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2017-2018 Toronto Raptors Thread: "O.G...Change Is In the Air!"

hockeyfan1

New member
New faces, new hopes, a new G.M., new (tweaked) unis, etc.  The Toronto Raptors, along with the rest of the league, are well into training camp, and will play their first pre-season game this Sunday (Oct.1st).


Here is a list of many things Raptor:

The team roster
http://www.nba.com/raptors/roster/

The 2017-2018 Schedule (including pre-season games):
http://www.nba.com/raptors/schedule

Raptors start the regular season Oct. 10th at home versus the Chicago Bulls.
 
A better view of the red uniform...

po3gI4mdj
 
Raptors official roster/schedule.

https://basketball.realgm.com/nba/teams/Toronto_Raptors/28/Rosters/Opening_Day

https://basketball.realgm.com/nba/teams/Toronto-Raptors/28/Schedule

Opening night at the ACC {first game of season) is tonight vs Chicago Bulls.

GO RAPTORS GO!
 
Expect greater (better) offence in terms of ball movement, and in three-point shooting, as well as giving the younger players more playing time.  The Raptors have been improving on the tips & tricks of their three-point shooting throughout pre-season and it will be seen if it translates on the court once the season gets underway.

Look for DeMar DeRozan to play with a chip on his shoulder, so to speak, in attempting to disprove the notion that he is not among the elite forwards in the game.  Ask SI about it, but that's DeMar's caveat going into the new season. 

What of Kyle Lowry.  Can he stay injury-free all through the regular season and playoffs?

The Raptors possess two power forwards in C.J. Miles and Sergei Ibaka, a raw rookie in O.G. Anunoby, whose upside is defence and whose question mark is offence, and  several other young faces already in the Raptors system in Poetl, Wright, and Siakam, none which have yet to experience heavy minutes in a game.

Then there's Valenciuna, VanFleet, Powell, Nogueira, and Caboclo, the latter a true mystery on the court.

Replete with bench strength, new faces, seasoned returnees, a (hopefully) improved approach to their game, the Toronto Raptors have their work cut out for them.  It's a matter of putting that rock in the rack and being consistent on all aspects to their game that will untlimately stand the test of time and wins.

GO RAPTORS GO!


Source:  NBA.com, Sportsnet, TSN
 
Bulls 100  Raptors 117

So...the Raptors promised changes, a new attitude, new offence, a more exciting game, blah, blah, blah.  Did they deliver?  You bet they did!

In Thursday's home opener, the Raptors demolished the Chicago Bulls at the ACC by a score of 117-100.  It was a game that saw veterans such as C.J. Miles make six three-point shots; Jonas Valenciunas with 23 points and a double-double; the young lads such as Deion Wright, Jakob Poelti, Fred VanVleet & draftee rookie OG Anunoby all contributed to a 20-2 run in the first quarter led by Miles.

The Raptors bench strength was solid and the team played a fast-paced offence, taking advantage of many a scoring opportunity.  Besides Valenciunas, Powell had 15 points,Lowry had 12 and DeRozan 11.

But the talk of the night was definitely with veteran Miles & Toronto's bench depth, their second unit, which provided the early jump start and set the tempo.

"I was really impressed with the young group," said coach Dwane Casey. "They came in and didn't look like they were a deer in the headlights. They expanded the lead and didn't lose it, and really impressed."

'As a unit we need every single person on this roster to be ready," Miles said. "And for us to be able to go in there as a whole five and have success, for those guys, that's big for them, early in the year and early in their careers to be able to gain confidence.

"That's the biggest thing with the league. Everybody's got talent, everybody's got skill, that's why they get here. It's about opportunity and confidence. Them having the opportunity, now it's about being confident and playing hard."

Exactly.  Consistency, too.  It remains to be seen how the Raptors will fare over the course of the season.  It is worth noting that the Raptors were playing against a depleted Bulls lineup.  Still, not meaning to take anything away from their team effort in this game, one would have to say, so far, so very, very good.  Keep it up, guys!

Game story:
http://www.cbc.ca/sports/basketball/nba/toronto-raptors-chicago-bulls-recap-1.4363052
 
Sixers 94  Raptors 128

The score alone should tell the tale of which team was the dominant force in last night's Toronto win.  No doubt the Raptors ran all over the 'Sixers, who by the way, we're playing their third game in four nights and a rather fatigued Philadelphia squad indeed.  Still, in pro sports, there is no excuse for lack of effort, only in this case it wasn't for lack of effort, it was merely that the Toronto Raptors possess a potent balanced offence.  Tough to stop when they're rolling get on all cylinders.

DeMar DeRozan who was practically invisible in the Raptors season home-opening win versus the Bulls Thursday night, came to life and popped in 30 points.  Forward Sergei Ibaka contributed five three pointers, while Lowry had 17 & Poelti had 14.

If it isn't the bench depth in the form of the younger Raptors and C.J. Miles that gets Toronto on the scoreboard (as happened in Thursday's opening win), then it's DeMar that opponents need to look out for, with other vets like Ibaka thrown in.  Perhaps these two games are a testament to the Raptors diverse offence. 

The Raptors now embark on a six-game road trip, an interesting challenge that begins Monday in San Antonio without Jonas Valenciunas.  Big JV sprained his ankle in Saturday's game.  He will be evaluated on the extent of the injury.  Valenciunas had a solid start to the season and was a factor in the team's consistency both offensively & defensively.

Valenciunas replacement was Lucas Nogoeira who, surprisingly, led the Raptors on a 10-2 spree teaming up with Lowry and providing some highlight reels to boot.

"He?s going to have an MRI on his foot,? Casey said. ?He turned it, Saric went under his foot, stepped on his foot and turned it. I told him after that possession he had one of his best defensive possessions of all year (against Saric). Hopefully it?s not serious.?

Game story:
https://www.thestar.com/sports/raptors/2017/10/21/raptors-demar-derozan-shakes-off-all-that-is-ailing-him-in-win-over-sixers.html
 
Raptors 97  Spurs 101

Call this one the one that got away, sort of.  The San Antonio Spurs rallied with barely three minutes left in the fourth quarter to widen their lead over the Toronto Raptors to solidity the win.

It was the Raptors' season-opening road game and their first loss (2-1).  The Raptors, without the services of Jonas Valenciunas due to a sprained ankle, were badly outrebounded.  In fact, San Antonio LaMarcus Aldridge fouled Ibaka for the sixth time, after the two engaged themselves in a minor altercation.  Aldridge used this as adrenaline to advance the Spurs on the scoreboard in those three minutes.

"Just an overall good win against a really well-coached, disciplined team that has a lot of expectations," San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich said. "It?s good for our confidence since we?re trying to put some things together."

Talk about revenge, talk about what you will, but the fact remains that San Antonio was the more aggressive team on the court. 

"We played great defence, but we?ve got to realize with that don?t let it go to waste by giving up offensive rebounds to the team," DeRozan said. "That?s something we definitely can teak from (this game).

Raptors were led by DeRozan with 28 points, and Ibaka with 13.

Toronto's next game is against the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday.

Game story:
http://www.sportsnet.ca/basketball/nba/raptors-fall-short-fourth-spurs-suffer-first-loss-season/
 
Raptors 112  Warriors 117

For most of the game, the lead kept changing, until the later stages when the Raptors went on a scoring spree and upped their lead with a scant few minutes remaining in regulation.

Enter Durant, Curry & co.  With a couple of three-shot points, the Warriors woke up in time to win it over Toronto.

With Valenciunas & Noguiera out with injuries, the Raptors received offensive support from an interesting mix.  Paskal Siakam with 20 points, Jokob Poelti with a double double, DeRozan with 24 pts., along with contributions from Ibaka, Wright and rookie OG Anunoby.

In spite of the effort, once again, the Raptors seemed plagued with a lack of three-point shooting, a case in point, the opposite of Golden State who make the three point shot their fort.

?Man, it could be a one-point game, you walk in the kitchen get something to drink, come back, they can be up 14 that quick,? was the way DeMar DeRozan described the defending NBA champion Warriors? ability to break games open with little notice. ?That?s the type of team it is, that?s why they?re the champions for a reason. You have to be aware of that.

?That?s why you can never get discouraged, if they go on a run you?ve got to keep fighting, that?s always been our mindset every time we got down, we never looked at it like it was over. As long as we fought back in it, give ourselves a chance.?

That is why a team needs mental toughness when playing teams like Golden State, to keep up the pressure.  The Raptors went ball for ball and throw for throw but ultimately it was the last minute Warriors comeback that did them in.  The Warriors went on a 9-0 offensive.  Game over.

Game story:
http://www.sportsnet.ca/basketball/nba/raptors-cant-quite-escape-inevitable-hurricane-warriors
 
Raptors 101  Lakers 92

in a albeit reversal of their loss against the Golden State Warriors in their previous game, this time it was Toronto''s turn to make a game statement.

Powered by DeRozan & Lowry, the Raptors took control and did not miss any opportunities in putting the game away,  and out of reach for the Lakers Friday night.  With six minutes left in regulation, and with the score tied, the Raptors scored the pivotal nine points on a 9-0 run.

DeRozan with 24 points including the three he made in those last few minutes and Lowry with the double double led the way.  Consistant and persistent team effort.

Story:
https://www.thestar.com/sports/doug_smiths_sports_blog/2017/10/28/raptors-got-to-their-closers-down-the-stretch-to-win.html
 
Good win for the Raps last night against a tough Portland team in Portland. Missing Serge and Jonas too.

That's quite the road swing they've been on- Spurs, Warriors, Blazers.
 
Andy said:
Good win for the Raps last night against a tough Portland team in Portland. Missing Serge and Jonas too.

That's quite the road swing they've been on- Spurs, Warriors, Blazers.

Yeah, thought they played very well last night and against the Lakers Friday night.

What I liked about the win over Portland was the continuing effort from some of their younger players, namely Nogueira & Anunoby.  Arms flailing and providing good defence & offence (Nogueira had 17 points on the night).  Also, Lowry and DeRozan in spurring the way, particularly Lowry with his 19 points? rebounding & triple double. 
 
The Toronto Raptors defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 118-112 Thursday, in a thrilling up-to-the-minute game at the ACC.

The Pelicans, among the offensive leaders, poured the pressure but the Raptors, using some smart defensive strategy, kept pace with New Orleans' power forwards Anthony Davis and Demarcus Cousins.  Toronto utilized a combination of bench rotation,  and offensive depth to counter the Pelicans at every turn.

Led by DeRozan's 33 points, Toronto's young guns -- Poelti, Wright, Anunoby & Siakam -- kept an exciting tempo in going toe-to-toe with New Orleans rushes.  Anunoby also putting in some sound defence, along with Valenciunas and then Ibaka, as well as Nogueira, all who contributed in their own way, and one can begin to see why this game went high-tempo in all areas. 

Raptors now embark on a road trip beginning Sunday afternoon in Boston, against the red-hot Celtics who have won ten games in-a-row.  Toronto's road trip consists of three games in four nights.  Not going to be easy but the Raptors are pretty confident they'll manage well, particularly with the way coach Casey is strategizing his squad against the opposition, this game (vs New Orleans) a case in point.

Story:
http://www.sportsnet.ca/basketball/nba/raptors-effectively-limit-pelicans-imposing-bigs-thrilling-win/
 
The Toronto Raptors Sunday night had the opportunity of ending the Boston Celtics' 11-game winning streak.  With just a few seconds remaining on the clock and a foul on the part of the Celtics, (in which the Raptors regained possession), DeMar DeRozan had the perfect chance to put the game away....but...wait...oh, DeMar, how could you not??!!

Just a lousy two points and Boston's win streak would have been over.  Yep.  But no, instead the final score was set at 95-94 in favour of the Celtics.  Aargh!!!

Truth is that the Raptors failed to do what was required.  Always DeMar, or DeMar this and that at the final moments, certainly they should have created some other go-to options.  Sergei Ibaka did not scoop the rebound even with the clock winding down. 

This loss was symptomatic of what 's been plaguing the Raptors lately, particularly with improper or under usage of some players who should have been out there in the stretch drive, and simply a lack of options rather than handing the ball to DeRozan who is no LeBron James.  The team becomes too predictable as the opposition awaits for just those moments they know will be coming and ready themselves for it.

DeRozan is 2 for 16 in the closing moments of a game the Raptors are trailing.  With that kind of inaccuracy at the basket, isn't any wonder that games that should have been won, were lost?

Coach Casey's  player changes didn't help.  Where were Siakam, Poelti, and Miles for the stretch run especially in the second quarter and near the half of the last.  Against a team like the Celtics, who by the way were missing Kyrie Irving to a facial fracture, a team needs to parlay as many offensive options it can piece together.  Boston did.  Toronto didn't.

Oh well, lesson learned.

Story:
https://www.raptorsrepublic.com/2017/11/13/raptors-lose-heartbreaker-kyrie-less-celtics/
 
A very different Toronto Raptors team last night.  Certainly playing with more fluidity offensively,  unlike their loss to the Celtics Sunday, Toronto beat the Houston Rockets 129-113 in Houston last night.

Led by OG Anunoby's career high 16 points,  and C.J. Miles' six three pointers as well as DeRozan's 27 pts., the Raptors did it right this time with better roster changes and more aggressive ball control.  The fact that they scored a team record of 45 pts., in just the second quarter alone, and 75 pts., in the first, comes to show the determination and consistency, two things that continue to plague this Raptors team at times.  Not in this road win.  Not this time.  Mistakes made in their previous game weren't allowed here.

It no doubt made a difference in the outcome.

Story:
https://www.thestar.com/sports/raptors/2017/11/14/raptors-overpower-rockets-with-record-second-quarter.html
 
What do you get when your team has a young,  inexpensive bench unit and who's job it is to go head-to-head against the oppositions best?  An impressive array of speed, both offensively & defensively.

Such was the case in the Raptors 125- 116 victory in New Orleans against the Pelicans Wednesday night.
Against the Rockets in their previous road win, it was O.G. Anunoby's time to shine.  Against New Orleans, and making life a little miserable for the Pelicans' Anthony Davis & DeMarcus Cousins, was Pascal Siakam & co.

The Raptors bench unit was anything but slow in contributing to their team's first half.  This paved the way for the duo of DeRozan and Lowry (throw in C.J. Miles), and away the Raptors continued being opportunitic with their passing game and the three-point shooting. 

DeRozan led for Toronto with 27 points, followed b6 Lowry with 22, Valenciunas with 21, and Miles with 17.

Though the reserves made several turnovers and at one point it looked as though the Raptors were on their way to yet anothet one of those 'inconsistent' losses, make no mistake for Miles three-point shooting gave the Raptors plenty of reasons to smile when it comes to what one can call clutch leadership, and steer the good young Raptor ship in the right direction.

Poelti, Siakam did what they had to do and when you have a veteran in-between, it can only help. 

Scary moment for Deion Wright, seen leaving the game clutching his arm/shoulder,, in obvious pain.

Story:
http://www.cbc.ca/m/sports/basketball/nba/toronto-raptors-new-orleans-pelicans-1.4404295
 
The Raptors' quarter-mark report cards are in.  In summation:

The good:
A- O.G. Anunoby  A-  Paskal Siakam  A- C.J.Miles
(Anunoby's fort is defense and the three-point shot); Siakam's an excellent floor runner, passer and all-round talent); Miles is the veteran three-point specialist)

The fair
B+  DeRozan  B+  VanVleet  B  Lowry  B  Poeltl  B Wright  B- Nogueira 
(DeMar's playmaking has improved from last season.  Still very much Raptors' go-to-guy but inconsistent especially defensively & on point shots);  (Call Fred VanVleet the 'little' guy that can, did, and does. Started off slow but as he's played more due to taking Wright's spot, is now considered among to three guards in the league); 
(Lowry doing all the little things -- rebounding three-point shots, defence, etc., -- that is expected of the Raptor's guard.  As always, an important cog in the machinery);  (Poeltl is fleet of feet and a work in progress.  Shows promise.); 
(Wright's shoulder was a repeat nagging injury that has the Raptors concerned, otherwise, he is third in deflections among players in his position in the league); 
(Nogueira fluctuates wildly but still a useful backup centre)

The so-so
C+  Powell  C-  Valenciunas  C-  Ibaka
(Powells forte is as a reserve not as a starter.  Not consistent in pressure situations.  Fares better on three-point shooting): 
(Big JV -- a disappointment in that he never seems to break out to be better or perhaps more versatile);  (Ibaka's best when positioned as centre.  Adequate at best)


B+  Coach Dwayne Casey   
Casey's Raptors -- third in offence in league and ninth in defence.  Has managed to engage and motivate young bench squad and get plenty out of others, such as Lowry even with his playing minutes down.  Some may question the coach's decision-making but he certainly knows how to place the pieces of the Raptor puzzle together.

B+  President Masai Ujiri
Ujiri's knack for drafting, trading,  and  signing of players -- such as Miles-- has been praised.  Not so much the Ibaka & Valenciunas contracts, as these player's validity to the team has been left open to question.


For in-depth details see:
https://theathletic.com/169026/2017/11/29/raptors-quarter-mark-report-card-og-anunoby-pascal-siakam-and-c-j-miles-earn-the-top-marks/
 
Kyle Lowry with his 11th career triple double, and DeMar DeRozan's 31 points led the Raptors to a 120-87 stamping of the visiting Brooklyn Nets last night after ACC.

Other contributors for Toronto were Ibaka with 18 pts., Valenciunas with 14, and Powell & Poeltl with 11 each.

The Raptors are currently 19-8 and having won their eighth out of nine games in this stretch, and own the league's besthome record thus far at 10-1.  They stand third in the Eastern Conference three GB the first place first Boston Celtics.

This game against the Nets featured the return of former Toronto Raptor DeMarre Carrol.  Though Carroll didn't suit up for Brooklyn, he was impressed with the new look Raptors:

"They're moving the ball, they're sharing it, they're playing great basketball," Carroll said. "My hat goes off to them. It's an exciting style of basketball they're playing, and they look like they're the top of the East and the top of the league right now."


http://www.cbc.ca/sports/basketball/nba/brooklyn-nets-toronto-raptors-1.4451973
 
The Raptors' DeMar DeRozan is certainly "proving 'em", as was the case in Toronto's 131-127 OT win over the Milwaukee Bucks at the ACC Monday.

DeRozan with 52 points on the night, double-teamed and all, led the Raptors in an "open" style rather than their in usual "pick and roll" offensive game. The open style allows for more ball-sharing & more of it's players involved in the overall scoring process.  Which is exactly what enabled Toronto to cut down on the Bucks' defensive trap system.

DeRozan's 52 pts., set a Raptor franchise record, surpassing ex-Raptors Vince Carter (51) & Terrence Ross (51).

Besides DeMar, Raptors got contributions from Lowry with 31 pt., and VanVleet whose three-pointer & clutch throwing were instrumental in the OT.

For the story:
https://www.thestar.com/sports/raptors/2018/01/01/derozan-smashes-raptors-scoring-record-in-ot-win-over-bucks.html
 
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