2020-21 Raptors and General NBA Thread

[bluejays]

I'm sure the Raps are checking on Harden specifically because the stars make a difference in the league, and without one, you have a very low chance of success. Very low. Having said that, while I think most agree that Harden isn't the player to help those around him, when a star demands a trade, I guess the Raptors thinking is they can potentially get him at a discount and perhaps they can also treat him well enough that he won't slap you in the face. They do have a recent history with Kawhi where they bent over backwards for him and they were rewarded. And to be frank, if you're getting Harden for a minimal price, I'd be inclined to be fine with it - they'd certainly be better off with him than without. But a tiger like him doesn't change his stripes, and I think Houston will wait to get fair market value and he won't be had for a song. At fair market value where Siakam goes, I'd say no. I'm not opposed to dealing Siakam now - just not for Harden. Now, if it's for Lowry, and 2 1st's, I'd say go for it. But I doubt no other team wouldn't trump that.

[Kasi]

Gasol is no longer the star he was while he was in Memphis and yes he had a bad bubble last year but up till then he was very valuable for the Raptors, more so than Ibaka. He was a much better defender, as good a shooter and a vastly superior passer. All Ibaka is is a 3 point shooter who is a big body. He’s not a plus defender anymore. Gasol however is. He wasn’t flashy or anything but was a very sound player that brought a lot to how Toronto played. Boucher and Baynes just aren’t to Gasol and Ibakas level yet.

[bluejays]

You're totally right. Gasol though totally went the other way last year. The season they got him he was good though. While I'm a bit lazy to look into the stats, I do remember Ibaka was underperforming for the longest time, then the championship year second half he turned it on. I'm not against Gasol, as I wanted him years before, but last year he was atrocious mostly. Ibaka I'll really miss until they find an aggressive big to replace him. Adams would've been great but I didn't hear a peep about them pursuing him.

[mile]

Steph scored 62 against Portland tonight, what a beast.

[Kasi]

Well he was atrocious in the bubble (both pre and post playoffs) He was very good in the regular season though pre COVID. There was a lot of players like that so I’m not putting that much stock into it. I follow the Lakers and he’s been doing well this year. He’s not playing a ton of minutes but it’s been very effective and it has allowed the Lakers along with Schroeder to not have to run the offence through James all the time.

[The Big Chill]

This is so bad...

[Patek23]

Raptors don’t appear to be a playoff team this year.

[The Big Chill]

Siakam just doesn’t attack the basket anymore. He has turned into an outside shooter and he just isn’t very effective like that.

[bluejays]

When your best rebounder this game is Fred, wth? Broken record statement but Siakam and Anunoby have to be the most disappointing this season. No aggression from either when both of them aren’t doing anything notable from the outside. And the coaches are letting them continue without repercussion. So frustrating.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Masai needs to channel his inner Philadelphia Eagles and start the #SuckForSuggs train. If they're not even showing the slightest signs of being a marginal contender then let's just drop the nuke, get into that tank and start the rebuild that it seems has been almost 10 years in the waiting now.

[Karl]

This is depressing.

[Karl]

Lol the Raps mop up crew makes Stevens put his A-team back in.

[octothorp]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

Masai needs to channel his inner Philadelphia Eagles and start the #SuckForSuggs train. If they're not even showing the slightest signs of being a marginal contender then let's just drop the nuke, get into that tank and start the rebuild that it seems has been almost 10 years in the waiting now.

Honestly it's a great year to tank. Suggs, Cade, Mobley all look amazing, but there's a lot of guys who would be a great fit for the Raptors in the top 15. Between this team's recent championship history, decent talent despite the lack of results so far this year, and the cushion of a potentially great draft, I have a hard time getting too worked up about the losses.

[alan21]

God I hope this is them tanking and trade some pieces to inject more youth into the lineup. They aren't playing D and good open looks are constantly being missed by everyone. Siakim is hard to watch as he makes one good play and follows up with 5 bad ones.

[Wastedyouth]

Lol, guys, they are 1-5. Not 0-10.

There are some big holes, namely at center where Baynes has been completely useless and a bust, but the team isn't done already.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Yeah but the thing is being eliminated in the first round is pretty much the worst case Ontario, and right now that appears to be their ceiling. It is early and maybe they can get things figured, but if not it's all good and we're all cool with the tank.

[octothorp]

"Worst case ontario" is a fun autocorrect (I assume); please do not fix it.

[craigwd]

Originally Posted by octothorp

"Worst case ontario" is a fun autocorrect (I assume); please do not fix it.

Must not be a Ricky fan, eh? That's the way she goes.

[dino7c]

tank for the pick...you can't win without a superstar

[Karl]

They're doing a bit better offensively, but they won't win much if they don't tighten up their defense and continue to get outworked on the glass.