ESPN Eastern Conference Predictions (Raptors 12th)

[Dennis 37]

I don't get why people need to debate this low ranking and convince others (or themselves?) that we will be better.

Keep your expectations for upcoming season low - if we surprise then celebrate, and if we don't surprise then we get another high lottery pick to our rebuild.

Mainly because pre-season predictions often discount our team. We have exceeded them far more often that we have fallen short.

[Jcity08]

As long as we arent fighting for the play-in. Either we are a playoff team or lottery, I dont like this in-between stuff.

[mdenny]

too low. we'll be in the mix for playoffs/play-in. that defense will keep us competitive.

Agreed. It'll also be a factor of night-in, night-out effort.

We're not gonna be lazy enough to lose that many games.

[tradejosehesux]

If they're healthy, they will make the playoffs.

[Spida888]

After the Celtics at 6th, its hard to predict. I think Pacers will be better than expected if they stay healthy with a good coach.

We will be in the 7-11 play-in range if we try to make the playoffs. If we trade Dragic or Pascal looks meh after coming back from injury then we'll be lower.

[Johnny Bball]

So right where we finished last year, in Tampa. Like we are worse by miles while trying to lose. Riiiight.

[Parataxis]

While I'm sure that this would make team tank happy*, I think it's more likely that they finish better than this than they end up scraping the bottom of the conference.

*just kidding, nothing will make some members of team tank happy.

[Raps in 4]

[Raps in 4]

So right where we finished last year, in Tampa. Like we are worse by miles while trying to lose. Riiiight.

We lost our best player in the offseason. I do think we're likely to finish better than 12th, but I also wouldn't be shocked if that's where we ended up. Our performance will hinge heavily on how much Barnes is able to contribute this year. If he's as raw as expected, it won't be a competitive season for us.

[Johnny Bball]

So right where we finished last year, in Tampa. Like we are worse by miles while trying to lose. Riiiight.

We lost our best player in the offseason. I do think we're likely to finish better than 12th, but I also wouldn't be shocked if that's where we ended up. Our performance will hinge heavily on how much Barnes is able to contribute this year. If he's as raw as expected, it won't be a competitive season for us.

The only way we end up 12th is if we get killed with injuries before the break and have to intentionally finish 12th again.

I think Barnes will be about as useful as OG was off the bench in his first season. I think 22-25 minutes and as good is a decent comparison. He might surprise us more depending on what he got accomplished this offseason. But he's not going to cost the team games all over the place imo.

[Pointgod]

So right where we finished last year, in Tampa. Like we are worse by miles while trying to lose. Riiiight.

We lost our best player in the offseason. I do think we're likely to finish better than 12th, but I also wouldn't be shocked if that's where we ended up. Our performance will hinge heavily on how much Barnes is able to contribute this year. If he's as raw as expected, it won't be a competitive season for us.

My main concern is that we’ll be without Pascal the first month. So no Siakim, no Lowry to stabilize the team. We’re going to lean on Fred Van Vleet to carry the team. And no disrespect to Fred Van Vleet I have a hard time seeing him as that guy. It’s possible we have Khem Birch as our starting Center!

[JShuttlesworth]

I really don't see a scenario where we're 12th unless we have injuries and / or tank.

[M3tro]

Still feeling like we're going to battling for that 8th spot.

[Jakay]

It's not an unfair take, it's a pretty young team now without a real vet coming off the bench (if Dragic leaves). Playing hard or not, kids make mistakes.

A lot depends on the starters health.

[Johnny Bball]

So right where we finished last year, in Tampa. Like we are worse by miles while trying to lose. Riiiight.

We lost our best player in the offseason. I do think we're likely to finish better than 12th, but I also wouldn't be shocked if that's where we ended up. Our performance will hinge heavily on how much Barnes is able to contribute this year. If he's as raw as expected, it won't be a competitive season for us.

My main concern is that we’ll be without Pascal the first month. So no Siakim, no Lowry to stabilize the team. We’re going to lean on Fred Van Vleet to carry the team. And no disrespect to Fred Van Vleet I have a hard time seeing him as that guy. It’s possible we have Khem Birch as our starting Center!

Its funny. Everyone thought JV was a god putting up 12 and 8 but Birch does it in his sleep while we tank and we have to worry. Birch might even start (not my choice) but he's not likely closing every game.

[CANsportsguru]

I think we'll be 8-9th range and should be better than Pacers and Hornets. Depends on how many games Pascal misses at the start of the season.

[Mikistan]

We lost our best player in the offseason. I do think we're likely to finish better than 12th, but I also wouldn't be shocked if that's where we ended up. Our performance will hinge heavily on how much Barnes is able to contribute this year. If he's as raw as expected, it won't be a competitive season for us.

My main concern is that we’ll be without Pascal the first month. So no Siakim, no Lowry to stabilize the team. We’re going to lean on Fred Van Vleet to carry the team. And no disrespect to Fred Van Vleet I have a hard time seeing him as that guy. It’s possible we have Khem Birch as our starting Center!

Its funny. Everyone thought JV was a god putting up 12 and 8 but Birch does it in his sleep while we tank and we have to worry. Birch might even start (not my choice) but he's not likely closing every game.

???

JV unleashed is putting up 19, 15, 17 ppg and 11 or 10+ rebounds his 3 seasons in memphis so far.
he also had a year avging 15ppg for us one year regular season

let alone not knowing what birch can do in the playoffs. meanwhile JV was the xfactor winning playoff games for us - double double as a rookie in his first PO game, dominating indiana even tho casey had kyle/demar brick boing for 30 shots each

[Johnny Bball]

My main concern is that we’ll be without Pascal the first month. So no Siakim, no Lowry to stabilize the team. We’re going to lean on Fred Van Vleet to carry the team. And no disrespect to Fred Van Vleet I have a hard time seeing him as that guy. It’s possible we have Khem Birch as our starting Center!

Its funny. Everyone thought JV was a god putting up 12 and 8 but Birch does it in his sleep while we tank and we have to worry. Birch might even start (not my choice) but he's not likely closing every game.

???

JV unleashed is putting up 19, 15, 17 ppg and 11 or 10+ rebounds his 3 seasons in memphis so far.
he also had a year avging 15ppg for us one year regular season

let alone not knowing what birch can do in the playoffs. meanwhile JV was the xfactor winning playoff games for us - double double as a rookie in his first PO game, dominating indiana even tho casey had kyle/demar brick boing for 30 shots each

what are the question marks for... Jv put up 12 and 8/9 every years for 6 years lol and never averaged 15 for us. and yep... Jv was always going to put up better numbers on a bad team. With Birch's mobility it aint all that far off what we got in those years at the position while losing to Cleveland and almost losing to the bucks.

Dude don't give this stuff that is was all Casey Lowry DD and never JV responsible. We weren't going to win ever, but clearly our biggest weakness having to play JV at C. The entire time.

[Mikistan]

Its funny. Everyone thought JV was a god putting up 12 and 8 but Birch does it in his sleep while we tank and we have to worry. Birch might even start (not my choice) but he's not likely closing every game.

???

JV unleashed is putting up 19, 15, 17 ppg and 11 or 10+ rebounds his 3 seasons in memphis so far.
he also had a year avging 15ppg for us one year regular season

let alone not knowing what birch can do in the playoffs. meanwhile JV was the xfactor winning playoff games for us - double double as a rookie in his first PO game, dominating indiana even tho casey had kyle/demar brick boing for 30 shots each

what are the question marks for... Jv put up 12 and 8/9 every years for 6 years lol and never averaged 15 for us. and yep... Jv was always going to put up better numbers on a bad team. With Birch's mobility it aint all that far off what we got in those years at the position while losing to Cleveland and almost losing to the bucks.

Dude don't give this stuff that is was all Casey Lowry DD and never JV responsible. We weren't going to win ever, but clearly our biggest weakness having to play JV at C. The entire time.

Our biggest weakness was feeding an inefficient shot taker 20-30 shots per game and 29%+ usage on a near supermax contract - who was also a sieve defensively.

JV averages 12/9 in 22-25 minutes was not the biggest weakness LMAO

[mdenny]

Lol at the sixers projection.

Their current backcourt:

Maxey/milton
Curry/danny green


Lol that might be the worst backcourt in the entire league right now. I think ppl are underestimating how much trouble they are in if ben sits. And i think he will.

And they are totally maxed out. Nothing they can do except trade ben for a mediocre replacement while also probably having to give away FRPs.

This is so yummy yummy delicious. Ofc...i could be wrong but i think ppl are crazy to be giving them third place in the east. Like......how?

Imagine how easy it will be to score against that backcourt. They are gonna lead the league in opponent's shooting %.