Game #49 - Raptors at Kings. Jan 25, 2023 @ 10:00pm EST

[golden]

No, the defense was on point. It was the Raptor defense we were promised at the start of the season. They took one of the best offences in the NBA and basically shut it down (don't think the Kings have been under 100 all season) and took their two stars out of the game (Sabonis was a net negative for the Kings with all the bad turnovers).

Looking at both defense and offence over four quarters and given the opponent on the road, this was the best game Toronto has played all year.

I only watched the first quarter and they were closing off gaps and driving lanes like it was peak 2020. Rotating with machine like precision. And that was the starting lineup... before Precious got into the game. Like where TF has this been all year? Maybe the trade rumors have lit a fire under them. Who knows?

It's all about effort and attention to detail. Mostly effort. That's why Nurse blew a gasket and won't talk about effort anymore.

[planetmars]

Problem with letting them both walk is replacing them. Those two are a huge part of Toronto's production and largely responsible for all the space Pascal and Scottie see in the paint. $30M isn't that much when you're trying to replace two starters.

That's all true.. but its really about the return. We shouldn't make a trade if we're getting a bad return. Say some not great player with 2-3 years on his contract and a really late first round pick.

Our management is really bad at free agency so I'd prefer they not keep the space open either. I just think that its sometimes better to let a player walk then it would be to trade them and get a bad return.

[slaw]

The importance of Precious to this defense is becoming very apparent. It just works a lot better with him on the court. Nurses system needs several elite defenders, OG can't do it by himself.

That's cause Achiuwa can actually guard 1-5 and protect the paint and rebound. He is pretty much the ideal center for the Raps on both ends but needs to hone his skills and mature as a player.

[Primer]

No, the defense was on point. It was the Raptor defense we were promised at the start of the season. They took one of the best offences in the NBA and basically shut it down (don't think the Kings have been under 100 all season) and took their two stars out of the game (Sabonis was a net negative for the Kings with all the bad turnovers).

Looking at both defense and offence over four quarters and given the opponent on the road, this was the best game Toronto has played all year.

The importance of Precious to this defense is becoming very apparent. It just works a lot better with him on the court. Nurses system needs several elite defenders, OG can't do it by himself.

[LJ2]

Sometimes nothing is better than crap. I guess it depends on what teams are offering. If we get a contract with 2-3 years left on it and some shitty pick.. it might just be better to have them walk in free agency and get that cap space. We get about $30M in cap space if both walk.

Problem with letting them both walk is replacing them. Those two are a huge part of Toronto's production and largely responsible for all the space Pascal and Scottie see in the paint. $30M isn't that much when you're trying to replace two starters.

[slaw]

Yep. Raps are already in playoff mode. And it was more like a 7 man rotation. Juancho get token minutes to satisfy HR diversity policies.

Yeah, 7.5-man rotation. Back to the future....

I'm convinced the only reason Juancho is out there is they promised him/his agent playing time and that's why he signed. I can't see another bench guy producing at this levels who would keep getting thrown out there game after game.

[slaw]

I have to watch the game still, but SAC shot 47.9% from the field and 40.6% from 3, so doesn't jump out as a great defensive game. Raps won this by imposing their game plan to create more possessions. They took 97 shots compared to SAC's 73 (ducking crazy!), which is a case for good defense of course.

No, the defense was on point. It was the Raptor defense we were promised at the start of the season. They took one of the best offences in the NBA and basically shut it down (don't think the Kings have been under 100 all season) and took their two stars out of the game (Sabonis was a net negative for the Kings with all the bad turnovers).

Looking at both defense and offence over four quarters and given the opponent on the road, this was the best game Toronto has played all year.

[golden]

8 man rotation...Nurse will do everything he can to bring this team back into playoffs

Yep. Raps are already in playoff mode. And it was more like a 7 man rotation. Juancho get token minutes to satisfy HR diversity policies.

[Primer]

Sometimes nothing is better than crap. I guess it depends on what teams are offering. If we get a contract with 2-3 years left on it and some shitty pick.. it might just be better to have them walk in free agency and get that cap space. We get about $30M in cap space if both walk.

I've seen a lot of proposals and they are all returns I would take for Fred and Gary. Just going by what I'm seeing the time to move them is now.

[planetmars]

Huge chance we get nothing for them in the offseason.

For example, Orlando makes a big offer to Fred and LA makes a big offer to Trent. They both accept and no need for a sign and trade. We're left with nothing.

Way better to strike now in one of the best sellers markets in years where a dozen teams are interested in Fred and Gary for their playoff runs.

Sometimes nothing is better than crap. I guess it depends on what teams are offering. If we get a contract with 2-3 years left on it and some shitty pick.. it might just be better to have them walk in free agency and get that cap space. We get about $30M in cap space if both walk.

[planetmars]

I have to watch the game still, but SAC shot 47.9% from the field and 40.6% from 3, so doesn't jump out as a great defensive game. Raps won this by imposing their game plan to create more possessions. They took 97 shots compared to SAC's 73 (ducking crazy!), which is a case for good defense of course.

Yeah the defense created a lot of extra possessions for them. Sacramento was efficient but overall our defense drove them crazy. Definitely a game I'd recommend watching if you want to see good basketball. We haven't had a lot of that this season.

[Primer]

I think they can get just as much in a S&T then they can at the deadline. Rosters aren't completely set in the summer.. where as during the deadline contenders have to be careful as to who they ship out. Plus more draft picks (or drafted players) become available as protections drop, etc.

I agree.. OG is a guy they can trade in the summer too. But if someone is offering a good young player + prime pick, I'm an OG seller.

Huge chance we get nothing for them in the offseason.

For example, Orlando makes a big offer to Fred and LA makes a big offer to Trent. They both accept and no need for a sign and trade. We're left with nothing.

Way better to strike now in one of the best sellers markets in years where a dozen teams are interested in Fred and Gary for their playoff runs.

I'd trade OG for the right package, but a guy like Sharpe does nothing for me, much rather keep OG.

[planetmars]

We can trade OG in the offseason and he's not a rental. No need to trade him right now.

Huge need to trade Fred and Gary right now. You're right it would have been better to move them in the off-season, but it's do or die right now. I don't want to pay either of those guys $30M per year over the next 4 years, which is what they'll both want. Fred may want even more than that.

I think they can get just as much in a S&T then they can at the deadline. Rosters aren't completely set in the summer.. where as during the deadline contenders have to be careful as to who they ship out. Plus more draft picks (or drafted players) become available as protections drop, etc.

I agree.. OG is a guy they can trade in the summer too. But if someone is offering a good young player + prime pick, I'm an OG seller.

[LJ2]

Our defense was great. We held one of the best offensive teams in the league to 95 points. They average 120 (highest in the league). Sabonis had like a stretch of 25+ games with double doubles, and he had single digit points and rebounds. And he wasn't in any foul trouble or anything.

If you want to see the Raptors finally play a good defensive game, watch last night's game some how. Good defensive games from this squad have been few and far between this season.

Offense was okay. Still missed a lot of 3's (shot around 30%). Had some good ball movement at times. Pascal was great in the 3rd quarter. Got anything he wanted. Scottie did a good job leading the bench again. He finished with 10 assists.

I have to watch the game still, but SAC shot 47.9% from the field and 40.6% from 3, so doesn't jump out as a great defensive game. Raps won this by imposing their game plan to create more possessions. They took 97 shots compared to SAC's 73 (ducking crazy!), which is a case for good defense of course.

[Primer]

I want Fred traded as well.. but it's because he's 29 and one of the leaders of this mess of a team we have. His shot was broken this season and is a reason for his trash play (and our team's).. but he's getting a lot better now.. playing like he did in the first half of last year. If he maintains being a 38+% 3pt threat with high volume then he's a great player. We need a player like that on this team. Fred's usage is still modest though. It's not like he's carrying a 25% usage or higher.

But for OG, when a guy enters his last year of his contract the return is not going to be high no matter who that player is. Teams need guarantees that he will stay or you are trading for a rental. And he won't get an extension since he's on a good deal right now and extensions are based on your last contract.

That's why the best time to move Fred and Gary were last year.. not this year since they are now both considered rentals.

If OG stayed in his lane and was solely a 3&D threat, with the occasional post up or transition dunk he'd be great.. but a player like that isn't worth what he's going to ask for in free agency either.

We can trade OG in the offseason and he's not a rental. No need to trade him right now.

Huge need to trade Fred and Gary right now. You're right it would have been better to move them in the off-season, but it's do or die right now. I don't want to pay either of those guys $30M per year over the next 4 years, which is what they'll both want. Fred may want even more than that.

OG is definitely worth what he's gonna ask for in free agency. One of the best defenders in the league. I know no one values that but I do.