Basketball in Canada - Page 40

MonkeyRonin · #**781** Posted **Apr 17, 2019, 2:32 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by osmo

I believe the changes Nick will make and addressing his rookie coaching performance will prepare the players better and they will blowout Orlando next game which should rock confidence.

You called it. That felt good.

Brilliant night from Kawhi. Siakam and Gasol were great again, and Lowry was playing how he should be playing. Danny Green was a bit lacklustre again though.

rousseau · #**782** Posted **Apr 17, 2019, 3:28 AM**

Yeah, I think it's pretty clear now that Orlando's game 1 win was a perfect and most likely unrepeatable storm. I can see it now, but I wasn't feeling it right after game 1 because I had the Raptor playoff jitters.

Probably shouldn't, though. I don't think the Raptors have ever had such a confidence-inspiring player as Kawhi Leonard before. Vince Carter was exciting and had that one really great post-season where he brought them to within a shot of the conference finals, but he wasn't as masterful and consistent as Kahwi. And with DeRozan you never knew who was going to show up in the playoffs from game to game (still the case with Lowry).

But you absolutely know that Kawhi is not going to collapse under the pressure. This is a guy you can totally believe in. Which is unprecedented when you're a Raps fan. Plus he plays great defence.

I've been down on Gasol, but I have to admit that he hit some key 3-pointers, intercepted some passes and made some decent passes of his own while spacing out the floor. When you look at tonight's game, his leaden defence and inability to score close to the basket didn't really matter.

suburbanite · #**783** Posted **Apr 17, 2019, 11:56 AM**

Weird feeling as a Raps fan to have complete confidence in someone to step up that much when it matters most. Love Lowry and Derozan but Kawhi is obviously on a whole different level.

Only big negative I still saw that game is none of our guards are playing adequate man-to-man defense. No one is keeping their man in front of them at the 3 point line and the help defense is leaving 3 point shooters wide open. Orlando missed a lot of shots that they hit in the first game. You would expect them to typically land somewhere between those two extremes. Couple that with a normal performance from the free throw line and it would've been a lot closer.

Hopefully Raps got a taste of blood and can convincingly sweep the rest of the series.

isaidso · #**784** Posted **Apr 19, 2019, 10:33 PM**

Quote:

Boucher, Birch 1st NBA players from Montreal to meet in playoffs

Walton — a TV analyst, coach, and former national team player — will be tuned in Saturday when two players from his hometown of Montreal meet in the NBA playoffs for the first time: Birch of the Orlando Magic, and the Toronto Raptors' Chris Boucher.

"The fact that Khem, and hopefully Chris are going to get an opportunity to play significant minutes in a significant playoff series, that's big-time for Canada but specifically for the province of Quebec," Walton said. "And these two are role models whether they want to believe it or not, because it gives [younger Quebec players] hope.

Full article: https://www.cbc.ca/sports/basketball...irch-1.5096710

rousseau · #**785** Posted **Apr 20, 2019, 1:34 AM**

Nifty about the Montreal players, but what a stupid thing to say. Nobody is hoping that Boucher steps on the floor at all during the playoffs, much less that he play significant minutes.

Well, unless it's at the end of a blow-out win or loss.

rousseau · #**786** Posted **Apr 20, 2019, 3:11 AM**

That was satisfying. The outcome never seemed in doubt, the defence totally smothered Orlando, and Siakam's turning into a star as we watch. All this with Kawhi having an off-game.

Which can happen against a team like Orlando, but not Milwaukee or Golden State.

Terence Ross...sigh. The body, elegance and leaping ability of Michael Jordan, except without all the other stuff. He always shows these frustratingly fleeting flashes of brilliance that get your hopes up, but I knew from the first moment I heard about the trade for Ibaka that it was absolutely the right thing to do. What a genius move it was giving him a massive contract and inflating his value in the lead-up to the trade.

What a genius Masai Ujiri is.

MonkeyRonin · #**787** Posted **Apr 20, 2019, 3:19 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by rousseau

All this with Kawhi having an off-game.

What was a little disheartening to see though, was in that final arduous stretch where it was pretty obvious he wasn't having a great game but he was still playing a very solitary, selfish game - making a lot of tough shots that you just knew weren't going to be good. He's a great player but he needs to learn when to pass the ball.

On the other hand, I'm absolutely in love with Siakam. Every game for him seems to be better than the last - what an amazing player he's turning in to.

rousseau · #**788** Posted **Apr 20, 2019, 3:44 AM**

Siakam has such youthful energy. Everyone else on the floor looks like they've been through the rigors of a long NBA season, but not Siakam. It's almost unfair how spritely and quick he is.

That long pass from Lowry to Siakam was beautiful.

isaidso · #**789** Posted **Apr 21, 2019, 1:27 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by rousseau

Nifty about the Montreal players, but what a stupid thing to say. Nobody is hoping that Boucher steps on the floor at all during the playoffs, much less that he play significant minutes.

Well, unless it's at the end of a blow-out win or loss.

He was very productive in the minutes they did give him in April. The Raptors don't give players charity minutes. They put people in when they think they can make a contribution. He's a talented player with huge upside potential. I used to think he was too green but he's risen to the occasion every time they've called on him.

• Video Link

rousseau · #**790** Posted **Apr 22, 2019, 3:09 AM**

This is uncharted territory. I feel giddy.

rousseau · #**791** Posted **Apr 24, 2019, 5:24 PM**

I've never felt such excitement and anticipation about an NBA playoff series before in my life. This is big.

isaidso · #**792** Posted **Apr 24, 2019, 6:00 PM**

The same. I've been watching team analysis videos for hours since the Orlando win.

TorontoDrew · #**793** Posted **Apr 24, 2019, 6:15 PM**

I'm back on the NBA playoffs bandwagon now that Hockey is over for me.

rousseau · #**794** Posted **Apr 24, 2019, 6:56 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by isaidso

The same. I've been watching team analysis videos for hours since the Orlando win.

Me too. That's something I've never done before. I rarely even read game post-game sports reports, as I figure I get all the analysis I need from Jack "get that garbage outta here" Armstrong during the games.

But this is different. What's really scintillating is that everyone's calling for a Milwaukee-Toronto Eastern Conference final, but nobody I've heard is predicting a winner.

In fact, what I'm gleaning is a subtle nod to Toronto, given that the Raptors were only a few games behind the Bucks in the standings in spite of resting Kahwi for a quarter of the games, having the most different starting lineups in the league, and dealing with lots of injuries. If you think about it, the Raps didn't even get their favoured starting five running consistently until the playoffs.

All of which adds up to...wow.

suburbanite · #**795** Posted **Apr 24, 2019, 7:08 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by rousseau

Me too. That's something I've never done before. I rarely even read game post-game sports reports, as I figure I get all the analysis I need from Jack "get that garbage outta here" Armstrong during the games.

But this is different. What's really scintillating is that everyone's calling for a Milwaukee-Toronto Eastern Conference final, but nobody I've heard is predicting a winner.

In fact, what I'm gleaning is a subtle nod to Toronto, given that the Raptors were only a few games behind the Bucks in the standings in spite of resting Kahwi for a quarter of the games, having the most different starting lineups in the league, and dealing with lots of injuries. If you think about it, the Raps didn't even get their favoured starting five running consistently until the playoffs.

All of which adds up to...wow.

I watched this clip a couple times after game 4

https://streamable.com/h64c8

That's where the Raps advantage is going to lie. They played insane defense for the majority of the Orlando series. Two former DPOY in Kawhi and Gasol, Danny Green, Lowry still being one of the most fearless defenders in the league taking charges left and right, and Siakam's much improved defensive game.

I've said it all year. IF we play Milwaukee (I don't think Philly will be an easy series by any means), it will come down to perimeter defense and who hits their threes. The Raptors can get away with Giannis getting his 30 points a game in the paint, but if we collapse too hard on him and let their shooters get hot we will be in trouble.

suburbanite · #**796** Posted **Apr 24, 2019, 7:11 PM**

Also that Damian Lillard buzzer beater last night was one of the biggest "fuck you" shots I've ever seen. Crazy way to win a series.

Acajack · #**797** Posted **Apr 24, 2019, 9:25 PM**

It will be interesting to compare the ratings for Raptors' playoff games to NHL playoff games now that no Canadian teams and very few name players (Ovechkin could be out too if they lose Game 7) are left in the race.

JHikka · #**798** Posted **Apr 24, 2019, 9:40 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acajack

It will be interesting to compare the ratings for Raptors' playoff games to NHL playoff games now that no Canadian teams and very few name players (Ovechkin could be out too if they lose Game 7) are left in the race.

Raptors Game 4 had 977K on Sportsnet...Calgary/Avalanche Game 3 also on SN had fewer (886K). The Raptors Game 4 number is just below Jets/Blues Games 1 & 2 on SN (both were just north of 1M).

So Raps aren't doing too bad considering the Orlando series was mostly a formality.

According to Bill Brioux the Raptors ratings break down as follows:
Game 1: 788K (SN1)
Game 2: 600K (SN1)
Game 4: 977K (SN)

suburbanite · #**799** Posted **Apr 24, 2019, 10:17 PM**

Rap had ~1.5 million viewers in the game 7 win in 2016. 2 million should be achievable if they make it to the ECF. Wonder what we could see if they make it to the finals with no Canadian teams left in the NHL

isaidso · #**800** Posted **Apr 24, 2019, 10:52 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by rousseau

Me too. That's something I've never done before. I rarely even read game post-game sports reports, as I figure I get all the analysis I need from Jack "get that garbage outta here" Armstrong during the games.

But this is different. What's really scintillating is that everyone's calling for a Milwaukee-Toronto Eastern Conference final, but nobody I've heard is predicting a winner.

In fact, what I'm gleaning is a subtle nod to Toronto, given that the Raptors were only a few games behind the Bucks in the standings in spite of resting Kahwi for a quarter of the games, having the most different starting lineups in the league, and dealing with lots of injuries. If you think about it, the Raps didn't even get their favoured starting five running consistently until the playoffs.

All of which adds up to...wow.

I usually rely on Armstrong-Matty D analysis too. As objective as they try to be I wanted to see if it meshed with what other analysts were saying. I didn't want false hope. Seems they're all in agreement: Milwaukee and Toronto but hard to pick between the two.

The Raptors gelled just in time for the playoffs and continue to get better. Even Lowry looks like he's found the perfect place in the line up. I'd consider it a failure if they don't get by Philadelphia. If they get bounced by Milwaukee I can live with it but they're good enough to go all the way.