Am I buggin' in thinking that the Raptors are legit this season?

[Gil Scott-Heroin]

Disclaimer - This isn't me saying they're going to win the championship nor will I be reliable if Lowry [his fat ass] puts the weight back on.

Despite having one of the best offenses (4th) last season, their growth was stunted by having one of the worst defenses (25th). With the addition of DMC, Biyombo and Joseph to a defensive unit already on the upswing, I see no reason why they can't have a top 10 defense to match an offense that'll likely be better than last season: faster pace, fluid ball movement (less dependence on ISOs - no more Lou), a focused and slimmed-down top 5* PG, a top 5* SG, a competent 3-pt shooting SF and diverse frontcourt scoring.

I see no reason why this team doesn't have the potential to be the second best team in the East.

 

[G-Zeus]

the problem with these numbers tho is that it doesnt really showcase what defense or offense you put up..

all teams dont face the same opponents the same amount of time.. so you might be number 1 everywhere because 40 out of the 82 games are played against opponent that your there weakness.

so they might be a better squad.. i think THEY ARE.. but they can still catch that 4 game swept fade again


or like hawks did..

cuz they might play that one team that fukks up thier whole game plan by having the right advantage over them

i prefer know what top team they beat.. then offensive and defensive ratings.

 

[WOAHMYGOODNESS]

 

[Floyd Pinkerton]

Yes, yes you are. You lost me at top 5 PG and top 5 SG

 

[SchoolboyC]

They've looked good so far but they haven't exactly played stiff competition: Pacers, Celtics, Bucks without Jabari & Henson and Dallas.

I may have underestimated the amount of wins they'll get in the regular season but my stance on them hasn't changed. I believe they're a middle of the pack team and will be out 1st round

 

[Gil Scott-Heroin]

Yes, yes you are. You lost me at top 5 PG and top 5 SG

I'm glad you brought that up.

I added an asterisk next to the top 5* - simply to show that a case can be made for both of them being top 5 in their respective positions for the outlook of this season.

 

[KOBE]

Curry
Westbrook
Kyrie
Wall
paul

are all guys i take without hesitation over lowry. he's not in the discussion.

 

[Gil Scott-Heroin]

Curry
Westbrook
Kyrie
Wall
paul

are all guys i take without hesitation over lowry. he's not in the discussion.

I'm glad you brought that up.

I added an asterisk next to the top 5* - simply to show that a case can be made for both of them being top 5 in their respective positions for the outlook of this season.

It pays to read.

 

[Gil Scott-Heroin]

the problem with these numbers tho is that it doesnt really showcase what defense or offense you put up..

Actually they do, because it's over 82 games.

all teams dont face the same opponents the same amount of time.. so you might be number 1 everywhere because 40 out of the 82 games are played against opponent that your there weakness..

You're opening a can of worms. Don't try to overcomplicate something that's simple in its point. It pays to view team ORTG/DRTG in a general sense.

so they might be a better squad.. i think THEY ARE.. but they can still catch that 4 game swept fade again


or like hawks did..

cuz they might play that one team that fukks up thier whole game plan by having the right advantage over them

i prefer know what top team they beat.. then offensive and defensive ratings.

Since you wanna play devil's advocate - the problem with going on what "top teams they beat" is:

Top teams change throughout the season (depending on when chemistry is built, schedule and form)
Top teams have injuries, new signings, schedule spots, shooting droughts, new systems/scheme, bad schedule runs
Top teams may be more vulnerable/resilient to a certain style, that doesn't give a true read on what kind of team they are (certainly when they might be more suited to beating Eastern conference teams rather than Western conference teams)

 

[Roadie pipeher]

stability at the three is gonna help them immensely...ross/jj splitting time there was

 

[Gil Scott-Heroin]

@G-Zeus it's common knowledge the Raptors had a good offense and a bad defense last season. The point of bringing up the rankings was to illustrate the margin imbalance between the two.

 

[Gil Scott-Heroin]

They've looked good so far but they haven't exactly played stiff competition: Pacers, Celtics, Bucks without Jabari & Henson and Dallas.

I may have underestimated the amount of wins they'll get in the regular season but my stance on them hasn't changed. I believe they're a middle of the pack team and will be out 1st round

I think you'll be surprised by how much DeMarre, Joseph and Biyombo affect their squad. Even despite winning 49 games last season, they often struggled with playing consistently throughout each game because their lack of defense would often let teams back into the contest - sometimes games in which their opposition had no right to come back in. I can already see the difference in just a few games - DeMarre is locking up the biggest perimeter threat, Joseph is at the necks of guards (this is after he tags in from Lowry causing havoc on the defensive end) and Biyombo is patrolling the paint.

They can control the game a lot easier now with the balance of a good defense, rather than relying on simply just trying to outscore their opposition.

 

[G-Zeus]

@G-Zeus it's common knowledge the Raptors had a good offense and a bad defense last season. The point of bringing up the rankings was to illustrate the margin imbalance between the two.

ah cool.. i can live with that..

 

[Floyd Pinkerton]

I'm glad you brought that up.

I added an asterisk next to the top 5* - simply to show that a case can be made for both of them being top 5 in their respective positions for the outlook of this season.

My bad. I wasn't sure what you were going for there. Top 5 SG isn't too big a stretch given the dearth of elite talent at the position/Derozan can cut back on the long 2s but I just can't get behind you with Kyle Lowry as a top 5 point.

 

[Floyd Pinkerton]

I think you'll be surprised by how much DeMarre, Joseph and Biyombo affect their squad. Even despite winning 49 games last season, they often struggled with playing consistently throughout each game because their lack of defense would often let teams back into the contest - sometimes games in which their opposition had no right to come back in. I can already see the difference in just a few games - DeMarre is locking up the biggest perimeter threat, Joseph is at the necks of guards (this is after he tags in from Lowry causing havoc on the defensive end) and Biyombo is patrolling the paint.

They can control the game a lot easier now with the balance of a good defense, rather than relying on simply just trying to outscore their opposition.

Still most likely about that Round 1 loss life though