2017-18 Toronto Raptors

Raptors have the 3rd most playoff wins in the past two seasons.

Also the only Eastern team to win 2+ games against the Cavs in a playoff series since Lebron's return.

Never understood how taking arguably the greatest player of all time to 6 games in the ECF is considered a playoff choke when everyone expected them to get swept. *shrugs*

 

Didn't the bulls also take them to 6 the year prior?

I'll believe it when I see it, Derozan and Lowry make Harden look like Hakeem in the playoffs

 

Great depth, that’s maybe their only positive this year. They really click offensively and DeRozan might have turned a corner Lowry’s worse though, so far..

 

Contenders for what? To come out of the East? They aren’t beating GS, HOU or SA in a 7 game series.

 

Valanciunas has started shooting threes. That's a pretty big thing for them, opens so much more space in the paint for DeRozan to do his midrange thing (who by the way is also a much improved 3PT shooter this year). Valanciunas is not taking a lot of them, but he's currently at 46.4% from the 3PT land.

I really don't think they're pretenders anymore. This team would beat the 56 win Toronto team from the 2015-16. There's a reason why they have a comparable point differential to GSW/HOU.

 

Because they play in the east?

 

Can they finally challenge a team in the East? I hope so, Eastern play-offs has been **** for years. Last memorable series was one between Celtics or Cavs against the Bulls where things got heated with Noah and some other guys.

 

Because they're actually good. There are more competitive teams in the East. Less easy wins. The West is sooo much more top heavy.

 

Chemistry on good teams are underrated, they are a well oiled machine now with great talent in multiple positions and they've been playing together for a long time.

Plus they seem to be picking up scrubs and making them serviceable players. We will see what happens in the playoffs but they are looking scary this year.

 

good regular season team. low ceiling in the playoffs as usual.

 

Woj & Lowe:

Lowe: Toronto? They were initially linked with DeAndre. There's a general call for them to consolidate their young players & picks to go after a big fish. They have to look at this as we got a chance. You only have so many chances. Any buzz on Toronto?

Woj: They're like a couple other teams like OKC...they had to give a pick to get DeMarre Carroll off. They'll be hesitant to move future picks. Because they have a capacity for improvement from within, you don't have to go out. Their hope is we'll be better in the playoffs than we are now because the young guys are improving & will get better. Their patience of staying in their with Lowry, DeRozan & JV, yeah, they couldn't get past Cleveland but Kyrie is gone. That isn't the same team. They were frustrated to lose the way they did. Kyle was injured. Now, you gotta feel like they're not the same team. Boston is formidable. They have to be concerned with the Wizards. Anyway, for Toronto, they'll be careful that the idea they gotta make a move that mortgages their future. DeMar DeRozan has elevated to another level. He's a legit star. His game has grown. He's doing everything better, faster. He's a tenacious worker. There's a pressure off Kyle Lowry, that he doesn't have to do so much. There's more balance on the team. You're not having to ask Kyle to do so much. He doesn't have to score 30 a night for them to win. There's more balance in Toronto. Ball is moving better. There's reasons to stand pat relatively speaking.​

 

they are true contenders. top 5 in offensive and defensive efficiency.

 

We have not played them at full strength
and
I think there was some hinkyness last game

Rocket River

 

I have them picked for the finals. They are a pain in the ass to deal with in every position

and their bench is very effective despite being a bunch of G-league players.

 

Raptors keep blowing everyone out and yall espn jackasses stay sleepin on ‘em

 

One game man, one game. They are really good.