This is a HUGE 4th quarter for Cleveland. There is a 0 % chance LBJ stucks around if Cavs are bounced this early.
Right now, there’s NBA executives and TV guys praying Cleveland wins because if LeBron goes out, the Eastern conference ratings will fall like the Hindenburg.
Boston/Philly is a good matchup but yes, Toronto/Indiana would get poor ratings (and Toronto would win pretty easily)
Oladipo was on the bench for only reason mate McMillan could make up.
That was a very strange move. That three minute stretch to start the 4th quarter with Lebron out likely cost them the game
I LOVE Sabonis, but his foul on Hill in the corner might've been the play that did them in. Pacers were the better team, but LeBron is LeBron. Besides, having the Cavs makes the series against the Raptors at least 2% watchable. If the Raptors lose to this sorry bunch, they need to be disbanded.
The Celtics gave them nothing outside. That was great defense and the Sixers defense was atrocious. I am not sure how many times you can leave them open for a 3. Give credit to the Celtics, they hit everything. They looked overmatched and intimidated. Definitely not one of Simmons better games.
I think that if Embiid stays on his feet the whole series Â
the Celtics could be in trouble. He's the the Freak in the sense that he can do whatever he wants on the Celtics interior and they have no answer. Well, maybe I should give Ojeyele some credit against giannis but he's not going to be on Joel.
RE: I think that if Embiid stays on his feet the whole series Â
the Celtics could be in trouble. He's the the Freak in the sense that he can do whatever he wants on the Celtics interior and they have no answer. Well, maybe I should give Ojeyele some credit against giannis but he's not going to be on Joel.
Brown on Simmons will be the series deciding matchup. Miami was guarding him with Winslow and Richardson, both who are below 6'5". Simmons won't eat in the post of off Brown and his athleticism is matched as well. I picked Philly to win the series but i think its a 50/50 at this point.
derozan's evolution as a more patient/complete player, will at least make the series with the cavs interesting, unlike last year's quick and brutal sweep.
the point where you can succeed with your best player relying on 16 foot jumpers. And bench becomes less meaningful when Lebron and Love are playing 40+ minutes.
Really think Toronto made a mistake by not using their bench pieces as trade trips. Fred Vanfleet can be poached. Powell lost plenty of trade value from last season. Toronto's big "power" play was trading for Ibaka. It's clear either management or ownership is uncomfortable doing anything remotely risky and that has put a cap on this team.
the point where you can succeed with your best player relying on 16 foot jumpers. And bench becomes less meaningful when Lebron and Love are playing 40+ minutes.
Really think Toronto made a mistake by not using their bench pieces as trade trips. Fred Vanfleet can be poached. Powell lost plenty of trade value from last season. Toronto's big "power" play was trading for Ibaka. It's clear either management or ownership is uncomfortable doing anything remotely risky and that has put a cap on this team.
who do you think the raptors should have traded for?
the Paul George deal with some combo of Wright, Powell, Ross and picks. I get the concerns about him not re-signing and that was warranted.
I don't think they could have flat out have outbidded Chicago for Butler, but they didn't even get an outright pick it was a pick swap and Lavine was coming off an ACL tear.
Cousins I've always thought would be a flat out upgrade over JV, and Toronto has some strong personalities like Lowry and Casey to handle that.
If they didn't trade for Ibaka I think Griffin would have been on the table. Could have easily given LAC a better offer, especially since they were searching for young cost controlled players.
There are risks with all these deals. Ujiri only does deals where he can be deemed the clear winner, buying on the cheap (Ibaka). But you're never really going to land a prominent player playing that game. Ibaka was as "risky" as he was willing to go. Toronto has overperformed as any team could have with Lowry and Derozan as their 2 best players and still needs another star if they are to be taken seriously.
by a point in game 1. Guess the raptors might as well quit.
They lost at home to a team that looked absolutely pathetic for the majority of their previous series. Unless you want to tell me the Pacers are better than the Raptors, they should be able to beat this version of the Cavs. Instead, they lost homecourt advantage already.
On a night when Lebron was nowhere near his best. They had to win that game.
Think the conspiracy theories can be put to rest, these refs are just bad. That foul on Lebron when Ibaka landed on his foot was absolutely awful and nearly ended the game
On a night when Lebron was nowhere near his best. They had to win that game.
Think the conspiracy theories can be put to rest, these refs are just bad. That foul on Lebron when Ibaka landed on his foot was absolutely awful and nearly ended the game
Yup. No way to sugarcoat this loss for Toronto. It was devastating, especially when LBJ was a mere mortal last night.
I was hopingCasey would go off on a Dennis green we let them off the hook rant. Can’t believe how ice cold the shooting was in the fourth.
Having a good bench is basically meaningless come playoff time. A good bench doesnt help you as much as a bad bench hurts you. The only difference between this Raptors team and those from years past is there's tons more hype and false hope around this years team.
That was a very strange move. That three minute stretch to start the 4th quarter with Lebron out likely cost them the game
Good luck Toronto.
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This is a HUGE 4th quarter for Cleveland. There is a 0 % chance LBJ stucks around if Cavs are bounced this early.
Right now, there’s NBA executives and TV guys praying Cleveland wins because if LeBron goes out, the Eastern conference ratings will fall like the Hindenburg.
Boston/Philly is a good matchup but yes, Toronto/Indiana would get poor ratings (and Toronto would win pretty easily)
No matter how great LBJ is, I hate the fact that he is a serial flopper
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Oladipo was on the bench for only reason mate McMillan could make up.
That was a very strange move. That three minute stretch to start the 4th quarter with Lebron out likely cost them the game
I LOVE Sabonis, but his foul on Hill in the corner might've been the play that did them in. Pacers were the better team, but LeBron is LeBron. Besides, having the Cavs makes the series against the Raptors at least 2% watchable. If the Raptors lose to this sorry bunch, they need to be disbanded.
Great first half from Tatum, Horford, & Rozier.
Link - ( New Window )
Brown on Simmons will be the series deciding matchup. Miami was guarding him with Winslow and Richardson, both who are below 6'5". Simmons won't eat in the post of off Brown and his athleticism is matched as well. I picked Philly to win the series but i think its a 50/50 at this point.
Really think Toronto made a mistake by not using their bench pieces as trade trips. Fred Vanfleet can be poached. Powell lost plenty of trade value from last season. Toronto's big "power" play was trading for Ibaka. It's clear either management or ownership is uncomfortable doing anything remotely risky and that has put a cap on this team.
Really think Toronto made a mistake by not using their bench pieces as trade trips. Fred Vanfleet can be poached. Powell lost plenty of trade value from last season. Toronto's big "power" play was trading for Ibaka. It's clear either management or ownership is uncomfortable doing anything remotely risky and that has put a cap on this team.
I don't think they could have flat out have outbidded Chicago for Butler, but they didn't even get an outright pick it was a pick swap and Lavine was coming off an ACL tear.
Cousins I've always thought would be a flat out upgrade over JV, and Toronto has some strong personalities like Lowry and Casey to handle that.
If they didn't trade for Ibaka I think Griffin would have been on the table. Could have easily given LAC a better offer, especially since they were searching for young cost controlled players.
There are risks with all these deals. Ujiri only does deals where he can be deemed the clear winner, buying on the cheap (Ibaka). But you're never really going to land a prominent player playing that game. Ibaka was as "risky" as he was willing to go. Toronto has overperformed as any team could have with Lowry and Derozan as their 2 best players and still needs another star if they are to be taken seriously.
Tied game here.
It’s the raptors. Of course they are going to lose.
LMAO. This team should be barred from the playoffs. Sit down drake. You’re as overrated as your team.
I stand by what I said on Sunday. What a pathetic team.
They lost at home to a team that looked absolutely pathetic for the majority of their previous series. Unless you want to tell me the Pacers are better than the Raptors, they should be able to beat this version of the Cavs. Instead, they lost homecourt advantage already.
And Lebron was 12 for 30 and has home court. Raptors blow. If Casey loses this series, he needs to be fired.
Think the conspiracy theories can be put to rest, these refs are just bad. That foul on Lebron when Ibaka landed on his foot was absolutely awful and nearly ended the game
Think the conspiracy theories can be put to rest, these refs are just bad. That foul on Lebron when Ibaka landed on his foot was absolutely awful and nearly ended the game
Yup. No way to sugarcoat this loss for Toronto. It was devastating, especially when LBJ was a mere mortal last night.
Thats why you dont play your bench as much as he does in the playoffs.
10-27: a combined -13 +/-
Bench play is in the playoffs is vastly overrated. especially when there are 5 bench players on the floor to start the 4th quarter!
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I was hopingCasey would go off on a Dennis green we let them off the hook rant. Can’t believe how ice cold the shooting was in the fourth.
Thats why you dont play your bench as much as he does in the playoffs.
10-27: a combined -13 +/-
Bench play is in the playoffs is vastly overrated. especially when there are 5 bench players on the floor to start the 4th quarter!
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In comment 13950355 Les in TO said:
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I was hopingCasey would go off on a Dennis green we let them off the hook rant. Can’t believe how ice cold the shooting was in the fourth.
Having a good bench is basically meaningless come playoff time. A good bench doesnt help you as much as a bad bench hurts you. The only difference between this Raptors team and those from years past is there's tons more hype and false hope around this years team.