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We do have a slightly easier schedule BUT we have to do a lot more winning AND they need to do a lot more losing lol for us to get in. I won't lie that it's definitely exciting to see the boys rally to try and make it in.

Of course I'm wanting to get rid of that pick to OKC but you also have to think if we're making this drastic of a turnaround with Rudy Gay that we went from being CLE bad to on the verge of the Playoffs THIS year, how good will that pick be next year anyways?????

Keeping in mind if we make the playoffs we retain the pick....

Naturally if we made a crazy rally this year to make the Playoffs, with all the confidence gained from having one of the better records in the NBA to make it, we should be a Playoff team again the following year so common sense is why would we even worry about the pick at that point???

I cared when I wasn't sure how good our team was with Rudy but it's clear to me that we can hang with most teams in the NBA now and I really think a full season with Gay on our team and we would at least be in BOS to MIL's place. With the development of our guys, chemistry and few more moves I really don't worry about that pick as much; if at all anymore.

triplemke23 wrote:I tried predicted both record. Obviously I'm a little biased but i tried to be as fair as possible from a raptors fan's perspective.

TOR
Feb-25 Wash (Win)
Feb-27 @Cle (Win)
Mar-01 Ind (Win)
Mar-02 @Mil (Win)
Mar-04 @GS (Lose)
Mar-06 @Pho (Win)
Mar-08 @LAL (Lose)
Mar-10 Cle (Win)
Mar-13 @Bos (Lose)
Mar-15 Char (Win)
Mar-17 Mia (Lose)
Mar-20 @Char (Win)
Mar-22 NY (Win)
Mar-23 @NY (Lose)
Mar-27 Atl (Win)
Mar-29 @Det (Win)
Mar-31 @Wash (Win)
Apr-01 Det (Win)
Apr-03 Wash (Win)
Apr-05 @Min (Win)
Apr-06 @Mil (Win)
Apr-09 @Chi (Lose)
Apr-12 Chi (Win)
Apr-14 Brook (Lose)
Apr-16 @Atl (Lose)
Apr-17 Bos (Win)

FINAL: 41-41

MIL
Feb-23 Atl (Win)
Feb-26 @Dal (Lose)
Feb-27 @Hou (Lose)
Mar-02 Tor (Lose)
Mar-04 Utah (Win)
Mar-06 @LAC (Lose)
Mar-09 @GS (Lose)
Mar-10 @Sac (Win)
Mar-12 Dal (Win)
Mar-13 @Wash (Win)
Mar-15 Mia (Lose)
Mar-17 Orl (Win)
Mar-19 Port (Win)
Mar-20 @Atl (Lose)
Mar-22 @Ind (Lose)
Mar-24 Atl (Win)
Mar-27 @Phi (Win)
Mar-28 LAL (Lose)
Mar-30 OKC (Lose)
Apr-01 Char (Win)
Apr-03 Min (Win)
Apr-05 @NY (Lose)
Apr-06 Tor (Lose)
Apr-09 @Mia (Lose)
Apr-10 @Orl (Win)
Apr-12 @Atl (Lose)
Apr-13 @Char (Win)
Apr-15 Den (Lose)
Apr-17 @OKC (Lose)

FINAL: 39-43

I predict we just barley squeak into playoffs.
...and then upset miami and win the championship

Let's not sleep on the Sixers, they have a fairly easier schedule than both of us combined, not to mention getting Bynum back shortly. I've been hoping Boston drops with Mil to give us a better chance, but they seem so determined, even with KG on the bench.

triplemke23 wrote:I tried predicted both record. Obviously I'm a little biased but i tried to be as fair as possible from a raptors fan's perspective.

TOR
Feb-25 Wash (Win)
Feb-27 @Cle (Win)
Mar-01 Ind (Win)
Mar-02 @Mil (Win)
Mar-04 @GS (Lose)
Mar-06 @Pho (Win)
Mar-08 @LAL (Lose)
Mar-10 Cle (Win)
Mar-13 @Bos (Lose)
Mar-15 Char (Win)
Mar-17 Mia (Lose)
Mar-20 @Char (Win)
Mar-22 NY (Win)
Mar-23 @NY (Lose)
Mar-27 Atl (Win)
Mar-29 @Det (Win)
Mar-31 @Wash (Win)
Apr-01 Det (Win)
Apr-03 Wash (Win)
Apr-05 @Min (Win)
Apr-06 @Mil (Win)
Apr-09 @Chi (Lose)
Apr-12 Chi (Win)
Apr-14 Brook (Lose)
Apr-16 @Atl (Lose)
Apr-17 Bos (Win)

FINAL: 41-41

MIL
Feb-23 Atl (Win)
Feb-26 @Dal (Lose)
Feb-27 @Hou (Lose)
Mar-02 Tor (Lose)
Mar-04 Utah (Win)
Mar-06 @LAC (Lose)
Mar-09 @GS (Lose)
Mar-10 @Sac (Win)
Mar-12 Dal (Win)
Mar-13 @Wash (Win)
Mar-15 Mia (Lose)
Mar-17 Orl (Win)
Mar-19 Port (Win)
Mar-20 @Atl (Lose)
Mar-22 @Ind (Lose)
Mar-24 Atl (Win)
Mar-27 @Phi (Win)
Mar-28 LAL (Lose)
Mar-30 OKC (Lose)
Apr-01 Char (Win)
Apr-03 Min (Win)
Apr-05 @NY (Lose)
Apr-06 Tor (Lose)
Apr-09 @Mia (Lose)
Apr-10 @Orl (Win)
Apr-12 @Atl (Lose)
Apr-13 @Char (Win)
Apr-15 Den (Lose)
Apr-17 @OKC (Lose)

FINAL: 39-43

I predict we just barley squeak into playoffs.
...and then upset miami and win the championship

18-8 is a little generous I think, but I like the positive attitude!

Duffman100 wrote:I don't want the playoffs this year. Let's get rid of owing this lottery pick, deal with Bargnani and take a stab next year.

Well we're probably going to make the playoffs next year (ATL, BOS and MIL have big problems), so IMO we're going to keep our pick next year regardless. Rather, keep our pick this year too by making the playoffs.

If we play well enough to pass the Bucks, we should not worry about the 76ers. Likewise, if Philly passes the Bucks, the shouldn't be concerned with us. The odds of two significantly below .500 teams finishing the season in the magnitude of 18-9 is remote, so our main scoreboard watching should be the Bucks. IMHO, if we can beat them both games (which are 2 road games that they will be up for), we will squeak in. If we lose both or split, we really don't have much of a chance.

And yes, we want in. All it takes is LBJ to turn an ankle in that last week and we have a legit shot at that series. If we do get in, we will likely be going in as one of the hottest teams in the league, peaking at the right time.

Let's get it.

robertjanssen007 wrote:Personally, I wouldn't be making a comparison to Milwaukee just yet. We're still one game behind of Philadelphia. Once we comfortably pass Philly in the standings, then I feel we should be eyeing Milwaukee.

This.

We just need to take it one game at a time. We haven't even passed Philly yet so don't get your hopes too high.

Green Backpack wrote:18-8 is a little generous I think, but I like the positive attitude!

Well actually when you look at the games, we can really go 18-8 the rest of the way. We can definitely win against Wizards, Cavs, Bucks, Cats, Pistons and Wolves. The rest he mentioned are beatable as well if we can continue playing like we did the past few games and maybe restricting AA with Lucas more and let JV stay on the court for longer periods of time. Can't believe we might actually make the playoffs after such horrible start.

Mikestro wrote:

robertjanssen007 wrote:Personally, I wouldn't be making a comparison to Milwaukee just yet. We're still one game behind of Philadelphia. Once we comfortably pass Philly in the standings, then I feel we should be eyeing Milwaukee.

This.

We just need to take it one game at a time. We haven't even passed Philly yet so don't get your hopes too high.

Hmmm I agree taking it game by game but I don't agree that the target is getting past Philly.

Good teams' goals aren't just passing one team in the standings; it's being at a certain destination regardless of the team.

ie/ Kobe says the Lakers will make the Playoffs

He doesn't give a damn who is 8th now or who is between the Lakers and 8th place...all he cares is that they are there and for the Raptors MIL represents that desired destination. So really I don't give a damn about Philly; the goal and destination is to get what MIL has now.

I get what that you want fans to be patient but I just don't agree with the target because really Philly isn't going to just stop trying to get in the Playoffs either so there is no point where we can say let's just get past them because really they're not going to give up just we pass them at one point in standings. The goal and benchmark is get in the Playoffs (period)....the hell with Philly.

Don't get ahead of yourselves guys.

The number one goal is simply to win the game you have in front of you.

are people forgetting philly is still ahead of us ? its just bucks/ raptors.

Philly has the toughest schedule IMO

Feb-23 Mia
Feb-24 @NY
Feb-26 Orl
Feb-28 @Chi
Mar-02 GS
Mar-03 @Wash
Mar-05 Bos
Mar-06 @Atl
Mar-08 @Mia
Mar-10 @Orl
Mar-11 Brook
Mar-13 Mia
Mar-16 Ind
Mar-18 Port
Mar-20 @LAC
Mar-21 @Den
Mar-24 @Sac
Mar-25 @Utah
Mar-27 Mil
Mar-29 @Cle
Mar-30 Char
Apr-03 @Char
Apr-05 @Atl
Apr-06 @Mia
Apr-09 @Brook
Apr-10 Atl
Apr-12 @Wash
Apr-14 Cle
Apr-15 @Det
Apr-17 @Ind

I'll say it again. If we play well enough to pass the Bucks, Philly is not a factor.

JonasVFTW wrote:I'll say it again. If we play well enough to pass the Bucks, Philly is not a factor.

Thumbs up to your username, I thought I was the only one to call him Jonas V

Thanks Yoga. I believe a combination of Jonas, Rudy, DD, and Kyle will keep us contenders for the foreseeable future. This is the core.

JonasVFTW wrote:Thanks Yoga. I believe a combination of Jonas, Rudy, DD, and Kyle will keep us contenders for the foreseeable future. This is the core.

Woah woah, dont get ahead yourself, we're right now pretender status at most, the team isnt built for any championship run, the only way we achieve that status is if Ross turns into Raja Bell overnight and JV suddenly becomes the franchise player we envision him becoming.

Philly's a tough team and they've been playing through tough injuries including Bynum and T. Young. They're actually a better team than the Bucks, on paper at least so they're not a team to be taken lightly

Philly is getting Bynum back and T. Young should be back soon as well. To me they are better than the Bucks once those guys are able to play.

They have a pretty harsh schedule compared to ours...that said, I wouldn't sleep on some teams considered ''weak''

ESPN gives us 27% chance
http://espn.go.com/nba/hollinger/playoffodds

TdotRap4Lyfe wrote:They have a pretty harsh schedule compared to ours...that said, I wouldn't sleep on some teams considered ''weak''

I would, don't forget its around this time of year that teams look to increase their lottery balls. Looking at our schedule, I see a lot of potential tankers.

The other issue is that both our games against the Bucks are on the second night of back to backs for us. Granted, the second game against them is also on the second night of back to backs for them, but still. Also, our first game against them is just before they start their west coast trip. They might be looking to kick that off on a good note. Hopefully we take it to them though.