Game #13: Toronto Raptors 128 (12-1) - New York Knicks 112 (4-9)

[Truth Teller]

Jimmy Butler and Simmons both need the ball. Simmons is pretty much useless (not completely - but you don't draft Simmons if you don't use him as the primary ball handler) in the 4th if Butler holds on to the ball.

[Hotshot]

If the NBA was a 4 on 4 league, Sixers would be super scary rolling out Embiid/Butler/Simmons/Redick. Thankfully, they don't have a great fifth at the moment.

I don't love this move for Philly long term. They're going to be backing up the Brinks truck for Butler, and his timeline doesn't jive great with Simmons/Embiid.

Also get a feeling that we could see chemistry issues with Simmons and Butler. Butler's an ass, and Simmons doesn't seem like someone who would deal with that quietly. The jockeying for the alpha position between this big three is going to be fascinating to watch.

I see Embiid and Butler teaming up and putting Simmons in his place. Yeah buddy you can fill out the stats chart but you are still fucking up there in critical times.

[JimiCliff]

Man, I'm happy Philly had to deal Covington. If they'd been able to keep him, this could've been a very scary team.

That said: the East is kinda stacked this year!

[Hotshot]

If the NBA was a 4 on 4 league, Sixers would be super scary rolling out Embiid/Butler/Simmons/Redick. Thankfully, they don't have a great fifth at the moment.

I don't love this move for Philly long term. They're going to be backing up the Brinks truck for Butler, and his timeline doesn't jive great with Simmons/Embiid.

Also get a feeling that we could see chemistry issues with Simmons and Butler. Butler's an ass, and Simmons doesn't seem like someone who would deal with that quietly. The jockeying for the alpha position between this big three is going to be fascinating to watch.

I see Embiid and Butler teaming up and putting Simmons in his place. Yeah buddy you can fill out the stats sheet but you are still fucking it up.

[S.R.]

Tons of talent at Philly's core, which is always the right place to start in the NBA. But yeah, they've already dropped off after losing Ilyasova and Bellinelli and now they've lost 2 more shooter's. It might not be the prettiest this year but they have some time if the rumours that Butler's agreeing to re-sign there are true.

It might take them a bit of time to restock the role player cupboard with some shooters.

[Jangles]

My initial reaction is that Philly just got a lot better. JJ is a great shooter. Jimmy and Joel can shoot it. They could pick up guys like Korver and not sacrifice much on the defensive side with Jimmy now in tow. After the Warriors, the next best four teams all appear to be in the East.

Damn, really wish he went to the Clips or something..

[The Great One]

I think KD will sign with either the Lakers or the Knicks. Boogie? who cares. Would Kawhi really sign with the star-less Clippers, a franchise that will always be a second banana to the Lakers?

About a third of NBA teams are planning on having major cap room for ‘the big summer of 2019 free agency.’
Meanwhile:
Klay - says he wants to stay in GS
Kyrie - says he wants to stay in Bos
Jimmy - “fully expects” to reach deal w/PHL per @WojESPN
KD - ?
Kawhi - ?
Boogie - ?

— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) November 10, 2018

[Rudy Bargnani]

I think KD will sign with either the Lakers or the Knicks. Boogie? who cares. Would Kawhi really sign with the star-less Clippers, a franchise that will always be a second banana to the Lakers?

About a third of NBA teams are planning on having major cap room for ‘the big summer of 2019 free agency.’
Meanwhile:
Klay - says he wants to stay in GS
Kyrie - says he wants to stay in Bos
Jimmy - “fully expects” to reach deal w/PHL per @WojESPN
KD - ?
Kawhi - ?
Boogie - ?

— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) November 10, 2018

Agreed. I could be wrong but the clippers are less attractive if there isn’t another star coming.

[The Great One]

Agreed. I could be wrong but the clippers are less attractive if there isn’t another star coming.

The Clippers are the worst franchise in the NBA. If i was an NBA player, LAC is the last place i would want to go to.

Lakers and the Knicks are my top 2.

[Hotshot]

I think KD will sign with either the Lakers or the Knicks. Boogie? who cares. Would Kawhi really sign with the star-less Clippers, a franchise that will always be a second banana to the Lakers?

About a third of NBA teams are planning on having major cap room for ‘the big summer of 2019 free agency.’
Meanwhile:
Klay - says he wants to stay in GS
Kyrie - says he wants to stay in Bos
Jimmy - “fully expects” to reach deal w/PHL per @WojESPN
KD - ?
Kawhi - ?
Boogie - ?

— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) November 10, 2018

Nah KD will probably stay with GS unless they aren't willing to pay him the full max. If Kawhi stays with the Raps then all of the sudden Toronto becomes an attractive destination for KD to cement his legacy (something nobody in U.S media want to talk about).

[Mitchell Duong]

Both Boston and Philly had assets to make moves. I'm not surprised they got Butler.

Sounds like Jimmy is going to sign, and they may already be at their ceiling. They're going to likely have a max deal with Butler who will be on the decline. Embiid is fantastic. Fultz looks broken, and Ben is likely at a near ceiling if he insists on not shooting outside the paint.

I just don't see a great team there.

Boston still has a ton of assets. I'm worried about what they might be able to go out and acquire.

[jacobdr4]

Alright JV is hilarious.

This pre-game moment wins the day. We were looking at a pic of Norm's dog's broken paw in the locker room. @stackmack was getting emotional, so JV brought her a box of tissues.
Holly: "Norm's dog broke his arm."
JV: "First, dogs don't have arms. Second, thats no dog, its Batman" pic.twitter.com/PGYrqYi7xt

— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) November 10, 2018

[Hotshot]

On to more important things:

Raptors starting Lowry Green Leonard Siakam Ibaka again

— Blake Murphy (@BlakeMurphyODC) November 10, 2018

[G__Deane]

Just as a thought experiment.. what would people's reactions be if the Raptors had traded OG and Green (and a second) for Butler (and Patton)?

I'd be a hard no on that. It's about time we SIGNED a superstar here for Kawhi instead of trading players and pics

[Rudy Bargnani]

The Clippers are the worst franchise in the NBA. If i was an NBA player, LAC is the last place i would want to go to.

Lakers and the Knicks are my top 2.

Philly had max room for Kawhi too so this takes them out of the mix this summer.

Overreacting to things is what raptor fans do, but I see this as a positive to retain Kawhi. Philly uses their space, clippers lose a potential target to pair with Kawhi. Lakers are a circus and the raps are 11-1. Keep winning and winning solves everything.