Game# 68: Raptors @ Lakers, Mon March 14, 10:30pm EST

[planetmars]

It would have been a blowout except for that lineup in the 2nd quarter (Banton, Khem, Boucher, Trent, Thad). That was almost like intentionally trying to let the Lakers back into the game. WTF was up with that?

Yeah that was bad.. but the same lineup with Barnes in for Trent came back and beat the Nuggets just a couple of nights

[planetmars]

Lookin great!

Does anyone know who does the post game breakdown on fan590?

Will Lou works for Sportsnet now. He has a reaction pod cast. Also a daily show from 2-3 with his producer Alex Wong. He's pretty good IMO.

[DanH]

Yeah that was bad.. but the same lineup with Barnes in for Trent came back and beat the Nuggets just a couple of nights

Well, sure, but Barnes is different than Trent.

The Raptors should have at least one and ideally two of Pascal, Fred and Scottie (creators) on the floor at all times. When OG is back, also one of OG or Trent at all times (shooters, perimeter defenders). But you can't ask OG or Trent to carry a unit by themselves, it just doesn't work (usually anyway).

[A.I]

Yeah that was bad.. but the same lineup with Barnes in for Trent came back and beat the Nuggets just a couple of nights

I think if Barnes is playing well, that lineup works because of his playmaking and ability to score.

Gary can score but not sure he can be a primary option on his own and no one in that lineup without Barnes is a playmaker.

[golden]

Yeah that was bad.. but the same lineup with Barnes in for Trent came back and beat the Nuggets just a couple of nights

Barnes makes a huge difference though. You need to keep one of Barnes, Fred or Pascal on the court at all times for playmaking. Banton is a liability as a playmaker because he's a non-shooter. And Trent is in the embryonic stage of learning how to do anything other than shoot the ball. Flynn would have been useful with that lineup.

(edit: what Dan said. lol.)

[DanH]

Jinx!

[KeonClark]

Watching lebron get progressively more pouty and angry as the game worn on was fascinating. Jordan and kobe were assholes, but they still led by example. I don't ever remember displays like that.

I noticed everytime a teammate would bobble a pass he'd throw his hands in the air in disgust, every bricked jumper he'd shake his head and slump his shoulders and not run back. And then of course what happens? His teammates feel uneasy, bobble more passes, and are looking at lebron after the whistle. Even Westbrook seemed uncomfortable. This guy is the tone setter and he's running around like a pouty jack ass who just went into business for himself.

Things like that are why he'll never be Mike.

[G__Deane]

Westbrick had checked out, fans are totally done with his act and lewhiner just became a dirty stats padder; chemistry has been pooched.
Just like in Brooklyn, they need a trade to get out of an untenable situation. But who would take Russ?

Or The Brow could return and they go on a tear as one of the best 8th seeds ever

[slaw]

It would have been a blowout except for that lineup in the 2nd quarter (Banton, Khem, Boucher, Trent, Thad). That was almost like intentionally trying to let the Lakers back into the game. WTF was up with that?

I think Nurse would normally sub Barnes early to make sure that didn’t happen but Scottie was on a roll and Nurse didn’t want to take him out, which led to that funky lineup.

[golden]

I think Nurse would normally sub Barnes early to make sure that didn’t happen but Scottie was on a roll and Nurse didn’t want to take him out, which led to that funky lineup.

Should have kept either Siakam or FVV in there, then.

[chris]

Watching lebron get progressively more pouty and angry as the game worn on was fascinating. Jordan and kobe were assholes, but they still led by example. I don't ever remember displays like that.

I noticed everytime a teammate would bobble a pass he'd throw his hands in the air in disgust, every bricked jumper he'd shake his head and slump his shoulders and not run back. And then of course what happens? His teammates feel uneasy, bobble more passes, and are looking at lebron after the whistle. Even Westbrook seemed uncomfortable. This guy is the tone setter and he's running around like a pouty jack ass who just went into business for himself.

Things like that are why he'll never be Mike.

yeah raps really got under his skin (which is funny because he was the only one taking cheap shots). he got so worked up he skipped the end of game presser.

[KeonClark]

yeah raps really got under his skin (which is funny because he was the only one taking cheap shots). he got so worked up he skipped the end of game presser.

I think that was just the proverbial straw that broke. Lakers are embarrassingly bad. Their season record flatters who they really are. Without AD, they're down with Houston and Orlando. Lebron is already licking his lips looking at that Cleveland core, probably wants to swoop in next year and be the Cleveland king again.

[A.I]

I think that was just the proverbial straw that broke. Lakers are embarrassingly bad. Their season record flatters who they really are. Without AD, they're down with Houston and Orlando. Lebron is already licking his lips looking at that Cleveland core, probably wants to swoop in next year and be the Cleveland king again.

Unless he comes super cheap, I'd stay away if I was Cleveland. He won the team a championship, time to move on with Garland, Mobley and Allen.

[G__Deane]

I think that was just the proverbial straw that broke. Lakers are embarrassingly bad. Their season record flatters who they really are. Without AD, they're down with Houston and Orlando. Lebron is already licking his lips looking at that Cleveland core, probably wants to swoop in next year and be the Cleveland king again.

He set that up prior to the AS break so he wouldn't be boo'd there. He's just another rat getting ready to jump ship again.
Then of course, he'd threaten Cleveland to draft baby bronny high or he'd leave again.

I could see him playing for $1 in his final season just to give that last team with baby bronny a competitive advantage in signing whoever else he tampers with to recruit there.

[The Claw Reborn]

Here in LA on a biz trip….

last nights game up close and personal to see the players was a treat….

Crypto arena sections 102 (where we sat), 103, 104, 105 and 106 were mostly Raptors fans….one guy leading the charge, shouting relentlessly Let’s go Raptors and one Laker fan got so annoyed, screaming..’this is our house, go back to Canada” lol.

during the game and on every successful play, the Big Cat Magloire would stand up and cheer.

as I already mentioned, Mr. Trent Senior during half time from his court side seat walk across the court, went up the stairs on section 102 (probably used the restroom there lol) …. Big massive dude and could still probably play for the Rams as a linebacker.

Scottie, Precious and Siakam stayed a bit behind after the game

Scottie signed a Jersey of a kid

Siakam interviewed, waited by the Raptors lead security

Precious was signaling to someone he knew from section 102

what a personal experience for me….

hopefully I can find time to watch tomorrow night game against the Clips