GAME #64 Toronto Raptors vs Utah Jazz - Monday March 9 2020, 9:00 PM ET

[Zak24gege]

I think the team wanted to give him an 'easier night' to ease him in than have him up against a top center in Gobert

The thing about Gobert is that he doesn't come across as a physical type player / banger. Play's a more finesse game with PnR ally-oop dunks and uses that huge wingspan for blocking shots. He's not a punisher / bruiser like Embiid or even Giannis. To me he's a tall skinny dude with Basketball skills and that Gasol would be more useful in matching up with Gobert than say Richard Holmes.

[Jclaw]

This is the first B2B2B I can remember (Back to Back to Bogdondavic)

[nba_4_life]

No Marc tonight.
I guess not playing on a back to back isn’t altogether surprising... though I’m not sure about the logic of using him yesterday instead of tonight... Boucher could’ve held his own yesterday probably. Gasol’s size would’ve been valuable against Gobert though. We’re gonna be at a big deficit in that regard.

I think the team wanted to give him an 'easier night' to ease him in than have him up against a top center in Gobert

[GOLDBLUM]

whatever atlanta played tons of games without crowds in the 80's. like in this poster that hung on my bedroom wall back then.

lol ... yikes

[chris]

I having trouble remembering exactly when, but didn't MLB have to do some pre-season games without fans for some reason? Players hated it. Was it SARS or something else or am I "mis-remembering"

EDIT: Googled it and this was what it was:
On April 29, 2015, the Baltimore Orioles defeated the Chicago White Sox 8–2 in the first^[a]crowdless game ever played by Major League Baseball teams.^[2][3] Due to civil unrest in Baltimore following the death of Freddie Gray, an African-American man who was critically injured while in police custody 10 days earlier, there were insufficient security resources available for the game. The previous two games in the teams' series had been postponed, but the remaining game could neither be moved to another venue on short notice nor made up later in the season, so the decision was made to play the game at Camden Yards without allowing any fans to attend. The scheduled evening start time was also moved up to the afternoon for security reasons.

The stands were not completely empty; reporters, three times as many as usually covered a routine game, were allowed in the press box to cover the game, which was telecast live, photographers roamed the stands taking pictures, team staff patrolled the stands to recover foul balls, and three scouts also attended.^[4] Some fans who wanted to see the game live gathered near the stadium's back gate to take in the limited views from that vantage point, while others took in the more expansive view of the field from nearby high-rise hotels.

whatever atlanta played tons of games without crowds in the 80's. like in this poster that hung on my bedroom wall back then.

[G__Deane]

Was definitely wondering about this during the game last night. Wasn't sure whether anybody else in the conference was keeping up -- but Norm's been an absolute revelation since he's come back. Man oh man, to have this guy elevate to player of the week honours, and what that spells, again, like I can say so many times recently, wouldn't have seen this coming. Hopefully he can keep it up -- no signs that he can't. Just so impressed with our roster and how they keep surprising us. The development team we got is amazing to have players keep reaching these heights.

I'm hoping Giannis is seeing Siakam as multiple POW, All-Star, Kyle fellow AS, Nick multiple COM and now Norm POW and goes HMmmmmm....

By the way, Norm Player Of the Week, POW POW

[G__Deane]

I always thought superstar was a reach. That title is earned not given. Kawhi only became one last year if all things are considered. Although in 2017 he was shaping up to be one before he got hurt.

And its really only a handful of guys every year. AD is not a "superstar" IMO but is a max player. Neither is Paul George. Lebron definitely is. Giannis is but still has much to prove.

But typically (not always) the entire team is there to compliment that player. This year's Raptors don't compliment Siakam. Siakam is just a part of the team. He just happens to use the most usage. But Kyle Lowry is still the best player on the team. Just like it was when DeMar was here.

Siakam doesn't quite have that gear/resolve. But he's so young and it's his first year. Good thing we have Kyle on the team to take away that pressure. Just like Shaq was there for Wade when he won his first title.

It's tomato tamahto and really just semantics.
lebron, Kawhi, Durant and Giannis are really the elite for me.
Anthony Davis is one hell of a player and really just a rung below as superstars. There's a ton almost there including PG, Westbrook, Harden then Unicorn, Doncic and a few others.

Siakam has a ways to go and it's his rapid ascension (not is age) that gives reason to hope he can at least get to the second rung.
We all would change some of the players at different levels and for some, thye would call superstars what I call elite.

[G__Deane]

Norman Powell is your player of the week

Crazy. Congrats Norm!

[G__Deane]

Imagine a playoff game with no fans in the arena? I know Canucks fans and Panthers fans are used to it but it sucks. My Oilers are finally a playoff team and this happens.

I think the biggest concern with this disease is doctors/scientists have no clue what they're dealing with. The only common theme in this virus is it attacks the elderly.

I having trouble remembering exactly when, but didn't MLB have to do some pre-season games without fans for some reason? Players hated it. Was it SARS or something else or am I "mis-remembering"

EDIT: Googled it and this was what it was:
On April 29, 2015, the Baltimore Orioles defeated the Chicago White Sox 8–2 in the first^[a]crowdless game ever played by Major League Baseball teams.^[2][3] Due to civil unrest in Baltimore following the death of Freddie Gray, an African-American man who was critically injured while in police custody 10 days earlier, there were insufficient security resources available for the game. The previous two games in the teams' series had been postponed, but the remaining game could neither be moved to another venue on short notice nor made up later in the season, so the decision was made to play the game at Camden Yards without allowing any fans to attend. The scheduled evening start time was also moved up to the afternoon for security reasons.

The stands were not completely empty; reporters, three times as many as usually covered a routine game, were allowed in the press box to cover the game, which was telecast live, photographers roamed the stands taking pictures, team staff patrolled the stands to recover foul balls, and three scouts also attended.^[4] Some fans who wanted to see the game live gathered near the stadium's back gate to take in the limited views from that vantage point, while others took in the more expansive view of the field from nearby high-rise hotels.

[GOLDBLUM]

No Marc tonight.
I guess not playing on a back to back isn’t altogether surprising... though I’m not sure about the logic of using him yesterday instead of tonight... Boucher could’ve held his own yesterday probably. Gasol’s size would’ve been valuable against Gobert though. We’re gonna be at a big deficit in that regard.

[chris]

But t rex told me siakam is trash

he's shareef abdur rahim basically, empty stats player on a bad team.

except his team wins. and they especially win the minutes he's on the court. and he takes/makes threes. and has a handle. and is a really good defender.

other than that they are basically the same player. like they are both listed at 6'9" 225-230 lbs.

[GOLDBLUM]

Norman Powell is your player of the week

Was definitely wondering about this during the game last night. Wasn't sure whether anybody else in the conference was keeping up -- but Norm's been an absolute revelation since he's come back. Man oh man, to have this guy elevate to player of the week honours, and what that spells, again, like I can say so many times recently, wouldn't have seen this coming. Hopefully he can keep it up -- no signs that he can't. Just so impressed with our roster and how they keep surprising us. The development team we got is amazing to have players keep reaching these heights.

[007]

Forget Giannis....we're going to have to max out Norm

His contract has swung from an anchor to a bargain lmao

[planetmars]

I think in the back of some fans minds, the realty that you very likely need a superstar to win a chip or even make a finals appearance means you're mentally willing that elite status onto Siakam. But harsh fact; he's not there and he won't be this post season.

Fun fact, this year, we have to beats the odds and win without that guy.....

I always thought superstar was a reach. That title is earned not given. Kawhi only became one last year if all things are considered. Although in 2017 he was shaping up to be one before he got hurt.

And its really only a handful of guys every year. AD is not a "superstar" IMO but is a max player. Neither is Paul George. Lebron definitely is. Giannis is but still has much to prove.

But typically (not always) the entire team is there to compliment that player. This year's Raptors don't compliment Siakam. Siakam is just a part of the team. He just happens to use the most usage. But Kyle Lowry is still the best player on the team. Just like it was when DeMar was here.

Siakam doesn't quite have that gear/resolve. But he's so young and it's his first year. Good thing we have Kyle on the team to take away that pressure. Just like Shaq was there for Wade when he won his first title.

[Jclaw]

I think a lot of us thought that if we came home 3-2, that would be a good road trip. Have fun with the game tonight.