It's so impressive what Powell is doing... playing spot minutes for a week, and then coming in as a starter when Carroll sits and being a huge contributor at both ends. I wouldn't replace Carroll with him because he still struggles against those big SFs that dominate the East (LeBron, Carmelo, George), but it's such a luxury that the Raptors can use him that way.
Boston definitely has the pieces to make a big move, but their roster as assembled doesn't scare me, I don't think they're a threat to the Raptors either in the regular season or the playoffs.
It's so impressive what Powell is doing... playing spot minutes for a week, and then coming in as a starter when Carroll sits and being a huge contributor at both ends. I wouldn't replace Carroll with him because he still struggles against those big SFs that dominate the East (LeBron, Carmelo, George), but it's such a luxury that the Raptors can use him that way.
Boston definitely has the pieces to make a big move, but their roster as assembled doesn't scare me, I don't think they're a threat to the Raptors either in the regular season or the playoffs.
I thought Powell guarded Paul George really well in last years playoffs. Where he struggles are guys that he can't be physical with. Those guys are Lebron, Melo, and Wade. He'll never be a master at guarding those kind of players, but who really is? It's not like Carroll is a Lebron stopper, Lebron destroyed the Raps last game.
I thought Powell guarded Paul George really well in last years playoffs. Where he struggles are guys that he can't be physical with. Those guys are Lebron, Melo, and Wade. He'll never be a master at guarding those kind of players, but who really is? It's not like Carroll is a Lebron stopper, Lebron destroyed the Raps last game.
I always liked his hustle but to me this year his shot looks much improved. Guy is very confident now on offense.
Raptors playing a lot of crappy teams lately. But they have a western swing coming up. Then in the new year they I think have the 2nd easiest schedule for the rest of the year. Casey needs to let Wright, Powell and Sullinger have minutes and rest Lowry and Derozan down the stretch. Not nights off but just reduce the minutes. He has been getting a little smarter year by year so maybe he will get this right now.
I think after tonight they'll have the best offensive efficiency in the league in terms of per 100, even better than the alleged greatest offense ever in Golden State. For a team that is 25th in the league in assists that's pretty impressive, but it speaks to just how well they screen the ball to create open shots. It's not iso ball in the traditional sense, but it's still about the ball handler taking the shot more often than not. But it works when you set great screens to produce the space and have a Lowry and DeRozan who can both hit the pull up jumpers consistently, and get to the rim.
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"Think I'm gonna be the scapegoat for the whole damn machine? Sheeee......."
Raptors now a half game back of Cleveland (who rested their big 3 against Memphis tonight and set season-lows in many offensive categories), with a much easier schedule the rest of the way (especially post all-star break). It's hard to look good against Philly (sometimes they get blown out by crappy teams, other nights they play elite teams close into the closing minutes). I'm not sure they can keep it up all season long, but it would be great just to put pressure on Cleveland and not let them rest up before the playoffs.
Every other team in the East has at least 11 losses besides Cleveland and Toronto. Seems like after a mini-resurgence last year where the East appeared to be getting better on the whole, it's taking a step back again this year. Celtics certainly don't appear to be taking the step forward people thought, lot of people thought they'd win the division over the Raps. At this point the Knicks appear to be the biggest threat to the Raps.
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"Think I'm gonna be the scapegoat for the whole damn machine? Sheeee......."
So good on the NBA and NBPA for getting a long-term extension of the CBA worked out so early.
Lots of basic monetary adjustments like the rookie and minimum scales going up, a special 'veteran exception' rule, shorter pre-season.
For the Raptors, the one that affects them the most might be the addition of two-way contracts for d-league players, and added roster spots for this purpose. The Raptors have made the 905 and player development a big focus over the last two years, and being able to keep two more developmental contracts could be great; it certainly makes it possible that the Raptors keep their two picks in the upcoming draft, given Masai's ability to find solid talent in the late first and second.
Tough night for the Raptors, their defence was atrocious in every possible regard. JV got owned by Howard, but part of that was the poor perimeter defense constantly pulling JV into help situations and away from his man. So many shooters (Kyle Korver!) left wide open. And then down the stretch, just allowed penetration over and over. Too bad, it ruined another great shooting night from Lowry.
Hopefully it helps Casey get their attention about defense, as perhaps they've been reading their own press about this historically great offense a little too much.
So Cousins had himself a night last night, he had 55 points, he got ejected for spitting his mouth piece at the Blazers bench, promptly got unejetced when the refs doubled back and said he just "lost it" (even though he clearly spit it), made the game saving block, and then gave a post game interview where he teed off on the Blazers big men. Guy is kind of insane but what a player.
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"Think I'm gonna be the scapegoat for the whole damn machine? Sheeee......."
There are players you want on your team and there are those who you don't. He's a guy you really don't want on your team because he makes others worse. Not many of those types of players around but he seems to be such an ass.
