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Post by Pseudonym on Jan 30, 2023 13:32:27 GMT -5
Oh, Evan Mobley is also bottom 5 in post-ups and isolations. Dude is truly bagless.
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Post by scully19 on Jan 30, 2023 15:23:43 GMT -5
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Post by freewheel on Jan 30, 2023 15:46:06 GMT -5
I still think Achiuwa is a forward so he doesn't solve many of the issues that arise with a small frontcourt. That being said, he is bigger and stronger than Barnes, Siakam, and Anunoby who have all been a failure at the C position.
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Post by haisan on Jan 30, 2023 20:23:17 GMT -5
I feel gross writing all of this. No need. It was some solid analysis. I mostly agree about OG. So much to like about him ... but he has his limits, too. And when was the last time the Raptors had a good player who was overrated by the league? Feels like the league is usually dismissive of our best players (like Pascal). OG for an excellent guard. Trent and spare change for Poeltl. That would make me happy. OG for the Laker's pick would be the dream. But the Pelicans seem to have a logjam at that position, so I doubt they're the most hungry team for OG. Sadly.
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Post by haisan on Feb 9, 2023 11:17:23 GMT -5
Damn, Toronto sports journalists are the most timid bunch of follow-the-leader types ever. No vision. No balls. Just a bunch of basic cowards.
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Post by haisan on Feb 9, 2023 20:30:32 GMT -5
I'm going to be really curious about the starters and minutes, now that we're entering the Poeltlt Era(TM). I'm guessing we'll start with FVV, Scottie, OG, Pascal and Poeltl, with Gary first off the bench. Gary, Precious, and Boucher have the makings of a pretty good second unit.
Luckily, our first Poeltl game will be against Utah, so not the hardest opponent in the league.
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Post by scully19 on Feb 10, 2023 9:43:48 GMT -5
Quick tidbit that is at least nice to hear, a coach came to OVO center in the morning after the Poeltl trade to find him sitting eating breakfast like he never left. Always nice to get a guy that is comfortable and wants to be here. Hopefully he gives the raps a discount to resign now.
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Post by scully19 on Feb 10, 2023 10:08:58 GMT -5
Ok so now that the trade deadline came and went and we are very unlikely to be tanking well enough to matter, time to switch gears and go for winning since we actually improved at the deadline.
Now aiming for minimum 6th in the East, which is 4.5games back of the Heat, 4 games back of Knicks in 7th. Also of note is that the Nets are currently 6.5 games up in 5th and expect them to drop as well so these are the main teams to aim to catch.
Raptors technically have the 17th hardest Strength of Schedule but if you look at their schedule it is because they play the Celtics twice and the Bucks once. Well that is actually the last 3 games of the year in the order. There is every reason to believe at least 1 Celtics game and likely the Bucks game will be rest for those teams, so the rest of the schedule becomes much easier with the hardest being Denver twice, 76ers, cavs heat all once. On the easy side, they play Detroit and Washington 3x, Charlotte twice, Orlando, Pacers, Lakers.
Next games before All-Star break - Jazz who just traded away their PG and 3 other rotation players, Detroit, Magic. They should go 2-1 easy and hopefully 3-0. Hawks in 8th are 2 games up but play Spurs and Hornets as well as Knicks. If they manage to go 1-2 we would be tied in 8th if we go 3-0 by the All-Star break. More than likely though we are 1 game back, maybe 2 in 9th.
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Post by sutureself on Feb 10, 2023 15:26:25 GMT -5
I'm going to be really curious about the starters and minutes, now that we're entering the Poeltlt Era (TM). I'm guessing we'll start with FVV, Scottie, OG, Pascal and Poeltl, with Gary first off the bench. Gary, Precious, and Boucher have the makings of a pretty good second unit. Luckily, our first Poeltl game will be against Utah, so not the hardest opponent in the league. The tricky thing about that starting lineup is Poeltl can't shoot at all outside 12 feet, and the other 4 guys are all kind of streaky/average to slightly above average 3 point shooters. FVV and Pascal have both had years where they shot more efficiently from 3 when they weren't primary options, but Pascal seems like he's mostly going to be around 32 or 33%, while FVV is shooting a career low 34%. OG has had years where he flirted with 40% but the past two years he's hovered around 36%. Scottie has been around 30% both years. The league average this year is 36%. I guess you just hope for internal improvement since OG, FVV and Siakam have all had years where they shot the ball more efficiently. But it really seems like we could have some spacing problems with three long bois and a big traditional C out there. I was one of the ones who rolled my eyes when I heard Nets would've asked for Scottie plus 4 picks for Durant, because it probably would've ended disastrously for Toronto even if Durant did report. But substituting a Durant type player for Scottie in this lineup would solve a lot of problems in the short term.
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kap
Prospect
Posts: 11
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Post by kap on Feb 10, 2023 16:31:00 GMT -5
I'm going to be really curious about the starters and minutes, now that we're entering the Poeltlt Era (TM). I'm guessing we'll start with FVV, Scottie, OG, Pascal and Poeltl, with Gary first off the bench. Gary, Precious, and Boucher have the makings of a pretty good second unit. Luckily, our first Poeltl game will be against Utah, so not the hardest opponent in the league. The tricky thing about that starting lineup is Poeltl can't shoot at all outside 12 feet, and the other 4 guys are all kind of streaky/average to slightly above average 3 point shooters. FVV and Pascal have both had years where they shot more efficiently from 3 when they weren't primary options, but Pascal seems like he's mostly going to be around 32 or 33%, while FVV is shooting a career low 34%. OG has had years where he flirted with 40% but the past two years he's hovered around 36%. Scottie has been around 30% both years. The league average this year is 36%. I guess you just hope for internal improvement since OG, FVV and Siakam have all had years where they shot the ball more efficiently. But it really seems like we could have some spacing problems with three long bois and a big traditional C out there. I was one of the ones who rolled my eyes when I heard Nets would've asked for Scottie plus 4 picks for Durant, because it probably would've ended disastrously for Toronto even if Durant did report. But substituting a Durant type player for Scottie in this lineup would solve a lot of problems in the short term. I feel like you are probably being too generous. Scottie and Pascal are poor three-point shooters, OG and Fred are average. That lineup is going to play some very ugly basketball offensively. I predict a lot of iso-ball between Pascal and FVV.
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Post by haisan on Feb 13, 2023 19:57:43 GMT -5
I'm so confused by the FO's strategy here. A whole bunch of our main guys are suddenly coming down with vague, lingering injuries, which suggests we're tanking. But we're playing Poeltl and doing things that will get us wins. Which is it?
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Post by coach on Feb 15, 2023 11:43:25 GMT -5
I'm so confused by the FO's strategy here. A whole bunch of our main guys are suddenly coming down with vague, lingering injuries, which suggests we're tanking. But we're playing Poeltl and doing things that will get us wins. Which is it? Everybody and their dog acknowledges that the Raptors are under-performing. My take is that MU could not get anything that was worth changing his team long term for. Which meant he keeps and adds, hence the big man. Also contract negotiations coming up will now have the reality of putting the offers in the agent's face who feels his client is worth 40 plus million a year. MU was not blowing smoke when he said that he believed in the team as constructed. We have seen them, basically this group, do very well over the last few years but not able to put it together through lack of performance or injury. So an addition was warranted and even better an addition familiar with the organization who can hit the ground running with minimum adjustment. Chemistry is one of the hardest things to create, Poeltl was a part of that group, so why re-invent the wheel?
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Post by fenris77 on Feb 16, 2023 0:13:42 GMT -5
I think it's at least somewhat obvious at this point what was missing and what Poeltl brings to the table to fill that void.
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Post by zugzwang on Feb 18, 2023 8:56:28 GMT -5
I think it's at least somewhat obvious at this point what was missing and what Poeltl brings to the table to fill that void. Feel like it's necessary to give props to Freewheel for making the case for this from almost Day 1 of the season. I was getting tired of hearing it but it turns out it really bore repeating. Now if we could just finish his wish list for a guard who can shoot...
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Post by haisan on Feb 21, 2023 4:39:30 GMT -5
Well, with 23 games left, no way in hell are the Raptors getting to my pre-season prediction of 50 wins (unless they go, um, 22-1). But I'll make a last period quarter prediction... I think we go 14-9, to finish one game over 0.500. 42-40. Win the play-in game(s).
Cautiously optimistic about a good showing in the first round of the playoffs.
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Post by scully19 on Feb 24, 2023 22:24:03 GMT -5
Listened to Zach Lowe and Windy with 2 big takeaways.
Victor W sounds like he's going to be astronomically good. The amount of training he's doing and been doing to be one of the best ever and extend his career as long as he can. He's sleeping 11 hours a day, he's training his feet and specifically big toe because of the issues of someone his height. He said he wanted to be one of the best ever and he had clearly shown the dedication needed to get there.
Lastly, Giving basically shit all over next year's draft, he said to trade all your picks, give them away even because it's so bad. Masai turned that pick into Poeltl. Really making that move look even better than it already does... But man I wish we were tanking this year for VW.
If you're interested in VW you really need to go listen to Windy podcast with Givony. I came away blown away by this kid and think whatever team he goes to is going to be a contender in no time.
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Post by haisan on Feb 26, 2023 13:33:42 GMT -5
Aha, that’s why FVV has been missing. Looking forward to him not missing any shots for a few games. Could really help the playoff push!
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Post by fenris77 on Feb 28, 2023 0:49:53 GMT -5
Aha, that’s why FVV has been missing. Looking forward to him not missing any shots for a few games. Could really help the playoff push! The team shooting has been bloody abysmal. He can't get back fast enough.
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Post by Pseudonym on Feb 28, 2023 16:32:16 GMT -5
An actual backup PG AND a longboi waived? That's allowed???
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Post by freewheel on Feb 28, 2023 16:41:11 GMT -5
End of the Hernangomez era. Its the right move but I have to ask what was the point of playing him so much? Not that he was horrible or anything but they released Champagnie without even giving him a chance and they had a year of development invested in Champagnie. Flynn and Banton haven't even had nearly the consistent minutes that Hernangomez was getting for a while there. So strange.
Now the Will Barton era starts. Is he going to be gifted minutes and then be gone in the summer? How does that help? Why sign Weiskamp if you are going to give those minutes to Barton? They play the same position. How about we try and find out if our drafts choices and current roster players are any good? If they aren't, then please get rid of them instead of burying them in purgatory until they fade to nothing.
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Post by haisan on Feb 28, 2023 17:40:39 GMT -5
And then there’s Watanabe, shooting 0.480 this year and a longboi. So, yes, I agree a lot of the FO moves recently have been a bit head- scratching. But Barton is at least potentially a helpful move for us.
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Post by fenris77 on Feb 28, 2023 19:13:38 GMT -5
And then there’s Watanabe, shooting 0.480 this year and a longboi. So, yes, I agree a lot of the FO moves recently have been a bit head- scratching. But Barton is at least potentially a helpful move for us. I don't blame the Raps for Yuta. He wasn't shooting like that in TO at all. Sometimes it takes a change of scenery and system to really unlock potential.
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Post by sandman on Mar 1, 2023 9:21:52 GMT -5
Barton's a pretty good pickup. Not bad.
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Post by scully19 on Mar 14, 2023 8:54:29 GMT -5
Looked at the Ringer today and this is what i come across on the first page: www.theringer.com/nba/2023/3/14/23618907/jack-armstrong-nba-toronto-raptorsI think I'm in the minority here, but he's my least liked announcer and my wife seems to always watch a game only when he is there and can't stand him. To me he just doesn't seem like a good coach, doesn't seem to be particularly insightful on the game, and his general in game routines annoy me. He continually wins awards for announcing though so I realize it might just be me.
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Post by freewheel on Mar 14, 2023 10:41:46 GMT -5
The Raptors haven't had anyone better than Armstrong. Thats not to say he is great, but when he sticks to basketball he is pretty good. Its the clownish stuff that I can do without, but that's the look that Raptor broadcasting has been going with since the awful Chuck Swirsky. IMO the best basketball broadcaster is Hubie Brown and he is pretty much straight detail oriented. Hubie will tell you something you didn't already know. I imagine Jack could also be that guy. He seems to have the knowledge. Perhaps someday Alvin will get there. He is already a zillion percent better than when he started, but still stumbles over his words occasionally.
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Post by haisan on Mar 14, 2023 11:41:10 GMT -5
Jack has his good points and his bad. But certainly sitting beside Matt Devlin helps him a lot. Love Matt.
But this:
I mean, that Ron Jeremy stuff was an all-timer for announcing bloopers. So damn funny.
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Post by scully19 on Mar 14, 2023 13:27:53 GMT -5
This is true, i didn't catch that live but saw it on youtube later because it blew up enough for me to hear about it.
Somewhat positive news, I got a good deal on internet/TV that I'm basically getting TV for free to switch over. I guess I'll be able to watch some games again very soon even if I'm not exactly invested right now. Everytime I want this team to do one thing they seem to do the opposite (tank vs playoffs). Seems very frustrating to watch.
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Post by freewheel on Mar 14, 2023 14:48:17 GMT -5
Jack has his good points and his bad. But certainly sitting beside Matt Devlin helps him a lot. Love Matt. Matt is a pro. Can do baseball, hockey, Olympics, probably anything with a little research. We are lucky to have him. The only problem with Matt is that is can get influenced by the clowning of his partner which degrades his own quality of work.
If you put Matt in a national broadcast of a big event or championship you would see his best work.
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Post by scully19 on Mar 14, 2023 15:05:39 GMT -5
Jack has his good points and his bad. But certainly sitting beside Matt Devlin helps him a lot. Love Matt. Matt is a pro. Can do baseball, hockey, Olympics, probably anything with a little research. We are lucky to have him. The only problem with Matt is that is can get influenced by the clowning of his partner which degrades his own quality of work.
If you put Matt in a national broadcast of a big event or championship you would see his best work.
I agree. The only thing with Matt for me is that weird 3pt thing from all over Canada. I don't get it. If you want to name the deep 3 like a logo shot as from far away then ok, and you say once a game 'he shot that from Edmonton' or something then fine. Saying it on every 3 i just don't understand. Are people excited when he randomly falls on their town, like 'hey that's me, i live there'? OK. I always feel like I missed something, like he had some introduction for it that explains it to make sense and i missed that game, but right now i got nothing.
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Post by sandman on Mar 14, 2023 22:15:43 GMT -5
Honestly, Jack is one of my favs. Him and Devlin are both solid. Sometimes when I listen to the other sides broadcast... it's terrifying how boring it is.
I mean, I bet for other opposing fans these two would get annoying with some of their homerism but it's home broadcasters for a reason.
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