2020-21 game thread

[ecart]

This schedule is crazy lol.

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Yeah it's why I don't think our differential matters.

[aman_13]

Yeah it's why I don't think our differential matters.

It has caused some some wacky games so I see your point.

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[smith&wesson]

I think they are very much trying to win. Masai and Bobby alluded to giving this team a chance to make the playoffs. Nurse has been very open about wanting to win before and after the deadline. They are definitely prepared for all directions but I have a hard time believing they have given up on the season when they are a couple games back from a playoff spot.

Honestly this season is so frustrating for so many reasons and one of them is actually the play in. The Raptors are losing and are not even guaranteed a lottery pick.

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I agree it is frustrating. I was just trying to get a better understanding of the mind set that were still trying to compete. I know there are plenty of fans that still want to see them in the play in.

Also no one is really ever guaranteed a lotto pick. All’s you can really do is try to give yourself more ping pong balls for a better probability. But I feel what you’re saying about the flattened odds.

[smith&wesson]

The front office just seems so bad this season. Seems like they didn't have a backup plan. In past years they had the "internal development" excuse but they can't use that this season. I think this season was always going to be a write off for them but they just didn't anticipate it going this poorly and had no back up plan/motivation to make short term moves.

I’ve wondered how much of it has to do with Masai’s extension. I’m not trying to be a conspiracy theorist but I think when a key player is a fa sometimes it can cause distractions, Masai being such a polarizing figure for the Raptors FO you gotta think it has atleast a little impact.

[ecart]

eh I wouldn't worry too much about it. people were against tanking when we were horrendously bad and thought being first round exits was going to attract free agents and **** or for "playoff experience".

I always imagine these ppl as dads and Raptors games are the only excuse they have to ignore all of their responsibilities so they just want to stretch the season for as long as possible.

[ecart]

I’ve wondered how much of it has to do with Masai’s extension. I’m not trying to be a conspiracy theorist but I think when a key player is a fa sometimes it can cause distractions, Masai being such a polarizing figure for the Raptors FO you gotta think it has atleast a little impact.

I can't believe there hasn't been an extension yet. Most would have gotten it done already to prevent it from being a distraction.

[smith&wesson]

I can't believe there hasn't been an extension yet. Most would have gotten it done already to prevent it from being a distraction.

Maybe he took a step back this year and put in auto pilot and gave Webster the wheel. Perhaps to show his worth for leverage. That’s me thinking way to deep in to it I know, but I also think maybe he just might be gone after this year so he’s checked out.

Aside from the Trent jr trade, the FO moves have been head scratching to say the least

[ecart]

Maybe he took a step back this year and put in auto pilot and gave Webster the wheel. Perhaps to show his worth for leverage. That’s me thinking way to deep in to it I know, but I also think maybe he just might be gone after this year so he’s checked out.

Aside from the Trent jr trade, the FO moves have been head scratching to say the least

Not too thrilled about giving Webster the keys tbh. Look at Jeff Weltman, the guy is complete doodoo in Magic and he had way more autonomy than Webster because of his basketball experience. Webster was only hired because he was some finance guy that helped write the CBA. He has 0 bball experience.

idk any GM except Morey that made the jump successfully without any basketball experience. But Morey is an outlier because he is a computer science guy and was ahead of the curve on everyone with data science.

[smith&wesson]

Not too thrilled about giving Webster the keys tbh. Look at Jeff Weltman, the guy is complete doodoo in Magic and he had way more autonomy than Webster because of his basketball experience. Webster was only hired because he was some finance guy that helped write the CBA. He has 0 bball experience.

idk any GM except Morey that made the jump successfully without any basketball experience. But Morey is an outlier because he is a computer science guy and was ahead of the curve on everyone with data science.

Yeah I'm not crazy about the idea either. But looking at the moves we made this year makes me wonder

[bartron_44]

I have a feeling this was Masai's version of a rebuilding year. They definitely have done everything they possibly can not to have any more guaranteed money past this season to get ready for 2022. It seems a lot like the Jays in 2018. They weren't openly tanking, but they weren't "all in" either. For example, they didn't force their rookies into the lineup and just give playing time away no matter how they played (which would be easy to do i you are tanking). They are still doing everything they can with the personnel available. This was another just year to let guys like Siakam, Fred and OG (..and now GTJ) develop their skills and get used to being primary scorers instead of secondary players.

For all we know Masai had serious talks for Harden but wouldn't part with Siakam and OG. Everyone keeps dogging this core for this season, but they are playing a 72 game road trip, the schedule is crazy, they played small ball out of necessity in the first half (which was extra work), and then a number of them contracted Covid to zap them of their strength and energy even more. These guys are running on fumes!! They are still trying to win, but they need to load manage them too here coming down the stretch to prevent even more injuries.

I actually hope they don't make the playoffs, as these guys need as long of an off season as their bodies can get.....probably even more than they need the better chance at a high draft pick. I just want to see everyone stay healthy, and for guys like Flynn and Watanabe to get some consistent minutes.


Speaking of Yuta, don't look now but over his last 6 games he is averaging over 8 ppg, is 19 for 30 from the field and 5 for 12 from deep. He is also a solid perimeter defender with his length and foot speed. If he can chip in 8-10 ppg with the way he swarms people on defense and gets after rebounds, he could actually be a decent bench piece moving forward. For the season he is shooting 37.5% from deep. He has potential as a cheap 3 and D type of player off the bench to go with this core.

[ChongInc.]

I have a feeling this was Masai's version of a rebuilding year. They definitely have done everything they possibly can not to have any more guaranteed money past this season to get ready for 2022. It seems a lot like the Jays in 2018. They weren't openly tanking, but they weren't "all in" either. For example, they didn't force their rookies into the lineup and just give playing time away no matter how they played (which would be easy to do i you are tanking). They are still doing everything they can with the personnel available. This was another just year to let guys like Siakam, Fred and OG (..and now GTJ) develop their skills and get used to being primary scorers instead of secondary players.

For all we know Masai had serious talks for Harden but wouldn't part with Siakam and OG. Everyone keeps dogging this core for this season, but they are playing a 72 game road trip, the schedule is crazy, they played small ball out of necessity in the first half (which was extra work), and then a number of them contracted Covid to zap them of their strength and energy even more. These guys are running on fumes!! They are still trying to win, but they need to load manage them too here coming down the stretch to prevent even more injuries.

I actually hope they don't make the playoffs, as these guys need as long of an off season as their bodies can get.....probably even more than they need the better chance at a high draft pick. I just want to see everyone stay healthy, and for guys like Flynn and Watanabe to get some consistent minutes.


Speaking of Yuta, don't look now but over his last 6 games he is averaging over 8 ppg, is 19 for 30 from the field and 5 for 12 from deep. He is also a solid perimeter defender with his length and foot speed. If he can chip in 8-10 ppg with the way he swarms people on defense and gets after rebounds, he could actually be a decent bench piece moving forward. For the season he is shooting 37.5% from deep. He has potential as a cheap 3 and D type of player off the bench to go with this core.

I agree with this, and I would say that all of OG, Siakam, Fred, Boucher, and now GTJ have taken steps forward this season.

[ecart]

https://www.raptorsrepublic.com/2021...eekly-podcast/

pretty good discussion and analysis imo about our struggles this season on defense

[Saint Raptor]

I have a feeling this was Masai's version of a rebuilding year. They definitely have done everything they possibly can not to have any more guaranteed money past this season to get ready for 2022. It seems a lot like the Jays in 2018. They weren't openly tanking, but they weren't "all in" either. For example, they didn't force their rookies into the lineup and just give playing time away no matter how they played (which would be easy to do i you are tanking). They are still doing everything they can with the personnel available. This was another just year to let guys like Siakam, Fred and OG (..and now GTJ) develop their skills and get used to being primary scorers instead of secondary players.

For all we know Masai had serious talks for Harden but wouldn't part with Siakam and OG. Everyone keeps dogging this core for this season, but they are playing a 72 game road trip, the schedule is crazy, they played small ball out of necessity in the first half (which was extra work), and then a number of them contracted Covid to zap them of their strength and energy even more. These guys are running on fumes!! They are still trying to win, but they need to load manage them too here coming down the stretch to prevent even more injuries.

I actually hope they don't make the playoffs, as these guys need as long of an off season as their bodies can get.....probably even more than they need the better chance at a high draft pick. I just want to see everyone stay healthy, and for guys like Flynn and Watanabe to get some consistent minutes.


Speaking of Yuta, don't look now but over his last 6 games he is averaging over 8 ppg, is 19 for 30 from the field and 5 for 12 from deep. He is also a solid perimeter defender with his length and foot speed. If he can chip in 8-10 ppg with the way he swarms people on defense and gets after rebounds, he could actually be a decent bench piece moving forward. For the season he is shooting 37.5% from deep. He has potential as a cheap 3 and D type of player off the bench to go with this core.

I agree 100% with everything you wrote. Just to add one more piece to it, we also have mostly back to back games in this second half, which makes the idea of climbing out of the whole that much more daunting. I don't understand why people can't just see that we're having a bad year due to all the factors you mentioned, the total absence of a competent true center and a schedule that rolled wrong. Keep in mind, with all of this we have a positive net rating! That's incredible! I honestly don't think we're that far off from being back in the top 4 of this conference. Let's just write off this year, pray to the ping pong ball gods to show us favor and look forward to, what I would consider, a very interesting offseason.

[smith&wesson]

I have a feeling this was Masai's version of a rebuilding year. They definitely have done everything they possibly can not to have any more guaranteed money past this season to get ready for 2022. It seems a lot like the Jays in 2018. They weren't openly tanking, but they weren't "all in" either. For example, they didn't force their rookies into the lineup and just give playing time away no matter how they played (which would be easy to do i you are tanking). They are still doing everything they can with the personnel available. This was another just year to let guys like Siakam, Fred and OG (..and now GTJ) develop their skills and get used to being primary scorers instead of secondary players.

For all we know Masai had serious talks for Harden but wouldn't part with Siakam and OG. Everyone keeps dogging this core for this season, but they are playing a 72 game road trip, the schedule is crazy, they played small ball out of necessity in the first half (which was extra work), and then a number of them contracted Covid to zap them of their strength and energy even more. These guys are running on fumes!! They are still trying to win, but they need to load manage them too here coming down the stretch to prevent even more injuries.

I actually hope they don't make the playoffs, as these guys need as long of an off season as their bodies can get.....probably even more than they need the better chance at a high draft pick. I just want to see everyone stay healthy, and for guys like Flynn and Watanabe to get some consistent minutes.


Speaking of Yuta, don't look now but over his last 6 games he is averaging over 8 ppg, is 19 for 30 from the field and 5 for 12 from deep. He is also a solid perimeter defender with his length and foot speed. If he can chip in 8-10 ppg with the way he swarms people on defense and gets after rebounds, he could actually be a decent bench piece moving forward. For the season he is shooting 37.5% from deep. He has potential as a cheap 3 and D type of player off the bench to go with this core.

I really don't think they are trying to win. If they were, why would they rest Lowry tonight with FVV already being out. Trae Young is out, and Gallo is doubtfull. That would be a very winnable game for us if we were infact trying to win. Sitting Lowry gives us a decent chance to lose and I think that's a strong indication. He isn't injured.

Also its not really the core that that people are dogging. Its the lack of a supporting cast, like a starting C and Bench. We dont have an 8 man rotation for the post season. Its more like a 6 man rotation which is extremely thin.

I think its a blessing that we have a pretty decent core in place, and have the opportunity to further add talent in the draft.

And I agree with you these guys are running on fumes. They need a break.

[ChongInc.]

https://www.raptorsrepublic.com/2021...eekly-podcast/

pretty good discussion and analysis imo about our struggles this season on defense

And this honest assessment is why a guy like Mobley will be able to successfully be a modern NBA C, where a guy like Kai is a PF. You don’t want Kai as your defensive quarterback.

Almost C’s in the league cannot do what Gasol did.

Thanks for sharing.