Raptors Offseason 2022

[A.I]

Zion looks like he slimmed down quite a bit.

As does Harden. It is going to be an interesting season for some teams.

[planetmars]

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

Like no one has said that about Casey ever.

https://www.freep.com/story/sports/n...ld/6949480002/

[SkywalkerAC]

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.

Fred, OG, Scottie and Gary are all like options 2a through 2d, even with Gary coming off the bench - they should all be around 20+/- 2ppg.

[Primer]

https://www.freep.com/story/sports/n...ld/6949480002/

Ha, I guess there is one person who said it, Casey's boss who has to justify why he is still the coach.

The full quote adds a bit of needed context.

"I absolutely believe and trust that we have the best coach in the world for what we’re going through."

I agree with that, if you want to place last in the NBA then Casey is the best coach in the world to get you there.

[SkywalkerAC]

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.

But doesn't it just make more sense to start big and defensive, as long as your offense doesn't sputter, and pivot to small(er) ball from the bench? Otherwise you're really counting on your starters being crazy good offensively, and not picking up too many fouls competing as best they can on defense and the boards.

I'd rather our mismatches - to start the game at least - gave us the advantage on the interior without being disadvantaged on the perimeter, rather than being disadvantaged on the interior w/ an advantage on the perimeter. I think starting Scotty or OG at the 2 does that.

[Primer]

But doesn't it just make more sense to start big and defensive, as long as your offense doesn't sputter, and pivot to small(er) ball from the bench? Otherwise you're really counting on your starters being crazy good offensively, and not picking up too many fouls competing as best they can on defense and the boards.

I'd rather our mismatches - to start the game at least - gave us the advantage on the interior without being disadvantaged on the perimeter, rather than being disadvantaged on the interior w/ an advantage on the perimeter. I think starting Scotty or OG at the 2 does that.

It will be very weird if Precious doesn't start. I agree that it makes way more sense to start defensive and bring scoring punch off the bench. There's already a lot of offensive mouths to feed in the starting lineup between Pascal, Fred, OG, and Scottie. All of those guys should average close to 20ppg. Precious is a natural fit with them to defend, rebound, and hit open 3s.

[planetmars]

Ha, I guess there is one person who said it, Casey's boss who has to justify why he is still the coach.

The full quote adds a bit of needed context.

"I absolutely believe and trust that we have the best coach in the world for what we’re going through."

I agree with that, if you want to place last in the NBA then Casey is the best coach in the world to get you there.

Oh I see you need a player to say something. Sorry you weren't clear.

Kyle Lowry:

DeMar DeRozan:
https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/bu...ns-dwane-casey

"I wouldn't be the player I am today. I wouldn't be sitting here. I wouldn't have the success I've had in my career if it wasn't for Casey," DeRozan said. "Casey for me is something bigger than a head coach I played for. He was sort of a father figure for me. He kind of allowed me to be myself on the basketball court and allowed me to grow into the player I am today.

I bet I could find some Piston that said the same thing about his coach. I recall when the Raptors lost to the Pistons some of his players were glowing on about him. And that was as recent as last season.

And for that last sentence there.. are you forgetting the time that the Raptors ended up first in the East? Or the time they made the playoffs for 5 straight years including a stint to the ECF? If anything Casey has proven to lead teams in the regular season. And I bet Weaver knows that.

[bertarapsfan]

Casey great team culture builder and let's under rated guys get a shot. But wouldn't want to rely on him to get over the hump.
i expect him to have the young pistons team to play hard for him and start pushing them towards a play in spot. He the perfect guy to give a number of season to build a good organization foundation. But I don't want him drawing up a game plan or substion pattern to shut down a top 10 player

[G__Deane]

Masai dumped Casey for Nurse.
Good enough for me ....

[LJ2]

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.

I mean if anything you would want to close with Otto if you feel strongly about him bringing all those things. Odd to start with someone who can't make it to the end of the game.

[LJ2]

Fred, OG, Scottie and Gary are all like options 2a through 2d, even with Gary coming off the bench - they should all be around 20+/- 2ppg.

Think 2nd options on championship teams and Klay, AD, or Kyrie might come to mind. Even Middleton. OG and a young Barnes is not that guy imo and Fred is going to have a hard time in the playoffs unless Siakam hits a new level.

Not something to argue over but I think without Trents ability to score it allows defenses to load up on Siakam.

[TrueTorontoFan]

someone can be a players coach and be well liked by players... and not be an x's and o's coach.. casey was always a galvinizing coach helping his players come together he was a culture setter. doesn't mean his in game adjustments were good enough.. maybe they are now.


heck avery johnson was hated by his teams but was an amazing coach.

[TrueTorontoFan]

I only used trash from what I recall in one post. And it was an exaggeration (I already said this). I use trash when people hate on someone or think they suck. There are absolutely levels to that. Of course Casey is an NBA caliber coach.. and a different team gave him a 5 year contract when he was fired here. But when you rank him among his peers he's likely not considered a top tier coach. Among his peers he's likely considered not very good. Now that's subjective but I have been around Raptor forums for some time. Casey is not a coach that fans generally liked. They were happy to see him leave.. and joke around about him all the time.

I don't know why you are being such a stickler for this term I used maybe one time. And I apologize for obviously offending you. I figured you didn't like Casey just like many don't.. and is a big reason why you thought he couldn't win a championship. If you think he can then this is all pointless. I'm sorry I dragged you into this conversation.

I appreciate that

[The Great One]

Legendary

[Kagemusha]

I appreciate that

Hey TTF, your boy Crowder wants out of Phoenix.
Any trade ideas?