herman said:
As a not-too-close follower, it's pretty remarkable to see what the Raptors have done this season. Especially since it's largely been through strategic/philosophical changes instead of adding superstars.
2017-2018 Toronto Raptors Thread: "O.G...Change Is In the Air!"
- Thread starter hockeyfan1
- Start date
As a not-too-close follower, it's pretty remarkable to see what the Raptors have done this season. Especially since it's largely been through strategic/philosophical changes instead of adding superstars.
herman
Well-known member
CarltonTheBear said:
I was a slightly closer follower maybe two seasons ago and I didn't really like our playstyle. DeMar would usually foist a contested mid-range jumper at the end of the shot clock and they'd basically live or die by that.
It sounds like they made the right style changes based on the math and some grassroots buy-in. I'm impressed. They've even carved out a new niche for Valanciunas as a post-up or long-shot threat. I love that they now hate shooting from the middle.
herman
Well-known member
I've been seeing some stellar LeBron James gifs lately.
https://twitter.com/nba/status/969459986354012160
https://twitter.com/OnedioSpor/status/973443371820871680
https://twitter.com/SportsCenter/status/973917986145914881
https://twitter.com/JasmineLWatkins/status/973875734921048065
https://twitter.com/nba/status/969459986354012160
https://twitter.com/OnedioSpor/status/973443371820871680
https://twitter.com/SportsCenter/status/973917986145914881
https://twitter.com/JasmineLWatkins/status/973875734921048065
Coco-puffs
New member
L K said:
I remember they started with a pretty tough schedule (I think all their games out West happened in the 1st third of the season)... but man, 40-10 since is incredible.
hockeyfan1
New member
It wasn't too long ago that this same Raptors team stood itself 5.5 games above the second place Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference. It felt like they were on top of the world at one point, what with one of the best bench units in the league, good defence, very good offence racking up the scoreboard points game after game, etc. The Raptors were a team to fear no doubt racking up win after win.
Suddenly Toronto's team started unraveling. The height of it culminated with the Raptors most recent loss to the Cavaliers in Cleveland, or better put, to LeBron James. Seems as though this team still can't figure out how to beat James, not even with a lead. (Make that two losses to James' Cavs both after blown leads).
Last night, the Raptors made good on their promise to do better and they did resulting in a 99-78 home win over Boston. A reminder that the Celtics were and will be without the services of guard Kyrie Irving, out for the season & playoffs.
Don't despair Raptor fans. Toronto is now 3 games up in first in the Eastern Conference (after having seen their lead shrink to a mere 1.5 games). They are second in the league when it comes to point differentials which says a lot about team scoring and depth.
At the very least, the Raptors have woken up just in time from their slumber and prevent themselves from truly freefalling.
Game recap:
https://www.thestar.com/sports/raptors/2018/04/04/raptors-still-have-to-tell-us-who-they-are.html
Suddenly Toronto's team started unraveling. The height of it culminated with the Raptors most recent loss to the Cavaliers in Cleveland, or better put, to LeBron James. Seems as though this team still can't figure out how to beat James, not even with a lead. (Make that two losses to James' Cavs both after blown leads).
Last night, the Raptors made good on their promise to do better and they did resulting in a 99-78 home win over Boston. A reminder that the Celtics were and will be without the services of guard Kyrie Irving, out for the season & playoffs.
Don't despair Raptor fans. Toronto is now 3 games up in first in the Eastern Conference (after having seen their lead shrink to a mere 1.5 games). They are second in the league when it comes to point differentials which says a lot about team scoring and depth.
At the very least, the Raptors have woken up just in time from their slumber and prevent themselves from truly freefalling.
Game recap:
https://www.thestar.com/sports/raptors/2018/04/04/raptors-still-have-to-tell-us-who-they-are.html
hockeyfan1
New member
Raptors defeat the Indiana Pacers st the ACC 92-76 and clinch first place in the Eastern Conference. A number of milestones were set among them, their 57th win and a record (the most ever for this franchise); the 33rd home court win also the most ever; and of course, the Conference placing, first time ever in franchise history.
There's three games remaining in the season -- two at home & one away. The Raptors may very well have the opportunity to up their wins column to 60. Not that they need to but would be nice plus to get in playoff mode.
Good work!
GO RAPTORS!
Game recap:
https://www.thestar.com/sports/raptors/2018/04/06/raptors-lock-up-first-in-east-with-record-win-over-pacers.html
With
There's three games remaining in the season -- two at home & one away. The Raptors may very well have the opportunity to up their wins column to 60. Not that they need to but would be nice plus to get in playoff mode.
Good work!
GO RAPTORS!
Game recap:
https://www.thestar.com/sports/raptors/2018/04/06/raptors-lock-up-first-in-east-with-record-win-over-pacers.html
With
hockeyfan1
New member
Playoff time!
Washington Wizards play the Toronto Raptors tonight at the ACC in Game 1 of this Eastern Conference First Round.
The Raptors finished first atop the Eastern Conference with a 59-23 w/l record.
They ranked third in offensive production and fifth in defense proficiency -- one of the top five teams in the league with success in both of those categories.
They also sport one of the best bench units at 41.4 PPG, among the league's highest scoring.
As for the Wizards, they split the four games they played against Toronto this year, and their 42.7% three-point shot average was their second highest against opponents this season.
Comparing the Wizards to the Raptors is ridiculous, but given the Raptors past playoff performances, nothing should be taken for granted here. Consistency and efficiency will continue to be the key for Toronto.
Raptors' VanVleet is out of the lineup with a shoulder confusion.
GO RAPTORS!
Sources: basketballreference, NBA.com, Starsports
Washington Wizards play the Toronto Raptors tonight at the ACC in Game 1 of this Eastern Conference First Round.
The Raptors finished first atop the Eastern Conference with a 59-23 w/l record.
They ranked third in offensive production and fifth in defense proficiency -- one of the top five teams in the league with success in both of those categories.
They also sport one of the best bench units at 41.4 PPG, among the league's highest scoring.
As for the Wizards, they split the four games they played against Toronto this year, and their 42.7% three-point shot average was their second highest against opponents this season.
Comparing the Wizards to the Raptors is ridiculous, but given the Raptors past playoff performances, nothing should be taken for granted here. Consistency and efficiency will continue to be the key for Toronto.
Raptors' VanVleet is out of the lineup with a shoulder confusion.
GO RAPTORS!
Sources: basketballreference, NBA.com, Starsports
dappleganger
Active member
Close game against the Wiz...
hockeyfan1
New member
Good fourth-quarter explosion by the Raptors, leaky roof & all. Excellent passing and a pair of three pointers did the job. Wright, Miles, Anunoby, Ibaka, and of course, Lowry & DeRozan who took on the role of assisters rather than scorers. Good work on their part in facilitating the plays.
114-106 final score. The 'curse' of losing opening playoff round games is definitely broken. Way to go, Raptors!
Game recap:
http://www.cbc.ca/sports/basketball/nba/toronto-raptors-washington-wizards-game-1-1.4620182
Game 2 goes Tuesday here.
114-106 final score. The 'curse' of losing opening playoff round games is definitely broken. Way to go, Raptors!
Game recap:
http://www.cbc.ca/sports/basketball/nba/toronto-raptors-washington-wizards-game-1-1.4620182
Game 2 goes Tuesday here.
hockeyfan1
New member
The bench unit: They've been doing it all year, and demonstrated this none more aptly in yesterday's fourth-quarter offensive outburst: (minus the injured VanVleet)
The strong play of the bench has allowed Casey to keep his starters fresh and manage their workloads. At times, DeRozan and Lowry aren't even needed in the fourth quarter, simply because the second unit has put the game away.
But Raptor fans have also become accustomed to seeing a combination of both units on the floor in crunch time ? a testament to the amount of confidence the coaching staff has in the bench.
Casey says that DeRozan and Lowry always used to feel like they needed to make the clutch plays, whereas now they have faith in other guys to step up.
http://www.cbc.ca/sports/basketball/nba/toronto-raptors-bench-mob-nba-hit-list-1.4609897
The strong play of the bench has allowed Casey to keep his starters fresh and manage their workloads. At times, DeRozan and Lowry aren't even needed in the fourth quarter, simply because the second unit has put the game away.
But Raptor fans have also become accustomed to seeing a combination of both units on the floor in crunch time ? a testament to the amount of confidence the coaching staff has in the bench.
Casey says that DeRozan and Lowry always used to feel like they needed to make the clutch plays, whereas now they have faith in other guys to step up.
http://www.cbc.ca/sports/basketball/nba/toronto-raptors-bench-mob-nba-hit-list-1.4609897
hockeyfan1
New member
Whoa!
You can say that again. More like Wow!
The Toronto Raptors upended the Washington Wizards 130-119 in Game 2 of this Eastern Conference First Round playoffs. That gives Toronto a 2-0 lead in the series.
To top it all off, the Raptors set a playoff franchise record of 44 points in the first quarter. Some could say the game was over right there. The Raptors made short work of the Wizards game plan, if Washington even had one that is, as Toronto got contributions from nearly every player on that court and on that bench.
DeMar DeRozan's 37 points, Lowry's 12 assists, Valenciunas' 19 points & 14 rebounds, Wright's 11 points, Anunoby's defence, the list goes on.
All in all, a consistent and persistent effort from the Toronto Raptors that the Wizards had no chance of matching. That's simply because when on winning mode, the Raptors are among the best at it. Period.
Game 3 goes Friday in Washington.
GO RAPTORS!
https://www.sportsnet.ca/basketball/nba/raptors-impressive-building-lead-fighting-adversity-game-2/
You can say that again. More like Wow!
The Toronto Raptors upended the Washington Wizards 130-119 in Game 2 of this Eastern Conference First Round playoffs. That gives Toronto a 2-0 lead in the series.
To top it all off, the Raptors set a playoff franchise record of 44 points in the first quarter. Some could say the game was over right there. The Raptors made short work of the Wizards game plan, if Washington even had one that is, as Toronto got contributions from nearly every player on that court and on that bench.
DeMar DeRozan's 37 points, Lowry's 12 assists, Valenciunas' 19 points & 14 rebounds, Wright's 11 points, Anunoby's defence, the list goes on.
All in all, a consistent and persistent effort from the Toronto Raptors that the Wizards had no chance of matching. That's simply because when on winning mode, the Raptors are among the best at it. Period.
Game 3 goes Friday in Washington.
GO RAPTORS!
https://www.sportsnet.ca/basketball/nba/raptors-impressive-building-lead-fighting-adversity-game-2/
hockeyfan1
New member
Deja vu? Ghost of playoffs past?
Let's hope not. The Raptors' 122-103 loss to the Wizards in Game 3 last night brought back trepidation among Toronto basketball followers.
As if the turnovers (19) weren't bad enough, members of the bench unit were deplorably worse. Poeltl, Siakam, Miles, Wright, et al. They provided little to no support for DeRozan & Lowry on court, and a true lack of competitiveness out there in a game they should have won.
Far from grasping their 2 games to 0 hold on the Wizards, it is now 2 games to 1, with Gqme 4 on Sunday here at the Capital One Arena. A serious shoring up of play is required for the Raptors if they want to make this series easier on themselves. It's up to them, not the Wizards.
Fred.VanVleet continues to remain absent from playing due to shoulder injury.
Game recap:
https://www.sportsnet.ca/basketball/nba/raptors-old-habits-resurface-ugly-game-3-loss-wizards/
Let's hope not. The Raptors' 122-103 loss to the Wizards in Game 3 last night brought back trepidation among Toronto basketball followers.
As if the turnovers (19) weren't bad enough, members of the bench unit were deplorably worse. Poeltl, Siakam, Miles, Wright, et al. They provided little to no support for DeRozan & Lowry on court, and a true lack of competitiveness out there in a game they should have won.
Far from grasping their 2 games to 0 hold on the Wizards, it is now 2 games to 1, with Gqme 4 on Sunday here at the Capital One Arena. A serious shoring up of play is required for the Raptors if they want to make this series easier on themselves. It's up to them, not the Wizards.
Fred.VanVleet continues to remain absent from playing due to shoulder injury.
Game recap:
https://www.sportsnet.ca/basketball/nba/raptors-old-habits-resurface-ugly-game-3-loss-wizards/
hockeyfan1
New member
The Raptors defeated the Wizards 102-92 in Washington Friday night to take the Quarter-final 4 games to 2, thanks to a fourth quarter surge by the Raptors bench unit. They will now face LeBron James & his Cleveland Cavs in the Semi-final. Cleveland won their Quarter-final 4 games to 3 over the Indiana Pacers.
Toronto won both games 5 & 6 (in Toronto and then in Washington, respectively) to take it all.
The big question now becomes, can the Raptors beat James & co.? With their bench in full force, the Raptors should give the Cavs a run for the court, figure out a way around James, stay offensively sharp, and make life generally miserable for #23's team.
Can they do it? We'll wait and see. Game 1 begins Tuesday May 2 @8pm at the ACC here in Toronto.
GO RAPTORS!
Source: ESPN.com, Sportsnet
Toronto won both games 5 & 6 (in Toronto and then in Washington, respectively) to take it all.
The big question now becomes, can the Raptors beat James & co.? With their bench in full force, the Raptors should give the Cavs a run for the court, figure out a way around James, stay offensively sharp, and make life generally miserable for #23's team.
Can they do it? We'll wait and see. Game 1 begins Tuesday May 2 @8pm at the ACC here in Toronto.
GO RAPTORS!
Source: ESPN.com, Sportsnet