What will make this season a successful one ?

[McRealistic]

Another trade deadline passed us by and MU failed to address the weaknesses that our team has. We really needed some help at PF to separate ourself from the rest of the east and get to the NBA final on the east and play against the Cavs.

Now, I know there is two school of thoughts here.

One is presented well by Zarar in his front page article:

"Quick trade deadline thoughts: this is two years in a row where Masai Ujiri stood pat at the deadline. Last year he failed to address the need for a big and it hurt us in the playoffs (though we did get crushed so maybe it didn’t matter), and this year he explored a PF and came up empty. The Raptors chance of a first-round win is, 1) very much matchup dependent because they have weaknesses at 3/4, 2) relies on point production from Patrick Patterson who has been inconsistent, 3) counts on DeMarre Carroll being fully fit. Of course, this is in addition to Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan’s health (37 and 40 minutes played, respectively). From what I could tell, there wasn’t much out there for the Raptors, but when I see the price Washington paid for Markieff Morris, I have to wonder why Ujiri didn’t even call Phoenix."

And the second is what Blake said in the front page:

"Not making a move is mostly fine given the bigger picture. There was no deal that would put the Raptors on equal footing with the Cleveland Cavaliers, and while optimizing the likelihood of getting to that matchup would have been nice, “mortgaging the future,” as general manager Masai Ujiri put it Thursday, wouldn’t be worth a small gain at the margins. "

The question is what is the next step for this team ? This is a team that has never made it passed the 2nd round in NBA play offs.

Should we measure our next big moves based on its potential to make us beat Cavs or do not make that move ?

Or should we make it based on going to places that team has not been in the past, top 4 team in NBA, and hence make it a more attractive destination for the big ticket FAs ?

What does it really mean mortgaging the future ? When is the future for this team?

What does define this season a successful one ?

[A.I]

Eastern Conference Finals. We are second in the East and right behind the Cavs for a reason.

[McRealistic]

Eastern Conference Finals. We are second in the East and right behind the Cavs for a reason.

Fully agree with you on this.

[JWash]

Winning the Larry O'Brien with Steph Curry crying on the bench at Oracle Arena

[JawsGT]

We're good, but not that good. ECF would be great, but unrealistic to me. With JJ and Scola in the starting unit, and a lack of emphasis on utilizing JV as an offensive weapon consistently throughout ball games I think a good second round showing should be considered successful. We are closer to the rest of the pack in the East than we are to CLE. And Lowry and Demar are both defendable players, and we rely on them too much. Some of last years problems have been addressed...backup C, defensive guard in Cojo, and Carroll at starting SF, as well as better defense all around. Now if Carroll was healthy and performing well, I might think that ECF is possible. But if he returns healthy, he will have limited time to get back into game shape, so I am tempering my expectations regarding his impact upon return. If you expect more than a good second round showing then I think you are being unrealistic about the team. Sure we are second in East, but does anyone think we are really the 5-6th best team in the league? I have been pleased with the team so far this season, but we are a player or two and an offensive system change away from being contenders IMO.

[DanH]

Geez, if Scola is still starting I'd be very pleased with a single playoff round win.

My expectations though are not set based on the coaching staff continuing to do stupid things - as realistic as it is, I refuse to set the bar that low. This team, with proper rotations and better emphasis on spreading the offence around is a team that should be pushing a second round opponent to the brink. Ie a borderline ECF team, with a decent shot at making it to the final four.

[Carlos Rogers]

A first round playoff win, would take enormous weight off franchise and fans.

[octothorp]

I voted 'getting to the east final', but in reality I'm halfway between the two. Winning the opening series and then getting swept by a lower seed in the second round is an unsuccessful season in my mind. Battling to six or seven games in the second round probably leaves me satisfied with the season even if we don't make the conference finals.

[Raptor Jesus]

The goal should always be the ship. But I'll take a shot at getting the eastern conference crown.

[WhatRhymesWithCash]

if we start patterson permanently and carroll comes back. Our starting unit gets so much better and we have way better rotational possibilities. If this happens and carroll contributes, ECF, If not, second round exit

[DogeLover1234]

I share the general thought that at best, we go to the ECF and make the cavs sweat. Id be disappointed with anything less than a first round win, and would classify a tight second round series as successful.

[JWash]

Unacceptable: First round loss of any kind
Acceptable: Tough 2nd round exit
Goal: Tough ECF with Cleveland

Ignore my sig haha being an optimist

[Axel]

Winning the Larry O'Brien with Steph Curry crying on the bench at Oracle Arena

Fuck that, win it at home in Game 6.

[Axel]

Unacceptable: First round loss of any kind
Acceptable: Tough 2nd round exit
Goal: Tough ECF with Cleveland

I would largely agree with this. 2nd round exit depends on the opponent AND how hard we play them.

[Just Is]

Unacceptable: First round loss of any kind
Acceptable: Tough 2nd round exit
Goal: Tough ECF with Cleveland

Ignore my sig haha being an optimist

The correct answer.

Although; 2nd round exit would depend on a LOT of factors.