NBA 2018 Playoffs Thread

[Phantom255x]

If TOR gets swept or loses this in 5 games, they've got a ton of tough decisions to make.

This team is healthy and yet they look terrified against Lebron lol and are playing rusty. No excuses. 

[blink]

did Toronto completely forget how to play during halftime?

[Beat LA]

If the Raps lose this series convincingly, where can they realistically go from here?

I just don't see how you can bring back Lowry and Derozan for Year 7 after that.  This is very obviously the peak of the Raptors as they are constructed.

I would trade Valanciunas, Lowry, and Derozan for whatever I could get.  Be mediocre for a few years but build around the young bench guys.


VanVleet, Wright, OG, Siakam, Poeltl is not a bad starting point.

Trading Lowry, Derozan, Ibaka, Valanciunas may not be easy, but I'm sure it can be managed if they're OK not getting any major building pieces in return.

I'd keep Casey.

Can they trade Drake, as well? Maybe throw him in to sweeten a deal centered around Ibaka, LOL .

[kraidstar]

Did I miss something? Why is Toronto’s gym practically empty? I thought the Raptors attracted a good crowd for the post season.


Edit: whoops. Work. Right. Darn freelance life...

They attract plenty of fans. They were 4th in attendance and sold 100% of their seats.

The bigger problem is the passivity of the Toronto fans. I've been to both a Raptors game and a Jays game. They are just a little too nice there. The other team doesn't feel intimidated as much as they should.

In the really great home environments the other team always feels a little bit afraid for their safety lol.

[Phantom255x]

Raptors about to give up 40 to the Cavaliers this quarter, and probably 130+ for the game. Ouch...

[kraidstar]

If TOR gets swept or loses this in 5 games, they've got a ton of tough decisions to make.

This team is healthy and yet they look terrified against Lebron lol and are playing rusty. No excuses.

They look like a bunch of cowards out there. This is as embarrassing a performance as I've ever seen.

[Fafnir]

It would be amazing if Casey won CoY and was fired for the same season.

[kraidstar]

Raptors players look frozen in place. They don't react to what their teammates are doing. They don't roll to the rim. They don't set picks. They don't double effectively. It's like they've never played together before.

[blink]

Raptors players look frozen in place. They don't react to what their teammates are doing. They don't roll to the rim. They don't set picks. They don't double effectively. It's like they've never played together before.

It is shocking how poorly Tor has played.  This is basically a series ending loss if they can't win tonight.  I can't believe how flat they have played in the 2nd half.  They look scared, tentative, and almost not really caring about it.  They are so lucky to only be 11 down.  It feels like about 30 though.

[CelticSooner]

Raptors players look frozen in place. They don't react to what their teammates are doing. They don't roll to the rim. They don't set picks. They don't double effectively. It's like they've never played together before.

Kinda like a deer in headlights....

[hpantazo]

Looks like the Raptors are all done. Probably will get swept!


Hats off to Moranis, he was spot on about this series.

[celticsclay]

A team that is legit afraid on LeBron.

Their mental weakness reminds me of no team so much as Dwight Howard's Orlando teams.

I will admit Phosita. (and as much as it pains me, Moranis) you guys were correct and had this team pegged. There really isn't a way to handicap mental fortitude and this raptors team really doesn't have it. I hope a few people put money on the Cavs sweeping at 30-1 odds.

[BudweiserCeltic]

Toronto can't defend a chair.

[PhoSita]

Predicting the Raptors, year after year, has been such a struggle of head versus heart.

On paper based on their regular season performance you assume they have to be better this year, they have to have learned from past errors.

And then they go and play so far below that in the playoffs.


They are for all intents and purposes the caliber of a 40-45 win team in the playoffs, no matter how many regular season games they win.  We have 6 years of evidence now that that is the case.

[Phantom255x]

I get Toronto's bench is great, but why the hell are a healthy DeRozan and Lowry ONLY playing 30-35 minutes a game?? Not a recipe to beat CLE in a series.

And wow, on cue the Raptors in pure desperation mode just let CLE start the 4th with a 7-0 run. Pathetic.