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2018-2019 Toronto Raptors Thread: "In Kawhi (& Danny) We Trust!"

OT thriller.  Raptors defeat the Washington Wizards 140-138.

Kawhi Leonard set an NBA streaks record -- 19th straight game of 20 pts., or more.


http://www.nba.com/video/2019/01/13/0021800639-tor-was-recap
 
Some things not right in Raptorland.  After their 105-92 loss in Toronto Thursday night to the Eastern Conference leading Milwaukee Bucks, all is not very right with the team considering the fact that the Raptors looked overwhelmed at times with Milwaukees?s transition game.

Kawhi & Kyle were particularly ?hounded? by the Bucks defence resulting in turnovers and incoherent passes, or just an inability to get that ball in the net,  and only until coach Nick Nurse put the bench squad with starter Siakam out there, did the team start really competing.  Siakam led Toronto with 28 pts. on the night.

Game hilites:
http://www.nba.com/video/2019/01/31/0021800766-mil-tor-game-recap


https://www.sportsnet.ca/basketball/nba/three-concerns-following-raptors-poor-showing-bucks/
 
Congrats to the Raptors Kyle Lowry & Kawhi Leonard on being selected to the  NBA All-Star Game.


https://www.cbc.ca/sports/basketball/toronto-raptors-kyle-lowry-all-star-1.5001521
 
Should the Raptors trade for The Brow, Anthony Davis, who wants out of New Orleans?

If so, someone has a trade figured out, not that many would agree considering it's implications.  On the other hand. ...

Read it here:
http://flip.it/JrnJQO
 
3-4 years ago I absolutely love this trade.  I'm not sure that Gasol is that big of an upgrade on Valanciunas now at age 34 with injury baggage.  Gasol shoots better from 3 point range but we are talking about a guy who averages a little over 1 3-pointer/game vs. Valanciunas who averages 0.3.  Gasol is a better passer.

Valanciunas is a better rebounder and a better shooter overall from the field.  I would consider Gasol the better defender but he's going to have the same issues that Valanciunas has against faster opponents.
 
L K said:
3-4 years ago I absolutely love this trade.  I'm not sure that Gasol is that big of an upgrade on Valanciunas now at age 34 with injury baggage.  Gasol shoots better from 3 point range but we are talking about a guy who averages a little over 1 3-pointer/game vs. Valanciunas who averages 0.3.  Gasol is a better passer.

Valanciunas is a better rebounder and a better shooter overall from the field.  I would consider Gasol the better defender but he's going to have the same issues that Valanciunas has against faster opponents.
Click to expand...

Yeah, it's kind of a weird deal but considering that both guys are likely in the last years of their current deals I think this fits into Ujiri's going broke for this one year. Gasol's age isn't a big deal if there is no tomorrow anyhow.
 
Nik the Trik said:
L K said:
3-4 years ago I absolutely love this trade.  I'm not sure that Gasol is that big of an upgrade on Valanciunas now at age 34 with injury baggage.  Gasol shoots better from 3 point range but we are talking about a guy who averages a little over 1 3-pointer/game vs. Valanciunas who averages 0.3.  Gasol is a better passer.

Valanciunas is a better rebounder and a better shooter overall from the field.  I would consider Gasol the better defender but he's going to have the same issues that Valanciunas has against faster opponents.
Click to expand...

Yeah, it's kind of a weird deal but considering that both guys are likely in the last years of their current deals I think this fits into Ujiri's going broke for this one year. Gasol's age isn't a big deal if there is no tomorrow anyhow.
Click to expand...
a total win now move, which if they win now looks great, if they are out in round one or two, will look very bad. I like JC, right initials, real gud pro...I don't watch much basketball but when I do its Raptors Playoff Basketball. 
 
Highlander said:
a total win now move, which if they win now looks great, if they are out in round one or two, will look very bad. I like JC, right initials, real gud pro...I don't watch much basketball but when I do its Raptors Playoff Basketball.
Click to expand...

I don't see why it looks particularly bad if they don't win. They didn't trade anyone or anything who figured to be a big part of the future.
 
So in total they traded Malachi Richardson, Greg Monroe, Jonas Valanciunas, Delon Wright, CJ Miles and two second round picks for Marc Gasol and salary considerations

Right now our rotation sits at:

PG - Lowry/FVV/Loyd
SG - Green/Powell/McCaw
SF - Leonard/OG
PF - Siakam/Boucher
C - Gasol/Ibaka

Depth is a real issue on this roster.  It pretty much forces Ibaka to play some PF and he is not mobile enough for that anymore and it?s a real issue when your PF has to guard the 3-point line but can?t shoot from there.

In the last three years the Raptors waiver/free agent signings included:
Jason Thompson, Nigel Hayes (10-day x2)

The Raptors are really going to have to buck the trend of historically not being a destination for those waiver pickups.
 
Sad to see JV leave Toronto but sonething had to be done if the Raptors are to contend in earnest, and not just for the NBA title, but in the East.

With the Milwaukee Bucks strengthening their roster further, it should come as no surprise that the Raptors needed to make a move.

With Gasol, they have someone who's good on the three-point shot, is a decent passer, and adept defensively (he was named Defender of the Year in 2013).

The big question for the Raptors is whether Leonard stays or will leave in the off season.  Depending on what happens for the remainder of the season in their quest for a championship,  having Gasol on the roster gives them the depth (albeit not complete) should Leonard not be a returnee.  Gasol becomes a FA in 2020.

Expect Ujiri to look for some veterans in the buyout period.

Optimism reigns supreme in Raptorland and expectations now are higher than ever.

GO RAPTORS GO!
 
Before this trade took place, rumours had it that Lowry & Valenciunas were to be included ib a package for both Mike Conley & Marc Gasol.


https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/raptors-lowry-trade-rumour
 
hockeyfan1 said:
Before this trade took place, rumours had it that Lowry & Valenciunas were to be included ib a package for both Mike Conley & Marc Gasol.


https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/raptors-lowry-trade-rumour
Click to expand...
That's what they should have done. Lowry is still a weak spot in the playoffs.
 
Gasol has 16 pts. including 6 rebs. & 2 assists  in his debut and Leonard with the buzzer beater in the Raptors 127-125 win over the Brooklyn Nets at Scotiabank Arena.

Serge Ibaka, (18 pts., &  13 rebs.),
Lowry, McCaw & Siakam powered the offense.  Whole team effort with  [/font][/size]
contributions from everyone.

Leonard led the team with 30 pts. on the night.

Game hilites:
https://www.nba.com/raptors/video/teams/raptors/2019/02/12/2460611/1549945143082-nba-web-190211-highlightsdigital-2460611
 
Oh, how they love us!

This weekend?s NBA All-Star Game in Charlotte, NC saw hosts Shaquille O?Neal, Charles Barkley, & Kenny Smith submit their love-in for Toronto & Canada:

Sir Charles:
?I?m praying like hell that they (the Raptors) get to the Eastern Conference Finals so I can go and spend a week there,? said 11-time All-Star and NBA Hall of Famer, Charles Barkley. ?Toronto is my favourite place to visit in the world.?
Click to expand...

As for Shaq:
Shaquille O?Neal, a 15-time All-Star and Hall of Famer, gave a moving rendition of ?O Canada? for all to enjoy.

Mr. Smith
?t like the great culture influence,? said Kenny Smith, a two-time NBA champion. ?I?m from New York City, so it reminds me of that.?
Click to expand...

Story:
https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/nba-legends-shaq-kenny-chuck-reveal-love-canada-000522576.html



 
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