2019-20 Raptors and General NBA Thread

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Saw an add for the NBA finals on ABC (or whatever network I was watching). It only had clips of Boston and L.A. Don't tell me that the league isn't trying to make that happen. This is why I sincerely hope it's a Denver/Miami finals. Just to screw with their predetermined narrative.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Well at this point it definitely appears that it will be a Miami finals. There were a few shenanigans in the game yesterday that of course all went Boston's way but nothing too egregious.

But the hilarious thing is that the Lakers have now officially complained to the league that LeBron should be getting more free throws. Yeah guys, don't worry, you'll be fine. They're not going to let you down.

[Calgary14]

They are 100% angling for a Miami/LA finals. Without Lebron the ratings would tank and they know it

[calgarybornnraised]

This is a good game. Jamal is awesome... so fun. Denver only down by 4 with 5:30 left.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Pretty cool how they don't call obvious fouls on Lebron late in the game. That hand on Murray's shot could have turned the game.

[The Big Chill]

Ya that Murray non call was a vital moment.

[Strange Brew]

Nuggets have the Lakers right where they want them.

[Tsawwassen]

Originally Posted by Calgary14

They are 100% angling for a Miami/LA finals. Without Lebron the ratings would tank and they know it

Yep. The neat minor story line would be Pat Riley's history with both teams and winning championships with both teams.

[Tsawwassen]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

Nuggets have the Lakers right where they want them.

For the 3rd straight series the Nuggets go down that road again. Bet on the Nuggets to come back again and win the series and win some big money.

[calculoso]

Amazing shot by Murray. So much skill

https://twitter.com/i/events/1309314114859098112?s=21

https://twitter.com/nuggets/status/1...716655104?s=21

[greyshep]

Celtics stay alive with massive second half comeback. Yuck. I just want them out. Here's hoping for a game 6 finish for Miami.

....and go Nuggets! Would be epic to see them comeback from 3-1 for a third time in a row.

I've found the NBA games far more entertaining than the Stanley cup finals for some odd reason. I have zero interest in watching TB-DAL fight it out, its almost completely off my radar.

[Strange Brew]

^ I think the quality of the basketball has been better, relatively speaking, compared to the NHL playoffs which really do seem to lack some emotion. There’s been tons of drama in the NBA so far.

Looking like Denver on the brink right now. You can only do the comeback thing so many times.

[jayswin]

^^^^^


They're kind of being semi forced into needing a comeback, imo. This is too important for the NBA with all the lost ticket revenue.

[Strange Brew]

It must be kind of cool to see all the teams leave and you’re now one of 2 teams left in the bubble. Shades of minor hockey tournaments except at nicer hotels over a longer period.

The fan experience isn’t so great but not something the players will ever forget.

[octothorp]

One of the Raptors' offseason questions just got resolved, with Marc Gasol signing in Spain for next year, which will probably turn into his retirement transition. I'm really happy for the way things came together for him and the Raptors last year, he was exactly the right player the Raptors needed (despite my initial apprehension about the trade). But it was clear this year that despite being a very cerebral player, the physical side of the game was passing him by quickly.

New question is where they fill the void at center now (and do they hold on to Serge?). Back-up minutes for Boucher? Acquire a vet, or a young low-upside guy like Nerlins Noel?

[Wastedyouth]

Originally Posted by octothorp

One of the Raptors' offseason questions just got resolved, with Marc Gasol signing in Spain for next year, which will probably turn into his retirement transition. I'm really happy for the way things came together for him and the Raptors last year, he was exactly the right player the Raptors needed (despite my initial apprehension about the trade). But it was clear this year that despite being a very cerebral player, the physical side of the game was passing him by quickly.

New question is where they fill the void at center now (and do they hold on to Serge?). Back-up minutes for Boucher? Acquire a vet, or a young low-upside guy like Nerlins Noel?

Montrezl Harrell

[octothorp]

Originally Posted by Wastedyouth

Montrezl Harrell

Not sure they could realistically make that happen. They're over the cap even without Gasol, so they'd have to renounce their cap-holds on both Ibaka and Van Vleet to even have room to make a reasonable offer to Harrell.

[Enoch Root]

Sportsnet reporting that Gasol has signed with Barcelona

[bluejays]

I'm grateful to Gasol for last years run but agree fully that this year he wasn't the same guy. You could probably see the frustration that he was a step slower and caused those fouls unnecessarily. If we're being heartless about this and looking at things from an asset management perspective, I'd frankly deal Lowry, and take my chances with FVV. But after the Masai got grief for dealing franchise Derozan, I'm not sure he'll make that move. Ibaka, I think they'd need in the short term, and he LOVES it in Toronto genuinely, so wouldn't be surprised if he takes a smaller salary. But I could see the game passing him by in a season too. I guess Masai and Webster seem to be a step ahead in what the future plans are, and have no doubt that the roster will change dramatically this season again. I don't think Boucher is a viable starter but I really want to see Terence Davis more. With some guidance and the right coaching I think the guy can be a star, without exaggeration.

[The Big Chill]

I’d definitely like to see more of Davis too, I really like what we’ve seen so far. They’ll have to move one of the short guys though, tough to find minutes for all of Lowry, FVV, Powell and Davis when they are all 6’4 and under.