Why are that Raptors good?

[Ca$H]

What is the reason for their success? Their roster looks mediocre at best.

[RoundMoundOfReb]

kyle lowry

[Sham]

drizzy drake

[JohnFreeman]

I like Patrick Patterson

[RoundMoundOfReb]

But seriously aside from Derozan and maybe Jonas, everyone on this team is underrated as hell. Amir Johnson is one of the best role players in the NBA, Lowry is arguably a top 5 PG, Vasquez is a great backup pg, Williams is a good microwave scorer off the bench, Terrence Ross is a good 3 and man-d player, Patterson is another 3 and d guy from the PF position - which is extremely rare. James Johnson is what we were a missing last year - a wing with size who can guard LeBron/Joe Johnson types on the block.

[Fudge]

I remember when Raps fans badly wanted Dwane Casey fired. :oldlol:

[Legends66NBA7]

Well balanced team on both sides of the floor and th coaching has improved.

Roster isn't medicore whatsoever. It has very good depth. Funny thing is, they aren't even playing their best basketball and aren't 100 % healthy either.

[kamil]

But seriously aside from Derozan and maybe Jonas, everyone on this team is underrated as hell. Amir Johnson is one of the best role players in the NBA, Lowry is arguably a top 5 PG, Vasquez is a great backup pg, Williams is a good microwave scorer off the bench, Terrence Ross is a good 3 and man-d player, Patterson is another 3 and d guy from the PF position - which is extremely rare. James Johnson is what we were a missing last year - a wing with size who can guard LeBron/Joe Johnson types on the block.

Pretty much everyone can guard LeBron*...

Jimmy Butler
Boris Diaw
James Johnson
Paul Pierce
Kawhi Leonard
etc.

Not that impressive anymore.

[Droid101]

This:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-2Gx5UxuQc3M/U3OLAsx-h_I/AAAAAAAAoj0/DmQZbc2DvAQ/w500-h281-no/cropped_lowryroll.gif

[NZStreetBaller]

I think they are the suprise team this year. They remind me of portland last year. Or the warriors when they started getting good back when they had jarret jack.

When ur team is on the come up alot of other teams will underestimate you and it can gve a massive advantage in games

[Collie]

They're balanced, have a good mix of players, a good bench, good defenders - basically nearly everything you'll need to be an elite team.

[kamil]

They're balanced, have a good mix of players, a good bench, good defenders - basically nearly everything you'll need to be an elite team.

The term 'elite' is way overused on this forum. Elite should be reserved for championship calibre teams.

[Nets fan 93]

I have't watched them at all this year but definitely did in the playoffs against the Nets. The Raptors were a layup away from beating the Nets. The Raptors had very nice chemistry. Two go to scorers in Lowry and Derozan. Lowry was very efficient. They already had a very decent bench after the Rudy Gay trade. They have only improved the bench from players like John Salmons to Lou Will and James Johnson. one excels athletically and defensively and one excels at scoring. One more year of experience for them all. Not hard to see why they have started out so hot, especially playing in the East.

[SugarHill]

Lowry is a great leader.

[Droid101]

Raptors are like... 54-24 since the Rudy Gay trade, best in the East in that span (yes, even last year's Heat).

2nd best in that span would be the Bulls at like 48 and whatever.

Raps are legit. I see them in the ECF at least.

[Collie]

The term 'elite' is way overused on this forum. Elite should be reserved for championship calibre teams.

They're not elite YET, but like I said, they have nearly the right mix of players.

[JebronLames]

They need to get rid of derozan. Lowry must have very good patience.

[kamil]

They need to get rid of derozan. Lowry must have very good patience.

Why? They're 12-2... if it aint broken, don't fix it.

[MMM]

They shouldn't be a surprised team though. They won at a 55 win rate last season post Gay trade and this team is incrementally better. They probably need a another legit big but this team can and probably will compete for the East.

[kamil]

They shouldn't be a surprised team though. They won at a 55 win rate last season post Gay trade and this team is incrementally better. They probably need a another legit big but this team can and probably will compete for the East.

Wanna make a bet that the Toronto Maple Leafs will still make headline news even after they fail to make the playoffs while the Raps make it to the ECF?

[hawksdogsbraves]

Raptors are like... 54-24 since the Rudy Gay trade, best in the East in that span (yes, even last year's Heat).

2nd best in that span would be the Bulls at like 48 and whatever.

Raps are legit. I see them in the ECF at least.

See I really don't see them in the ECF.

Look at the Nets series last year. I just don't feel like they have the players to grind out a tough series against a more talented team like the Bulls or Cavs.

They feel like a regular season giant to me, wouldn't be surprised in the least to see them fall in the first round again.

[SugarHill]

Wanna make a bet that the Toronto Maple Leafs will still make headline news even after they fail to make the playoffs while the Raps make it to the ECF?

Yes, you bald bastard. :coleman:

[Done_And_Done]

A relentless Billups like point guard who does it all and brings it virtually every night. His leadership is up there amongst the best in the league and he's always setting by example

An improved bench with the likes of JJ and Lou, who have complimented the likes of Vasquez and Patterson who were already both very capable back ups

A returning core that is still developing and getting better (with the exception of Amir who brings it every single night and next to Lowry is arguably the heart of the team)

A young Centre who while still shows growing pains, is a monster at periodical points in games. One who is capable of producing right now and still has years of development ahead of him

Improved coaching who while still suspect at times has come alongggg way...

[Legends66NBA7]

They feel like a regular season giant to me, wouldn't be surprised in the least to see them fall in the first round again.

Who would they lose to in the first round ? I don't see them facing Cleveland or Chicago in the 1st.

[kamil]

Yes, you bald bastard. :coleman:

Who said im bald?

[hawksdogsbraves]

Who would they lose to in the first round ? I don't see them facing Cleveland or Chicago in the 1st.

They likely won't lose in the first round in the East, but I wouldn't be entirely shocked to see them lose to a team like the Nets or Hornets (assuming those teams turn it around).

I don't think they're a bad team, I just don't see them as a real contender.

[Done_And_Done]

Wanna make a bet that the Toronto Maple Leafs will still make headline news even after they fail to make the playoffs while the Raps make it to the ECF?

The city is Raptors frenetic right now. I'll take this bet any day.

[Legends66NBA7]

Wanna make a bet that the Toronto Maple Leafs will still make headline news even after they fail to make the playoffs while the Raps make it to the ECF?

Salute-gate already got more buzz in the headlines than the Raps leading the East.

Raptors are getting more recognition though.

[SugarHill]

Who said im bald?

Well, are you?

[kamil]

Well, are you?

LOL, no. Like any other old ass man, ive got some thinning but i did study dermatology... so all the ridicule lebron* gets over his hair is pretty weak.

Criticize his game, not his hair.

[kamil]

Salute-gate already got more buzz in the headlines than the Raps leading the East.

Raptors are getting more recognition though.

Yeah I heard something about that... Toronto's pretty fvcked up. All news is about the Leafs even when theyre at their worst... mind boggling how the funs still go to their games considering how badly theyre getting ripped off for tickets. Yeah its nice to see loyal fans, but thats straight up gouging for a shitty team.

[MMM]

To be honest Raps are getting a pretty good buzz in the city. I see more people rocking rap colors and talking bout them but their are a lot of new fans or fans who like the raps now there hot but still cheer for other teams. Toronto bball fans are pretty weird though, lot of player first fans. Remember there were more AI or Kobe fans over VC at his peak.

[SugarHill]

LOL, no. Like any other old ass man, ive got some thinning but i did study dermatology... so all the ridicule lebron* gets over his hair is pretty weak.

Criticize his game, not his hair.

Fair enough. One last question. In real life, do you say asterisk whenever referring to LeBron? That would be hilarious.

[kamil]

Fair enough. One last question. In real life, do you say asterisk whenever referring to LeBron? That would be hilarious.

LOL... I think I will now.

[kamil]

To be honest Raps are getting a pretty good buzz in the city. I see more people rocking rap colors and talking bout them but their are a lot of new fans or fans who like the raps now there hot but still cheer for other teams. Toronto bball fans are pretty weird though, lot of player first fans. Remember there were more AI or Kobe fans over VC at his peak.

Those are mostly part time fans... more specifically, pseudo fans... Toronto, from what I remember, is very fake like that.

[masonanddixon]

They are essentially strong at every position and Lowry is a great leader. No one with a huge ego.

They are tough but I don't know if they can win much in the playoffs without a truly great player.

[kamil]

They are essentially strong at every position and Lowry is a great leader. No one with a huge ego.

They are tough but I don't know if they can win much in the playoffs without a truly great player.

Sure they can...

Detroit did it in 2004.

[Milbuck]

Bruno is ****ing adorable.

[sbw19]

They're athletic and disciplined. They attack the basket and don't turn the ball over. They get defensive stops when they need to.

If they keep up as schedule gets tougher they might become legit contenders.

[masonanddixon]

Sure they can...

Detroit did it in 2004.

Yeah that was one team that played out of their asses. I don't think we will see another team like that again for a long time.

[MMM]

Sure they can...

Detroit did it in 2004.

I feel like one of the Wallaces in terms of defensive impact should be considered a great player.

Ben Wallace or Sheed in that series made more of an impact than Shaq

[BurningHammer]

Raptors finally found a perfect combination of players that also go along well with the head coach's mentality. Rudy Gay trade is the last piece of the puzzle.

[bdreason]

Their roster is far from mediocre.

[madmax]

because they are simply stacked and they are going to NBA finals this season (there, you heard it first:cheers: ). Funny thing is, they are not even playing at their optimum best yet and their young players can and will still improve by leaps and bounds

[Burgz V2]

we play hard.

[Dro]

To me, they still lack interior defense.I dunno...I like Val but it doesn't seem like he plays much defense....In the playoffs they will really lean heavy on their guards....

[RoundMoundOfReb]

Sure they can...

Detroit did it in 2004.
To be fair Ben Wallace was a truly great player.

[UtahJazzFan88]

They have great chemistry. Depth, defense, etc. I really like what they got................

BUT, the play in a weak ass conference with a bunch of awful to mediocre teams. Not discrediting what they have, but I don't expect them to have a chance in the Finals (if they make it there) against a San Antonio, OKC, Memphis, Golden State, etc.

Not a knock at the Raptors at all, I just think they aren't as good as their record indicates, I trust Chicago, especially in a 7 game playoff over Toronto.

[Phenith]

Four words...
strong effort, team basketball

Raps don't have a ball dominant player, Lowry is great 2 way PG, but he plays off the ball quite well when Lou or even General Greivous are in the game. But the main point is, opponents have no idea who is going to be the hot hand and Casey has been very good with is substitutions as well.
So far this year, the players have done an excellent job of moving and sharing the ball and taking the good shots. They have also been very active on defence with no regular rotation guys who struggle on that end.

If they can keep the chemistry going right through the playoffs, their is no reason to believe they can't be an elite team (which they are in the process of trying to prove).

[All Net]

Great balance
Great depth
Young
Good coaching
Good length

[El Gato Negro]

Very soft schedule so far, they will cool off when they start playing some good West teams.

[SugarHill]

Very soft schedule so far, they will cool off when they start playing some good West teams.
Cavs :oldlol:

[T_L_P]

Sure they can...

Detroit did it in 2004.

They had the best defender in the NBA by far. :confusedshrug: