2021-2022 Official Toronto Raptors Thread

[Nik]

https://www.nba.com/raptors/schedule

https://www.nba.com/raptors/roster

Well, they're back and, uh, they might not be great. Either way, this is the place to talk about this year's Raptors and, by mid-year, post Chet Holmgren highlight videos.

[L K]

The effort is bad tonight but the offense is going to struggle

Dalano Blanton hit a half court shot to end the 3rd at least. 

[Nik]

The effort is bad tonight but the offense is going to struggle

Pfft. Offense. Who needs it. Give me nothing but guys who are 6'8 with long reaches and who aren't very good at shooting, dribbling or creating. What could go wrong?

[L K]

In fairness to Barnes he has had three fouls called on him that have been the Wizards player jumping into him which isn’t supposed to be a defensive foul anymore.  The officiating has been pretty bad against a team that is doing more than it’s share of beating themselves by not being able to shoot

[Nik]

In fairness to Barnes he has had three fouls called on him that have been the Wizards player jumping into him which isn’t supposed to be a defensive foul anymore.  The officiating has been pretty bad against a team that is doing more than it’s share of beating themselves by not being able to shoot

That's not really Barnes specific. Barnes would have been an interesting pick if the team didn't have OG and Pascal and Boucher and Precious and so forth.

[L K]

In fairness to Barnes he has had three fouls called on him that have been the Wizards player jumping into him which isn’t supposed to be a defensive foul anymore.  The officiating has been pretty bad against a team that is doing more than it’s share of beating themselves by not being able to shoot

That's not really Barnes specific. Barnes would have been an interesting pick if the team didn't have OG and Pascal and Boucher and Precious and so forth.

I think I was right there with you about Suggs.   The Raptors are too much of the same.  They are only going to be dangerous if they play all aggressive basketball and that's not a winning style of basketball because it is too draining.

[Nik]

In fairness to Barnes he has had three fouls called on him that have been the Wizards player jumping into him which isn’t supposed to be a defensive foul anymore.  The officiating has been pretty bad against a team that is doing more than it’s share of beating themselves by not being able to shoot

That's not really Barnes specific. Barnes would have been an interesting pick if the team didn't have OG and Pascal and Boucher and Precious and so forth.

I think I was right there with you about Suggs.   The Raptors are too much of the same.  They are only going to be dangerous if they play all aggressive basketball and that's not a winning style of basketball because it is too draining.

Yeah, it just feels like there's a serious lack of guys who are good basketball players on this team. The Suggs/Barnes thing exacerbated that but that's sort of been growing a while. Not having Kyle around is just flashing that in big neon lights. Even if OG/Siakam/Barnes become really good spot up shooters, who gets them the ball? Who draws in their defenders on penetration?

It's one game I know so I shouldn't over react but when you've been thinking something all summer and then see it play out just as you thought, it's hard not to.

[L K]

Looks like the Suns are about to get a new owner.

[L K]

Barnes with a really solid second game.  25/13/1

[Nik]

Yup. I'm happy to have him make me look like a dope.

[Bender]

Yup. I'm happy to have him make me look like a dope.

How's Suggs looking?

[Nik]

Yup. I'm happy to have him make me look like a dope.

How's Suggs looking?

He's shot poorly in both of his games but he was probably Orlando's best player tonight and put up a respectable 14/8/7 box score.

[L K]

So Ed Rogers is trying to destroy everything I guess?

He's having a huge fight with his family over Rogers itself.

A story just came out that he was against the Raptors retaining Ujiri and pissed him off.

[L K]

He still can't shoot and I'm not sure how well that is going to work for spacing when Siakam comes back from injury but I'll give Barnes credit.  He really does look pretty good most of the time on the court.

[L K]

Barnes vs Suggs round 1

Raptors win 110-109

Suggs - 21/2/4 1 block
Barnes - 21/9/1 2 blocks 1 steal

Barnes has 19 points in the first half and then gets frozen out by the team in the second half.  The Raptors really do an awful job of recognizing a guy who is hot