RealGM

It's one of the topics/questions in the latest episode of RaptorBlog Radio (RaptorBlog's weekly podcast). You can listen and download here: http://blogs.thescore.com/raptorblog/20 ... -new-year/

What do you guys think. Do you consider them in the race right now, or just closer than they should be because of that little run they had?

This team has to get a lot better, fast if it's going to sneak into the playoffs. The easy part of the schedule is over and they're starting to lose games right away (the SAC game was a momentum killer). I'd be surprised if this team is not 9th. Colangelo gets himself out of the doghouse for trading the pick for Lowry and gets to pretend by adding a few negligible pieces to the current roster we will be in the playoffs next year.

The treadmill rolls on

If the Raps can go 10-5 this month then i would say they are back in playoff talk. If not then no

No.
- We are replying on offensive system, catch and shoot, to maintain our scoring, where those are inconsistent and low efficient shots, and require very good rebounders, where we got out rebounded the last few games.

- We only have 3 or 4 players who can create for themselves. 1) Lowry, 2) Anderson, 3) Bargnani, and perhaps 4) DeRozan. Unless they are all healthy, we are unlikely to get enough offense.

- We only have 4 players with perimeter defense, which is a key for any team these days. 1) Ross, 2) Anderson, 3) Lowry, and 4) Pietrus. This is not going to be enough as a defensive team

- We rely on turnovers to create fastbreak in scoring, and it might not work for every team with better ball penetrators.

- We were playing easy schedule with home court advantage, which I don't see we will have similar record in the coming games.

It's funny to say we're in a race for the playoffs while we're the 6th worst team in the league. This stretch of games will say a lot

This week could say a lot if we are in a race or not. Playing both philly and bucks who are the teams we need to catch

Nope

No... our wins came against mostly lottery teams as well as mediocre low seed playoff ones. Then we go on and lose to the Kings No chance

We are 5 games from 8th place and will now face better teams following this week. That 5 is quite a hurdle.

Regression2u wrote:No... our wins came against mostly lottery teams as well as mediocre low seed playoff ones. Then we go on and lose to the Kings No chance

We are 5 games from 8th place and will now face better teams following this week. That 5 is quite a hurdle.

Dont look at boston, look at the bucks. They are struggling and play tonight as well as vs us on sunday

Probably not a good bet to wage the house on this team going .500+ the rest of the season

Hollinger's odds put at us 39% today.

I'd guess it to be closer to 10% probability.

There are some outcomes that could help our chances, but I'd be thrilled with 35 wins, and I just don't think that will get it done.

The Queens loss pretty much sealed our fate..can't even beat a lottery team at HOME.

NO.. Because neither players nor managers have that vision and desire...

A chance but at this point rather get 9th place in east with about 15th for OKC.
We would be in playoffs now if our coach hadn't blown lead after lead in 1st 20 games.

I don't think this is a playoff team, but if it has a chance you will know in 2 weeks.

Jval17 wrote:

Regression2u wrote:No... our wins came against mostly lottery teams as well as mediocre low seed playoff ones. Then we go on and lose to the Kings No chance

We are 5 games from 8th place and will now face better teams following this week. That 5 is quite a hurdle.

Dont look at boston, look at the bucks. They are struggling and play tonight as well as vs us on sunday

That struggle can be attributed to their difficult schedule since mid-Dec: http://www.basketball-reference.com/tea ... games.html

Except for the blunders against the Cavs and Pistons, they mostly lost to pretty good teams such as the Clippers, Grizzlies, Spurs, Rockets and Pacers. Within that time they also beat the Heat, Nets and Celtics. They're going on a roadtrip now but against so-so teams. More importantly their February schedule is the easiest of the season. It's not that case with us. I don't see how the Raptors can close the gap provided no crazy trades or injuries.