Raptors @ Clippers

[Marchesk]

Surprised there is no thread for this yet, considering defending champs against the team their (rental) best player chose over them.

I wonder how much of a contender Toronto really is in the East. Can they take the Bucks, Celtics or 76ers in a best of 7?

[Real Men Wear Green]

Leonard's defection combined with the massive injuries GState suffered in the Finals make it hard to view the Raptors as the defending Champs. And this season feels like the most wide-open the league has ever been after the years of supertaems in Miami and San Fran.

[yeaaaman]

Surprised there is no thread for this yet, considering defending champs against the team their (rental) best player chose over them.

I wonder how much of a contender Toronto really is in the East. Can they take the Bucks, Celtics or 76ers in a best of 7?

Pretty sure I saw one started after the Lakers game last night, but yea OG is already out with a no call so the Raptors again shouldn't have much of a chance theoretically but this team is something else.

It's hard to say, this can be a blessing in disguise with Lowry and Ibaka out because guys like Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Matt Thomas, Chris Boucher can really come in and get a feel for some real minutes and being part of the system in meaningful games which might help them massively. They're defense is always top notch regardless

[Marchesk]

Leonard's defection combined with the massive injuries GState suffered in the Finals make it hard to view the Raptors as the defending Champs. And this season feels like the most wide-open the league has ever been after the years of supertaems in Miami and San Fran.

That being said (true they don't feel like your typical defending champs), Raptors take 3 point lead.

[Marchesk]

Pretty sure I saw one started after the Lakers game last night, but yea OG is already out with a no call so the Raptors again shouldn't have much of a chance theoretically but this team is something else.

It's hard to say, this can be a blessing in disguise with Lowry and Ibaka out because guys like Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Matt Thomas, Chris Boucher can really come in and get a feel for some real minutes and being part of the system in meaningful games which might help them massively. They're defense is always top notch regardless

Yeah, I might have to start rooting for them.

[yeaaaman]

These guys are effing good

[Marchesk]

18-4 run for Raptors with Kawhi in lineup, lol.

[Marchesk]

Chris "waterboy" Boucher looking good!

[Real Men Wear Green]

That being said (true they don't feel like your typical defending champs), Raptors take 3 point lead.
In case anyone took my post the wrong way, I do still view TO as a good team.

[Marchesk]

In case anyone took my post the wrong way, I do still view TO as a good team.

But good like 2nd round out (Pacers last year) or good like contend with Celtics, Bucks, 76ers?

[Real Men Wear Green]

But good like 2nd round out (Pacers last year) or good like contend with Celtics, Bucks, 76ers?
I'm not calling Celtics contenders yet but I don't feel that the Bucks or Sixers are so great either. East is open. TO could win the east if Siakam's start represents the player he will be for the rest of the season. But Leonard is too huge a loss to call them the favorite either. If Philly trades Simmons or Embiid for a great guard I'll call them the favorite. Otherwise I'll say TO is in the mix.

[superduper]

Kawhi 0-5 :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

This dude is nothing without the Raps

[LoneyROY7]

This game is just a tepid appetizer to the MAIN EVENT on Wednesday.

Clippers at Rockets. Russ vs. PG. Harden vs. Kawhi.

:eek: :eek:

[superduper]

This game is just a tepid appetizer to the MAIN EVENT on Wednesday.

Clippers at Rockets. Russ vs. PG. Harden vs. Kawhi.

:eek: :eek:

No one cares about that chuckfest :oldlol:

[LoneyROY7]

No one cares about that chuckfest :oldlol:

This thread is on the 1st page in the 4th quarter. Clearly no one gives a shit about this. :oldlol: :oldlol:

[Marchesk]

This thread is on the 1st page in the 4th quarter. Clearly no one gives a shit about this. :oldlol: :oldlol:

ISH sucks and only wants to troll Lebron/Kobe threads.

[RoseCity07]

Raptors aren't very good outside of Siakem or whatever.

[Marchesk]

Clippers defense in the fourth. We see questions about Raptors lack of a closer.

[yeaaaman]

Raptors aren't very good outside of Siakem or whatever.

Lol what? The "best" team in the league couldn't put them away with 3 of their top 5 players out, including their number 2 and 3 leader and all-star point guard. Do you watch basketball?

[superduper]

Raptors aren't very good outside of Siakem or whatever.

Great analysis by a dude who hasn't watched a single Raps game :oldlol:

[qrich]

Man, our 4th quarter D is sexy

[yeaaaman]

Clippers defense in the fourth. We see questions about Raptors lack of a closer.

It's hard to close when you're on a court with multiple D-league players against a top tier NBA team.

They had no rebounding or inside presence without Ibaka who would

a) grab a ton of those boards that turned into 2nd and 3rd chance points and

b) finish a lot of those shots undersized guys like Hollis-Jefferson or D-Leaguers like Boucher, Davis etc.

Add to that they were missing their best defender in OG who is a legit 3 and D player fresh of locking-up Lebron and then of course Lowry who was having a career year.

If anything this should (if you are familiar with the Raptors) make you more impressed with what they'll be with a full roster and if anything less impressed with the Clippers.

[Uncle Drew]

2-11 with 9 turnovers and still win by 10. Must be nice.

[red1]

Good game clippers fans. Looks like we need to be full strength to tear that ass.