing rubio and baynes, stealing rubio from the wiz. The finally are playing competive ball and Ayton missed 25 games. They could be in the kings range by next year and maybe pushing playoffs in 2