2021-2022 Official Toronto Raptors Thread

[Nik]

It's a good win but I don't think it's a great night for people already looking to declare Masai a genius for the Barnes pick. I think he was good but showed how he can be limited offensively. He was a team worst -13 and seemed a bit lost out there at times.

[L K]

20 games in to his career

15.4 PPG 8.2 RPG 3.3 APG 1.2 SPG 0.8 BPG 2.2 Turnover/Game

48.6/35.3/73 shooting splits

TS .544
eFG% .510

[Nik]

Yeah, I know. I hate being the guy who's still a doubter but...I just feel like I'm not seeing a ton of reason to think there's a ceiling there that's crazy high.

[Heroic Shrimp]

Kal Penn is set to play Raptors superfan Nav Bhatia in a biopic, according to Deadline https://t.co/XH9QHfYGjA

— Toronto Star Sports (@StarSports) December 3, 2021

[Nik]

Sort of feels these days like being a Raptors fan is the experience of being told by other fans of the team that Masai is a brilliant deal maker who never puts a foot wrong, Nick Nurse is one of the best coaches in the league, Fred and Pascal are All-Stars, OG is an elite 3 and D wing and Scottie has established himself as a future superstar and then the team kind of sucks most nights. 

[L K]

I get it.  Every win against a good team is proof they are legitimate and every 3-4 game losing streak is because they are young.

The reality is this is a very shallow team with a bench that sucks and not enough guys who can score consistently.

[Significantly Insignificant]

I think what has happened is that the world championship win has caused this affect where hop is being sold on Ujiri and Nurse's behalf so everything is being viewed through a positive lens.  That goodwill will get burnt through though of the results don't meet expectations in a couple of years.

[L K]

We definitely don't have a bad organization with Nurse and Ujiri.

But aside from the Kawhi trade (that I think if you look at the context of Derozan previously being assured he wouldn't get traded and then having it happen anyway doesn't necessarily highlight the same Ujiri is a great man narrative) his biggest move with the Raptors was the Knicks stupidly turning down a trade for Kyle Lowry.

They turned down a package of Raymond Felton, Metta World Peace and one of Iman Shumpert/Tim Hardaway Jr/2018 first round pick. 

[Nik]

The Goran Dragic era is over. He's been dealt to the Spurs for Thad Young who might be a decent bench piece or might be moved later today. Who knows?

Full deal is Dragic and a Lottery Protected 1st for Thad Young, Drew Eubanks and a 2nd.

Edit again: The 2nd Rd pick the Raptors are getting is from Detroit so the draft pick swap probably just amounts to moving down 10-15 spots in the draft.

[Nik]

And the Ben Simmons saga comes to an end. What an interesting couple of teams the Nets and 76ers should be in the Playoffs. Here's hoping for a series between them.

[L K]

Entirely meh?

Not a horrible move by any means.  It sounds bad to give up a 1st to unload Tragic for an expiring Thad Young but as you said, it's really just moving from hopefully a 20-23 overall pick to a pick that will be at 31-35.  Late first round picks are far more likely to give you Malachi Flynn's and the nice thing about early second round picks is the lack of a guaranteed deal so you can get better financial control.

Thad Young is a very meh acquisition though.  Helps the bench but does nothing to improve the shooting of the team.  Can score near the basket.  Can't hit free throws and doesn't shoot threes at all let alone make them.  More of the sameness for the roster. 

Drew Eubanks is useless.  And also getting waived.

The roster still has basically no depth at the guard positions and too many 6'9 guys who can't shoot.

I will say that the starting 5 of FVV-GTJ-OG-Barnes-Siakam has been fun to watch.

[Nik]

Yeah, I don't entirely get it. Young will in no way move the needle for a playoff series so why not just roll with what you have and take the higher pick?

Still, it's not a bad deal or anything, it just kind of stinks that this team has glaring needs for a backup guard, more shooting and some real interior D and they couldn't manage any of it.

[L K]

Gary Trent Jr is having a nice run of late.  6 of his last 10 games scoring 30+ points including a career high 42 last night.

[Nik]

From the world of things I don't really understand, for some reason the sports world went apoplectic and doubted Ben Simmons' character when he decided he didn't want to play for the 76ers anymore but when Goran Dragic, who definitely could have helped the Raptors this year, decided he just didn't want to play for the team everyone was effectively cool with it and just waiting around for a buyout window.

Anyways, Dragic signed with the Nets.

[Frank E]

What's the deal with the Dragic era...like why is he so disliked by Raptors fans?