OT: The Official Toronto Raptors Thread
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Leafin'
Active member
OG is looking every bit the prospect we thought we had at the beginning of last season. His defense has taken another step this year. His handle is on another level compared to what we saw the last few years.
Maybe he picked up a couple things in practise going up against Kawhi.
Maybe he picked up a couple things in practise going up against Kawhi.
zeke
Well-known member
MindzEye
Wayward Ditch Pig
Watching this Bucks-Clippers (sans Kawhi) game and some observations
- Clippers look like they're about to go 0-2 without Kawhi. A lot of people made big mention of how good the Clippers were without Kawhi last year, but by BPM, they're without 4 of their 9 man rotation from last season. They're legit leaning on some bad players like PPat & JaMychel. Basically, Beverly and Harrell are really nice complimentary 2 way players and they've got some okay depth pieces that can do things at one end of the court or the other (Harkless is a plus defender, Lou still a plus isolation scorer). This isn't a Raptors + Kawhi situation...they fucking need Paul George to be elite.
- With that said, they're sure taking the Bucks to the wire and I know the Raptors just lost to them (with some help from the stripes) but the Bucks feel like they're missing something. Freak appears to have shaved some loading time off of that 3 point shot of his and when given time appears to be able to legit stroke it now, but you have to be playing way off of him for him to take and make it. He still has nothing in the arsenal once he's put the ball on the deck and someone is able to stay in front of him. He's a super impactful player, but I don't see him being the guy making big baskets for a championship team. He needs a 1B type player who can make pressure jumpers...Kyrie, KD, Steph, etc. The Bucks have done a good job putting floor spreading shooters around him, but they're still missing *that* guy to go with him. Middleton and Bledsoe aint it.
- Clippers look like they're about to go 0-2 without Kawhi. A lot of people made big mention of how good the Clippers were without Kawhi last year, but by BPM, they're without 4 of their 9 man rotation from last season. They're legit leaning on some bad players like PPat & JaMychel. Basically, Beverly and Harrell are really nice complimentary 2 way players and they've got some okay depth pieces that can do things at one end of the court or the other (Harkless is a plus defender, Lou still a plus isolation scorer). This isn't a Raptors + Kawhi situation...they fucking need Paul George to be elite.
- With that said, they're sure taking the Bucks to the wire and I know the Raptors just lost to them (with some help from the stripes) but the Bucks feel like they're missing something. Freak appears to have shaved some loading time off of that 3 point shot of his and when given time appears to be able to legit stroke it now, but you have to be playing way off of him for him to take and make it. He still has nothing in the arsenal once he's put the ball on the deck and someone is able to stay in front of him. He's a super impactful player, but I don't see him being the guy making big baskets for a championship team. He needs a 1B type player who can make pressure jumpers...Kyrie, KD, Steph, etc. The Bucks have done a good job putting floor spreading shooters around him, but they're still missing *that* guy to go with him. Middleton and Bledsoe aint it.
MyNameIsJonas
Active member
Eric Bledsoe is a gem
Wayward DP
Active member
I was impressed with Thomas last night. thought he held his own defensively, his work rate was very high, and the kid can fucking shoot.
I'm not really sure what Norm brings to the table other than bizarre (more often just poor) decision making.
but man is Lowry still so damn good. this team is just a joy to watch, even without Kawhi. it's weird, I fully expected them to close out the game. can't remember the last time I had that kind of confidence in any Toronto sports team. the championship stink stinks so good.
I'm not really sure what Norm brings to the table other than bizarre (more often just poor) decision making.
but man is Lowry still so damn good. this team is just a joy to watch, even without Kawhi. it's weird, I fully expected them to close out the game. can't remember the last time I had that kind of confidence in any Toronto sports team. the championship stink stinks so good.
MindzEye
Wayward Ditch Pig
Yeah, you fully expect them to make game winning plays now, to get major stops when they need it, etc.
We're one guy imo, one legitimately 1 on 1 scoring threat away from being legit EC favourites again imo. As is, I think we can give Bucks or Sixers a legit run but will ultimately lose. Add that one guy though and I think we're favourites to make the finals again.
Which makes us a major western conference injury away from winning another title.
MindzEye
Wayward Ditch Pig
OG needs to figure out his 1 on 1 game then. He's starting to take people off the bounce which is nice instead of either shooting the 3 or passing out on aggressive close outs.
What made Kawhi ridiculous was the development of his mid range game, you have to defend him so tight and he's so strong he just walks the ball to where he wants on the court and then pops out for an automatic step back.
