The season is about to begin. Figured we can use a new game thread.
Lets go Raps :hi5:
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The season is about to begin. Figured we can use a new game thread.
Lets go Raps :hi5:
I'm more excited about this season than I was last. Now that Siakam has 1 year of being the focal point of an offence under his belt I hope to see some improvement. There are bigger reasons for my excitement though.
1. This will be the year for OG to truly show what he has. With Gasol and Ibaka leaving that opens up some shots for players beyond Baynes and Len. We saw OG take the ball up in transition a couple of times in the first pre season game, hopefully that's a sign of things to come. It looks weird seeing him put the ball on the floor but I guess that's just because he hasn't done it a whole lot yet.
2. Can Malachi Flynn be a reliable 2nd string PG? With Fred and Lowry both starting we've lacked a true PG off the bench for a few seasons now. I believe it's one of the key reasons we've seen our bench go flat for long stretches. Especially in the post season.
3. Who's the next G-League/undrafted/low key signing to breakout? Matty Ice, Boucher, Bembry and Watson all fit this bill. We know Matty can shoot and we know Boucher is a high energy player. Bembry looked like an annoying as **** defender on the perimeter in the 1st pre-season game. That's something that could be of great use.
Malachi Flynn is solid for a rook well as far as rookies go in this year's class well I will give him that but if only he can keep up his style of play that he displayed on FridayQuote:
Originally Posted by R. Johnson#3
But as far as y'all's G League signings...well are any of the 905 even playing right now? G League I heard they was in a Bubble so I don't know
Well OG bout to be in his contract year so I wonder if he steps up but who knows
Last I heard from Ujiri was that whatever the G-League format is this year, Raptors will be participating (some teams might opt out). I think the expectation is that it will be a bubble. Not sure how that will work when someone needs a call up though.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tg11
With giannis signed up we can rest a bit easy, the future and options become a bit more clear and thankfully it cleared up before the end of the year. I wanted it but at the same time the possibility of it working out was slim to start off with. My wish was that clips will fail once again and kawhi opts out and somehow comes back. But regardless just happy giannis didnt end up in miami. I dont see how milwaukee gets over the hump with this roster.
God, I love Lowry....
Bembry is playing really well. His passing is a huge plus.
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Given the guard heavy roster, I think he takes Matt Thomas' minutes and plays backup SF, We'll see lots of Powell and Bembry at the 3 and Anunoby at the 4 IMO.Quote:
Originally Posted by aman_13
Yeah Nurse was alluding to this. We will see a lot of small ball.Quote:
Originally Posted by pebloemer
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Sometimes these game look like a three point competition.
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Nurse and Spo must love the defense right now.
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Nurse has been firm with Powell, Bembry and Boucher. Not other bench player has had minutes (Thomas a little) Is this what we should expect?
Definitely a preview of what the Raptors rotation will look like. That's usually the case with the last game of the preseason.Quote:
Originally Posted by pebloemer
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Flynn already looks like a better player than Davis.
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It's just preseason but Siakam not showing much in terms of getting past defenders off the dribble and scoring at the rim is somewhat concerning. Mostly because that is what got him in trouble in the bubble.
Like I said he gon regress because of thatQuote:
Originally Posted by aman_13
I think this goes back to my post earlier about guys like TD and Siakam who rely on their athleticsm and speed to get by defenders. They have no change in speed. TD is of course more explosive and a better first step but u look at guys like norm who doesnt look the quickest but definitely has better change of pace and direction and doesnt have to use multiple crossovers to beat his guy. Siakam with the ball in his hands in the half court offence is very predictable. Best I think they can do for him inside the arc is to get him on mis-matches where he can use his length a bit and hope to see some double teams where he can kick out of. But with plenty of ball handlers on the team now there is no reason to have siakam initiate the offence.
Quote:
Originally Posted by aman_13
They have him handling the ball because it's usually a mismatch. But the league no longer respects his jumpshot, so they just stay home and wall him off.
idk TD is just raw. That's why he focuses on dribbling drills so much. Powell was like that too early on as well.
You are right, with teams hanging back its not really much more of a mismatch in those scenarios. With him shooting it a bit better from three (so far) I think consistently he can open up things a bit more
Quote:
Originally Posted by ecart
Which only gets y'all so far especially cuz on Wednesday against Zion, Ingram, Lonzo and company y'all can't get away with thatQuote:
Originally Posted by driftindirt
Well tonight y'all play the Pelicans so let's see what y'all gon do
Game day boys. As much as I am excited for the season to JUST START, i am more curious to see what nicks rotation is gonna look like. Is matt thomas actually gonna get some consistent run? Will Flynn actually crack that rotation already, will baynes have a leash or will we be going small? The zion matchup will be a nightmare, guy is strong, with a handle and quick with a crazy quick second jump. Just gotta find a way to keep ingram and crew as quiet as possible.
Last year Zion didn't play in the season opener but this year he is...ain't no defensive matchups y'all can throw at Zion that he can't get through because he's so explosive and strong for a kid his size and he's only gettin better too which is the scary thingQuote:
Originally Posted by driftindirt
Can't wait!Quote:
Originally Posted by Tg11
I think we'll see a 10 man rotation most nights.
PG: Lowry
SG: Fred
SF: OG
PF: Siakam
C: Baynes
6th man: Norm
7th man: Boucher
8th man: Bembry
9th man: Flynn
10th man: TD3
5-10 mins: Matty Ice and Len
1 of Lowry/Fred along with Baynes are the first subs for Norm and Boucher. The other 1 of Lowry/Fred and OG come out for Bembry and Flynn while Siakam is the last man standing before they stay small or sub in Len.
This team is going to be even more fast paced than we're used to seeing.
I think i remember Nurse saying in a press conference that he plans to sub OG and Lowry out first (I could see baynes joining them at times), then bring them back in when FVV and Siakam go back on the floor, so there is sustained familiarity with at least 2 of those 4 on the court at all times.Quote:
Originally Posted by R. Johnson#3
Siakam showing no respect for Zion's defence. He's taking it to him.
Matt Thomas quickly showing us why he shouldn't get significant minutes.
OG and Lowry were the first ones out. Surprised Matty Ice came on so quickly though.Quote:
Originally Posted by pebloemer
Bembry is going to become a fan favourite very fast.
Baynes at half time already looks better than gasol. Siakam looks like a changed man. All in all pleased!! Hoping we can stretch the legs a little early second half to get a chance to see flynn
The awful turnover, followed by the incredibly transition defensive block was quite humorous to watch. He is definitely likeable. Plays hard. I expect mistakes, but his value is clear.Quote:
Originally Posted by R. Johnson#3
Pelicans look really good. So much talent.
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The Raptors need Powell to get it going. He was off through the three games in the preseason as well.
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Yah shooting the lights out. Didnt expect bledsoe and and ball to come out firing. Honestly we missed a lot of good looks.
Yeah and then the defense started to slip. Tough first game but they will bounce back. Have to give credit to the Pelicans. They played really well.Quote:
Originally Posted by driftindirt
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His entire demeanor seems a bit off. Lots of "head down"Quote:
Originally Posted by aman_13
yah not worried at all. Kinda surprised we didnt see much of td today.
Quote:
Originally Posted by aman_13
Adams and Bledsoe are good fits on that defense. They did really well this off-season. A huge haul for Holiday.Quote:
Originally Posted by aman_13
Just a painful game to watch. The only 2 guys who aren't bricking every shot happen to be the guys who are committing all the turnovers. Lowry and Siakam.