So they hated Thibodeau eventually because he was too tough and rigid, now they hate Hoiberg because he goes too soft on them. Suffice to say it's not gonna matter who coaches that team, players appear pretty mentally weak.
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"Think I'm gonna be the scapegoat for the whole damn machine? Sheeee......."
I just dream of the day we see the Raps playing this kind of offensive basketball.
And of course without pretty much anyone noticing, the Spurs are having one of the greatest seasons ever. They are in the middle of the best net rating month of all-time (currently +22.2, previous record was 96 Bulls at +16.9...). Raps the only team to beat them this month, which shows how good they can be and how wildly inconsistent they are.
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"Think I'm gonna be the scapegoat for the whole damn machine? Sheeee......."
I'll eat my words. I posted that DeRozan was nothing more than a long range 2 point shooter and a guy who could attack.
DeRozan has been playing lights out since the beginning of December. He literally took out long 2's from his game and just started attacking defenses. He's been the reason why they've kept up on a solid pace without Valancuinas or Carroll in the lineup.
I'm hoping he keeps this up. He's been extremely effective removing the long range 2 pointer from his game. Now if he could add a three point shot...
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Do you really need a 3 point shot to be an effective player though? He does need to improve it but it's not something that should be super important. I know how big of a roll the 3 plays in today's NBA but there are plenty of great guards through history that aren't all that good at hitting long range shots.
Hahaha, wow then they get one more shot with 24 seconds left on the game clock and Derezon just goes straight to the hoop in a matter of seconds with the same easily defendable drive.
What a horrible game by the Raptors. I mean, they've played worse games, but to be up they way they were and to just let the Bulls come back and then have your stars turn to selfish, individual plays to seal the loss.....was just so Raptors.
Do you really need a 3 point shot to be an effective player though? He does need to improve it but it's not something that should be super important. I know how big of a roll the 3 plays in today's NBA but there are plenty of great guards through history that aren't all that good at hitting long range shots.
He absolutely has to. He's not a guy like Westbrook, Lebron, young Wade, or Rose (pre-injury), where their explosiveness can help them burst past defenders. He has to rely on his craftiness and a 3 point shot well do wonders in that category.
You look at a guy like James Harden, by NBA standards he's just good or average athletically, but he's got an arsenal of offensive tools against defenders. If a player guards him close he'll drive by easily and if a player leaves him some space to shoot it he will. That makes him one of the best SG in the league or maybe even the best.
For DeRozan, it'll create driving opportunities and also open up driving lanes for other players as well. A 3 point shot is crucial for him to take his game to the next level and for the Raptors to reach the upper echelon of the East, as I think Masai is committed to this core of players.
What a horrible game by the Raptors. I mean, they've played worse games, but to be up they way they were and to just let the Bulls come back and then have your stars turn to selfish, individual plays to seal the loss.....was just so Raptors.
I hated the selfish playing of the Raptors too, but I've come to accept that they'll just be an isolating team at least until Casey is gone.
Not mentioned here, but just read that Carroll got surgery for his knee. Overall a disastrous first year for the signing. He started strong and I really hope that he comes back just in time for the playoffs to make large contributions. The Raptors' really need him to be himself to advance to the second round.
Reading around the internet today and it looks like the Lakers and the Nets are prepared to offer DeRozan the max. This really sucks because it is pretty obvious that Derozan is undeserving of the max even with his improved play. However, if you don't sign him you've got to wonder who will replace Derozan's production and it probably won't be Ross. As for him signing with either team I don't think it's likely unless the Raps lowball him, in that case he'll just sign with the Lakers.
Reading around the internet today and it looks like the Lakers and the Nets are prepared to offer DeRozan the max. This really sucks because it is pretty obvious that Derozan is undeserving of the max even with his improved play. However, if you don't sign him you've got to wonder who will replace Derozan's production and it probably won't be Ross. As for him signing with either team I don't think it's likely unless the Raps lowball him, in that case he'll just sign with the Lakers.
Kid from Compton, who went to school in USC, is likely going to be intrigued by the Lakers offer.
That carries weight, and is likely a dream for him, could really see him wanting to pursue that as it is a once in a career opportunity.
Plus he probably will have more merchandising power in L.A. that will help make up for a lower salary.
Other thing you have is that you know the Buss family will always spend to try and win a Championship.
Kid from Compton, who went to school in USC, is likely going to be intrigued by the Lakers offer.
That carries weight, and is likely a dream for him, could really see him wanting to pursue that as it is a once in a career opportunity.
Plus he probably will have more merchandising power in L.A. that will help make up for a lower salary.
Other thing you have is that you know the Buss family will always spend to try and win a Championship.
Loyalty plays a factor in where he wants to play as well. It's been documented that he'd like to play for the Raptors for the rest of his basketball life. I think if he was given the offer by Masai he'd stay with the Raptors. It just a matter of whether Masai wants the guy or not. I believe that the Raptors keep DeMar, they just have way too much invested in this current core as it is.
Lakers' are also so far away from a championship and they're very unattractive for a UFA to sign with. That is unless they get Ben Simmons, that young man is a game changer.
DeRozan is worth the max I think. He's not perfect at all, but he's a guy who is a borderline elite scorer even with less than ideal efficiency. If he ever became a 40-45% three point shooter he could be lethal, but his aggressiveness is like Harden-level good and he gets to the line as often. I think Masai gives it to him.
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"Think I'm gonna be the scapegoat for the whole damn machine? Sheeee......."
Kid from Compton, who went to school in USC, is likely going to be intrigued by the Lakers offer.
That carries weight, and is likely a dream for him, could really see him wanting to pursue that as it is a once in a career opportunity.
Plus he probably will have more merchandising power in L.A. that will help make up for a lower salary.
Other thing you have is that you know the Buss family will always spend to try and win a Championship.
I think Derozan will end up in LA, but there's no chance he has more merchandising power in LA. He'd just a small fish in a big pond there. He's a footnote compared to Lebron, Durant, Griffin, Wade, Harden, etc. in the US. He has a 30+ Million market in Canada and he's top of the food chain here when it comes to basketball.
I think Derozan will end up in LA, but there's no chance he has more merchandising power in LA. He'd just a small fish in a big pond there. He's a footnote compared to Lebron, Durant, Griffin, Wade, Harden, etc. in the US. He has a 30+ Million market in Canada and he's top of the food chain here when it comes to basketball.
That I'm not even sure about. When you think of the Raps identity, personally, DeRozan is probably third in line after Lowry and Jonas. He's obviously better and more valuable than JV, but I think Lowry's a better player and he's not getting paid close to max. I respect others opinion on here, but to give a guy like DeRozan a max contract when he's not a guy who will lead you when you really need him, is a ridiculous assertion. At this point in today's salary cap world I see him as a $15M/year player. Nothing more.
I believe Lowry is getting paid the maximum he is allowed, but I believe he has an opt out after next season as well. If DeRozan is gone it basically has to be blown up, I imagine Kyle then opts out and is gone. The Raptors have a tough decision to make obviously. I still like Jonas but I view him as the #2 guy at best and in today's NBA you always need 3 guys it seems. What the really need is a PF.
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"Think I'm gonna be the scapegoat for the whole damn machine? Sheeee......."
