I'd be happier if most of the Raptors were, too.
NBA 2018-2019
- Thread starter altodevil
- Start date
I'd be happier if most of the Raptors were, too.
you must be so embarrassed now
Kawhi has been awesome
Someone other than Kawhi needs to step up for Toronto. VanVleet coming up big for them. Giannis needs to step up for the Bucks.
On another note, Klay not making All-NBA means he can't sign the super max which should benefit the Warriors.
On the contrary, everyone acknowledges that KD moved to a stacked team, but he showed his dominance in the playoffs and carried the burden for the Warriors during the finals which led to back-to-back FMVPs. Most know that GS is Steph's team, but KD pretty much made it his team for those postseason runs and overshadowed Steph and two other all-stars as well as an ex-FMVP winner. For him to greatly solidify his legacy, I do feel he'll have to move on and win it with his "own team", like Lebron did with Cleveland, but time does dissolve most narratives, and it's the stats and accolades (the number of rings and FMVP's in particular), that will ultimately be left as concrete evidence of his abilities. Several decades from now, not many may care that he jumped ship to a team that won 73 regular season games and was a game removed from being repeat champions, especially with the way the game is currently trending towards assembling super-teams with stars recruiting other stars, and "loyalty" is becoming rarer and rarer.
On another note, Klay not making All-NBA means he can't sign the super max which should benefit the Warriors.
I agree for the most part, but there's a slight difference. Kobe's first three rings were downplayed because Shaq was the clear leader, the more important player at the time, and consequently, the winner of the three final's MVP during their championship runs together. In order to move up on the echelon of great players and dispel any doubts about his standing in the game, Kobe had to win it as the main man, which he did. If Kobe was the focal point of the Lakers, and the winner of the FMVPs rather than Shaq, it would have been a different story. After all, no one, apart from an insignificant minority, knocks Shaq for having Kobe, perhaps the best perimeter player of his generation, when he won his titles.
On the contrary, everyone acknowledges that KD moved to a stacked team, but he showed his dominance in the playoffs and carried the burden for the Warriors during the finals which led to back-to-back FMVPs. Most know that GS is Steph's team, but KD pretty much made it his team for those postseason runs and overshadowed Steph and two other all-stars as well as an ex-FMVP winner. For him to greatly solidify his legacy, I do feel he'll have to move on and win it with his "own team", like Lebron did with Cleveland, but time does dissolve most narratives, and it's the stats and accolades (the number of rings and FMVP's in particular), that will ultimately be left as concrete evidence of his abilities. Several decades from now, not many may care that he jumped ship to a team that won 73 regular season games and was a game removed from being repeat champions, especially with the way the game is currently trending towards assembling super-teams with stars recruiting other stars, and "loyalty" is becoming rarer and rarer.
Toronto VARaptors
Good man!
Keep up the good work brother!
Great performance by the Raptors. No body gave them a chance and yet they're still balling. Shows what we know I guess.
As much as I thought he deserved it, from a Dubs POV it was definitely a break. I did like his response though when he was asked how he stayed so calm about not making an all NBA team since there is money involved? RINGS. Klay is cool!
Great performance by Raps. Dubs will have their hands full with either.
That's a huge, huge win. 
Absolutely transformed team looking at the past. Thought this was pretty much over at 2-0.
Let's close the series now in Toronto.
Absolutely transformed team looking at the past. Thought this was pretty much over at 2-0.Let's close the series now in Toronto.
Need the Raptors to win it all just so Drake can drop the greatest song of all time 
Well, it looks like the Bucks did make slight adjustments, but instead of more pick & pops, they decided to have more high screens with drives coming from Giannis and Brogdon. Whilst it worked for them in the first quarter, after that, our defence adjusted and set their shape deeper into the paint. I'm still surprised that there weren't many pick & roll plays by the Bucks in order to loosen up our D; they just kept doing the same thing and started turning over the ball more often. For a home team to have 5 more turnovers than the away side is absolutely diabolical. I guess they aren't used to a slower-paced game and, thus, are more inclined to turn the ball by forcing the issue.
Our defence has always been on point, but man, I'm so glad that our offence is starting to turn up. Lowry had a great performance; Siakam had an important double-double; Kawhi was a beast as usual; and Fred VanVleet started playing with confidence again. There were so many instances where Kawhi would drive in and get all of the attention, and we swung the ball very well.
Whilst Gasol, Powell, and Ibaka didn't have the stats, their performances were still pretty good. Gasol's presence inside the arc was huge today as he stopped Giannis from getting a free drive into the paint. Ibaka's rebounds were big for us, and Powell kept the Bucks team on their toes with his aggressive drives.
Still, I find it concerning that Nurse has us set up to force Casey-style Kawhi isos whenever he gets the ball in the second half. Our spacing still tends to be poor and puts Kawhi under serious pressure. Whilst he is good at taking shots under pressure, we still need to spread the court whenever Kawhi drives in. Too many times do I see one of the guards standing right next to a big in the corner. We can't afford to keep doing that in the playoffs. Other than that, I really don't have too many criticisms of our side. Green is struggling offensively, as usual, but at least he's not an overall burden. Our rebounding has definitely improved as well, and we have also reduced our turnovers. Our spacing is the only issue, but here's hoping that Nurse and the other coaches learn from these experiences.
Game 6 will be huge. I feel that this game was a turning point for both teams in the series, but given how aggressive and determined the Bucks are, I won't be surprised if this goes to Game 7 and is decided by one crazy moment.
Our defence has always been on point, but man, I'm so glad that our offence is starting to turn up. Lowry had a great performance; Siakam had an important double-double; Kawhi was a beast as usual; and Fred VanVleet started playing with confidence again. There were so many instances where Kawhi would drive in and get all of the attention, and we swung the ball very well.
Whilst Gasol, Powell, and Ibaka didn't have the stats, their performances were still pretty good. Gasol's presence inside the arc was huge today as he stopped Giannis from getting a free drive into the paint. Ibaka's rebounds were big for us, and Powell kept the Bucks team on their toes with his aggressive drives.
Still, I find it concerning that Nurse has us set up to force Casey-style Kawhi isos whenever he gets the ball in the second half. Our spacing still tends to be poor and puts Kawhi under serious pressure. Whilst he is good at taking shots under pressure, we still need to spread the court whenever Kawhi drives in. Too many times do I see one of the guards standing right next to a big in the corner. We can't afford to keep doing that in the playoffs. Other than that, I really don't have too many criticisms of our side. Green is struggling offensively, as usual, but at least he's not an overall burden. Our rebounding has definitely improved as well, and we have also reduced our turnovers. Our spacing is the only issue, but here's hoping that Nurse and the other coaches learn from these experiences.
Game 6 will be huge. I feel that this game was a turning point for both teams in the series, but given how aggressive and determined the Bucks are, I won't be surprised if this goes to Game 7 and is decided by one crazy moment.
Push comes to shove, Giannis can’t create his own shot. No surprise he was taken out towards the end. MVP.
I really admire what Raptors have done with their defense, both against the 76ers and Bucks. But I'm with you in thinking that this will go to game 7. All in all, a great series for us neutrals.
Interesting odds just come out on the finals.
Dubs vs Bucks
(w/o KD) Dubs -140
(with KD) Dubs -180
Dubs vs Raps
(w/o KD) Dubs -320
(with KD) Dubs -400
Dubs vs Bucks
(w/o KD) Dubs -140
(with KD) Dubs -180
Dubs vs Raps
(w/o KD) Dubs -320
(with KD) Dubs -400
Sarni.
Sarni.
It’s over now. Raptors won’t let it slip. I don’t get how Bucks just completely fell apart like this. Even game 3 looked like they just had an off day and were still going to take it but they blew game 4 and 5 completely. I can’t see them winning in Toronto so this probably ends on Saturday.
Last edited:
Can someone please appreciate how with one single comment I transformed Fred VanVleet from Fred VanVleet to Steph Curry.
Ah, the reverse jinx. Nice try
It’s over now. Raptors won’t let it slip. I don’t get how Bucks just completely fell apart like this. Even game 3 looked like they just had an off day and were still going to take it but they blew game 4 and 5 completely. I can’t see them winning in Toronto so this probably ends on Saturday.
Drake is so loathesome. Sit down and shut up you wanker.
No, I genuinely think that. Raptors won’t bottle this.
I don’t mind Toronto as a team and franchise, it’s just that I like Bucks more and also I think Raptors will get absolutely annihilated by Warriors in the Finals I think. I doubt any of the 4 games will even be close. I obviously hope I am wrong again.
Last edited:
Wow! The double reverse.You don’t see that often these days but it’s a thing of beauty when done right. He must be feeling the pressure though to be resorting to such shenanigans.
I’m not jinxing.
I’m a raptors fan and still can’t stand the jumped up little bastard
The double reverse with denial. Oh Bravo Sir! Bravo!
You didn't get shot down you drama queen.I said in here they had a great chance of progressing and got shot down
As obnoxious as he can be sometimes I think he’s a godsend for the organisation in terms of extending its global reach and appeal. I’d wager that most people who don’t follow the NBA will know who the raptors are through Drake.
Nice try.
God's plan?
Kawhi is going to the Clippers anyway, isn't he?
Hope both him and KD stay tbh.
Maybe not this year, but with some smart additions during off season I can see Raptors being real contenders next one and even beating Warriors in the finals. Provided of course Kawhi stays.
Hope both him and KD stay tbh.
Maybe not this year, but with some smart additions during off season I can see Raptors being real contenders next one and even beating Warriors in the finals. Provided of course Kawhi stays.
Do they have room for any additions though? I know Lowry and Ibaka come off books in a year but I don't think they are going to have space for any significant additions in the next 2-3 years.
Clippers, on the other hand... Great young core, cap room to add another star this year or next, plenty of picks...
I was at a bar last night watching the game. The bartender (who otherwise wouldn't care about the two teams) asked me, "is Drake there?"
So yeah.
Lowry, Gasol and Ibaka all come off the books next year and that's nearly two thirds of their wage cap.
If KD is not the best player in the league, then the best in the league is Kawhi, not Giannis or Harden. Kawhi is bloody fantastic, he missed a season last year, but he is such a great player, whom for whatever reason is mentioned less from pundits than Giannis, despite easily being the better player.