2017-18 Toronto Raptors

I still think Houston is a better overall team, but you have give respect to receive it. The Raptors are up there with the GSW/HOU.

I'd say it goes like this:

Tier 1: Houston, Golden State, Toronto
Tier 2: Boston
Tier 3: Cavs, Spurs etc.

 

Harden torched them for 40 points. Almost stole the game away.

Raptors don't have an elite wing defender to stop LeBron from barreling his way into the paint like Harden for layups and dunks. Ibaka is no longer a rim protector and Valanciunas is too stiff and unathletic to stop LeBron from bulldozing him over.

Cavaliers in 6.

 

It's only one game. But the last time they played the Cavs, they beat them by 30+ points -- without Lowry and Ibaka. That was probably the rock bottom of the Cavs' season. Let's see how the new Cavs fair in the playoffs.

 

Playoff mode LeBron will cut through them like sliced cheese.

Raptors are an elite team no doubt, but they don't have an elite superstar to carry the load and match LeBron in the playoffs. Lowry and DeRozan are not up to the task over a 7 game series. You need a Durant or Harden to go up against LeBron in a long series. I would give the Raptors a chance maybe if they had a elite wing defender like Kawhi, but they don't.

Cavaliers in 6.

 

I hear you. But don't forget the Cavs likely will have to go through the Celtics first. Kyrie is going to play with a chip on his shoulder if the two teams meet in the playoffs. Getting to the ECF won't be a cake walk for LeBron like in past years.

 

OG Anunoby is their elite wing defender in the making. Just take a look at how he played Harden in their first matchup.

 

Personally, I think they're a fluke.

Lets see if they prove me wrong in the playoffs.

Anyone remember how bad DeRozan and Lowry were vs Indy in the playoffs a few years ago? Complete ghosts

 

I wouldn't put Toronto with GS and HOU, just don't see it. Their team is going to be the exact same team they have been come the postseason. That deep bench becomes a lot shorter in the postseason.

 

Even if they fizzle out in the playoffs, they made it to the talk of the month and next month with their play.

There wasn't real buzz for years.

 

they won't be able to duplicate that insane shooting performance from behind the arc over a long series against any elite team in the playoffs. lowry was 1-8 on threes in the game he played against GS early this season

 

You may be right, but Houston fans are exactly the ones to talk. The Rockets haven't exactly been a monster post-season team either. Harden has even quit in the playoffs.

 

The McGrady years are over. We can get out of the first round now and proved it last year and 3 years back with the playoffs that involved paperclips getting shot.

 

Exactly, the Raptors aren't a perennial 1st round exits anymore either. People forget that the year the Cavs won the championship, Toronto took them to 6 games in the ECF. And this Toronto team is even better than that one.

 

I dont expect the Cavs to reach the finals this year. Any team that could shut down the rest of the Cavs team, I can see Lebron laying down to let it happen.

 

Remember what I said?

LeBron just cut through the Raptors like sliced cheese.

Raptors had to no chance. They don't have an elite wing defender like Draymond or Kawhi -- a must-have to take on the King of the North.

LMAO at Drake aka The Good Wife!

 

What the **** happened there? Looks like Lebron is Fleece Johnson and Drake is just another one of his b****es.

 

At the end of the day DeRozan & Lowry just aren't stars, they're really good players in a good system. They need a foundational player or a 3rd really good player. LeBron is an all-time great and that team's new lineup really does get better with each game.

 

Draymond was unable to stop Lebron either. You can't stop players of his caliber. You just have to make more shots than them.