NBA (and Raptors) 2024 Season

[octothorp]

I think the next stretch will be extremely telling for the Raptors. After a schedule that started with a lot of games against elite contenders and a lot against really bad teams (oof, Detroit was something else yesterday), the schedule gets a little more normal with a steady dose of mid-tier eastern conference teams over the next few weeks. The Boston game was great because even in a loss we saw offense clicking against the best defenses in the league for most of the game, albeit with one disasterous quarter, and going up against the second best defense in the league tomorrow will test how much of a fluke that was.

[bluejays]

Article up on the Knicks suing the Raps for $10M. I know Dolan spent a fortune on The Sphere, but this sounds like a lawyer driven lawsuit given it's blessing by Dolan not playing any games. Seems more than personal. Where there's smoke there's fire, but would love the Raps to counter and claim legal costs as well. The guy is brash and not a likeable person for years.

[octothorp]

A related article that came out today about how Dolan resigned from the BoG with a bit of a tantrum back in July.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/...ttee-positions

The coach was only hired by the Raptors on July 25th and most of the actions cited in the lawsuit happened in August, so in light of that, it really sounds like Dolan is just pissed at Silver and the other owners for things unrelated to the Raptors (particularly revenue-sharing), and is making a stink about this minor infraction just to make a point of being belligerent.

The league bylaws are really clear that Silver has absolute and final jurisdiction over any dispute between league members. The fact the Knicks made up a damage amount that's greater than what Silver can award doesn't mean that it's therefore outside of the commissioner's jurisdiction.

[bluejays]

Dolan's a character. I wanna see this one drag out into the streets. Nothing more interesting than billionaires squabbling.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Pop got on the mic during Kawhi free throws and told the fans too stop booing.

[bluejays]

Originally Posted by Paulie Walnuts

Pop got on the mic during Kawhi free throws and told the fans too stop booing.

That's just dumb. Fans booing players is part of the game. You're supposed to bring intensity and rivalry. Popovich is just looking for attention as he's done throughout his career with the media. Nonsense.

[Paulie Walnuts]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1727511769701036066

[bluejays]

I have to say, this Raptors team has really surprised me this year. They're lacking athletic skill down low, and that should show as the season progresses, but I don't think I've seen a Raps team play with so much heart than this team, so far. They keep coming back from large deficits. It's impressive, despite their record.

[Jiggy]

Don't boo an opposing player? Talk about bush league.

[trackercowe]

Originally Posted by Jiggy

Don't boo an opposing player? Talk about bush league.

Yeah I don't understand the logic. That's the norm, and Kawai basically stabbed the Spurs in the back. I know Pop feels like a father figure to Leonard, but if Kawai can't handle the heat maybe he should stay out of the kitchen?

Does Pop expect everyone to keep quiet and sit on their hands? Dumb.

[octothorp]

I like the shifts that the Raptors are making in the rotation. Reducing the time for the Scottie + bench unit (although they had a really nice run in the second half last night), and instead playing more mixed multi-starter + bench units, like Siakam+Barnes+bench, and Poeltl+Schroeder+bench. I don't think it's a coincidence that they've avoided big first-half deficits since starting to make those adjustments.

[Kasi]

Heh Draymond is suspended indefinitely. What a headcase.

[Johnny Makarov]

Originally Posted by Kasi

Heh Draymond is suspended indefinitely. What a headcase.

Get him out of the league!

[Jiggy]

Originally Posted by Kasi

Heh Draymond is suspended indefinitely. What a headcase.

He's a legit head case. Kicking people in the balls, punching them, choking players. It's like playing basketball with a toddler.

[bluejays]

I like Draymond in many ways. He IS like a toddler. Hard to hate him but I dislike the things he does mostly when he denies he did anything wrong. It’s long overdue.

[Jiggy]

Originally Posted by bluejays

I like Draymond in many ways. He IS like a toddler. Hard to hate him but I dislike the things he does mostly when he denies he did anything wrong. It’s long overdue.

When the Warriors took a soft stance on him after he punched a teammate he probably thought he was untouchable. Even after that the Warriors signed him to a contract extension. It's messed up on so many levels haha.

[bluejays]

Yeah. He’s not that unique anymore as he’s older. If I were the warriors I’d be inclined to deal him as he’s bound to not change that quickly. It takes time.

I think what I always liked was that mischievous smile. When he laughed at Fergie for that anthem it was hilarious and always stuck in my head.

[Hockey_Ninja]

25 game losing streak for the Pistons. They might just challenge the 7-59 Bobcats record at this point

[KelVarnsen]

So the Pistons are terrible?

[Paulie Walnuts]

They are on pace for 6-76.