OGT: Celtics (0-0) @ Raptors (0-0)

[Legends66NBA7]

http://www.celtic-nation.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/31313-Raptors.jpg

Game Links:

http://firstrownow.eu/sport/basketball.html

First game of the season for the Celtics and Raptors @ 7pm EST/ 4pm PCF.

[miamiandorlando]

raps

[Shade8780]

Olynyyykkkkkk!!!

[ballup]

Either way, it's a win for the Celtics :banana:

[Harison]

Apologies, but this picture is too large and distorts the page. The two tanks depicted is a fairly accurate summation.

-RMWG

[BlackWhiteGreen]

I didn't think the Raps were tanking? Hoping for a Jonas-Klynyk 50 point duke off finishing with Olynyk hitting the game tying 3 and Jordan Crawford intentionally fouling for the tank

[CanYouDigIt]

Are both of these teams going to purposly try to lose or what? :oldlol:

#TankForWiggins

[Real Men Wear Green]

I'm extremely down on the Cs right now. I understand why the team is tanking and don't disagree but that doesn't mean I want to watch it. I'll still sit through a lot of games of course but I'm not going to turn off games when they get awful out of some masochistic sense of loyalty, especially knowing that most of the players are not part of the long-term plan. I would love to be wrong about this squad but I see 15-25 wins, depending on when Rondo returns. This team is designed to lose.

[salwan]

:rockon: :rockon: green goes for 30

[BlackWhiteGreen]

I'm extremely down on the Cs right now. I understand why the team is tanking and don't disagree but that doesn't mean I want to watch it. I'll still sit through a lot of games of course but I'm not going to turn off games when they get awful out of some masochistic sense of loyalty, especially knowing that most of the players are not part of the long-term plan. I would love to be wrong about this squad but I see 15-25 wins, depending on when Rondo returns. This team is designed to lose.

I guess I'm lucky in that I can just go to sleep instead of watching, but I imagine that some aspects of it will be interesting - watching Olynyk having a breakout game or if Green's on fire. In all honesty, theres been plenty of incredibly frustrating regular season games these last couple of regular seasons, and I'm assuming they'll be fewer just down to the fact theres such low expectations.

[ballup]

I guess I'm lucky in that I can just go to sleep instead of watching, but I imagine that some aspects of it will be interesting - watching Olynyk having a breakout game or if Green's on fire. In all honesty, theres been plenty of incredibly frustrating regular season games these last couple of regular seasons, and I'm assuming they'll be fewer just down to the fact theres such low expectations.
Hopefully the Celtics run more than last season. Losing is worse when you have a stale offense.

[Bcogswell]

I can't wait! :dancin

Raptors will win by 8.

[Fresh Kid]

raptors gotta win this.

[kaiteng]

http://basketfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Screen-Shot-2013-07-15-at-7.39.07-PM.png

[Fresh Kid]

http://basketfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Screen-Shot-2013-07-15-at-7.39.07-PM.png
:roll:

[Wally450]

Boston usually struggles in Toronto, so I see and easy W for the Raps. Its still a win for Boston though in the long run.

[Sakkreth]

Just excited to see JV and Ross developing, hopefully Toronto lands some good wing player in next years draft so this would be the last season they are tanking in many years.

[kaiteng]

Celtics is clearly tanking so I can't see Raptors losing here.

[RoundMoundOfReb]

Ecf preview

[Bobcats2013]

I'm very interested to see Vitor vs Jonas.

[Qwyjibo]

I'm working until 10 tonight so hopefully the streams will be up and running.

The Raptors should win this game because the Celtics are smartly tanking this season. I'll be honest, I don't mind if the Raptors lose this and a bunch of other games early on. Anything to expedite the rebuilding that should be happening.

[Shade8780]

Both teams will be cheering whenever they miss a shot. Whoever loses this game is the real winner :oldlol:

[CarlosBoozer]

http://basketfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Screen-Shot-2013-07-15-at-7.39.07-PM.png
dat game face :bowdown:

[Bcogswell]

http://basketfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Screen-Shot-2013-07-15-at-7.39.07-PM.png

This and "Hello!" need to be posted in every Raptors GT :oldlol:

[Bcogswell]

Just excited to see JV and Ross developing, hopefully Toronto lands some good wing player in next years draft so this would be the last season they are tanking in many years.

If we even tank this year, all signs point towards playoff push unless we under perform early.

[Qwyjibo]

If we even tank this year, all signs point towards playoff push unless we under perform early.
This will be a wasted year if they try to compete. Any record around .500 = a complete failure on Ujiri's part unless they somehow get huge returns for Gay, Derozan and Lowry afterwards.

[Bcogswell]

This will be a wasted year if they try to compete. Any record around .500 = a complete failure on Ujiri's part unless they somehow get huge returns for Gay, Derozan and Lowry afterwards.

I completely agree, however it doesn't mean thats not what they are going to do. They will try and make the playoffs and then somewheres along the way either make a trade to ensure it, or tear the team down if they are to far away.

[kaiteng]

This and "Hello!" need to be posted in every Raptors GT :oldlol:
And this:

http://www.raptorsrepublic.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/leo-rautins.jpg

[Bcogswell]

And this:

http://www.raptorsrepublic.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/leo-rautins.jpg

I don't think anyone will mind if there is no Leo :lol

[Sakkreth]

I don't think anyone will mind if there is no Leo :lol

U no hate on Leo :no:

[MP.Trey]

Kelly Olynyk gets to debut in his home country. :cheers:

[Bcogswell]

U no hate on Leo :no:

Why wouldn't I hate on him? :confusedshrug:

[kaiteng]

Why wouldn't I hate on him? :confusedshrug:
We should at least respect Leo.

[Bcogswell]

We should at least respect Leo.

I respect the amount of money he gets paid to be a shitty commentator. :lol

[Qwyjibo]

Since about mid-way through last year, my Raptors games have been muted. I just couldn't take it anymore. Leo's smugness, Devlin spouting nothing but cliches and even Jack! Jack, who used to be the blunt somewhat-drunk straight-shooter. He starting coming off as nothing more than a corporate shill as well.

[Shade8780]

Leggo Celtics!

[Shade8780]

This stream's a bit better than FirstRow...

http://nutjob.eu/njtvx8.html

[Dave3]

Welcome to the year of The Valanuinas - out of the way Kareem Chamberlain Russell and Shaq...your time is up.

[ballup]

Hope val dominates.

[Dave3]

This stream's a bit better than FirstRow...

http://nutjob.eu/njtvx8.html
Smoother or higher resolution?

[Bcogswell]

Wasn't a good first play for the Raptors.

[Qwyjibo]

Poor Val. Good luck getting the ball in any good positions when you have Derozan and Gay handling it in the mid-range. It's not going to happen often.

[Shade8780]

Hope val dominates.
Yeah, I want us to win of course but I'd like if Val had a beastly year for the Raps.

[Shade8780]

Smoother or higher resolution?
Little of both.

[Bcogswell]

Val with the block :applause:

[Shade8780]

76ers leading the Heat 19-0 :roll:

[BlackWhiteGreen]

Avery and Vitor looking great.

[red1]

76ers leading the Heat 19-0 :roll:
:roll: :applause:

[Dave3]

Little of both.
Thanks dude, it's awesome.

[Bcogswell]

Val with another block!

[Shade8780]

Damn, our interior defense is making Val look like Shaq.

[BlackWhiteGreen]

Damn, our interior defense is making Val look like Shaq.

Our interior offense is making him look like Russell.

[Shade8780]

Faverani could be my favourite player on the team along with Rondo, and our young guns like Olynyk, Sully and Bradley.

[ProfessorMurder]

Pierce hit his first shot as a Net by the way, I'm watching that game. Brooklyn kind of has the feel of the 08 Cs when the starters are in.

[BlackWhiteGreen]

I'm getting a Vitor jersey

[Qwyjibo]

I like that Derozan is going towards the rim but he's just not much of a ball-handler or finishers. Very robotic and predictable. Gay on the other hand dribbles side to side and takes off balance long-range 2-pointers.

[BlackWhiteGreen]

Pierce hit his first shot as a Net by the way, I'm watching that game. Brooklyn kind of has the feel of the 08 Cs when the starters are in.

How's Bynum looking?

[Legends66NBA7]

https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/q71/1394288_10100580208590851_21130494_n.jpg

Shout out to Stripes.

[ballup]

And I thought Bradley had bad ball handling, his passing is erratic.

[ProfessorMurder]

How's Bynum looking?

Got his first shot swatted by Baltche, then he swatted Reggie Evans. He's gassed after 2 mins, but looked alright. Only had one play called for him.

[RoundMoundOfReb]

Holy crap the Celtics have the most biased announcers.

[BlackWhiteGreen]

Got his first shot swatted by Baltche, then he swatted Reggie Evans. He's gassed after 2 mins, but looked alright. Only had one play called for him.

Fair enough, If they get 15 mins a night they'll be in then playoffs comfortably.

[ballup]

Vito looking like a core piece.

[ProfessorMurder]

Fair enough, If they get 15 mins a night they'll be in then playoffs comfortably.

Since I posted that he swatted Deron, got an o-reb and-1 and played 3 more minutes. Moving surprising well.

[ProfessorMurder]

Vito looking like a core piece.

Nice. When they signed him and he said he liked to hit people I instantly liked him :oldlol:

He had what 7 blocks in a preseason game?

[ballup]

Nice. When they signed him and he said he liked to hit people I instantly liked him :oldlol:

He had what 7 blocks in a preseason game?
It's funny that he probably has the most plays made for him in this game.

[Bobcats2013]

Vito looking like a core piece.

Yup, he's a stud.

[ballup]

Is Blakely commentating?

[Shade8780]

And Vitor isn't even in 2K :no:

[Legends66NBA7]

Wouldn't mind DeRozan just focusing on defense and leading up to his offense. Still getting caught up in forcing the issue.

[Shade8780]

Faverani will finish with 20, 8 and 4 blocks I think.

[Legends66NBA7]

:facepalm @ keeping Ross out till now. Come on, Casey...

[ballup]

Holy crap the Celtics have the most biased announcers.
What are you talking about?

[Legends66NBA7]

Starting backcourt has to pick it up in the second half, shooting the ball wise.

[Bobcats2013]

Faverani will finish with 20, 8 and 4 blocks I think.

That's a good prediction. Not bad for a rookie in his first RS game.

[Legends66NBA7]

That's a good prediction. Not bad for a rookie in his first RS game.

Against a second year player who's known to be a good defensive player and rim protector too. If he's available for fantasy, might as well take a gamble on him.

[Young X]

Ross :applause:

[Legends66NBA7]

Defense was great by the Raptors in the first half. The starting front-court did a great job on offense and defense.

Nice contributions by Tyler and Fields off the bench. Lowry and DeRozan have been awful shooting the ball, that needs to get better in the next half.

[Shade8780]

Ugh, we're terrible. But damn, I want Wiggins so bad.

[ballup]

Really? That's a delay of game. Terrible rule.

[Bcogswell]

Really? That's a delay of game. Terrible rule.

So many of them have been called all preseason.

[Legends66NBA7]

Well, I guess I can't say that I'm surprised.

:confusedshrug:

[Shade8780]

Nice comeback by the Cs :rockon:

[ballup]

Crawford heat checking :roll:

[ballup]

So many of them have been called all preseason.
I actually missed a lot of the preseason games. Only caught the very first Celtics one, which I don't think had any called.

[CelticBaller]

El Jefe! :bowdown:

[Shade8780]

I wonder if Green can live up to being the #1 scoring option this season. 23 points so far tonight :cheers:

[Shade8780]

Where the **** was Faverani these past two quarters? :lol

[CelticBaller]

Lee and Ollynyk are bums get them out of there

[Shade8780]

That fastbreak there sums up this Celtics team.

[CelticBaller]

Faverani noooo

[Shade8780]

Vitor is a G....

http://content.draftexpress.com/gallery/VitorFaverani/1229522429.jpg

[CelticBaller]

more jeff and bass plz

[CelticBaller]

lol i love our biased commentators :D

[Legends66NBA7]

Raptors closing this out. Just get some stops.

[Legends66NBA7]

lol i love our biased commentators :D

What are they saying ?

[CelticBaller]

What are they saying ?
almost every time a toronto player has the ball the call out travels :lol

[ballup]

Think that's game.

[Shade8780]

Lowry chokes at the line and then we don't even get the rebound :facepalm

[CelticBaller]

Well atleast jeff screen showed he could score as the main guy, I hope he could keep this up, we need a celtic in the All Star game!

[Legends66NBA7]

http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/x/antipasto-salami-cheese-catering-platter-28058148.jpg

Where are all the Raptor fans at ?

[Bcogswell]

http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/x/antipasto-salami-cheese-catering-platter-28058148.jpg

Where are all the Raptor fans at ?

Hi. :oldlol:

I slacked in this GT.

[Young X]

:applause:

[Qwyjibo]

http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/x/antipasto-salami-cheese-catering-platter-28058148.jpg

Where are all the Raptor fans at ?

Mourning this win over a horrible team (and not looking good while doing so) and dreading the misplaced optimism that will likely come of it.

[Legends66NBA7]

Mourning this win over a horrible team (and not looking good while doing so) and dreading the misplaced optimism that will likely come of it.

Dude, I'm reading the other Raptor boards and I could swear that 80% or more hates this team and this win right now.

:oldlol:

Granted, that 2nd half was terrible, but were a better team that this. No signs of wanting to throw the season, so it is what it is.

[red1]

Outtanked by the celtics. Sucks to start the season 0-1

[CelticBaller]

Outtanked by the celtics. Sucks to start the season 0-1
:lol

[Dave3]

Outtanked by the celtics. Sucks to start the season 0-1
We're not bad enough to throw this season away completely. For some reason I see us barely sneaking into the playoffs this time around. It's not a terrible squad.

[BlackWhiteGreen]

We suck :oldlol:

Nah we were OK, clearly the offense is a work in progress and we have no rebounders except Humphries whos going to be replaced by Sully next game.

[Qwyjibo]

We're not bad enough to throw this season away completely. For some reason I see us barely sneaking into the playoffs this time around. It's not a terrible squad.
I think that would be one of the worst results. Seeds 6-8 pretty much mean a very quick 1st round exit. Seeds 9-11, well, we all know what that means. Finishing in any of those spots would be a completely wasted season, IMO.

The only way I'm ok with that is if Val is one of the verge of being a perennial All-Star and Ross becomes a competent starter. And this would just be the start and better results were coming in future seasons. I wouldn't bet any money on either of those things.

[Legends66NBA7]

Outtanked by the celtics. Sucks to start the season 0-1

But they aren't even tanking. :confusedshrug:

They just made sloppy passes in the 2nd half (the offense... I don't even know what plays they run, but it was garbage) and got over confident. I actually wouldn't mind having Brad Stevens coach us.

At least Jonas got playing time for the rest of the 4th. Amir and Tyler did a great job in their limited time out there, I would expect them to get more playing time from now on.

[Dave3]

I think that would be one of the worst results. Seeds 6-8 pretty much mean a very quick 1st round exit. Seeds 9-11, well, we all know what that means. Finishing in any of those spots would be a completely wasted season, IMO.

The only way I'm ok with that is if Val is one of the verge of being a perennial All-Star and Ross becomes a competent starter. And this would just be the start and better results were coming in future seasons. I wouldn't bet any money on either of those things.
I'm not saying it's ideal, I just think that's the situation we're in right now. I don't think the GM/coaches decide to tank after all the guys we added over the last 2 years. Lowry Derozan Gay and Valancuinas are too much to tank with I think.

[Kujo]

That 3rd quarter was really ugly. We turned things around in the 4th. I was bummed by DD's performance after such an impressive pre-season.

Defense looked good, and loved Val's hustle. Fields looked good to. Still hate the contract, but perhaps he'll have a bounce back season. It certainly can't get worse.

[RoundMoundOfReb]

We're not bad enough to throw this season away completely. For some reason I see us barely sneaking into the playoffs this time around. It's not a terrible squad.
Unfortunately I agree.

[GoRapz]

- Great game by Hansborough, Amir and Fields. These guys have to bring the energy and hustle like tonight if we want to make the playoffs.

- Although DeRozan had a pretty bad night I'm not too worried about him I know he'll step it up a notch this year.

- Offense still looks very stale. Where are the plays at??? The team is playing hot potato until someone feels like taking a shot. Only difference I see is they're trying to run more. Plays plz.

- For the most part, I think we can all agree that the defense looks more sharp this year