2022 Toronto Raptors Thread

[octothorp]

GTJ, Barnes, Young all doubtful tomorrow. This is going to be rough.

[The Big Chill]

What happened to Trent? I didn’t see him get hurt.

[octothorp]

Originally Posted by The Big Chill

What happened to Trent? I didn’t see him get hurt.

Non-covid illness. He was apparently playing through illness last game.

[Hockey_Ninja]

Playoff DeMar is still playoff DeMar. He’s 5-22 from the floor right now

[jayswin]

I think the Raptors could steal a game at home. But other than that I think it's good to look to the future of this team, it's looking good.

[Hockey_Ninja]

CP3 really in the zone right now. The Suns are a fun team to watch

[The Big Chill]

Barnes is out for tonight. Trent and Young are still doubtful.

We might see a rotation of 6 players tonight. Either that or Flynn or Banton is going to get thrown in there.

[Trojan97]

I have full confidence in Malachi to come in and do a job for them tonight in limited minutes if called upon. He is an intelligent basketball player who has been around playoff basketball on a solid, veteran team before and I think he can contribute something. I also have hope that Dalano can create some issues defensively with his added length.

I don’t see us winning if we roll out a 6 man rotation, we’re going to need to find a spark from somewhere unexpected during the game and I really wouldn’t be surprised if one or both can help provide it.

Win tonight and the series is ours to lose. Never stop believing in these guys!!!

[bluejays]

My thought on Malachi is he’s more or less useless. Reasons for his loss of confidence, who knows but he seems to give the ball away the second there is pressure on him. I expect if he plays he’s going to be completely useless. Banton because of his size could get a basket or two if he plays aggressively. I actually hope they start Banton to set a faster pace tone, while also delivering hard fouls could be good for morale and setting a tone. But this is just me of course. Especially if refs always start with foul jitters early. Could help prevent one of the true starters getting those foul calls early on.

[The Big Chill]

I just don’t think Flynn fits here. There is nobody on Philly that he can guard and he doesn’t contribute enough offensively to make up for that. I think Banton will see a few minutes because of his length, but he doesn’t really provide any offence either.

[Trojan97]

Originally Posted by The Big Chill

I just don’t think Flynn fits here. There is nobody on Philly that he can guard and he doesn’t contribute enough offensively to make up for that. I think Banton will see a few minutes because of his length, but he doesn’t really provide any offence either.

I'm not worried about Nurse finding a way to hide Flynn defensively for 8 or so minutes. Even if he just dogs Maxey for the entire time he's on the floor I think he'll do "ok". Larger problem I will concede is he's going to get killed by the switch anytime he gets put in that situation. Would like to see whether Banton can disrupt Maxey as well defensively. There could be something there.

Banton brings more overall intangibles I agree but is a black hole offensively at this stage in his development unless they are prepared to get out and run a little bit which seems doubtful tonight. Feel alot more comfortable with Malachi's ball handling overall when he's out there just to give guys a quick breather.

I realize I'm putting a positive spin on things tho. There's obviously a chance Malachi and/or Dalano get in and are ineffective.

[octothorp]

Yeah, it'll be interesting to see how Flynn and Banton do; I expect both to get time and see if either of them can make an impact. It sounds from Nurse's comments like if GTJ is out, Yuta might find his way into the rotation, too. Personally I like having large slashers beside Siakam, and both Yuta and Banton fit that role. I really wish Yuta could regain his shooting touch from December, as he was looking like a really reliable option back then.

There's almost certainly going to be lineups tonight that have had zero minutes together during the regular season.

[Senator Clay Davis]

I was so hopeless about this game...until I knew Gus was calling it. Now, I can feel the Raps shocking, last gasp win, with a classic Gus call, is inevitable!

[The Big Chill]

What a ####ing joke. Embiid gets a foul called when anyone goes within five feet of him.

[The Big Chill]

Man, you know going into a series like this against Embiid and Harden that the reffing will be infuriating at times, but it’s still hard to take nonetheless. There are two sets of rules tonight.

[Senator Clay Davis]

They don't call him Emfreethrow for nothing. Although on pace for around 40 tonight is a bit much.

[The Big Chill]

It’s really good to see Siakam attacking the basket the way he is so far. That bodes well.

[mile]

I miss Gasol


Pretty solid 1st quarter, all things considered. FVV and Siakam playing well is a good sign

[bluejays]

Embiid is getting the idiotic soft calls. For a big guy there should be higher standards for fouls.

Anyway, Siakam is finally being aggressive. Maybe it’s too early but Anunoby has to be that guy defensively against Embiid.

[The Big Chill]

They still haven’t called a single foul on a Philly starter.

And Trent played 3 minutes and hasn’t returned.