2022 Toronto Raptors Thread

[Hockey_Ninja]

Luka is definitely back. So fun to watch

[Da_Chief]

That was a fun to game to attend.

-Seeing Scottie get his RoTY from Masai was cool and then him going down was scary, thankfully he got back up.

-Refs were terrible, so many inconsistent calls.

-Luckily 2019 Danny Green showed up with all those open looks he missed.

-Crowd was definitely giving it to embiid every time he touched the ball.

-Him flopping and losing it at the end was cherry on top the win.

Hopefully they can bring it back for game 6.

[bluejays]

Originally Posted by Da_Chief

That was a fun to game to attend.

-Seeing Scottie get his RoTY from Masai was cool and then him going down was scary, thankfully he got back up.

-Refs were terrible, so many inconsistent calls.

-Luckily 2019 Danny Green showed up with all those open looks he missed.

-Crowd was definitely giving it to embiid every time he touched the ball.

-Him flopping and losing it at the end was cherry on top the win.

Hopefully they can bring it back for game 6.

Lucky that you got to attend! Cliche ahead, but one game at a time. I am concerned about FVV being out for even a game, but I have to say with the bigs more or less healthy, they can in theory constantly attack guys like Embiid mid-range and down low. With the injuries at the start of the series the remaining bigs didn't want to get into foul trouble and they played afraid. Now they can go for it as others can rotate in a bit if fouls add up, and I think that becomes the potential equalizer (constant pressure). Siakam has to continue to play aggressive or he settles for the mid or long range jumper and when it doesn't work he gets frustrated. I really hope they use today's game as their model for Monday.

[Hockey_Ninja]

I wish KD was on a more likable team. But any team with Kyrie deserves to be swept

[Mathgod]

Celtics-Warriors final. Can't see it going any other way if Booker isn't back for round 2.

[Trojan97]

Ben Simmons needs to go back home and dominate the Australian league for a decade and just fade into obscurity. What a plug.

[bluejays]

Simmons is one of today's most overrated players. I guess he's made his millions and he doesn't care anymore.

[The Big Chill]

FVV out for tonight. I guess we will see Barnes and Siakam run the point.

[bluejays]

Not enamoured with either of them running the point specifically because of speedy Maxey. I don’t know what other choices there are really but the matchup is a bit concerning.

[octothorp]

I worry a bit with the no PG lineups that neither Siakam or Barnes is great at bringing the ball up the court under pressure, and honestly I'm surprised that when the Raptors go big, more teams don't pick them up full court. Boston did it in the last matchup of the season to pretty good effect. Maybe Thybulle is the only guy on the Sixers roster to have the defensive chops for it to be worthwhile.

I also worry about the shooting and spacing. It's not like FVV has been shooting well at all, but at least the threat of him keeps Philly spaced out. Having the roleplayers like Boucher, Achiuwa, and Young (and Flynn if he's in the rotation tonight) hitting their 3s will be crucial.

edit: Worries aside, I like the potential of the big lineup just rattling the 76ers and keeping them off-balance all night. I don't think they're a mentally tough team, and if the Raptors can force turnovers, get long possessions with offensive rebounds, and take the crowd out of it, then they've got a shot.

[transplant99]

[bluejays]

Originally Posted by octothorp

I worry a bit with the no PG lineups that neither Siakam or Barnes is great at bringing the ball up the court under pressure, and honestly I'm surprised that when the Raptors go big, more teams don't pick them up full court. Boston did it in the last matchup of the season to pretty good effect. Maybe Thybulle is the only guy on the Sixers roster to have the defensive chops for it to be worthwhile.

I also worry about the shooting and spacing. It's not like FVV has been shooting well at all, but at least the threat of him keeps Philly spaced out. Having the roleplayers like Boucher, Achiuwa, and Young (and Flynn if he's in the rotation tonight) hitting their 3s will be crucial.

edit: Worries aside, I like the potential of the big lineup just rattling the 76ers and keeping them off-balance all night. I don't think they're a mentally tough team, and if the Raptors can force turnovers, get long possessions with offensive rebounds, and take the crowd out of it, then they've got a shot.

I do think Trent Jr seems like the best guy for that job right now. Not a great dribbler but he’s nimble enough to get around I’d think. Better than a big handling it when Maxey is going to be licking his chops waiting for a steal. Regardless if he plays PG, GTJ is the key factor for the raps today. He shows up and scores and they’re good. He doesn’t and they’re in an uphill battle. Just hope everyone plays aggressive. I can also see the refs holding a grudge with condescending Embiid. Could be another game stolen today.

[bluejays]

Strong opening by the Raps, I do admit.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Just keep it close, don't let them pull away and make it easy. They are waiting to choke this series away, just don't let them drop the rope.

[octothorp]

Other than the own goal, pretty nice quarter. The whistle hasn't been great, but it's been evenly-enough distributed that nobody important is in foul trouble, just gotta keep playing through the non-calls.

[HitterD]

Why doesn’t Siakam pass the ball?

[The Big Chill]

Philly fans booing already haha

[bluejays]

Raps opening the 2nd quarter on fire. Amazing.

[octothorp]

I LOVE the energy that the Philly crowd brings. It's like they have no idea the effect it has on their own team.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Philly fans turning on them is just lol. And also why we need to force a game 7, Raps start game 7 with a 9-0 run and the fans will be chucking batteries at their players.