PG: Raps Drain the Swamp In Washington

[Topher]

I don't even like DeRozan but we're obviously better in the playoffs with him. Teams putting a lot of preparation and focus into stopping DeRozan can help open up other things. We'd be very easy to prep for without DeRozan tbh.

How can you not like him?

Because his defense is atrocious and aside from rare hot streaks he's been pretty bad this year with his 3pt shooting too

He's a talented offensive player, gives you a high usage guy who can take tough shots for you and still maintain at least average-above average efficiency, his play-making has improved slightly but he still has a ton of flaws in his game that at times can overshadow the things he does well.

Basically if DeRozan has shooting nights like he had in Game 6, his value as a player drops a ton since scoring is what he makes his money off of.

Ok

[diamondsfinest]

Something something opportunistic scorer.

Opportunistic beast. Great series on both ends for him. Pretty much everyone was great except Ibaka, and even he had 2 good games.

What's crazy is Lowry didn't really have any "bad" games. Game 1 and 2 he shot poorly but played really good defense and averaged 10.5 assists. Games 3-6 he put up his regular season or better numbers.

The only thing you can criticize him for a little bit was that he had a few really un-Lowry like turnovers and his defense on Wall wasn't good after Game 1/2 but that's to be expected, Lowry's 32 and even in his prime didn't have the foot speed to guard Wall.

I kept saying this season that this was Lowry's breakout playoff year.

His jump shot looks so good right now compared to earlier playoff years. Getting so much elevation from those fresh legs.

I never should have doubted our lord

his main problem was having him guard Wall for large portions of the series, when Wall could easily shoot over him, and we have plenty of other folk who can at least bother his shot with some length.

[VinBaker6]

Haven’t read the thread, so if this is already posted sorry for asking again.

BUT

Anyone have the full ESPN link?

Google NBA replay, first link.

[diamondsfinest]

How can you not like him?

Because his defense is atrocious and aside from rare hot streaks he's been pretty bad this year with his 3pt shooting too

He's a talented offensive player, gives you a high usage guy who can take tough shots for you and still maintain at least average-above average efficiency, his play-making has improved slightly but he still has a ton of flaws in his game that at times can overshadow the things he does well.

Basically if DeRozan has shooting nights like he had in Game 6, his value as a player drops a ton since scoring is what he makes his money off of.

Ok

Derozan overall played really well, his only issue is over the last 4 he only shot 40%, and Ibaka shot 32% and scored 5 pts. We may wanna consider starting Siakam, since Ibaka's 3 point shooting actually complements Poeltl's game more than Siakam on offence if they also have Delon and FVV. Siakam can handle the ball well and get good looks to JV and guard the perimeter and PNR. JV can hit 3's and rebound the ball and finish, because Powell shot poorly and I don't want to see small ball with g-league players in the playoffs that result in like a 10 deficit on that 20 point lead.

He got a little shot happy, but closed nicely, it happens. He's finally a net positive on the court for once, and his 39% 3 point shooting is fantastic. Not to mention he's had 3 straight years of about a 99 offensive rating, its 110 this series. His EFG is also 47%, the highest by far in any playoffs. So are his points in the paint.

My only request would be maybe one or two less midrange a game, its needed, but he still shot only 33% on 2 point shots.

[dbhoops]

Haven’t read the thread, so if this is already posted sorry for asking again.

BUT

Anyone have the full ESPN link?

Google NBA replay, first link.

Thank you Sir!

[Red_Claw]

We’d be worst with Middleton whose a decent defender and good shooter.

sweet "fact".

“Emptying the clip equals to losses...”

- 59 wins in regular season (2nd most in league) - Theres no Trophy for 2nd in season wins. The season determines who gets the opportunity to win a championship
- 5 straight winning seasons - See above
- First round win 4-2 (Derozan most FGA on team) - I mean if you're happy with how that series went, i don't know what to say...
- 3rd most W’s in the league in playoffs last 3 years - Ya cause we go to 7 every series!! Our overall record in the playoffs last 5 seasons is 21 - 26!!

Hmmmm...

Also, Khris Middleton:

23.5 pts / 59.6%fg / 62.5%3pt / 64.3 %ft / 5.7 Reb / 3.2 ast / going to game 7 against 2nd seed.

[720]

2nd round!!

Some day I'll make the team...

I blame my contractor JaysRule15 for anyone left out.

[dukes_wild]

sweet "fact".

“Emptying the clip equals to losses...”

- 59 wins in regular season (2nd most in league) - Theres no Trophy for 2nd in season wins. The season determines who gets the opportunity to win a championship
- 5 straight winning seasons - See above
- First round win 4-2 (Derozan most FGA on team) - I mean if you're happy with how that series went, i don't know what to say...
- 3rd most W’s in the league in playoffs last 3 years - Ya cause we go to 7 every series!! Our overall record in the playoffs last 5 seasons is 21 - 26!!

Hmmmm...

Also, Khris Middleton:

23.5 pts / 59.6%fg / 62.5%3pt / 64.3 %ft / 5.7 Reb / 3.2 ast / going to game 7 against 2nd seed.

Obviously Middleton > DeRozan in terms of fit on our team. Would give us better spacing, defense, and the ball would stick less.

But DeRozan garners more attention than Middleton, I don't think that's really debatable at all.

[hankscorpioLA]

Read on Twitter

Pretty much. Winning in 6 on the road is also a really good sign, as was going 3 for 3 at home.

Unlike in the past where a good game was followed by a bad game, it felt in this series like we got better as the series went on, and then bringing back Freddie pushed it over the top.

I feel really confident going into round 2, regardless who we play.

[TrustFundBaby]

Thoughts on Ibaka's play this series?

He had 9/7 on 53% TS.

I felt like he underperformed outside of his huge game 1. He basically won game 1 for the teamn but after that he was terrible. Felt like he lost the ball everytime he put it on the floor, and he couldn't finish inside. He had a bunch of timely blocks though, that was consistent throughout the series.

Honestly, I'd say he played well if he wasn't our 3rd star. I expect more from him

[Topher]

sweet "fact".

“Emptying the clip equals to losses...”

- 59 wins in regular season (2nd most in league) - Theres no Trophy for 2nd in season wins. The season determines who gets the opportunity to win a championship That wasn’t my point though. You said emptying the clip equals to losses. Clearly it doesn’t with Derozan as our best player. I just showed you that.
- 5 straight winning seasons - See above
- First round win 4-2 (Derozan most FGA on team) - I mean if you're happy with how that series went, i don't know what to say... Why would I be unhappy? Washington isn’t your typical 8 seed team. We played well as a team. I predicted Raps in 5. Big deal it went to 6.
- 3rd most W’s in the league in playoffs last 3 years - Ya cause we go to 7 every series!! Our overall record in the playoffs last 5 seasons is 21 - 26!! Your point is irrelevant. What does going to 7 have to do with our wins? You got confused there I think. And no point in going back 4/5 seasons. In past 3 were 18-18. Not great but better than most other teams.

Hmmmm...

Also, Khris Middleton:

23.5 pts / 59.6%fg / 62.5%3pt / 64.3 %ft / 5.7 Reb / 3.2 ast / going to game 7 against 2nd seed.

See above for responses to your points.

Um yeah teams aren't game planning for Khris Middleton the way they do for Derozan dude. He doesn’t get nearly as much attention from opposing defenses as Derozan does. Great numbers for him. Can’t deny that. But he’s overachieving right now. He’s also playing nearly 40 mins a game

Mhm this is a 2 seed missing their 2 best players. They’re extremely young and their best player is al horford right now. Bucks should be expected to win this series which is what I see happening.

[Rappid]

Gotta love the general board tho

"While Toronto advances, I am quite disappointed about their defense in general. Lowry, DeRozen, OG and Ibaka are among elite defenders in the past."

OG in the past? DD elite defender? The hell alternative universe are we living in?

[lebron stopper]

Thoughts on Ibaka's play this series?

He had 9/7 on 53% TS.

I felt like he underperformed outside of his huge game 1. He basically won game 1 for the teamn but after that he was terrible. Felt like he lost the ball everytime he put it on the floor, and he couldn't finish inside. He had a bunch of timely blocks though, that was consistent throughout the series.

Honestly, I'd say he played well if he wasn't our 3rd star. I expect more from him

I'd rather have Aldridge over Ibaka. I'm not kidding.

[nabbs]

Haven’t seen a lot of love for Jak but he was good on the boards and guarding out in space in the fourth

[ATLTimekeeper]

Haven’t seen a lot of love for Jak but he was good on the boards and guarding out in space in the fourth

Yeah, I was killing him right up until the 4th. Great show and recover.

[dukes_wild]

Thoughts on Ibaka's play this series?

He had 9/7 on 53% TS.

I felt like he underperformed outside of his huge game 1. He basically won game 1 for the teamn but after that he was terrible. Felt like he lost the ball everytime he put it on the floor, and he couldn't finish inside. He had a bunch of timely blocks though, that was consistent throughout the series.

Honestly, I'd say he played well if he wasn't our 3rd star. I expect more from him

He played horribly outside of a great Game 1 and average Game 2.

He averaged 5 points, 5 rebounds per game on 32% shooting in the final 4 games of the series. That's terrible production from your starting PF regardless of how much he's making. Even if he was on a rookie scale contract that production is putrid.

[dukes_wild]

Gotta love the general board tho

"While Toronto advances, I am quite disappointed about their defense in general. Lowry, DeRozen, OG and Ibaka are among elite defenders in the past."

OG in the past? DD elite defender? The hell alternative universe are we living in?

He also used the fact that we rarely hold teams under 100 points to back up his argument about us being an underwhelming defensive team

Like who actually holds teams under 100 points consistently in 2018?

[Just Passing By]

ibaka needs to be benched. start siakam.

Siakam and Val worked nicely today. It is amazing that:

1- this is the first time, ever, that JV plays with the mob.
2- how much nicer his D looks with good perimeter defense.

I know this was not *his* game (G5) but again he came in the 4th when we were leading by 3 and we finished 14-7.
Maybe he can play 4th quarters after all?

His Defense was still terrible. Don’t blame Lowry or demar for Val’s shortcomings. Despite all that Val has forced caseys hand

Are you **** kidding me, mate?

[HiMyNameIsTrey]

I almost forgot how Casey was jawing at some Wizards fan towards the end of the game. Did anyone here mention that yet or even see it? I was watching the ESPN feed. I need a clip

[RaptorsLife]

Man's crying