GT 57 | Marc Gasol @ Knicks | Sat Feb 9 | 7:30pm TSN 590

[The Answer!]

Wow, I completely forgot Lowry played with Gasol as a rook in Memphis, small world. Cue the mind blown gif.

[rotty]

im excited but im more nervous to see how Nurse uses him. I have no confidence in his ability to adapt/change the offense around Gasol.

[Metallikid]

im excited but im more nervous to see how Nurse uses him. I have no confidence in his ability to adapt/change the offense around Gasol.

I have a distinct feeling Sergio Scariolo will be having a bigger role in determining our offense overall, and sets in particular. Gasol comes with his own playbook from years in Memphis and Sergio will utilize more wrinkles from the Spanish team if I had to guess what will happen.

[RaptorPride]

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[Bankai]

Raptor have huge amounts of money just tied up to their Center position. Moving Ibaka back to PF might screw up dynamics. That's a cause for concern moving forward in regards to salary and asset distribution.

[Anatomize]

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Marc's defensive and offensive IQ is off the charts, there's so many little moments I can point to. He understands his defender's positioning really well, the way he seals Horford with an off arm and creates an entry pass to lead him ahead of Horford for an open dunk, in another sequence he's getting deep post position on Aldridge - he sees that Aldridge is sealing him off from receiving an entry pass so he comes out a little bit re-adjusts his body and gets into the post position again - then makes himself available while still in deep position.

In another sequence he posts Jarrett Allen IIRC, Allen is pushing really hard on his back, he throws it out to get Allen to relax a little bit and then reposts while gaining deeper position with his back, as SOON as he gets the ball Allen has pushed on his back so hard that he's falling forward too much, so Gasol immediately turns for a mini fadeaway and Allen is slouched over without any ability to contest because he over committed to pushing hard on Gasol's back.

He has really good instincts for what's going on on the floor, reacts to everything without over-thinking the situation.

On so many 2 on 1 defensive situations he gets the exact timing of the pass down while back pedaling and never over-commits in one direction but rather waits for the offensive player to commit to one move or path and then counters it.

Teams should be scared of the potential of this starting 5. We have a staple player at every marquee position in this lineup, usually I like teams to have one star PG, one star SF, and one star Center with role players at SG and PF, and that's exactly what we've built. 3 Stars at 3 marquee positions, a growing-into-a-star high-impact power forward, and one of if not the best 3+D shooting guard in the entire league.

[HOOOMAN]

First game ive been able to watch in weeks. Love watching raps play in msg

[15Years]

Let's beat the new york knicklebacks

[NYKHardKnock]

SMITHERS GONNA BURN DOWN THE VILLAGE!

Spoiler:

but still lose by 65

[Lateral Quicks]

Really looking forward to this one Hopefully Gasol and Kawhi play.

[emptytheclip]

Any news if Gasol is playing?

[Kingsway_fan]

We need to continue to win and secure at least second seed in East...phily and Boston will be tough... east finals with bucks is as far as I see this team going.... Unless Masai hits homeruns with buyout adds....

[RaptorsLife]

Siakam and Marc gasol passing gonna go crazy

[Red_Claw]

HUGE Game tonight!

JV's first game as a grizzly!

[TrustFundBaby]

Watch on YouTube

Marc's defensive and offensive IQ is off the charts, there's so many little moments I can point to. He understands his defender's positioning really well, the way he seals Horford with an off arm and creates an entry pass to lead him ahead of Horford for an open dunk, in another sequence he's getting deep post position on Aldridge - he sees that Aldridge is sealing him off from receiving an entry pass so he comes out a little bit re-adjusts his body and gets into the post position again - then makes himself available while still in deep position.

In another sequence he posts Jarrett Allen IIRC, Allen is pushing really hard on his back, he throws it out to get Allen to relax a little bit and then reposts while gaining deeper position with his back, as SOON as he gets the ball Allen has pushed on his back so hard that he's falling forward too much, so Gasol immediately turns for a mini fadeaway and Allen is slouched over without any ability to contest because he over committed to pushing hard on Gasol's back.

He has really good instincts for what's going on on the floor, reacts to everything without over-thinking the situation.

On so many 2 on 1 defensive situations he gets the exact timing of the pass down while back pedaling and never over-commits in one direction but rather waits for the offensive player to commit to one move or path and then counters it.

Teams should be scared of the potential of this starting 5. We have a staple player at every marquee position in this lineup, usually I like teams to have one star PG, one star SF, and one star Center with role players at SG and PF, and that's exactly what we've built. 3 Stars at 3 marquee positions, a growing-into-a-star high-impact power forward, and one of if not the best 3+D shooting guard in the entire league.

Haha whenever you write about Gasol I get so hyped

I remember you gushing over Budenholzer in the same way when many were saying he was a fraud because LBJ swept him also, and now he's Frontrunner for COY

[Lateral Quicks]

We need to continue to win and secure at least second seed in East...phily and Boston will be tough... east finals with bucks is as far as I see this team going.... Unless Masai hits homeruns with buyout adds....

We now have a veteran-laden, playoff tested team. The Bucks have a few vets, but also also a number of key players that have never been tested in the playoffs. They may have some growing pains, much like the Raptors have the last number of years.

Also it remains to be seen how the Bucks style of play will translate to the playoffs.

Personally I don't think there's a clear favourite right now, but if the Raptors are healthy then we have as good a chance as anybody IMO.

[MavCarter]

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Imagine someone showing you this picture last season

[nitrous]

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[nitrous]

Watch on YouTube

Marc's defensive and offensive IQ is off the charts, there's so many little moments I can point to. He understands his defender's positioning really well, the way he seals Horford with an off arm and creates an entry pass to lead him ahead of Horford for an open dunk, in another sequence he's getting deep post position on Aldridge - he sees that Aldridge is sealing him off from receiving an entry pass so he comes out a little bit re-adjusts his body and gets into the post position again - then makes himself available while still in deep position.

In another sequence he posts Jarrett Allen IIRC, Allen is pushing really hard on his back, he throws it out to get Allen to relax a little bit and then reposts while gaining deeper position with his back, as SOON as he gets the ball Allen has pushed on his back so hard that he's falling forward too much, so Gasol immediately turns for a mini fadeaway and Allen is slouched over without any ability to contest because he over committed to pushing hard on Gasol's back.

He has really good instincts for what's going on on the floor, reacts to everything without over-thinking the situation.

On so many 2 on 1 defensive situations he gets the exact timing of the pass down while back pedaling and never over-commits in one direction but rather waits for the offensive player to commit to one move or path and then counters it.

Teams should be scared of the potential of this starting 5. We have a staple player at every marquee position in this lineup, usually I like teams to have one star PG, one star SF, and one star Center with role players at SG and PF, and that's exactly what we've built. 3 Stars at 3 marquee positions, a growing-into-a-star high-impact power forward, and one of if not the best 3+D shooting guard in the entire league.

Haha whenever you write about Gasol I get so hyped

I remember you gushing over Budenholzer in the same way when many were saying he was a fraud because LBJ swept him also, and now he's Frontrunner for COY

Marc actually has a quick shot release and doesn't bother doing a pump fake like JV. Going to make a big difference on offense. Also, quicker than I expected.

[Psubs]

HUGE Game tonight!

JV's first game as a grizzly!

I hope he goes 25pts, 12 rebs and 2 blks and helps beat New Orleans (they are on a back-to-back so may sit AD and JV can beast on Okafor).