2021-2022 Official Toronto Raptors Thread

[L K]

I get it.  Every win against a good team is proof they are legitimate and every 3-4 game losing streak is because they are young.

The reality is this is a very shallow team with a bench that sucks and not enough guys who can score consistently.

 

[rjd]

I think what has happened is that the world championship win has caused this affect where hop is being sold on Ujiri and Nurse's behalf so everything is being viewed through a positive lens.  That goodwill will get burnt through though of the results don't meet expectations in a couple of years.

 

[L K]

We definitely don't have a bad organization with Nurse and Ujiri.

But aside from the Kawhi trade (that I think if you look at the context of Derozan previously being assured he wouldn't get traded and then having it happen anyway doesn't necessarily highlight the same Ujiri is a great man narrative) his biggest move with the Raptors was the Knicks stupidly turning down a trade for Kyle Lowry.

They turned down a package of Raymond Felton, Metta World Peace and one of Iman Shumpert/Tim Hardaway Jr/2018 first round pick. 

 

[Nik]

The Goran Dragic era is over. He's been dealt to the Spurs for Thad Young who might be a decent bench piece or might be moved later today. Who knows?

Full deal is Dragic and a Lottery Protected 1st for Thad Young, Drew Eubanks and a 2nd.

Edit again: The 2nd Rd pick the Raptors are getting is from Detroit so the draft pick swap probably just amounts to moving down 10-15 spots in the draft.

 

[Nik]

And the Ben Simmons saga comes to an end. What an interesting couple of teams the Nets and 76ers should be in the Playoffs. Here's hoping for a series between them.

 

[L K]

Entirely meh?

Not a horrible move by any means.  It sounds bad to give up a 1st to unload Tragic for an expiring Thad Young but as you said, it's really just moving from hopefully a 20-23 overall pick to a pick that will be at 31-35.  Late first round picks are far more likely to give you Malachi Flynn's and the nice thing about early second round picks is the lack of a guaranteed deal so you can get better financial control.

Thad Young is a very meh acquisition though.  Helps the bench but does nothing to improve the shooting of the team.  Can score near the basket.  Can't hit free throws and doesn't shoot threes at all let alone make them.  More of the sameness for the roster. 

Drew Eubanks is useless.  And also getting waived.

The roster still has basically no depth at the guard positions and too many 6'9 guys who can't shoot.

I will say that the starting 5 of FVV-GTJ-OG-Barnes-Siakam has been fun to watch.

 

[Nik]

Yeah, I don't entirely get it. Young will in no way move the needle for a playoff series so why not just roll with what you have and take the higher pick?

Still, it's not a bad deal or anything, it just kind of stinks that this team has glaring needs for a backup guard, more shooting and some real interior D and they couldn't manage any of it.

 

[L K]

Gary Trent Jr is having a nice run of late.  6 of his last 10 games scoring 30+ points including a career high 42 last night.

 

[Nik]

From the world of things I don't really understand, for some reason the sports world went apoplectic and doubted Ben Simmons' character when he decided he didn't want to play for the 76ers anymore but when Goran Dragic, who definitely could have helped the Raptors this year, decided he just didn't want to play for the team everyone was effectively cool with it and just waiting around for a buyout window.

Anyways, Dragic signed with the Nets.

 

[Frank E]

What's the deal with the Dragic era...like why is he so disliked by Raptors fans?

 

[Deebo]

What's the deal with the Dragic era...like why is he so disliked by Raptors fans?

He was traded here and refused to play.

There was a report that he said he had "higher ambitions" than playing for the Raptors.

 

[Frank E]

What's the deal with the Dragic era...like why is he so disliked by Raptors fans?

He was traded here and refused to play.

There was a report that he said he had "higher ambitions" than playing for the Raptors.

Sounds like a dick.

 

[L K]

What's the deal with the Dragic era...like why is he so disliked by Raptors fans?

He was the salary matching piece for the sign-and-trade with Lowry and the Heat.  He never wanted to be here.  He gave an interview before the season where he made it known he didn't want to be here. 

I don't really think the Raptors wanted him here either so when he did show up he barely played and then they mutually agreed for him to stay away from the team. 

He was wearing shirts and showing up at other teams games while sitting at home. 

It rubbed people the wrong way.  I don't necessarily have animosity for him as he was never going to be a Raptor past the trade deadline and didn't have a choice in coming here.

It was enjoyable watching him get booed as the Raptors beat the Nets twice in a row as he chose them for being a better chance at a contender (they still absolutely are as they played without Durant and Simmons)

 

[Frank E]

What's the deal with the Dragic era...like why is he so disliked by Raptors fans?

He was the salary matching piece for the sign-and-trade with Lowry and the Heat.  He never wanted to be here.  He gave an interview before the season where he made it known he didn't want to be here. 

I don't really think the Raptors wanted him here either so when he did show up he barely played and then they mutually agreed for him to stay away from the team. 

He was wearing shirts and showing up at other teams games while sitting at home. 

It rubbed people the wrong way.  I don't necessarily have animosity for him as he was never going to be a Raptor past the trade deadline and didn't have a choice in coming here.

It was enjoyable watching him get booed as the Raptors beat the Nets twice in a row as he chose them for being a better chance at a contender (they still absolutely are as they played without Durant and Simmons)

Thank you for the detail there LK. 

 

[L K]

Five games left in the season.  Raptors are in a tie for 5th with Chicago (Bulls have the tiebreaker).  They are three games up on 7th so are pretty much assured to avoid the play-in.

Most likely playing Boston in a 3 vs 6 matchup

 

[Heroic Shrimp]

Five games left in the season.  Raptors are in a tie for 5th with Chicago (Bulls have the tiebreaker).  They are three games up on 7th so are pretty much assured to avoid the play-in.

Most likely playing Boston in a 3 vs 6 matchup

https://twitter.com/KeithSmithNBA/status/1509881137186885640

 

[rjd]

All things considered, Barnes has turned out to be a pretty good pick.  It's only been one year, but if he can continue to grow as a player, it might work out for the Raptors.

 

[L K]

Five games left in the season.  Raptors are in a tie for 5th with Chicago (Bulls have the tiebreaker).  They are three games up on 7th so are pretty much assured to avoid the play-in.

Most likely playing Boston in a 3 vs 6 matchup

https://twitter.com/KeithSmithNBA/status/1509881137186885640

I honestly don?t read anything into it.  All of their core players have already played games in Toronto this year

 

[L K]

Raptors are locked into the 5th seed.

A Boston win and they play Philly.  A Boston loss and a Philly win and they play Boston.

 

[L K]

The play-in is showing to be nice and stupid this year in the Western Conference.

The 34-48 San Antonio Spurs (10th seed) play the 36-46 NO Pelicans (9th seed).  The winner of this game will play the 42-40 Clippers for the 8th seed/final playoff spot.  A team that is 14 games below .500 and 8 games behind the Clippers should not have a chance to make the playoffs.