2015-2016 Toronto Raptors Thread: We Have "It"!
- Thread starter hockeyfan1
- Start date
hockeyfan1
New member
Raptors defeat Portland Blazers 117-115, which saw Portland's Damian Lillard make a ridiculous "Curry-esque" 50 points, and Toronto's DeRozan chase an NBA record for most straight free throw points in a game -- he finished 24 for 25 on the night.
No player in NBA history has gone 25-for-25 at the free-throw line, in the regular-season or playoffs. DeRozan is the first player to make 24 free throws since Dwight Howard made 25 on March 12, 2013. Dominique Wilkins holds the record for most free throws in a game without a miss (23) while Kevin Durant and Deron Williams both finished games 21-for-21.
And oh, by the way, it was the Raps 12th straight home win.
http://www.sportsnet.ca/basketball/nba/electric-backcourts-live-up-to-hype-in-raptors-blazers-thriller/
No player in NBA history has gone 25-for-25 at the free-throw line, in the regular-season or playoffs. DeRozan is the first player to make 24 free throws since Dwight Howard made 25 on March 12, 2013. Dominique Wilkins holds the record for most free throws in a game without a miss (23) while Kevin Durant and Deron Williams both finished games 21-for-21.
And oh, by the way, it was the Raps 12th straight home win.
http://www.sportsnet.ca/basketball/nba/electric-backcourts-live-up-to-hype-in-raptors-blazers-thriller/
hockeyfan1
New member
Raptors have the highest winning points percentage in a season of any Toronto team.
For the third year in a row, the Raptors clinch the Atlantic Division, sporting a franchise record 51 wins, and are 2.5 behind the first place LeBron James-led Cleveland Cavs in the Eastern Conference standings.
Raptors have eight games remaining while the Cavs have seven.
Source: Sportsnet, TSN
For the third year in a row, the Raptors clinch the Atlantic Division, sporting a franchise record 51 wins, and are 2.5 behind the first place LeBron James-led Cleveland Cavs in the Eastern Conference standings.
Raptors have eight games remaining while the Cavs have seven.
Source: Sportsnet, TSN
hockeyfan1
New member
L K said:
Impressed many particularly with his play in the Raptors win over the Grizzlies in their last game. Powell was perfect in his throws -- 4/4 and 2/2 three pt field throw, 4 rebounds, 2 steals, and finished with an impressive +10 rating.
Seems like a decent 'replacement' for the injured DeMarre Carroll so far.
Heroic Shrimp
New member
L K said:
The Raptors rested both Lowry and DeRozan tonight and Powell picked up 27 points in a 111-98 win over Indiana.
hockeyfan1
New member
Well, make of it what you will, but Spurs' coach Popovich did indeed tell Casey what he told him (check out video):
...there was a notable interaction between Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich and the Raptors? Dwane Casey as the two shook hands following Toronto?s hard-fought loss in San Antonio this past weekend. (Last weekend)
According to the lip readers at The Spurs Zone (and via the always wonderful NBA reddit Pop took the opportunity to share some words of encouragement with Casey, apparently telling him, ?I think you guys are going to the Finals. I swear to God. No bullsh?t.?
It?s obviously a huge vote of confidence coming from one of the most successful figures in the sports history and a shrewd evaluator of talent like Popovich. And it?s not too hard to see where he?s coming from, either. The Raptors had just battled the Spurs, who narrowly escaped with a win...Pop is likely acutely aware that the Raps have played the other true contender in the West, the also-historically-great Golden State Warriors, to two hard-fought losses.
Read here:
http://www.sportsnet.ca/basketball/nba/coach-pop-really-tell-casey-raptors-headed-nba-finals/
...there was a notable interaction between Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich and the Raptors? Dwane Casey as the two shook hands following Toronto?s hard-fought loss in San Antonio this past weekend. (Last weekend)
According to the lip readers at The Spurs Zone (and via the always wonderful NBA reddit Pop took the opportunity to share some words of encouragement with Casey, apparently telling him, ?I think you guys are going to the Finals. I swear to God. No bullsh?t.?
It?s obviously a huge vote of confidence coming from one of the most successful figures in the sports history and a shrewd evaluator of talent like Popovich. And it?s not too hard to see where he?s coming from, either. The Raptors had just battled the Spurs, who narrowly escaped with a win...Pop is likely acutely aware that the Raps have played the other true contender in the West, the also-historically-great Golden State Warriors, to two hard-fought losses.
Read here:
http://www.sportsnet.ca/basketball/nba/coach-pop-really-tell-casey-raptors-headed-nba-finals/
Heroic Shrimp
New member
So it's going to be Raptors vs. Pacers in the 1st round.
hockeyfan1
New member
Heroic Shrimp said:
If all goes according to plan, shouldn't be much of a problem for the Raps.
Bring on the playoffs!
hockeyfan1
New member
Nice piece by the Raptors' Patrick Patterson:
... Canadians were the loudest people in the arena. Yo, you don't want to get a Canadian hyped. They reach a volume that I think might be illegal in the States."
"Canadians are used to being overlooked by Americans. But that doesn't mean we won't beat you."
"When I walk out of the tunnel at a Raptors game, of course I see white people, but they're right next to Asians and Africans and Pacific Islanders and many other people from all around the world. And all of them are wearing the same jersey, cheering for the same team," Patterson writes.
"It's a beautiful thing to see, man."
He wraps up his post by vowing to "show the world that Toronto isn't just a great basketball city ? it's the best basketball city."
http://www.theplayerstribune.com/patrick-patterson-raptors-toronto-playoffs/
... Canadians were the loudest people in the arena. Yo, you don't want to get a Canadian hyped. They reach a volume that I think might be illegal in the States."
"Canadians are used to being overlooked by Americans. But that doesn't mean we won't beat you."
"When I walk out of the tunnel at a Raptors game, of course I see white people, but they're right next to Asians and Africans and Pacific Islanders and many other people from all around the world. And all of them are wearing the same jersey, cheering for the same team," Patterson writes.
"It's a beautiful thing to see, man."
He wraps up his post by vowing to "show the world that Toronto isn't just a great basketball city ? it's the best basketball city."
http://www.theplayerstribune.com/patrick-patterson-raptors-toronto-playoffs/
Heroic Shrimp
New member
If anybody here is going to the game today, remember that the DVP is closed all weekend.
L K
Active member
I think I'm done with Derozan. It's the same story every playoffs. If he doesn't get foul calls he stops driving and he can't hit jumpers. He's not worth the max. Hopefully they can sign and trade him in the offseason.
The disrespect on Valanciunas in the postseason is absurd. 6 fouls in 21 minutes of playing time meanwhile a rookie is shoving him and getting away with it.
The disrespect on Valanciunas in the postseason is absurd. 6 fouls in 21 minutes of playing time meanwhile a rookie is shoving him and getting away with it.
hockeyfan1
New member
Michael Jordan certainly said it best once:
"Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships." - Michael Jordan
Derozan & Lowry didn't seem to have the energy, particularly DeRozan who looked lethargic. Perhaps it was the dreaded 12:30pm start to the game, or perhaps DeRozan & Lowry finally ran out of gas, so to speak, after having played so much during the season.
One wonders why Casey did not utilize DeMarre Carroll on the Pacers Paul George, or play Powell & Joseph more and Lowry (who was struggling) less? Or even keep Valencenias benched longer when he was running into foul trouble later?
Let's hope there's a turnaround for Game 2.
"Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships." - Michael Jordan
Derozan & Lowry didn't seem to have the energy, particularly DeRozan who looked lethargic. Perhaps it was the dreaded 12:30pm start to the game, or perhaps DeRozan & Lowry finally ran out of gas, so to speak, after having played so much during the season.
One wonders why Casey did not utilize DeMarre Carroll on the Pacers Paul George, or play Powell & Joseph more and Lowry (who was struggling) less? Or even keep Valencenias benched longer when he was running into foul trouble later?
Let's hope there's a turnaround for Game 2.
