2022 Toronto Raptors Thread

[Hockey_Ninja]

We definitely have had our rough patches this year but I’m proud of these boys. I didn’t think we’d be in a playoff spot at the beginning of the season. Really glad we’ll be seeing some post-season ball in TO this year

[octothorp]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

So play-in officially avoided. Now just to get matched up with the Sixers and things are looking decent.

Yeah, definitely looks like the most likely scenario. At 3 games left for 76ers, Bucks, and Celtics, and 76ers losing any tiebreaker scenario to the other two, a win on Thursday would probably just about lock that in as a first-round matchup. Definitely a better matchup for the Raptors than any of the other top 4.

[Trojan97]

The play of Precious and Chris Boucher these days is true testament to the quality of our coaching staff and the dedication by both players to work on their craft and improve their games. Fantastic job by both guys this season. Precious in particular looks like a totally different player these days.

[bluejays]

It’s pretty incredible that management and coaching year after year develops guys to be starters when they likely wouldn’t be on other teams rosters or role players. To find those c factors and work with them is something. I truly would like to be a fly on the wall to hear some of those discussions.

[Johnny Makarov]

I don't even care if we win the championship this year. I just want them to match up against the Nets so mental midget and useless human, Kyrie Irving, can't play in half the games.

[octothorp]

Really surprising that Thybulle isn't vaccinated (and, if reports are true, that he has no plans to get vaxxed ahead of a potential first-round matchup against Toronto). I don't think it moves the needle that much, but it does solidify Philly a best-case scenario for Toronto, and Toronto at best a second-worse case for Philly after Brooklyn.

Tonight will be interesting... if the teams care about matchups, both would have reason to try to win, while at the same time both teams trying not to show any looks they want to keep hidden for a playoff matchup.

[Johnny Makarov]

Originally Posted by octothorp

Really surprising that Thybulle isn't vaccinated (and, if reports are true, that he has no plans to get vaxxed ahead of a potential first-round matchup against Toronto). I don't think it moves the needle that much, but it does solidify Philly a best-case scenario for Toronto, and Toronto at best a second-worse case for Philly after Brooklyn.

Tonight will be interesting... if the teams care about matchups, both would have reason to try to win, while at the same time both teams trying not to show any looks they want to keep hidden for a playoff matchup.

Yeah what a deplorable. and missing a player in the NBA it is way more crucial than missing a player in the NHL.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Big game tonight. Hope Siakam shows up playing like has the past few and they can limit Fred's minutes a bit because he looked like he was struggling in the last one.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

This game is just underlying how one sided the reffing is going to be in a playoffs against these guys. Oof.

Update: Raptors spot them a 17-2 lead to start (actually just crazy shooting luck but w/e) and then proceed to go ahead and outscore them 100-75. Insane. Close it out, please...

Also, I love Precious. He rules.

[Hockey_Ninja]

Maxey is killing us tonight

[Senator Clay Davis]

Precious dropping pull up threes off the break should tell you how confident he is right now. Different guy from earlier this year, could be huge in the playoffs.

[mile]

Philly in round 1 pls.

Siakam is the best, I love that man. He's had his own Gaudreau-like turnaround this season and it must feel so good after the last two years.

[Hockey_Ninja]

Pascal with the 30 point Triple Double

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Yeah, and well into the double digits too... 37/12/12. If we start getting this Siakam on the majority of nights, a run isn't out of the question. Playoffs are a different beast though.

On that note, it must be said, that Harden turnover in the waning minutes leading to Scottie getting an easy dunk going the other way just demonstrates the problem with having Harden on your team in crunch time. He is... not great in those pressure moments. Still miles better than Ben Simmons, I guess.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Siakam probably needs another monster game in the last two to sew up that All-NBA spot. Would be the rare non All-Star to make the team. Just ridiculously stacked at forward this year so gonna be tight.

[savemedrzaius]

A show of hands of who thought Siakam was washed after these past 2.5 seasons? I thought he was done.

Man am I ever glad Masai has way more patience than a lot of fans. Siakam looks better than he ever has.

I was thinking of getting a Raps t-shirt with a player's name on the back. At first I was like "It's gotta be Barnes" but then there's Pascal, Freddie, OG...just keep going down the line. Just such an easy group to get behind.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

I didn't think he was done or washed. I just thought we'd seen his ceiling. A 22/8/5 season is great, but not superstar level stuff nor totally shocking - we knew he could pull that off. The thing that's surprising has been the last 5-6 games, with the triple doubles and near triple doubles, and him looking more like 28-10-5. Even against the Timberwolves when it wasn't falling for him he still was one of the best players on the court. That IS superstar level stuff, and that would change the whole conversation on him reaching his ceiling.

He has to keep that up for longer than a couple of weeks to make it real, though, or do it through a round of playoff games. Remember, Gary had 5 straight with 30+, guys go on runs. It's the consistency and doing it when it matters that counts.

[Hockey_Ninja]

After that rough playoffs Pascal had in the bubble I thought he was gonna get dealt. I’m glad he’s turned it around and has come into his own. We’re gonna need it in the playoffs

[Senator Clay Davis]

We should have all trust our initial instincts that the bubble didn't count. And now with hindsight it's clear it didn't count. Remember when TJ Warren was balling out? When the Lakers didn't suck ass? When Pascal looked post-apex? Bubble was bull####.

[The Big Chill]

I said this during the bubble, but you have to remember the curve Siakam is on is not the regular curve. He started playing late, entered the league as nothing but an energy player, and quickly emerged into a second/third option within a couple seasons.

He was asked to be a primary go to player in the bubble with no experience in that role.