Game #29 Toronto Raptors at Milwaukee Bucks Thursday February 18 2021 at 8:30 pm et

[iblastoff]

Even baynes looked pretty decent out there.

[inthepaint]

Norm has been absolutely shredding opposing defences lately. Combination of quick and smooth outside shot with uber explosive first step/dribble penetration to the hoop. He's creating a ton of space for our offence with this inside-outside game. He's now shooting 43.2% from 3 on 5 and a half attempts per game. Killing it.

Another one that's been a terror is prince Ogugua on the defensive end. What a master class. He's just flat out neutralizing and frustrating guys out there. It is so rare to see a 23 yr old kid with this kind of defensive awareness of time and space. Doesn't matter if it's a guard, wing or big, in the perimeter or paint, he adjusts his stance instantly, even if there are 3 or 4 switches on the same possession. His hip ,feet and arms are always mucking up everything around him, opposing pnr's around him always come out crappy, you know whoever he's guarding will most likely have a tough night.

[Dvdvideo]

Og did look amazing out there today!
Giannis does seem wrong, but it somehow seems fitting. If he never develops a consistent jump shot he will never be truly elite. Cheap elbow.

We still desperately need a center out there, boucher is too slim at times, Bains still can't be trusted. He played ok with Boucher today, but his first play into the game in the 4th is to pick up a moving screen foul? Not the first time he has done this either. #12 in the nba in fouls per game.......

[DogeLover1234]

Og did look amazing out there today!
Giannis does seem wrong, but it somehow seems fitting. If he never develops a consistent jump shot he will never be truly elite. Cheap elbow.

We still desperately need a center out there, boucher is too slim at times, Bains still can't be trusted. He played ok with Boucher today, but his first play into the game in the 4th is to pick up a moving screen foul? Not the first time he has done this either. #12 in the nba in fouls per game.......

Idk man I know this is totally in hindsight, but I think after we beat the Bucks in the playoffs Giannis and co should have said, keep Brogdan as a lead ball handler and shooting and commit to Giannis at center. Work a ton on working out of the mid post, roll man, out of the elbow etc and mix in some work as a handler in the PnR. Hes physically dominant like Zion, niether of them should shoot a lot of jumpshots, Giannis just has to learn now with the composition of that team. That offseason cost them a lot imo. They could still win a championship but I think they constrained themselves a bit.

[Dr Hannibal Lecter]

16-2 without Kyle Lowry over the last 2 seasons.
Sell low on him

Unfortunately we will always love the goat raptor, but it's time 2 move on from Lowry..

[Dvdvideo]

Idk man I know this is totally in hindsight, but I think after we beat the Bucks in the playoffs Giannis and co should have said, keep Brogdan as a lead ball handler and shooting and commit to Giannis at center. Work a ton on working out of the mid post, roll man, out of the elbow etc and mix in some work as a handler in the PnR. Hes physically dominant like Zion, niether of them should shoot a lot of jumpshots, Giannis just has to learn now with the composition of that team. That offseason cost them a lot imo. They could still win a championship but I think they constrained themselves a bit.

Maybe, but any player that puts themselves into a role as a drive only (or shoot only) player, gives defenses, especially in the playoffs, an advantage that is hard to negate.

look at Matt Tomas- great shooter, but defenses know that's all he can do and they just take it away. I know, harder to do to giannis and his driving, but you get the idea.

[Rudy Bargnani]

Powell and OG for Grevis Vasquez. Worst trade in Bucks history? Moving up the list for best trade in Raptors history.

[planetmars]

Nice convincing win. Best defensive games of the year as well (back to back). Can give OG the kudos but that was a complete team effort. Just shut down Middleton again. This time their role players didn't go off on us. The 3rd quarter could have gone a bit better. Jack was screaming for Nurse to call a timeout, and was surprised he didn't call one. The team loses focus, puts up dumb shots, and then gives up easy points on the other end. Always creates these 7-8 point runs that get teams back in the game, or secures a win (like what Minny did the other day). But when you have a 22 point lead, it's easy to keep up.

Norm was fantastic again. Definitely worth holding on to. He's replicating last year's performance. Just a crisp 20+ppg every night. OG's defense positioning is just on point. Too bad he struggled from 3 but he got into Giannis' head. Pascal is looking comfortable again. Hitting his timely 3's. Going to the rim and getting fouled. Love that his confidence is back. Just hope we keep that going into the playoffs this time. Fred had some wicked moves.. and really looks good as the sole PG on the team. The Lowry "Ewing" theory is legit in my opinion. He's the GROAT but this team just plays better without him. It was like those games without Kawhi the championship run.. and then how we still ended up with the 2nd best record in the league without him.

We play different without Kyle. A lot more looser. A lot more engaged on defense. The size of our backcourt must have something to do with it.. having Fred needs that size next to him.. I think we'll be fine without Kyle. Although playoffs are a different beast, and Kyle is awesome in the second season.

Anyway.. these two games were gut check wins. We're definitely not stripping the team down.. if anything we'll be buyers not sellers now. I'm not even sure if we need a center.. that small ball line up is fire.

Remember Boston swept Embiid and the 76ers last playoffs.. and they had Theis on Embiid for most of the game. OG can do the job Theis did. Looking forward to those two Philly games to see how we handle Embiid. I really hope we start small against them.

[TrueTorontoFan]

Nice convincing win. Best defensive games of the year as well (back to back). Can give OG the kudos but that was a complete team effort. Just shut down Middleton again. This time their role players didn't go off on us. The 3rd quarter could have gone a bit better. Jack was screaming for Nurse to call a timeout, and was surprised he didn't call one. The team loses focus, puts up dumb shots, and then gives up easy points on the other end. Always creates these 7-8 point runs that get teams back in the game, or secures a win (like what Minny did the other day). But when you have a 22 point lead, it's easy to keep up.

Norm was fantastic again. Definitely worth holding on to. He's replicating last year's performance. Just a crisp 20+ppg every night. OG's defense positioning is just on point. Too bad he struggled from 3 but he got into Giannis' head. Pascal is looking comfortable again. Hitting his timely 3's. Going to the rim and getting fouled. Love that his confidence is back. Just hope we keep that going into the playoffs this time. Fred had some wicked moves.. and really looks good as the sole PG on the team. The Lowry "Ewing" theory is legit in my opinion. He's the GROAT but this team just plays better without him. It was like those games without Kawhi the championship run.. and then how we still ended up with the 2nd best record in the league without him.

We play different without Kyle. A lot more looser. A lot more engaged on defense. The size of our backcourt must have something to do with it.. having Fred needs that size next to him.. I think we'll be fine without Kyle. Although playoffs are a different beast, and Kyle is awesome in the second season.

Anyway.. these two games were gut check wins. We're definitely not stripping the team down.. if anything we'll be buyers not sellers now. I'm not even sure if we need a center.. that small ball line up is fire.

Remember Boston swept Embiid and the 76ers last playoffs.. and they had Theis on Embiid for most of the game. OG can do the job Theis did. Looking forward to those two Philly games to see how we handle Embiid. I really hope we start small against them.

We could definitely use another guy/center.

I do like norm but ultimately he will end up being a chip for us if not now later in a trade for a guy.

I think the small ball line up we roll with is solid.. and honestly even last year I think if siakam played halfway decent offensively we would have beaten boston likely in 6 possibly.

So I do think we will be fine but I do think ultimately we need a center. Even if its just to give siakam a break.

I do think we need another play maker. Gallo would have been great as an example.

I am still interested in Cousins or Giles as an option

[Demographic Shift]

Nice convincing win. Best defensive games of the year as well (back to back). Can give OG the kudos but that was a complete team effort. Just shut down Middleton again. This time their role players didn't go off on us. The 3rd quarter could have gone a bit better. Jack was screaming for Nurse to call a timeout, and was surprised he didn't call one. The team loses focus, puts up dumb shots, and then gives up easy points on the other end. Always creates these 7-8 point runs that get teams back in the game, or secures a win (like what Minny did the other day). But when you have a 22 point lead, it's easy to keep up.

Norm was fantastic again. Definitely worth holding on to. He's replicating last year's performance. Just a crisp 20+ppg every night. OG's defense positioning is just on point. Too bad he struggled from 3 but he got into Giannis' head. Pascal is looking comfortable again. Hitting his timely 3's. Going to the rim and getting fouled. Love that his confidence is back. Just hope we keep that going into the playoffs this time. Fred had some wicked moves.. and really looks good as the sole PG on the team. The Lowry "Ewing" theory is legit in my opinion. He's the GROAT but this team just plays better without him. It was like those games without Kawhi the championship run.. and then how we still ended up with the 2nd best record in the league without him.

We play different without Kyle. A lot more looser. A lot more engaged on defense. The size of our backcourt must have something to do with it.. having Fred needs that size next to him.. I think we'll be fine without Kyle. Although playoffs are a different beast, and Kyle is awesome in the second season.

Anyway.. these two games were gut check wins. We're definitely not stripping the team down.. if anything we'll be buyers not sellers now. I'm not even sure if we need a center.. that small ball line up is fire.

Remember Boston swept Embiid and the 76ers last playoffs.. and they had Theis on Embiid for most of the game. OG can do the job Theis did. Looking forward to those two Philly games to see how we handle Embiid. I really hope we start small against them.

Yes... but for me... we need that big body centre.

For the same reasons I keep a driver in my bag we need that wide body centre on the bench.
Most of the time I can't hit my driver worth shit... but St. George sits in my golf bag for when I have no other choice and every now and again I can keep it on the short grass.

I am not in favour of giving up assets for Drummond... but if the Cavs buy him out we should bring him in. All it costs is money. We have that. For Drummond its a chance for him to show his worth again as the Raps with Drummond pose a big problem for the Nets and Bucks and Celtics as a contender for the ECF. He is a serious upgrade over Mr. Baynes who is trying his best but the gap between his best and our expectations of him is widening. .

[DogeLover1234]

Maybe, but any player that puts themselves into a role as a drive only (or shoot only) player, gives defenses, especially in the playoffs, an advantage that is hard to negate.

look at Matt Tomas- great shooter, but defenses know that's all he can do and they just take it away. I know, harder to do to giannis and his driving, but you get the idea.

I dont want to make Giannis a specialist, but i also dont think you have to make him the lead ball handler to be a complete player. Yeah, he needs to develop his shot, but I dont think starting with point Giannis is the best way. Like even if he becomes a good shooter, that will just be a change up or compliment for when he cant get to the rim. Your best player doesnt have to take the ball down the court to be effective or the focal point of an offense. It becomes so hard to execute an offense when your best playmaker and lead ball handler cant shoot when you come up against smart and capable defenses. Sure you can say, “well he needs to learn to shoot” and yeah he does, but if you never put him in that possition in the first place it wouldnt be nearly the same issue.

GS leveraged two of the best shooters ever by taking the ball out of their hands and making them the best off ball players and using their gravity to generate easy buckets. Like Giannis rolling requires three people to guard - he never rolls. Hes made by Greek Gods to play basketball so he can and has excelled as a playmaker and finisher with the ball in his hands all the time but theyve commited so hard to that style they dont have other good options against capable teams. Like with Brogdon their offense would be so much more diversified.

[A.I]

I dont want to make Giannis a specialist, but i also dont think you have to make him the lead ball handler to be a complete player. Yeah, he needs to develop his shot, but I dont think starting with point Giannis is the best way. Like even if he becomes a good shooter, that will just be a change up or compliment for when he cant get to the rim. Your best player doesnt have to take the ball down the court to be effective or the focal point of an offense. It becomes so hard to execute an offense when your best playmaker and lead ball handler cant shoot when you come up against smart and capable defenses. Sure you can say, “well he needs to learn to shoot” and yeah he does, but if you never put him in that possition in the first place it wouldnt be nearly the same issue.

Giannis is more of a Shaq type player. You don't want him initiating the offense, but he can still dominate and be your best player. Shaq was dominant, but he was lucky to have great ball handlers at the guard spots (Penny, Kobe, Wade, Nash, Lebron, Rondo).

Middleton just isn't a good enough ball handler, Bledsoe wasn't a good enough offensive player. Jrue Holiday is both, but we'll have to see if he can elevate that team. Of course it can always be a coaching problem as well.

[G__Deane]

The 3rd quarter could have gone a bit better. Jack was screaming for Nurse to call a timeout, and was surprised he didn't call one.

And we immediately hit a three at the other end and Jack acknowledged that's why he doesn't have a coaching job
....homeless Jack should retire....or stop drinking during the games

[JawsGT]

The center you guys are all looking for is on the team we just beat. Lets just hope that they dont figure out where he belongs. Patience will be required, this aint happening at the deadline. The dream is still alive, sooner rather than later he will want out. In the meantime, we need to keep the salary high so we got the contracts to play with.

[Puffer]

...dare I excite myself and say the east is wide open this year?

Go ahead. In fact I DOUBLE DOG DARE YOU!!!