2015-16 Raptors and General NBA Thread

[Senator Clay Davis]

Yeah that game was a big dud, pretty much over in the first 5 minutes. Not beating the Warriors when you shoot poorly, turn it over a bunch and have poor transition defense.

[kmart]

Originally Posted by fleury

Nonsense, IMO. Raps are totally inconsistent in the playoffs, and without that legit go-to star, they're not coming out of the second round. They may be a really really poor mans San Antonio, but they need that first option in the playoffs. DeRozan and Lowry as your clutch scorers isn't going to cut it.

They totally could come out of the second round this year. They've already made statement wins against Atlanta. Chicago is missing Noah for most of they year. Count me in for this team for this team to beat out Atlanta or Chicago in the second round.

As far as teams not wanting the Raptors to come out of the east I think thats pushing it. I'm sure the Warriors and Spurs would prefer it if they didn't have to play the Cavs. However, Raptors play a funky style that really tries to neutralize sthose teams effectiveness. They play really slow offensively and are very good with their transition defense, which could be a nightmare for those teams. It's hard to get into an offensive rhythm against the Raptors.

[Street Pharmacist]

The Raps were a field goal away from beating the Warriors during their streak

[Julio]

And part 97 of Clippers going to Clip...Blake Griffin breaks his hand in a fight with an equipment manager after the Toronto game...Did they guy make a disparaging remark about a Sportage or something?
http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14...?ex_cid=espnfb

[Senator Clay Davis]

Lowry might be hurt. Wonderful...

[octothorp]

Sounds like a minor sprain, at worst, to his non-shooting hand. Could certainly have been a lot worse. Their schedule is still pretty soft between now and the all-star break, they can afford to sit him for a bit.

[corporatejay]

WOOOOOOOOOSH

Sting tapped as NBA All-Star Game halftime performer

http://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/all-star...ting-1.3423523


Kind of thought with Drake involved they could have got someone more.......current?

[jayswin]

....like Drake.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Sting...and Cirque du Soleil. Way to make Canada look as white as possible lol.

[corporatejay]

Originally Posted by jayswin

....like Drake.

Well obviously. I thought it would have been awesome to have Drake perform but then have a lot of his affiliates come too. Future, Weeknd, Nicki Minaj, Rhianna and just do like an off the hook Hip Hop show.

Sting? WTF.

[bluejays]

^ there will probably be some type of mashup to make up for the typical f-up by upper management who are playing to the corporate cronies. To have a guy like Sting perform at the NBA all star game is a joke. Whoever is responsible way up there, should be embarrassed.

[Senator Clay Davis]

I mean it's odd because it's actually a big get since Sting is a huge star, it obviously just doesn't jive with the audience of NBA basketball. Still better than Coldplay at the Super Bowl though.

[bluejays]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

I mean it's odd because it's actually a big get since Sting is a huge star, it obviously just doesn't jive with the audience of NBA basketball. Still better than Coldplay at the Super Bowl though.

I don't know. Coldplay has been big in this past decade. Sting just screams pandering to the old boys club. Superbowl has always had a very wide variety of singers perform. NBA is heavily hip hop. Not to slag on Sting, because he was good 25 years ago, but to some degree I hope the fans boo the choice to kinda embarrass the organization who seems far removed from these sort of things. For one, I don't watch any of the big pro sports' ASG's, but for the reason that it's here and they messed it up, makes me a little upset.

[corporatejay]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

I mean it's odd because it's actually a big get since Sting is a huge star, it obviously just doesn't jive with the audience of NBA basketball. Still better than Coldplay at the Super Bowl though.

I'm not so sure, are you trying to tell me that NBA fans aren't the target audience for customized Lutes?

[St. Pats]

DD getting a 2nd allstar selection made me think about his contract status. He is a UFA at the end of the year. Will no doubt get the max. Raptors will have to offer it and the only question is whether that's the right move. I don't see anyway for them to avoid it even if they have doubts he is the player to lead them to ultimate success(define that however you want). The fans would rip the arena down if they didn't make the offer now. There seems to be every reason to think he will accept that offer.

So removing the fact they will do it. Is it the right move?

[Street Pharmacist]

In Toronto on business and never been to a basketball game. Worth seeing the pistons?

[St. Pats]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

In Toronto on business and never been to a basketball game. Worth seeing the pistons?

Just make sure Drummond is playing / IF so then worth it for sure.

[octothorp]

Originally Posted by St. Pats

DD getting a 2nd allstar selection made me think about his contract status. He is a UFA at the end of the year. Will no doubt get the max. Raptors will have to offer it and the only question is whether that's the right move. I don't see anyway for them to avoid it even if they have doubts he is the player to lead them to ultimate success(define that however you want). The fans would rip the arena down if they didn't make the offer now. There seems to be every reason to think he will accept that offer.

So removing the fact they will do it. Is it the right move?

The salary system is going to get so messed up in the next few years. Guys far less than derozan are going to get max contracts. Which means even an underperforming Derozan even on a max is a tradable contract.
Ujiri did something similar with Nene. Signed him even when he didn't seem to fit in Denver to avoid losing him for nothing, then swung a solid trade the following season.

So I'm not convinced it's a good move but it won't be a unfixable mistake, either.

[Senator Clay Davis]

This is a top 5 team in the NBA right now, and that's with Carroll out hurt. I get that some people won't care until they win in the playoffs, but you still need to get there and ideally not as a 4-8 seed. It's gonna be a lot easier to find the few missing pieces to be able to compete with the best in the West than it will be to replace DeMar. You give him the max and hope he can turn into a 38-40% three point shooter, because if he does then he's a top 10 player.

[Street Pharmacist]

In Toronto for business and took in the game tonight. First ever basketball game. So much fun