Cavs vs. Raptors - 2nd Round Uncompetitive Sweep

[Earl]

FWIW...I didn't expect him to be THAT bad.

I know he's "27". I thought he looked like 30-31 in his last run with OKC. After the Orls do experience and going to Tor...I think it's more like 34.

Lateral speed is gone. Quick jumping and re-jumping are gone. His hands are sketchy. He doesn't bang down low anymore. He can't guard on the perimeter anymore and also doesn't intimidate anyone at the rim. He's just fallen off so much. And most of this is what I took away from the series, only some of it I had thought before. Al they ever do is pick and pop him. He never rolls.to the basket...never rim runs...

He's just kinda of a big, semi athletic, plodding decent but not great shooting stretch big man.

Joe Smith

 

[Green Lantern]

View: https://mobile.twitter.com/BenGolliver/status/861369212148658176

But you don't..but you're still supposed to have a good team.

 

[Cement]

Zach Lowe on the (bleak) future of the Raptors.

View: https://twitter.com/ZachLowe_NBA/status/861384657287380992

 

[brownsbuck6]

If I'm the Raptors I let Lowry walk and start the tank.. Lowry isn't going to be worth that massive contract he's going to get. I would fear a steep and quick decline for him. And they can't compete with the Cavs anytime soon anyway. Just spend the next 3-4 years rebuilding.. I think that is the prudent move for them.

 

[cavsfever]

I feel a little embarassed that I thought this series would be competitive. I underestimated this team and (especially) Lebron James. Also paid too much attention to how Toronto looked on paper compared to last year when they took two from us.

We really are a different team than we were during the regular season.

 

[RuanuLaw]

Love how D.Casey said in the conference after the 4th game that "the Cavs DEFINITELY flipped the switch. And if you don't think they did, then you don't know basketball at all".

Lol, love it!!

 

[Jscc]

If I'm the Raptors I let Lowry walk and start the tank.. Lowry isn't going to be worth that massive contract he's going to get. I would fear a steep and quick decline for him. And they can't compete with the Cavs anytime soon anyway. Just spend the next 3-4 years rebuilding.. I think that is the prudent move for them.

Well.. they could keep this group and hope for a Cavs injury? I don't know if that's enough either. Post-season LeBron surrounded by snipers will beat the majority of the league in a series.

 

[AsianDawg]

FWIW...I didn't expect him to be THAT bad.

I know he's "27". I thought he looked like 30-31 in his last run with OKC. After the Orls do experience and going to Tor...I think it's more like 34.

Lateral speed is gone. Quick jumping and re-jumping are gone. His hands are sketchy. He doesn't bang down low anymore. He can't guard on the perimeter anymore and also doesn't intimidate anyone at the rim. He's just fallen off so much. And most of this is what I took away from the series, only some of it I had thought before. Al they ever do is pick and pop him. He never rolls.to the basket...never rim runs...

He's just kinda of a big, semi athletic, plodding decent but not great shooting stretch big man.

A good explanation of rim-running here:
http://www.stack.com/a/improve-basketball-offense-with-yales-rim-running-drill

 

[LeeBuckeye]

Great article by Zach Lowe.

My prediction

(1) Lowry will head west or go to Philly (Spurs could use him as well but the $$ might be too much for that kind of player)

(2) I'm not getting the Ibaka hate here, I thought he played well just not old max money well. He hate the cold weather as well and complains about being sick all the time.

(3) DeRozen is a tricky trade situation because like Lowe mentioned, I don't you get enough assets as he is not the dynamic player that Butler and PG13 are but he is a better scorer (maybe Utah can get him next to Gobert and Hayward if he resigns). They have plenty of assets and can unload Favors who looks washed, maybe he is not really 25 as well

(4) Casey is delusional for thinking they're close...to what? Lowry is a great advanced stats regular season player but doesn't perform when the entire world is watching. DeRozen needs to take the next step and become a better facilitator IF they do bring everybody back.

 

[AsianDawg]

I tgink this years team was better. Last years team matched up slightly better. Also they were healthy and had a PF that went all world for 2 games

History repeats itself!
Last year's Raptors: '92 Cavs vs. MJ, ECF, 4-2 loss to Bulls
This yeare's Raptors: '93 Cavs vs. MJ, second-round, 4-0 loss to Bulls

 

[supermario21]

History repeats itself!
Last year's Raptors: '92 Cavs vs. MJ, ECF, 4-2 loss to Bulls
This yeare's Raptors: '93 Cavs vs. MJ, second-round, 4-0 loss to Bulls

I said the same thing yesterday lol. And that ended with Lenny being axed. Think Casey should probably be on hot seat. I think he and his team have been maxed out.

 

[Ohio]

Love how D.Casey said in the conference after the 4th game that "the Cavs DEFINITELY flipped the switch. And if you don't think they did, then you don't know basketball at all".

Lol, love it!!

Just shredding anyone and everyone who thought the switch didn't exist

 

[buzzdog]

I understand Hubie has always announced this way. I used to be fine with it in the past when I was rooting for a competitive game or for an underdog .

But now as someone who is heavily invested as a Cavs fan I really don't think I should have to put up with him groaning every time the Cavs do something good, saying "there you go " every time the Raptors make a play, and he mostly comments on officiating in ways that go against the Cavs while ignoring Raptor uncalled fouls.

Yes he gives occasional praise to Cavs players but almost grudgingly.

The talking points the PBP announcer was using were beyond worn out also.

I have come to expect and accept a national bias again LeBron and the Cavs because it's normal to have a backlash against dynasty players and teams. I fully understand my perspective as a full blown Cavs homer. At the same time I'm grateful just to get to experience being a fan of a successful team with a legendary player in his prime.

But is it just too much to ask wanting to be able to watch and listen to games without all the relentless bias even if it's somewhat subliminal and perhaps unintentional? Just be professional at the job of calling a game.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[Jordan]

Great article by Zach Lowe.

My prediction

(1) Lowry will head west or go to Philly (Spurs could use him as well but the $$ might be too much for that kind of player)

(2) I'm not getting the Ibaka hate here, I thought he played well just not old max money well. He hate the cold weather as well and complains about being sick all the time.

(3) DeRozen is a tricky trade situation because like Lowe mentioned, I don't you get enough assets as he is not the dynamic player that Butler and PG13 are but he is a better scorer (maybe Utah can get him next to Gobert and Hayward if he resigns). They have plenty of assets and can unload Favors who looks washed, maybe he is not really 25 as well

(4) Casey is delusional for thinking they're close...to what? Lowry is a great advanced stats regular season player but doesn't perform when the entire world is watching. DeRozen needs to take the next step and become a better facilitator IF they do bring everybody back.

DeRozan has had a negative net rating each of the past three seasons, the largest contract on the team, needs the ball in his hands in order to be effective, is a mediocre passer, can't shoot threes, and is a terrible defender.

If the Raptors could rid themselves of his salary, I think it would be worth it, but I doubt that's possible. He's a fun offensive player to watch, and you have to put a good defender on him, but I think DDR being your best offensive player really caps how good the Raptors could become. If they could, say, get Paul George and re-sign Lowry and Ibaka, then I think DeRozan is a great piece to have. Unfortunately, I don't know that the combination of tradeable assets (see below) is enough to get a guy of PG13's caliber.

Raptors tradeable assets not counting DDR:
-Norm Powell
-Cory Joseph
-DeMarre Carroll
-Jonas V
-Bruno Cabocolo
-Delon Wright
-Jakob Poetl
-Lucas Nogeira
-Pascal Siakam
-Fred VanVleet
-Future draft picks

Frankly, I just don't see any combination of those being good enough to get a superstar. It puts Toronto in a tough position. Maybe they trade Joseph, Jonas, and Carroll to free up cap space and get another playmaker? Doing that would free up playing time for the young guys, too. It's just a tough situation.

Ultimately, I think their best bet is to trade DDR, Jonas, Joseph, and Carroll for whatever you can get, do not re-sign Lowry, Ibaka, and Tucker, and totally rebuild. But that would cost the franchise a ton of money, so I doubt it happens.

 

[JMoneyYourHoney]

Hubie was just as insufferable last season when we played the Hawks. I can recall how animated he was when the Hawks were making their comeback in Game 4, only to be completely mute once the Cavs quashed it and wrapped up the series.

Fuck this guy. No matter who the Cavs' opponent is, you can bet he'll be cheering them on.