Author Topic: Toronto Raptors  (Read 2146 times)

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Offline Boges

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Toronto Raptors
« on: February 13, 2018, 01:28:50 pm »
Since anyone who has any opinion on sports bolted from MLW and came here, I thought I'd open up another discussion on the Toronto Raptors.

They are SOOOOOO Good. They have an excellent shot at the NBA Finals.

Not only have the All Star Backcourt improved, but they are able to field an entire second unit that can actually extend leads. In their last 5 wins, no player has played more than 30 minutes.

These guys make me almost forget about the Leafs.

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Offline Michael Hardner

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Re: Toronto Raptors
« Reply #1 on: February 13, 2018, 01:39:14 pm »
So I had this kid over to my place a few weeks ago - it was a party - and he was interested in sports so I asked about the Raps.  Apparently, the big change in approach that is making them so good is eliminating the idea of a 'system' and just playing wide open.  As a musician, I see a great analogy.  The Grateful Dead always shone best when improvising but in sports ?

Is it so ?

Also - has anybody done that before ?

Offline cybercoma

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Re: Toronto Raptors
« Reply #2 on: February 13, 2018, 03:36:51 pm »
I’m follow the Raptors religiously. Here’s a lot of season left, but it’s been promising so far. Shadow Team has been killing it, especially VanVleet.

The “New Look” Cavs certainly had a strong showing against the Celtics the other night. It’ll be interesting to see if they gel on time for the playoffs.

Rockets are also tearing it up out west. Their record is practically the same as the GSW. Thats turning into an interesting battle too.

Offline cybercoma

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Re: Toronto Raptors
« Reply #3 on: February 13, 2018, 03:38:41 pm »
So I had this kid over to my place a few weeks ago - it was a party - and he was interested in sports so I asked about the Raps.  Apparently, the big change in approach that is making them so good is eliminating the idea of a 'system' and just playing wide open.  As a musician, I see a great analogy.  The Grateful Dead always shone best when improvising but in sports ?

Is it so ?

Also - has anybody done that before ?
I don’t think it’s quite like that. Instead of relying on a couple stars, they’ve been playing as a team more. Theyve built more trust around each other and are moving the ball more. You can tell from the stats too. Their assists are much higher this year.

Offline Michael Hardner

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Re: Toronto Raptors
« Reply #4 on: February 13, 2018, 06:03:06 pm »
I don't know the game.  This was explained to me by a 'fan'.

Offline cybercoma

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Re: Toronto Raptors
« Reply #5 on: February 13, 2018, 06:30:23 pm »
Just elaborating.

Offline Michael Hardner

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Re: Toronto Raptors
« Reply #6 on: February 13, 2018, 07:00:15 pm »
Just elaborating.

I was never great at sports but I love systems and theories.  And sports are a great place to test strategies.  As such I am intrigued by the idea that no strategy might be a good strategy.

Offline Boges

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Re: Toronto Raptors
« Reply #7 on: February 13, 2018, 08:43:12 pm »
I don’t think it’s quite like that. Instead of relying on a couple stars, they’ve been playing as a team more. Theyve built more trust around each other and are moving the ball more. You can tell from the stats too. Their assists are much higher this year.

Ultimately it needs to be Kyle and Demar winning close games, like tonight's against Miami. In previous years they had been playing more "Iso-Ball". Meaning everyone knew their Allstar backcourt was taking all the big shots. Now they still should be taking big shots at the end of quarters, halfs and games. See Kyle's buzzer beater at the half tonight?

What the bench mob provides is depth so they can let Kyle and Demar sit large swaths of games. My favourite bench mob player is Delon Wright. He's not the best shooter by his paint penetration ability is $$.

They've also, finally, realized that 3's are worth more than 2's and 3 quarters of the team can usually hit uncontested 3's. Even JV is able to hit 3s when given an open look.


Offline cybercoma

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Re: Toronto Raptors
« Reply #8 on: February 13, 2018, 09:18:34 pm »
The threes are good and aimmglad they’re hitting them, but sometimes they get too stubborn about it when they’re cold. Against a team that’s not shooting threes, like Miami, they should be more concerned with making every possession count.

Offline Boges

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Re: Toronto Raptors
« Reply #9 on: February 13, 2018, 09:28:34 pm »
Miami was shooting plenty of 3's. Matty D made the point of saying that they actually take more 3's Toronto.

If you can create an open look to take a 3, you should always take it. Pros should be able to make uncontested 3's most of the time. And that's the benefit of the ball movement, more open looks behind the arc.

Offline cybercoma

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Re: Toronto Raptors
« Reply #10 on: February 13, 2018, 10:50:32 pm »
They were tonight, but what I’m talking about is Derozan taking threes with a foot in the line or just bricking them every time down. Hey don’t all need to be threes. The Raptors aren’t the Warriors and shouldn’t try to be..

Offline kimmy

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Re: Toronto Raptors
« Reply #11 on: February 14, 2018, 03:39:33 am »
Since anyone who has any opinion on sports bolted from MLW and came here,

I also missed talking Game of Thrones with you last season.  :(

 -k
Paris - London - New York - Kim City

Offline kimmy

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Re: Toronto Raptors
« Reply #12 on: February 19, 2018, 02:33:55 am »
"It was so bad that Colin Kaepernick stood up."

 -an anonymous netizen describing Fergie's "unique" rendition of the Star Spangled Banner at the All-Star Game.

"I don't know what she was going for, but if it was supposed to be my friend's drunk mom trying to act sexy, she nailed it."
 
 -another netizen.

I only saw a few regrettable moments of it during a highlights package. I think that probably it's not quite as bad as Roseanne Barr's attempt, but Roseanne Barr was trying to be funny and somehow I doubt that Fergie was trying to be funny. Not on purpose.

 -k
Paris - London - New York - Kim City
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Offline cybercoma

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Re: Toronto Raptors
« Reply #13 on: February 19, 2018, 07:46:41 am »
"Why is Fergie singing the national anthem like she's trying to give John F. Kennedy an ****?"

Offline Boges

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Re: Toronto Raptors
« Reply #14 on: February 21, 2018, 09:03:07 am »
Why was BNL doing the Canadian National Anthem?