2015-16 Raptors and General NBA Thread

[Hockey Fan #751]

Originally Posted by Da_Chief

^Will not work due to salary cap.

Even with the cap going up to probably $90-100 million?

[kmart]

Masai faces a very interesting decision this summer with DeRozan.

On one hand, he's the guy that puts up twenty on any given night, some games efficiently by getting to the free throw line and living in the paint. It's certainly hard to replace DeRozan's 20 points. You have to wonder who is going to replace him, Norman Powell seems like the obvious answer, but at this point he certainly needs more polishing before he comes that guy.

On the other hand, here you have a guy that fails to contribute in other facets of the game. He's so bad defensively that in the postseason he couldn't handle a possession of dealing with Wade, Lebron, or George. He can't rebound, ignores open teammates at times, and he also fails to create spacing in the offence because he can't shoot. We've also learned that he struggles to create shots over longer defenders. If Ujiri were judge his performance through the playoffs he isn't a player worthy of max money.

He certainly is a NBA all-star with his stats, but his isn't a player that helps the team win as much as a player in a "big 3" should. I truly believe that he chooses to let DeRozan go for the aforementioned reasons. He's already proven that he doesn't get attached to players (see Lou Williams). IMO he's gone, there are better players that are suited for Raptors basketball.

[kmart]

I also think a lot of the bench + Lowry's success revolves around Lowry resting on the worst player on the court since Cory Joseph isn't a defensive liability (like DeRozan), he can guard the other teams best players.

[Trojan97]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Tim and Sid just showed some stats on their show that show that the Raptors are a better team with Derozan on the bench.

For both the tegular season and playoffs they have a better point differential with Derozan on the bench (not even close for the playoffs).

Also have better efficiency rankings with him off the court.

Not that your stat isn't interesting but you have to consider the fact that the Raps bench won them a ton of games this year because of their quality depth and factor that into why the point differential would be better. I can't even remember how many games this year I watched where the Raps would pull ahead because of the work of their second unit. I think that says more about the job Masai did this year establishing that quality depth than it does about the faults of Demar.

[Trojan97]

Originally Posted by kmart

Masai faces a very interesting decision this summer with DeRozan.

On one hand, he's the guy that puts up twenty on any given night, some games efficiently by getting to the free throw line and living in the paint. It's certainly hard to replace DeRozan's 20 points. You have to wonder who is going to replace him, Norman Powell seems like the obvious answer, but at this point he certainly needs more polishing before he comes that guy.

On the other hand, here you have a guy that fails to contribute in other facets of the game. He's so bad defensively that in the postseason he couldn't handle a possession of dealing with Wade, Lebron, or George. He can't rebound, ignores open teammates at times, and he also fails to create spacing in the offence because he can't shoot. We've also learned that he struggles to create shots over longer defenders. If Ujiri were judge his performance through the playoffs he isn't a player worthy of max money.

He certainly is a NBA all-star with his stats, but his isn't a player that helps the team win as much as a player in a "big 3" should. I truly believe that he chooses to let DeRozan go for the aforementioned reasons. He's already proven that he doesn't get attached to players (see Lou Williams). IMO he's gone, there are better players that are suited for Raptors basketball.

I like this post alot even though I disagree with the prediction that they move on from him in the offseason.

It's such a weird situation. If only they had 1 more year to see where Powell goes from here before needing to commit to Demar long-term at such a tremendous amount of money.

I'm personally on the fence about what I believe they should do with him. I think alot of people have suddenly developed a short term memory when it comes to remembering his regular season play because he was very, very good for the majority of the season. For years I watched Raptors games in such frustration as opposition "stars" got to the line seemingly with ease while the Raps always seemed to lack that from their wings. Now we have both Demar and Kyle who live at the line in the regular season and it's a tremendous luxury to have as a team. I don't think this can be overlooked. At the same time, he hasn't been good enough here in the playoffs, there is no debating that. But I also see a guy whose numbers have improved series to series and who is looking much more like his usual regular season self as opposed to the rotten jump shooter that he was in the Indiana series.

Regardless of whether he's back or not, I'm very intrigued to see where he goes from here after the conclusion of this season. He has the monkey off his back in terms of winning a playoff series and he has now seen first hand how championship calibre teams play and how he and his teammates have to play if they want to get over the hump. That means strong D, moving the ball on O, making your open shots when you get them and attacking the paint when the shot isn't there. He has played more games this postseason than he had in his entire career leading up to this point including two game seven wins which is a huge confidence boost in itself. Plus you have to factor in he is still just 26 years old. While his limited handle will likely always cause his shooting numbers to drop a bit in the playoffs because of gameplanning/better defenders limiting his ability to get to the rim, there is no reason he can't continue to develop the attitude that he takes onto the court with him that says "I am going to attack the rim and will not settle for long fadeaway jumpers when times are tough", there is no reason he can't develop his body to allow himself the ability to go up stronger into contact near the time against more physical defenders. Things like that can make him a great 1B scoring option in the playoffs, he just needs to put in the work.

[Jason14h]

The issue is we really can't win a championship with derozan as the best or second best player. However , how do we expect to actually be better without him ? There is something to be said about making the conference finals.....

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Jason14h

The issue is we really can't win a championship with derozan as the best or second best player. However , how do we expect to actually be better without him ? There is something to be said about making the conference finals.....

Is there really though? There is one good team in the East and they are destroying the Raps...they are no where near a championship

[Hockey Fan #751]

Originally Posted by dino7c

[/B]

Is there really though? There is one good team in the East and they are destroying the Raps...they are no where near a championship

You still get money for the 3-4 home games in the second round and 2 games in the third round. I'm sure that's worth something.

[Jason14h]

Really the Raps are the 5-7th best team . Sure hey aren't close to the big 4, but no one is.

The point is, getting rid of Derozan doesn't make the team better, and there's still no real way for them to get better .

Maybe a sign and trade + their pick for someone .

Unless we believe Durant would come to Toronto I just don't see a scenario where we are better without Derozan , whether we can beat the big 4 or not

[St. Pats]

Originally Posted by Jason14h

Really the Raps are the 5-7th best team . Sure hey aren't close to the big 4, but no one is.

The point is, getting rid of Derozan doesn't make the team better, and there's still no real way for them to get better .

Maybe a sign and trade + their pick for someone .

Unless we believe Durant would come to Toronto I just don't see a scenario where we are better without Derozan , whether we can beat the big 4 or not

They can easily be better without DD. He adds nothing but puts and those entirely on ridiculous high volume with pathetic efficiency. No defense , passing, physical play or anything of note. They can let him walk, resign BB, and pick up a PF in FA or the draft and not even miss him.

[Trojan97]

Another good first quarter for Toronto. Need it to continue through til the half now.

[Trojan97]

Originally Posted by St. Pats

They can easily be better without DD. He adds nothing but puts and those entirely on ridiculous high volume with pathetic efficiency. No defense , passing, physical play or anything of note. They can let him walk, resign BB, and pick up a PF in FA or the draft and not even miss him.

Saying Demar adds nothing is laughable. He's not perfect but he's a very good player. There is simply no denying that.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

The Raps look kinda decent so far.

[Machiavelli]

Nine 3-pointers? What is happening.....

Please don't let up

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Looked like Lebron was shot. Good grief man, you're a mountain of a man, quit diving.

[Trojan97]

Lebron James is a complete disgrace.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Good to see Lebron getting ripped on twitter for that flop.

[St. Pats]

Originally Posted by Trojan97

Saying Demar adds nothing is laughable. He's not perfect but he's a very good player. There is simply no denying that.

Really you would have to come up with some evidence which you can't. On defense he is a liability. He does not pass or rebound. What's left? He scores and even at that he is strictly a volume shooter / not a great offensive player / just one who has a coach that let's him shoot at will / there are literally dozens of players in the NBA who can score if given the green light. Look at Sweet Lou from last year /let him fire at will he will score as well but he is a sixth man which DD would be on a true contender.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Should be up more given they've played well and Cleveland hasn't.

[Karl]

Bismack with another clean block on James but refs call a bull#### foul call cause, well, Lebron.