Total Prayer: Could Toronto still make the playoffs?

I think Philly might actually be the most likely candidate to fall out. While Carter meant a lot to Toronto, Iverson meant everything to Philly.

Guys who can potentially do some scoring for Toronto:

Davis, Peterson, Williams, Clark, Hakeem, Curry, Murray

Guys who can potentially pick up the slack in Philly:

Coleman, Harpring, Mckie, Snow, Claxton

The list for Philly is quite better. And yes, I left off Mutombo. Why? Because his points come mostly from put backs and dumps. And those aren't likely to increaes too much with Iverson gone.

Coleman seems to be wearing thin, too... he's admitted he needs surgery, but will try to go without since it's late in the season.

If Coleman's unhealthy, that makes Harpring their #1 scorer. A guy who happens to be a huge beneficiary of AI's penetration. Oops. That's gone. Who's next? McKie... a junk-yard dog type player. Tries really hard... but he's not going to provide the scoring. Eric Snow? Reliable. Decent defense. Can't create a shot. Claxton? Flashes of potential, but who knows?

With Toronto, however.. Davis is a legit PF. Not a great scorer, but can have good games. Peterson, imo, is a lot like Rip Hamilton... and without Carter, will prove it. Clark has been blossoming... and you never know when Hakeem might have a good night. Curry and Murray are excellent shooters, and can catch fire in any given game.

Bottom line: Iverson means much more to his team than Carter. I expect Philly to bottom out. I just hope they bottom out badly enough to drop out of the playoffs...

 

Clutch,

You tease. What with Doc Rocket (Doc's recent thread) alluding to our interests not being in the draft, and all this talk of getting another draft pick....

So who we gonna get? Kwame? Lamar? Rashard? None of the above?

Maybe we can nab the Seattle pick (Sherlock's thread) that Toronto is owed.

 

...unless the NBA IS a conspiracy and has told the Rockets that they are planning on rigging the lottery so they can get a top player and have a year to gel before going into the new crib?

Hornets lead the Pacers 75-64 at the end of the 3rd. If they hold on, the Pacers will be 35-34, in the 8th slot. Toronto is 32-38, only 3.5 games back.

The Pacers upcoming schedule is not easy. they play Detroit (on a tear), then @Orlando (with T-Mac probably back), and then Miami, and Riley certainly won't give it away, plus two games with Toronto.

Toronto's schedule got a lot easier. They play Miami on Wednesday, which will be a tough game, but then 4 friendly games-@Atlanta, @Philadelphia (no Iverson), Chicago, @Chicago, and then Indy-Charlotte-Indy.

They could quite possibly hit a hot streak, and Pacers could hit a cold streak.

 

But if they do make the playoffs they'll just give Houston the Seattle pick they got in the Childs/Mark Jackson trade which is like 20th overall and not very good.

Don't expect a low teens if they make the playoffs.

 

How do you know that they can give up that pick instead? I believe it's understood that it's Toronto's pick that is owed, unless Houston is willing to take a diff pick.

 

Here's some numbers for you guys. Unfortunately, these don't take into consideration the loss of Iverson, Carter, & the return of Jordan, but they'll give you some ideas of the remaining strength of schedules for the teams involved. The numbers are the winning percentages of the teams on their remaining schedule & the number of teams they play with a .500 or better record. These numbers also include the ongoing Charlotte-Indiana game.

Charlotte: .452% 4-14 w/winning records.

Toronto: .448% 6-12 w/winning records.

Indy: .477% 6-14 w/winning records.

Philly: .478% 7-14 w/winning records.

Washington: .511% 9-12 w/winning records.

Miami: .515% 10-14 w/winning records.

It looks like Charlotte has the easiest remaining schedule, followed by Toronto & Indy. These 3 play Philly, Toronto, & Washington the following number of times:

Charlotte: 1) Toronto, 1) Washington

Toronto: 1) Washington, 1) Philly

Indy: 2) Toronto, 1) Philly, 1) Washington

Make of these numbers what you wish.

 

It's Toronto's own pick owed. It was reported earlier that if Toronto wants to give the Seattle pick, AND Houston wants to take it, that could happen, but it's a mutual option. If Toronto makes the playoffs and has the 14th pick, it's automatically owed, and Rudy would have to be drunk to take the Seattle (~20th) pick instead.

I think there's great potential for Toronto to build up confidence and a hot streak with its upcoming schedule so weak, and for Indiana to start a tailspin with 3 tough games.

 

NIKEstrad and Clutch,

Scenario:
<i>Toronto makes the playoffs and Houston has the option to take the Seattle pick (around #20) with the Raptors willing to give it up.
</i>

There probably is some deadline were the Rockets have to accept or decline. Is this the year to take the Seattle pick and go for it or wait for the future and a higher pick?

Things to consider:

1) Potential draft candidates
2) Team roster composition
3) Contracts
4) Situations on other teams making deals possible
5) Patience or Urgency on the rebuilding project


Mango

 

at 8:30 in the morning on a Saturday?? I'd ban him for that!

 

Toronto will not make the playoffs. If anyone team still has a chance to make the playoffs, it's Miami. They are peaking at jus the right time. I don't think it's time for Raptors fans to get all excited just because they beat Cleveland and Washington

 

Mango-if Toronto makes the playoffs, we get their pick (#14 overall). No reason to take #20 instead.

I remember for sure that the deadline for deciding to take/give picks is after the draft order is announced. I *think* it's after the early entry deadline, too. At that point, we'd be able to evaluate the depth in the draft, or seek out possible trades with that pick and/or our own.

The Knicks went into full blown tank mode tonight

 

NIKEstrad,

I wrote the scenario up wrong.

Here is what I meant to say:


Scenario:
Toronto <b>doesn't</b> make the playoffs and Houston has the option to take the Seattle pick (around #20) with the Raptors willing to give it up.




Mango

 

Haven

I agree with you that Toronto has more weapons, but i disagree with you about who will fall out.

I think the Sixers are a been there done that team, they've been fighting through injury all year, and in previous years, and they know how to step up.

The Raptors seem lost on the court, and without Vince, they have no leader . I don't think AD is the man for that job.

 

how come you want the raps pick so bad? any particular rookie you are looking at?

worse case, you just get it next year. its not like its "now or never."

 

oh i see. you want to get it now while theres a chance they are 8th seed, thus making the pick higher.

makes sense. didnt think about that.

is it lotto protected for ever? if you wait, can you get it in the top 10 for example?