Raptors/Lakers again something new

[nykballa2k4]

Okay this one a miss. Raptors fans still believe in IQ. Others worried about that contract. One of those worth more where he is guys. I think Toronto should get out from under if they can, but accept Raps fans are still in.

On to the next bad idea

Just to throw in my 2 cents: It would be a complete steal for the Lakers. IQ can score 20, hit the 3 with reliability, and plays top shelf defense.
NOT a pure point guard. He is a two way combo guard/shooting guard in a point guard's body.

Raps quietly have a good team, need to get healthy of course and need depth but it will come. I expect a Magic-like rise out of them next year.

Interesting post.

Agree with your read on IQ. I think evaluating a 5-year deal on 9 games and jumping to the conclusion that IQ is a "bad contract" is an extremely lazy take

I also think TOR is better than their record. Now that most of their vets are finally healthy, they're 6-6 in January

On TOR next year, I think a lot of it has to do with how much, if at all, a bunch of young guys progress -- they've played 5 rookies and 4 other guys on rookie deals major minutes. So it's possible, but I think they'd top out at .500 without some significant leaps from 2-3 guys, and leaps are too hard for me to predict.

I have no doubts really in Barnes, IQ, RJ. JP seems to be a coveted big man, though I think -as with any club, a C who can provide spacing with interior presence is important. Grady, I believe, is a relatively springy 3 point weapon. Come February, this will be the first year post OG trade where they will have this core in place. As you say 6-6 since having some guys be healthy (6-6 in Jan) and just glancing at some of the split stats it looks like more efficient offense, less turnovers. Next three games are Pels, Wizards, and Bulls. Could be 9-6 with some luck (if that's what they want) at months end.

[oldncreaky]

Just to throw in my 2 cents: It would be a complete steal for the Lakers. IQ can score 20, hit the 3 with reliability, and plays top shelf defense.
NOT a pure point guard. He is a two way combo guard/shooting guard in a point guard's body.

Raps quietly have a good team, need to get healthy of course and need depth but it will come. I expect a Magic-like rise out of them next year.

Interesting post.

Agree with your read on IQ. I think evaluating a 5-year deal on 9 games and jumping to the conclusion that IQ is a "bad contract" is an extremely lazy take

I also think TOR is better than their record. Now that most of their vets are finally healthy, they're 6-6 in January

On TOR next year, I think a lot of it has to do with how much, if at all, a bunch of young guys progress -- they've played 5 rookies and 4 other guys on rookie deals major minutes. So it's possible, but I think they'd top out at .500 without some significant leaps from 2-3 guys, and leaps are too hard for me to predict.

I have no doubts really in Barnes, IQ, RJ. JP seems to be a coveted big man, though I think -as with any club, a C who can provide spacing with interior presence is important. Grady, I believe, is a relatively springy 3 point weapon. Come February, this will be the first year post OG trade where they will have this core in place. As you say 6-6 since having some guys be healthy (6-6 in Jan) and just glancing at some of the split stats it looks like more efficient offense, less turnovers. Next three games are Pels, Wizards, and Bulls. Could be 9-6 with some luck (if that's what they want) at months end.

I think a string of victories would lead to the TWO revolting on the Raptors board, and I wouldn't wish it on the moderators. They might win a few more games, but that will just motivate them to move the vets that are currently giving them an OKish bench at the TDL because what matters is the lottery odds. Hard to see them dropping to WAS level, but even harder to see them making the play-in and/or not being top 8 in the lottery