The funny thing is, I think that the Raptors making the finals would be the best thing for the NBA in the long run. Ratings wouldn't be as good but especially with no Canadian teams in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, you would have a very captive audience of 35 million if the Raptors put up any sort of fight in the finals. It's an untapped market.
Perhaps, but the tv contract won't get much better from Rogers. Espn calls the shots.
Perhaps, but the tv contract won't get much better from Rogers. Espn calls the shots.
They just signed a new (massive) U.S. deal which runs until 2024-25 so that deal won't get any bigger anytime soon, either. Might as well grow the game globally.
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Good game!! Sucks that the refs are trying to take the game away from the Raptors but this team is resilient tonight. Derozan, Lowry and Biyombo had a huge game.I love the way they played tonight going mostly to the rim. Defense was great except for the duration when Cleveland started scoring on 3s. Not a lot of turnover tonight and not a lot of forced shot. When they started forcing shots that's when they get in trouble.
Now Game 5 in Cleveland and the momentum is on the Raptors. If they keep on playing smart the same way the last two games, they can prove a lot of people wrong. When your best players(Lowry and Derozan) are clicking they can beat anyone. Just love it!
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Lowry and Derozan obviously getting credit for putting up big points, but I think Derozan had a far superior game. He just looked so in control, made smart plays, and drove the basket really well. Lowry, while clearly deserving lots of credit, got a bit lucky with draining some low percentage shots.
If the Raps can keep their legs, their defence really might give them a shot here.
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What a dumb question from an ESPN guy! If I was there I will Biz slap him Telling Coach Lue that he should follow Casey's move on complaining about the referees. He thinks it works because Raptors had 19 free throws in the 2nd half while Cleveland only had 2. I don't think this moron was watching the whole game. In the first half, Cleveland didn't get their first foul until the middle of the 2nd quarter. In the 2nd half, Cleveland tried to shoot from 3s most of the time while the Raptors goes to the net. Of course when Raptors fouls the Cavs, they won't go to the free throw.
Agreed, but you'd have to think it was owed to them a little.
Silver had to have made the call after they were even getting roasted on ESPN. I can hear it now. "I said make some calls that shift the game the Cavs way but not don't give the Raps a FT for almost 4 stinkin quarters". "You idiots are making me look bad and even it up in the 4th"
Also, I was a fan of Tristan Thompson; good Canadian piece for the National team and wanted him to not sign an extension in Cleveland but boy am I glad he did. He has looked awful this series; can't score, can't defend, can't rebound. So glad he won't be a Raptor.
Also, I was a fan of Tristan Thompson; good Canadian piece for the National team and wanted him to not sign an extension in Cleveland but boy am I glad he did. He has looked awful this series; can't score, can't defend, can't rebound. So glad he won't be a Raptor.
It happens over and over. Player X gets the big contract after a great showing. Proceeds to forget what got him the contract and thinks he is better than he is. TT and Biz are all about hustle. IF they don't hustle really they aren't exactly blessed with a lot of skill.
Also, I was a fan of Tristan Thompson; good Canadian piece for the National team and wanted him to not sign an extension in Cleveland but boy am I glad he did. He has looked awful this series; can't score, can't defend, can't rebound. So glad he won't be a Raptor.
Biyombo has completely dominated the Cavs and specifically Thompson. Thompson is pretty much a poor mans Biyombo at this point. What a great add by Masai.
Brian Windhorst @WindhorstESPN
Lowry & DeRozan 1st teammates with 30 pts & 60% shooting in conference finals since Charles Barkley & Dan Majerle for Suns in 1993
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Biyombo has completely dominated the Cavs and specifically Thompson. Thompson is pretty much a poor mans Biyombo at this point. What a great add by Masai.
I loved how, going into the series, multiple pundits (or maybe just online commenters, I can't tell them apart anymore) predicted that Biyombo would be a non-factor on account of simply being a poor-man's Tristan Thompson.
Telling Coach Lue that he should follow Casey's move on complaining about the referees. He thinks it works because Raptors had 19 free throws in the 2nd half while Cleveland only had 2. I don't think this moron was watching the whole game. In the first half, Cleveland didn't get their first foul until the middle of the 2nd quarter. In the 2nd half, Cleveland tried to shoot from 3s most of the time while the Raptors goes to the net. Of course when Raptors fouls the Cavs, they won't go to the free throw.
