Raptors Offseason 2022

[SkywalkerAC]

Who's going to win the starting spot in training camp? Precious or Gary? My money's on Precious.

[planetmars]

Dayum this offseason got even more painful near the end here, didn't it? Almost over.

Yeah I'm done.. taking my offseason cap off. The season has officially begun in my books once media day starts

[planetmars]

Who's going to win the starting spot in training camp? Precious or Gary? My money's on Precious.

That's going to be an interesting battle. I think it'll come down to match ups. We play the Cavs first.. I think Precious starts that game.

[SkywalkerAC]

That's going to be an interesting battle. I think it'll come down to match ups. We play the Cavs first.. I think Precious starts that game.

I don't know if Nurse likes to switch back and forth game by game though. First guy probably gets a few games to prove himself out of the gate, non?

It seems like "people" don't think Nurse will go Precious to start the season, but I'd think it would come down to what Nurse and co want to do defensively to set the tone, and whether Achiuwa's jumper is clicking with the starters, because it also creates an automatic mismatch to exploit with OG or Scottie matched up with a guard. It's just way more 6'9.

And then you kinda need Trent's shotmaking to close out games, and off the bench in general. Trent + Otto + Boucher should basically guarantee us an elite bench. What's not to like?

Trent's the more conservative pick, and "people" are pessimists by nature? I don't know.

[golden]

I don't know if Nurse likes to switch back and forth game by game though. First guy probably gets a few games to prove himself out of the gate, non?

It seems like "people" don't think Nurse will go Precious to start the season, but I'd think it would come down to what Nurse and co want to do defensively to set the tone, and whether Achiuwa's jumper is clicking with the starters, because it also creates an automatic mismatch to exploit with OG or Scottie matched up with a guard. It's just way more 6'9.

And then you kinda need Trent's shotmaking to close out games, and off the bench in general. Trent + Otto + Boucher should basically guarantee us an elite bench. What's not to like?

Trent's the more conservative pick, and "people" are pessimists by nature? I don't know.

What about starting Otto? That would give us a nice combination of size, shooting and defense to put around Siakam and Barnes. Neither Precious, nor Gary brings all 3 of those things.

[LJ2]

Who's going to win the starting spot in training camp? Precious or Gary? My money's on Precious.

I think most here at RR are behind Precious starting, but I feel it's Gary's spot to lose.

Precious starting puts a lot of pressure on Barnes to pick up the scoring as the 3rd option. Siakam may have a breakout season as a number one option but we've seen before in the playoffs when defenses tighten up, he's not that guy. Fred is good in spots but again, not a playoff 2nd option or even regular season on a championship team. Gary has that dynamic scoring ability to take the pressure off these guys in the playoffs.

[SkywalkerAC]

What about starting Otto? That would give us a nice combination of size, shooting and defense to put around Siakam and Barnes. Neither Precious, nor Gary brings all 3 of those things.

Unless Precious does. I mean, he can't shoot like Otto or Gary, but if he's hitting from the corners that's probably good enough. With his mobility, length and strength, he's a prototypical modern centre if he can hit his 3-ball (getting better at screening/rolling wouldn't hurt either) while Otto is...not.

I just don't know if Nurse is going to want to put us in a position to get bullied physically when our opportunity to be the bully is sitting right there.

[LJ2]

What about starting Otto? That would give us a nice combination of size, shooting and defense to put around Siakam and Barnes. Neither Precious, nor Gary brings all 3 of those things.

He hasn't averaged starter minutes in a long time or produced like one. Not sure he has it in him with his past injuries.

[SkywalkerAC]

I think most here at RR are behind Precious starting, but I feel it's Gary's spot to lose.

Precious starting puts a lot of pressure on Barnes to pick up the scoring as the 3rd option. Siakam may have a breakout season as a number one option but we've seen before in the playoffs when defenses tighten up, he's not that guy. Fred is good in spots but again, not a playoff 2nd option or even regular season on a championship team. Gary has that dynamic scoring ability to take the pressure off these guys in the playoffs.

Barnes AND OG, who needs his shots, as the 3rd options. Even with Trent on the bench, Fred would have more than enough firepower to play more of a quarterback role.

And Gary can still take the pressure off the starters from the bench, as a closer.

[LJ2]

Barnes AND OG, who needs his shots, as the 3rd options. Even with Trent on the bench, Fred would have more than enough firepower to play more of a quarterback role.

And Gary can still take the pressure off the starters from the bench, as a closer.

Might not be fair to put that kind of pressure on Barnes to score. He did a great job of getting his points in the flow of the game last season but to actually be a focal point in the offense? OG might have added something to his game over the summer, buy sometimes it's painful to watch him try and force things. Right now I have OG pegged as a classic role player.

I just think Gary has shown signs he is a natural scorer and it's something this team could use among the starters. Would love to see how good he can be in that role.

Also I disagree about Fred having the firepower to be a 2nd option on a championship team.

[golden]

He hasn't averaged starter minutes in a long time or produced like one. Not sure he has it in him with his past injuries.

Nobody said to give Otto starter minutes... just saying that he'd be a great fit to start the game with the starters, because of basketball reasons, i.e., he helps provide reliable floor spacing and defense. It's more about lineup balance, rather than, "hey... Otto is a 35MPG starter again." Nobody said that.

It's moot anyways, because it's not happening. If Klutch gets mad if Precious starts over Gary, then they will be absolutely livid if Otto starts over both of them. There's a ton of politics involved in starter vs. bench, pecking order, etc... because there's so much money at stake there.

[slaw]

Zion looks like he slimmed down quite a bit.

[Kagemusha]

He hasn't averaged starter minutes in a long time or produced like one. Not sure he has it in him with his past injuries.

Otto could be starting in the playoffs, like what Kerr did.
Especially if he proves that he is one of our best shooters.

[Primer]

According to Fred, Nurse is a better coach than Casey.

Like no one has said that about Casey ever.

[slaw]

Otto could be starting in the playoffs, like what Kerr did.
Especially if he proves that he is one of our best shooters.

That's a long way away... who knows what this roster will look like come February.