PG- Moral Victory

[mtcan]

I’m a Siakam guy but there is a trend developing for sure—the 4th Q is not his friend. He was getting away from the ball as much as possible at the end there, deferring to Freddy. And then with his number called he made mistakes. His late game confidence is at an all time low which makes sense given the way the last season ended and this one started. He still hasn’t shaken off the bubble and the four last second shots he missed earlier in the season. He gonna need to get his head straight this off-season or he’s gonna get run outta town by the fans.

It’s wild because he’s had some good late game performances this season, most notably taking it to Giannis in the home and home vs the Bucks, but it seems like it’s been a 3:1 ratio of clunkers balanced against successes. The game is moving too fast for him in clutch moments. And he’s in his head too much. He needs to get it sorted out. It’s one thing to not be a super clutch scorer, it’s another to be a complete wildcard at the end of games. That’s bad for him and bad for team morale, considering he’s still our player with the highest ceiling on a given night. Hopefully OG can change that next year.

He shouldn't be the guy with the ball in his hands to win the game...we know that already. We need someone who is capable of the big plays in the big moments. The last guy we had at that level...was wearing a Clippers jersey and has a weird laugh. Maybe we find that guy in the draft.

Word. What I’m saying is there’s a difference between missing shots late game or not being able to beat the defence versus what we are seeing with Siakam, which is unforced turnovers. This is two late game advantageous transition opportunities in two weeks he’s ruined with turnovers. That’s not about his talent level, that’s about his head.

I'm not giving up on Pascal as a player at all. I love watching him play especially when he's cooking. I hope he takes these failures to heart, watches the game tape and learns about how to slow the game down in the big moments and is able to learn how to be better.

We ragged on Demar as a closer in the past especially when we witnessed him dribbling the ball off the his foot and didn't even get a game winning/tying shot off. He's had a few pretty nice game-winning shots later on in Toronto and also in San Antonio. But we know Demar's a gym rat and has a crazy work ethic.

So hopefully these are learning opportunities for Pascal. Keep giving him these opportunities for the rest of the season...let him work out the kinks and hopefully he comes back stronger next season.

As of right now...he ain't a closer.

[Dennis 37]

He shouldn't be the guy with the ball in his hands to win the game...we know that already. We need someone who is capable of the big plays in the big moments. The last guy we had at that level...was wearing a Clippers jersey and has a weird laugh. Maybe we find that guy in the draft.

Word. What I’m saying is there’s a difference between missing shots late game or not being able to beat the defence versus what we are seeing with Siakam, which is unforced turnovers. This is two late game advantageous transition opportunities in two weeks he’s ruined with turnovers. That’s not about his talent level, that’s about his head.

I'm not giving up on Pascal as a player at all. I love watching him play especially when he's cooking. I hope he takes these failures to heart, watches the game tape and learns about how to slow the game down in the big moments and is able to learn how to be better.

We ragged on Demar as a closer in the past especially when we witnessed him dribbling the ball off the his foot and didn't even get a game winning/tying shot off. He's had a few pretty nice game-winning shots later on in Toronto and also in San Antonio. But we know Demar's a gym rat and has a crazy work ethic.

So hopefully these are learning opportunities for Pascal. Keep giving him these opportunities for the rest of the season...let him work out the kinks and hopefully he comes back stronger next season.

As of right now...he ain't a closer.

We got OG. If Pascal never gets his nerves under control in the clutch, he will still draw the double team and can dish it off to OG.

[kj_]

Even if you're for the tank, imagine being happy the Clippers and Steve Ballmer beat you. Pretty much akin to some guy stealing your girlfriend and then you being happy seeing them have sex in front of you. So much beta mentality. Sad!

Except it’s nothing like that because the raptors aren’t your girlfriend and there’s no sex involved.


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[DelAbbot]

Even if you're for the tank, imagine being happy the Clippers and Steve Ballmer beat you. Pretty much akin to some guy stealing your girlfriend and then you being happy seeing them have sex in front of you. So much beta mentality. Sad!

Except it’s nothing like that because the raptors aren’t your girlfriend and there’s no sex involved.


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I think he is referring to Kawhi as his ex-girlfriend.

[mtcan]

Word. What I’m saying is there’s a difference between missing shots late game or not being able to beat the defence versus what we are seeing with Siakam, which is unforced turnovers. This is two late game advantageous transition opportunities in two weeks he’s ruined with turnovers. That’s not about his talent level, that’s about his head.

I'm not giving up on Pascal as a player at all. I love watching him play especially when he's cooking. I hope he takes these failures to heart, watches the game tape and learns about how to slow the game down in the big moments and is able to learn how to be better.

We ragged on Demar as a closer in the past especially when we witnessed him dribbling the ball off the his foot and didn't even get a game winning/tying shot off. He's had a few pretty nice game-winning shots later on in Toronto and also in San Antonio. But we know Demar's a gym rat and has a crazy work ethic.

So hopefully these are learning opportunities for Pascal. Keep giving him these opportunities for the rest of the season...let him work out the kinks and hopefully he comes back stronger next season.

As of right now...he ain't a closer.

We got OG. If Pascal never gets his nerves under control in the clutch, he will still draw the double team and can dish it off to OG.

It's about making the right decision in crunch time...about having that court awareness that allows you to assess all of your options in real time and make the right decision. That is something that could be learned...and hopefully he does.

The charge that Paul George draw last night, the double dribble call in the Knicks game...those are examples of poor decision making in big moments. Some players learn from their failures and get better...some never do. I'm not sure where Pascal lands in this...but I hope he has the drive and work ethic to be better.

I hope that with enough learning opportunities...the game slows down for him in those moments and he is able to figure it out and make the right decision.

[fedade]

It was an obvious tank move when Nurse subbed in Stanley and Bambrey.

[OAKLEY_2]

Even if you're for the tank, imagine being happy the Clippers and Steve Ballmer beat you. Pretty much akin to some guy stealing your girlfriend and then you being happy seeing them have sex in front of you. So much beta mentality. Sad!

Except it’s nothing like that because the raptors aren’t your girlfriend and there’s no sex involved.


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Well, the Dance Pak "might" be a shameful attempt to do chorus line dancing girls in a nod to sex appeal... No? In case Paskal not in the clutch was failing to sell merch.

[scuervo1]

I'm not giving up on Pascal as a player at all. I love watching him play especially when he's cooking. I hope he takes these failures to heart, watches the game tape and learns about how to slow the game down in the big moments and is able to learn how to be better.

We ragged on Demar as a closer in the past especially when we witnessed him dribbling the ball off the his foot and didn't even get a game winning/tying shot off. He's had a few pretty nice game-winning shots later on in Toronto and also in San Antonio. But we know Demar's a gym rat and has a crazy work ethic.

So hopefully these are learning opportunities for Pascal. Keep giving him these opportunities for the rest of the season...let him work out the kinks and hopefully he comes back stronger next season.

As of right now...he ain't a closer.

We got OG. If Pascal never gets his nerves under control in the clutch, he will still draw the double team and can dish it off to OG.

It's about making the right decision in crunch time...about having that court awareness that allows you to assess all of your options in real time and make the right decision. That is something that could be learned...and hopefully he does.

The charge that Paul George draw last night, the double dribble call in the Knicks game...those are examples of poor decision making in big moments. Some players learn from their failures and get better...some never do. I'm not sure where Pascal lands in this...but I hope he has the drive and work ethic to be better.

I hope that with enough learning opportunities...the game slows down for him in those moments and he is able to figure it out and make the right decision.

That Siakam's double dribble probably still haunts him in his dreams.

[GetFamiliar]

It was an obvious tank move when Nurse subbed in Stanley and Bambrey.

Nurse was probably thinking defense first at that point of the game. And that's why he put them in.

[Son Goku 25]

I'm confused if elite teams just don't want to try vs us or were actually elite on defense. It feels weird, are we not giving this team enough credit? Or if the games counted some of our top players would go back to shrinking?

If anything, I like the identity on this team of being defense first and that works against any team in the league. Literally no team has slapped us when our guys are actually focused that I can remember.

[YogurtProducer]

I'm confused if elite teams just don't want to try vs us or were actually elite on defense. It feels weird, are we not giving this team enough credit? Or if the games counted some of our top players would go back to shrinking?

If anything, I like the identity on this team of being defense first and that works against any team in the league. Literally no team has slapped us when our guys are actually focused that I can remember.

In a normal season in Toronto and without missing a month for COVID I think we’re the 4th best team in the east TBH.

There is about a 0% chance the Knicks or Hawks are better teams than us when we’re healthy and have a true home court.

[Pooh_Jeter]

I'm confused if elite teams just don't want to try vs us or were actually elite on defense. It feels weird, are we not giving this team enough credit? Or if the games counted some of our top players would go back to shrinking?

If anything, I like the identity on this team of being defense first and that works against any team in the league. Literally no team has slapped us when our guys are actually focused that I can remember.

I thought it was pretty obvious the Lakers and Clippers were barely putting forth an effort. The majority of teams are either gearing up for the playoffs or tanking. You really only have a handful of teams truly playing for something.

Kawhi took 6 shots, you can't tell me he was fully engaged. PG13 and Kawhi played 33 and 34 minutes respectively while Siakam and FVV played 41 minutes. Yes, there were some curious bench units, but the Clippers had long stretches without Kawhi or PG on the floor and weren't exactly playing some sort of playoff rotation.

The Raptors have a bench full of guys looking for new contracts and whichever "core" pieces are out there playing are incentivized to shoot and get buckets.

[ItsDanger]

Clippers looked ordinary. Doubling Kawhi seems like an effective strategy. West seems wide open.

Nick Thibodeau burned his guys out late in the game. AGAIN.

[KL78192020]

I count about 7-8 games now where Pascal has done something completely idiotic in the final minutes that tilts the game for the opponent.

It's so incredibly hard to cheer for this guy. Horrible shooting percentage tonight and no late game execution.

Fred looked amazing and people want him traded. Right.

Didn’t Fred and Siakam shoot the same percentage?


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lol both shot 10-24, career wise FVV is at 40.6% and Siakam at 48.8%. Plus the reason people want FVV traded is because its a position of depth, Kyle Lowry is still better than FVV and will be at least for a couple of years. PF is not a position on strength. They can trade FVV to improve elsewhere and sign Lowry back, FVV isn't some superstar point guard, in two years when Lowry is done they can find someone else.

[DelAbbot]

lol both shot 10-24, career wise FVV is at 40.6% and Siakam at 48.8%. Plus the reason people want FVV traded is because its a position of depth, Kyle Lowry is still better than FVV and will be at least for a couple of years. PF is not a position on strength. They can trade FVV to improve elsewhere and sign Lowry back, FVV isn't some superstar point guard, in two years when Lowry is done they can find someone else.

Lowry's defense is worse than FVV. It's very noticeable. However, FVV is not as good as playmaker as Lowry (except last night) in most games. I would say Lowry is about the same as FVV in combined defensive and offensive impact.

Considering Lowry is demanding 25M x2 for his age 35 and 36, whereas FVV has 21M x3 left, FVV is a better allocation of resources, so we should move on from Lowry and let FVV start and live with the downgrade in playmaking.

The hope is Flynn develops enough to fill the playmaking gap Lowry leaves, at a rookie scale contract.

[mtcan]

lol both shot 10-24, career wise FVV is at 40.6% and Siakam at 48.8%. Plus the reason people want FVV traded is because its a position of depth, Kyle Lowry is still better than FVV and will be at least for a couple of years. PF is not a position on strength. They can trade FVV to improve elsewhere and sign Lowry back, FVV isn't some superstar point guard, in two years when Lowry is done they can find someone else.

Lowry's defense is worse than FVV. It's very noticeable. However, FVV is not as good as playmaker as Lowry (except last night) in most games. I would say Lowry is about the same as FVV in combined defensive and offensive impact.

Considering Lowry is demanding 25M x2 for his age 35 and 36, whereas FVV has 21M x3 left, FVV is a better allocation of resources, so we should move on from Lowry and let FVV start and live with the downgrade in playmaking.

The hope is Flynn develops enough to fill the playmaking gap Lowry leaves, at a rookie scale contract.

There is another option we let Lowry walk, find a trade for Fred (perhaps to a team with a top 14 pick? like the Pacers or Magic who will probably own the Bulls' #7 or #8 overall pick) and let Malachi run the point next season.

[DelAbbot]

lol both shot 10-24, career wise FVV is at 40.6% and Siakam at 48.8%. Plus the reason people want FVV traded is because its a position of depth, Kyle Lowry is still better than FVV and will be at least for a couple of years. PF is not a position on strength. They can trade FVV to improve elsewhere and sign Lowry back, FVV isn't some superstar point guard, in two years when Lowry is done they can find someone else.

Lowry's defense is worse than FVV. It's very noticeable. However, FVV is not as good as playmaker as Lowry (except last night) in most games. I would say Lowry is about the same as FVV in combined defensive and offensive impact.

Considering Lowry is demanding 25M x2 for his age 35 and 36, whereas FVV has 21M x3 left, FVV is a better allocation of resources, so we should move on from Lowry and let FVV start and live with the downgrade in playmaking.

The hope is Flynn develops enough to fill the playmaking gap Lowry leaves, at a rookie scale contract.

There is another option we let Lowry walk, find a trade for Fred (perhaps to a team with a top 14 pick? like the Pacers or Magic who will probably own the Bulls' #7 or #8 overall pick) and let Malachi run the point next season.

You are more tanky than me.

We would be out of playoffs next year for sure if both KL and FVV are gone, replaced by Flynn and another rookie.

[mtcan]

Lowry's defense is worse than FVV. It's very noticeable. However, FVV is not as good as playmaker as Lowry (except last night) in most games. I would say Lowry is about the same as FVV in combined defensive and offensive impact.

Considering Lowry is demanding 25M x2 for his age 35 and 36, whereas FVV has 21M x3 left, FVV is a better allocation of resources, so we should move on from Lowry and let FVV start and live with the downgrade in playmaking.

The hope is Flynn develops enough to fill the playmaking gap Lowry leaves, at a rookie scale contract.

There is another option we let Lowry walk, find a trade for Fred (perhaps to a team with a top 14 pick? like the Pacers or Magic who will probably own the Bulls' #7 or #8 overall pick) and let Malachi run the point next season.

You are more tanky than me.

We would be out of playoffs next year for sure if both KL and FVV are gone, replaced by Flynn and another rookie.

I'm just looking at the amount of talent we have at one position and seeing if we optimize it to strengthen ourselves at other positions.

If Malachi's rookie of the month is not a fluke...maybe he gives us 70-80% of what Fred is giving us as a sophomore and maybe that's enough to keep the boat afloat at least at that position. Malachi is a 4 year college player...and supposedly NBA ready. It also gives Gary Trent a clear path to a full time starting spot.

I might not have said that 2 months ago...but here we are. We have holes at the 5 and the bench is in serious need of talent and energy. If you can restock your talent pool with 2 top 14 picks and 2 mid-second round picks...it might be a good way to go about things.

[Raprtors1965]

Lowry's defense is worse than FVV. It's very noticeable. However, FVV is not as good as playmaker as Lowry (except last night) in most games. I would say Lowry is about the same as FVV in combined defensive and offensive impact.

Considering Lowry is demanding 25M x2 for his age 35 and 36, whereas FVV has 21M x3 left, FVV is a better allocation of resources, so we should move on from Lowry and let FVV start and live with the downgrade in playmaking.

The hope is Flynn develops enough to fill the playmaking gap Lowry leaves, at a rookie scale contract.

There is another option we let Lowry walk, find a trade for Fred (perhaps to a team with a top 14 pick? like the Pacers or Magic who will probably own the Bulls' #7 or #8 overall pick) and let Malachi run the point next season.

k

You are more tanky than me.

We would be out of playoffs next year for sure if both KL and FVV are gone, replaced by Flynn and another rookie.

Flynn can't hit the basket the last 2 games he has ways to go.

[mdenny]

You could do this for any forward in the NBA. So what would be the point exactly?

Siakam has a 2-to-1 assist to turnover ratio, it's not like he doesn't look to pass.

To be fair....I was expecting the pass to birch to get mucked up. There was an awkwardness in how the play developed. I don't think the pass was COMPLETELY there....looked like a risk.

Probably should have just pulled it back out though.

I think Birch is quite capable of catching a pass on the wing where he was and taking 1-2 dribbles to a dunk. But it did look a bit off because he was not wide enough, ie too close to Siakam. I find the Raps often do this, not run their lanes wide enough. And yeah, Pascal needed to pull back or do a jump stop, not keep going downhill. He is a capable ballhandler for 6'9, just needs to make better decisions on the run.

I'd have to watch again to confirm but I think you nailed it. Birch wasnt wide enough. All I can say is that coming down the court that pass looked like it wasnt gonna work and I was relieved when pascal didnt make it.