Game #72: Toronto Raptors 129 - Cleveland Cavaliers 132

[SamMitchells]

The Raptors lost last nights game versus the Cavs. Therefore, were not winning a championship this year. - Sam Mitchells; Raptors Republic.

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[KeonClark]

We need Alex McKechnie to covertly grab a sample of LeBron's sweat, and have it sent to a lab for independent testing. And release the findings the night before we face Cleveland in the ECF.

RIP Alex mckechnie. Heart attack in his hotel room, 2 nights before ECF. Lol

Truly I think the NBA would be as excited as LeBron for that to get out. Oh hey your poster boy of the last 15 years is about to get the a rod, lance Armstrong, Barry bonds heave ho from society. Can't be good for business

[Nilanka]

We need Alex McKechnie to covertly grab a sample of LeBron's sweat, and have it sent to a lab for independent testing. And release the findings the night before we face Cleveland in the ECF.

[KeonClark]

Having said that, I definitely wouldn't be surprised if it's one day revealed that LeBron is/was a cheat.

Or we may never find out. He's got a small army of worker bees. His teams of men have their own teams of men. "Lebron James" is more of a company than a person

[Nilanka]

Felt the same way with Bonds back in the early 2000's.

Having said that, I definitely wouldn't be surprised if it's one day revealed that LeBron is/was a cheat.

[The Great One]

I'm willing to give LeBron the benefit of the doubt. It's entirely possible that he hit the genetic lottery, both in terms of his physical prowess, AND exceptional durability. And let's not forget how meticulous he is with his season-long training.

Felt the same way with Bonds back in the early 2000's.

[Nilanka]

I also want to point out that this is the best i've seen LeBron play. And this is his 15th year. He can still jump like he's 18. He is still an above average athlete. 31 year old T-Mac couldn't jump anymore.

I've never seen an athlete like this since......Barry Bonds. I'm not saying LeBron is on steroids but this is not normal.

I'm willing to give LeBron the benefit of the doubt. It's entirely possible that he hit the genetic lottery, both in terms of his physical prowess, AND exceptional durability. And let's not forget how meticulous he is with his season-long training.

[KeonClark]

I also want to point out that this is the best i've seen LeBron play. And this is his 15th year. He can still jump like he's 18. He is still an above average athlete. 31 year old T-Mac couldn't jump anymore.

I've never seen an athlete like this since......Barry Bonds. I'm not saying LeBron is on steroids but this is not normal.

I'm saying he's in steroids. He's a friggin near billionaire. Not only that but his empire depends on stretching this thing out a few more years. Why in the fuck wouldn't he cheat?

[Maury]

I also want to point out that this is the best i've seen LeBron play. And this is his 15th year. He can still jump like he's 18. He is still an above average athlete. 31 year old T-Mac couldn't jump anymore.

I've never seen an athlete like this since......Barry Bonds. I'm not saying LeBron is on steroids but this is not normal.

I think he definitely is. His body is truly incredible, I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone with a body even as close as good as his when it comes to a combination of strength, size and athleticism. Combine that with his age and his injury history or lack thereof and it gets pretty suspect.

[The Great One]

I also want to point out that this is the best i've seen LeBron play. And this is his 15th year. He can still jump like he's 18. He is still an above average athlete. 31 year old T-Mac couldn't jump anymore.

I've never seen an athlete like this since......Barry Bonds. I'm not saying LeBron is on steroids but this is not normal.

[Barolt]

If you're looking for reasons why this game proved that the Raptors can't win in the playoffs, you'll find them. If you're not, it's one game of 82, and a tough loss, but also an understandable one against LeBron trying to make a point.

The reality is, Cleveland is 8-2 against the Raptors in the playoffs the last two years, but only 3-2 at the ACC in the playoffs, and this is a better version of the Raptors than those teams, with a better home court advantage, and the Raptors have homecourt advantage in the playoffs.

That should matter in a month or two.

[JimiCliff]

The issue was and remains that they are unable to slow down Lebrons dribble penetration. I don't know the answer to that but if they can't do at least a decent job of containing him nothing else matters.

Definitely can't contain him by assigning Ibaka to him - which they did for a few minutes in the 4th.

If they want to be beat the Cavs, OG's going to have to play 4th quarter minutes. And they haven't played him in the 4th since...I literally can't remember when. They should have been preparing him for this; instead, he'll get baptized by fire. With so little margin for error, these little things can be difference makers.

Not sure that second lineup is feasible with how unproductive OG has been.

Agreed. It's a bit of a flyer. But it's at least conceivable that that's the best lineup we can play against Lebron, and I'm pretty sure they haven't played together 1 minute this season.

[Nilanka]

I was watching Powell closely last night. He's the only guy that's not been able to adjust at all to the new playbook. In the past he was not afraid to charge to the rim and make a play for himself. He's pretty good in isolation.

It's like he's second guessing his natural instinct to attack the rim.. so he makes an errant pass that ends up as a turn over. He's still not a great outside shooter so he won't be able to provide much their consistently.

Powell is still talented. He's got nice handles. He has energy. He's got length so can be a tough defender. He's just not suited for our new system. Maybe he can adapt, but he's been given a lot of time to figure it out already.. we're going into game 73 on Friday already.

I think his biggest problem is that he simply puts his head down, and does just that, charges towards the rim, without any semblance of reading the defence. He either gets stripped, or misses a heavily contested layup.

[planetmars]

I would try OG on Love and Siakam on Lebron next time with JV or Poeltl manning the paint.

Yup.. Serge should get the Carroll treatment. Let him start, but then staple him to the bench for a majority of of the game.

I will say though Serge looks really good when he has adequate rest days. I have no idea why he was playing in Orlando if he was going to play against Cleveland. Coaching staff should know better.

[planetmars]

More low IQ than low effort.

I was watching Powell closely last night. He's the only guy that's not been able to adjust at all to the new playbook. In the past he was not afraid to charge to the rim and make a play for himself. He's pretty good in isolation.

It's like he's second guessing his natural instinct to attack the rim.. so he makes an errant pass that ends up as a turn over. He's still not a great outside shooter so he won't be able to provide much their consistently.

Powell is still talented. He's got nice handles. He has energy. He's got length so can be a tough defender. He's just not suited for our new system. Maybe he can adapt, but he's been given a lot of time to figure it out already.. we're going into game 73 on Friday already.