Let's Talk About the Raptors

[Boges]

The fact that people even compare the two teams tells you just how good this Warriors team is. Frankly, I don't care one way or the other. I just don't get how Shady could be dismissive of GSW this year.

People idolize Jordan.

[bush_cheney2004]

I've never heard him say that. Regardless, Jordan/Pippen are better than Curry/Thompson. There isn't even a debate about that. Anyone that knows basketball at least.

Agreed....GS doesn't even get to start the conversation until several more rings have been earned. MJ even took a break to play baseball and came back to win another ring. Oscar Robertson knows how to stop Curry....and Jerry West outscored Curry before the 3 point play ever existed. The Boston Celtics won many consecutive championships. Kids......

Get more rings....then talk.

[cybercoma]

Or, you know, have a better regular season record than any other team in league history and maybe just maybe that's why the conversation is happening.

[Shady]

Agreed....GS doesn't even get to start the conversation until several more rings have been earned. MJ even took a break to play baseball and came back to win another ring. Oscar Robertson knows how to stop Curry....and Jerry West outscored Curry before the 3 point play ever existed. The Boston Celtics won many consecutive championships. Kids......

Get more rings....then talk.

Yep. It's all part of our new culture where the latest thing is the best thing ever. It happens with music, movies, and sports. Nobody has any perspective anymore. It's quite childish.

[Boges]

Yep. It's all part of our new culture where the latest thing is the best thing ever. It happens with music, movies, and sports. Nobody has any perspective anymore. It's quite childish.

Dude it's the best single season in NBA History. Curry shattered his own 3 point record. These are objective standards.

I never called them a Dynasty, I never said they're better than the Jordan teams that won 6 titles with largely the same core.

But assuming GS wins the title this year, it's the single most dominant season in league history, that's not debatable.

[Big Guy]

So much for game 1. Looks like the Raptors are not going to sweep this series against Indiana.

[Shady]

I'd like to see them just win the series, sweeping was a pipe dream seeing as they seem to choke every playoffs.

[cybercoma]

Sweep. Haha. I don't think anyone seriously considered that.

[Bob Macadoo]

Sweep. Haha. I don't think anyone seriously considered that.

Yeah they have. New year, same problem though. Lowry/DD/Ross go in the witness protection program. They wouldn't know a textbook pick n' roll if they fell over it. The dump passes to JV are embarassing.

[cybercoma]

JV held that team together last night (well, afternoon) though. Christ. What a mess.

Warriors had a dominant game of course, but OKC beat the Mavs by nearly 40 points too. Nuts.

Edited April 17, 2016 by cybercoma

[Bob Macadoo]

JV held that team together last night (well, afternoon) though. Christ. What a mess.

Warriors had a dominant game of course, but OKC beat the Mavs by nearly 40 points too. Nuts.

Don't tell me you put any money on the Mavs covering the spread. They need to rebuild.....around what.....who knows.

[cybercoma]

Haha. I'm not that stupid.

[Boges]

Effin Raptors. They bring in Carroll and Joseph to help the team's playoff chops. They were fine, who were't fine were the team's Allstars. If DeRozen doesn't wake up, he's not getting a max deal. He won't be on this team next year.

[cybercoma]

Didn't DeRozan hurt his elbow recently?

[Boges]

Didn't DeRozan hurt his elbow recently?

Lowry's elbow is giving him trouble.

Good win tonight. The stars are being largely held in check but everyone else is picking up the slack.

[cybercoma]

The bench was on fire tonight: Patterson, Joseph, and Biyombo all had a great game. The Raptors need to pick up their god damned defence in transition though. Otherwise Indy is going to run the ball on them all day in the next game.

[Boges]

Last night was how I would imagine the series would go. Paul George is all the Pacers really have. Myles Turner is a nice piece but he's still no match for the Raptors Bigs.

DeRozen and Lowry showed up last night too, they opened the game up for Patterson and Carroll to produce some offence as well. Seeing Demare Carroll landing shots from beyond the arc was kind of odd.

[cybercoma]

I think the bench needs all the credit in the world. People don't general think of the Raptors as having a deep team, but Patterson, Joseph, Carroll, and Biyombo have been playing their hearts out. Last night was excellent.

One thing concerns me though. JV has been so dominant in the paint that I have to wonder what they'll look like against a bigger team than Indy.

[Boges]

I think the bench needs all the credit in the world. People don't general think of the Raptors as having a deep team, but Patterson, Joseph, Carroll, and Biyombo have been playing their hearts out. Last night was excellent.

One thing concerns me though. JV has been so dominant in the paint that I have to wonder what they'll look like against a bigger team than Indy.

The league is moving away from needing a dominant big man to be successful. But in the next round they'll likely face an imposing Centre named Hassan Whiteside from the Heat.

He doesn't really have the pedigree of JV but he's an athletic presence down low. It'll be a good matchup. But don't sleep on Myles Turner, he's been the Pacers second best player and he was coming off the bench. I just read that he'll likely get the start on Saturday

I'm happily surprised with Patrick Patterson, he's been a very capable piece. I was often frustrated watching him this past season. He's always a threat to land a 3-point dagger when no one expects it.

Obviously Corey Joseph has been a revelation. But not really though, he's got the most playoff games of any Raptor. Playing for the Spurs has made him the seasoned playoff vet on the team.

Biyombo is fun to watch. He's arguably the team's best rebounder but a liability on the charity stripe, so it's vital that JV stays out of foul trouble when offence is required late in the game.

Terrance Ross also had a good game yesterday as well.

[cybercoma]

Turner is good, but he needs to mature. He's a bit too hot headed at the moment. He took a stupid tech yesterday that was completely unnecessary.

[cybercoma]

Well, yesterday was a shit show.

[Boges]

Last night was almost another Shit Show. Hard to see the Pacers recover from a collapse like that.

That was the definition of a choke job. The Raptors didn't win as much as the Pacers lost. But at least it highlights that PG13 needs to pretty much play the all of the next game or two to win both games.

I think the Rookie Norm Powell has earned his starting job back.

[cybercoma]

I disagree. The Raptors defence in the fourth was unbelievable. They were all over the Pacers and every player from the starters to the bottom of the bench.

[Boges]

I disagree. The Raptors defence in the fourth was unbelievable. They were all over the Pacers and every player from the starters to the bottom of the bench.

The Pacers still choked. The coach choked too by letting some of his starters rest to start the 4th quarter which allowed the Raps to get back in the game. Did you see the play where Dude falls out of bounds with absolutely no pressure from the defence and Drake claps in his ear.

I don't trust the Raptors will win in Indy if they play 3 quarters like they did.

[cybercoma]

I hope TSN or Sportsnet airs Spurs v Thunder on Saturday. Currently the schedule is showing no Canadian broadcast.