Post-Game: Raps beat Nets, go back above .500

[anotherhomer]

Good win, nice we continue to play .500 ball. Raps got the tougher end of the whistle during parts of game but beat a team they should had. A few points.
1. BI is a much needed bucket getter
2. Scottie is great do it all forward but can lose cool.
3. So like both IQ and RJ, but a better SL configuration is one half-court creator, and one 3&D guard. However, both of them are neither. Both are good above average but flawed scorers that can’t carry an offense (especially better teams) and can be shutdown. We’ll win games tho .500 ball though.
4. Let’s start with IQ – good shooter/spacer, playmaking/PG skills improving, can get hot but can be shutdown. Capable starter in the right line-up (read defense) ideally more 6th man but could prove me wrong
5. RJ – like him a lot, but shooting is streaky. Very scrappy fights hard for team Canada. If his 3-ball becomes more consistent and willing to accept bench role, could become a mamu type player. So yes I said the obvious, team needs a 3&D SG in this configuration. Also RJ struggles on the road a lot.
6. So ya I like IQ and RJ, but together they do limit our ceiling. I think the best play is to put a decent shooting guard who can play D. Other nuclear option is to trade RJ, and Barnes to Starting lineup.

[Syd-TK3]

Ingram is clearly at a different level as a scorer than everyone else. This game shouldn't have been close and he's the only reason it wasnt at the end despite our bad defense

[Son Goku 25]

I can see this team winning 42-44 games

[HiJiNX]

Dick was solid. Running around a lot. Kinda got his way into everything. Really showed his stamina.

[MiamiSPX]

5-2 or 6-1 over the next 7 is on the table.

[manjusaka]

CMB didn’t miss a shot tonight.

[TheAlchemist23]

Ingram is clearly at a different level as a scorer than everyone else. This game shouldn't have been close and he's the only reason it wasnt at the end despite our bad defense

Our biggest weakness on D is at the C position or lack there of when Jak is out/encumbered

[Duffman100]

CMB didn’t miss a shot tonight.

I get a Lowry vibe from him. Just a guy that wins.

[manjusaka]

IQ is really playing like a true point guard this year.

[anotherhomer]

Ingram is clearly at a different level as a scorer than everyone else. This game shouldn't have been close and he's the only reason it wasnt at the end despite our bad defense

really need to build team around Ingram...

What do you guys all think how IQ, RJ and Barnes fit around Ingram?

honestly....if you ask me, between those three, i rather have one more half-court creator, and 2 3&D guys....that would be more ideal.

But such things don't exist

[anotherhomer]

IQ is really playing like a true point guard this year.

you think so?

[___Rand___]

It's nice to check out development of young players on both teams. Nets seem to have the same disease have Raptors had - they just lack guys with guard skills. Demin is a big guard but isn't quick.

[Raps in 4]

Ingram is clearly at a different level as a scorer than everyone else. This game shouldn't have been close and he's the only reason it wasnt at the end despite our bad defense

really need to build team around Ingram...

What do you guys all think how IQ, RJ and Barnes fit around Ingram?

honestly....if you ask me, between those three, i rather have one more half-court creator, and 2 3&D guys....that would be more ideal.

But such things don't exist

Build around the no-defense, middling efficiency, injury-prone 28 year-old?

[Zeno]

That was an extremely boring watch. Between the refs calling everything, a sub par opponent and a generally lacklustre effort this felt like a preseason game. Anyway happy with the win.

[earthtone]

Watching the Nets post-game right now, a lot of praise for Quickley’s all around game

Feel like he gets respect from everywhere outside this board

[HangTime]

Ingram is clearly at a different level as a scorer than everyone else. This game shouldn't have been close and he's the only reason it wasnt at the end despite our bad defense

really need to build team around Ingram...

What do you guys all think how IQ, RJ and Barnes fit around Ingram?

honestly....if you ask me, between those three, i rather have one more half-court creator, and 2 3&D guys....that would be more ideal.

But such things don't exist

Scottie is still Clearly the best player on the team.

Just give it time

[earthtone]

Paraphrasing from the Nets post-game broadcast here:

“Jakob Poeltl was a high pick, Scottie Barnes was a high pick, Brandon Ingram was a high pick, RJ Barrett was a high pick. This team has a lot of guys with a lot of potential, and this is an evaluation year in Toronto. This was a talented team we played tonight.”

[mdenny]

The bad:

1. We are one of 7 teams in the NBA that dont have a top 40 player. The bar/standard for Barnes continues to quietly drop lower amd lower. I think ppl are being disingenuous at this point to say that he isn't emerging as a huge disappointment compared to what we envisioned as his potential. He's top 50ish and not even really showing flashes as being capable of climbing those ranks.

2 On top of that....we don't have an emotional leader and none of our starters fit the mold of the "intangible guy that makes winning plays at the big moments". We don't look like a team that will be successful in close games. Our team doesn't have a clear identity or character.

The Good:

1 We actually have good starting depth. We probably have 5 guys between rankings 45 and 100. This is reflected by our tricky cap situation (too many guys worth 30ish milly and above).

2 we probably have an above average bench full of cheap, young players.

So in totality....we are SCREAMING for an amalgamating trade either before or at the deadline. And i think the good news is that we are set up for a trade like that which can kinda fix everything all at once.

We have all our draft picks. A ton of young cheap players.....and a variety of starting quality players at various contract amounts for matching. All the ingedients needed for a big amalgamating trade.

In the absence of such a trade....this team feels like a road to nowhere.

[Son Goku 25]

Didn't realize CMB has such a clean stroke. His Ft's look natural. That usually bodes well for shooters esp a guy like him who is considered a non-shooter and apparently wasn't working on his shooting in college. His overall understanding of the game and 2 way ability might make him a OG replacement in a few years.

[anotherhomer]

Ingram is clearly at a different level as a scorer than everyone else. This game shouldn't have been close and he's the only reason it wasnt at the end despite our bad defense

really need to build team around Ingram...

What do you guys all think how IQ, RJ and Barnes fit around Ingram?

honestly....if you ask me, between those three, i rather have one more half-court creator, and 2 3&D guys....that would be more ideal.

But such things don't exist

Scottie is still Clearly the best player on the team.

Just give it time

I like scottie a lot but there's something about the roster construction....

if you want to win, then you need to build team around the scorer