2014 NBA Playoffs: Toronto Raptors (3) vs Brooklyn Nets (6)

[60cent]

The Nets won while playing a bad game on the road. I don't know how else would the Raps win if the Nets are playing better esp the bench. I know you can say the same thing about the Raps with Defrozen and Amir not showing up but that's more of a product of the Nets D. The Nets missed their shots wide open and it's not gonna happen again lol

[Illmatic12]

For posters saying "Derozan won't play this poorly again, Ross won't play this poorly again".. you know, it wouldn't exactly be unprecedented if both of those first-timers laid an egg throughout the entire series. There's really no guarantee they play much better than this moving forward.

Ross isn't a guy who can create his own offense. In the playoffs things tighten up and your best ballhandlers are forced to carry the load, peripheral players like Ross fade into the background. That's why Lowry and Vasquez had the ball all the time, those are the two best dribble creators on the team. I wouldn't be surprised at all if Ross has no offensive impact in this series.

And Derozan doesn't really have a favorable matchup in this series either. BKN has bigger guards so he can't post up, and his midrange jumper is spotty. Plus he's not a great ballhandler either. You don't want to take the ball out of Lowry's hands and give it to Derozan, because he's not going to be able to create for others.

Derozan and Ross playing poorly the entire series, is a lot more likely than the Nets missing 20+ threes again.

[big_ticket]

While it sucked to lose, was really nice to see JV have such a big game in his first playoff game.

For a 21 year old, 2nd year centre to have 17/18...pretty impressive.

i remember lebron's first playoff game was 30 point triple double thing and people isnt impressed

[60cent]

Since most of the Rap fans are complaining about the refs, and I think it's funny, here's a little tribute to y'all to make you guys feel better...

[ecksplicit]

Since most of the Rap fans are complaining about the refs, and I think it's funny, here's a little tribute to y'all to make you guys feel better...

Spoiler:

Not much of a tribute since it was Turbo_Zone that made the image.

Anyway, this first game has shown me that this series, more than anything, will be a huge learning experience for our players (particularly DeMar). Win or lose, I hope DeMar can show the ability to adjust to the intensity of the postseason.

[VanDamme]

I just want to say I expect the Raptors don't get boos at every Brooklyn home game from now on after Masai Ujiri letting loose today on the 10,000 fans outside of the ACC. Anything less will be a disappointment.

[rapluva]

Raps losing the first game is no surprise... I predict Game 2 and 3 go to the raps and then game 4 to the nets.. making it 2-2.. which is scary as it could go to game 7.. and if it does... it would be very very good for the ratings..

What I don't believe is that the Nets can beat the Heat... if the raps are giving them problems to win a game.. there is no way they beat the Heat...

Good Luck everybody... this is going to be a looooonnnngg series...

[Keith Van Horn]

Raps fans telling people to calm down after a Nets win.... When before the game even begins, the game thread reaches 600+ posts with Toronto fans saying Raps will humiliate the Nets and take the series in a sweep.

I admire the passion of the fan base, but if you can't take the post game talk after a loss, don't make it seem like your team can't be beat before the game even begins. Unbelievable.

You haven't been around very long so I'll let you know. Raps in 4 is a RealGM meme, especially on the General Board. If you look on the Raptors forum even their poll didn't have as many Raps in 4 votes although it's a meme over there too. I don't think any Raptor fan actually thought the Raptors could sweep the series.

I know about the whole "Raps in 4" thing, it's just that people were actually serious about it.

[rottenzombie]

Raps fans telling people to calm down after a Nets win.... When before the game even begins, the game thread reaches 600+ posts with Toronto fans saying Raps will humiliate the Nets and take the series in a sweep.

I admire the passion of the fan base, but if you can't take the post game talk after a loss, don't make it seem like your team can't be beat before the game even begins. Unbelievable.

You haven't been around very long so I'll let you know. Raps in 4 is a RealGM meme, especially on the General Board. If you look on the Raptors forum even their poll didn't have as many Raps in 4 votes although it's a meme over there too. I don't think any Raptor fan actually thought the Raptors could sweep the series.

I know about the whole "Raps in 4" thing, it's just that people were actually serious about it.

No doubt, you sounded pretty serious about it in your original post there.

[wu-massacre]

Raptors fan base(those who continued complaining) straight up embarrassed themselves today. The constant complaining of the refs before the series even started was already a joke to begin with but right at the start of the game until all the way in the 4th there was still constant complaining smh I've never seen anything like it.

[TheRaptor!]

Man I hate pierce, but I have to respect the dinosaur.

Credit should be given when its due, the guy is damn clutch.

[therealbig3]

I just want to know...what level do people actually expect Demar to play at? Is he going to play THIS badly again? Doubt it. But can he be forced into a pretty poor overall series? I'm counting on it.

What does he do well that would allow him to beat the Nets' defense? The commentators mentioned it, he's not a good 3pt shooter. And for a guy that's so athletic, he doesn't really get to the rim that much in the half court. Almost 83% of his shots are jumpers. He takes A LOT of midrange jumpers, and his skillset in terms of creating separation and a quality look doesn't really seem all that impressive. He's no Melo, not even close.

So he's already taking a lot of jumpers, mainly consisting of the most inefficient shot in the game, doesn't create much separation when he does it, and he's going up against bad matchups in Livingston and JJ, who are both long and active defenders with quick hands. If it wasn't for Livingston committing a bunch of dumb fouls on a few of his jumpers, Demar would have been even more quiet.

I think it's safer to expect Brooklyn's bench to play a lot better than it is to expect Demar to play a lot better. Unless Demar just catches absolute fire from the field and is just hitting everything regardless of the defense for the next 3-6 games, I expect him to get shut down pretty convincingly in this series. He just doesn't have the skillset to be a go-to scorer in the playoffs.

[bandwagonTank]

Raps fans telling people to calm down after a Nets win.... When before the game even begins, the game thread reaches 600+ posts with Toronto fans saying Raps will humiliate the Nets and take the series in a sweep.

I admire the passion of the fan base, but if you can't take the post game talk after a loss, don't make it seem like your team can't be beat before the game even begins. Unbelievable.

You haven't been around very long so I'll let you know. Raps in 4 is a RealGM meme, especially on the General Board. If you look on the Raptors forum even their poll didn't have as many Raps in 4 votes although it's a meme over there too. I don't think any Raptor fan actually thought the Raptors could sweep the series.

I know about the whole "Raps in 4" thing, it's just that people were actually serious about it.

Lol It's just the raps fans showing support for their team. What do you expect you want their fans to say they'll lose 0-4 or something? We have most people posting because we got a bigger fan base and they are all looking forward to the playsoffs. I dunno why the net's board is so quiet these days.

Still a lot of basketball to be play net fans.

[60cent]

When we get to Miami, the real competition, we won't be quiet. Don't worry.

[BK nets BK]

Why is the next game so far away -_-
Sent from my LG-VS980 using Tapatalk

[therealbig3]

Why is the next game so far away -_-
Sent from my LG-VS980 using Tapatalk

Works out for the Nets, they get plenty of rest.

Key factor the rest of the way is how much KG and the bench can give them offensively. If they continue to be no-shows like they were in game 1, then the Nets are in trouble. At least KG has to get that midrange jumper going. If not, then Mirza or Thornton have to catch fire at some point.

[cjcfman]

Keon Clark had the raps postseason record for rebounds, and he played every game drunk.

Jv just got booked for "drunk driving" and breaks his record.

Somebody get jv keys the the union station lcbo, quick

[SunsRback4Good]

Why is the next game so far away -_-
Sent from my LG-VS980 using Tapatalk

Players need to rest to avoid any kind of injuries. <<<<< thanks captain obvious.

[hands11]

I just want to know...what level do people actually expect Demar to play at? Is he going to play THIS badly again? Doubt it. But can he be forced into a pretty poor overall series? I'm counting on it.

What does he do well that would allow him to beat the Nets' defense? The commentators mentioned it, he's not a good 3pt shooter. And for a guy that's so athletic, he doesn't really get to the rim that much in the half court. Almost 83% of his shots are jumpers. He takes A LOT of midrange jumpers, and his skillset in terms of creating separation and a quality look doesn't really seem all that impressive. He's no Melo, not even close.

So he's already taking a lot of jumpers, mainly consisting of the most inefficient shot in the game, doesn't create much separation when he does it, and he's going up against bad matchups in Livingston and JJ, who are both long and active defenders with quick hands. If it wasn't for Livingston committing a bunch of dumb fouls on a few of his jumpers, Demar would have been even more quiet.

I think it's safer to expect Brooklyn's bench to play a lot better than it is to expect Demar to play a lot better. Unless Demar just catches absolute fire from the field and is just hitting everything regardless of the defense for the next 3-6 games, I expect him to get shut down pretty convincingly in this series. He just doesn't have the skillset to be a go-to scorer in the playoffs.

True. Its easy to expect BRK to play better, not worse. Plumlee isn't going 12 min 5 fouls 2 pts 3 rebounds again. Its going to hard for Valanciunas to repeat that performance. Marcus Thornton isn't going 1 pt in 13 mins.

I expected BRK to take game one and they did and having done that, I have to say they are favorites to win game two as well. They only won by 7 but they lead the vast majority of the game they lead and except for some moments where TOR had their 2nd group with Vasquez out there, they were out talented with AS and HOF seasoned playoff players in Williams, Joe Johnson and Paul Peirce.

But this is why TOR being in the playoff is good. They need to gain that same experience which should help those players in their careers moving forward.

[hands11]

You haven't been around very long so I'll let you know. Raps in 4 is a RealGM meme, especially on the General Board. If you look on the Raptors forum even their poll didn't have as many Raps in 4 votes although it's a meme over there too. I don't think any Raptor fan actually thought the Raptors could sweep the series.

I know about the whole "Raps in 4" thing, it's just that people were actually serious about it.

Lol It's just the raps fans showing support for their team. What do you expect you want their fans to say they'll lose 0-4 or something? We have most people posting because we got a bigger fan base and they are all looking forward to the playsoffs. I dunno why the net's board is so quiet these days.

Still a lot of basketball to be play net fans.

I think what people respect is something a little more intellectually honest and respectful. Nothing wrong with loving your team and wanting them to win but thinking a team with no playoff experience was really a favorite to a team with the players and playoff experience that BRK has isn't showing the balance between fandom and basketball knowledge that earns the respect of non TOR fans. Something a little more humble and hopeful wouldn't have rubbed so many the wrong way and you probably would have even found more people complimenting the team and fans. And you don't want to give a team like BRK extra motivation by calling their HOF players old. Its disrespectful and counter productive. After all the years of big game ball Pierce has played, he is looking for extra things to motivate him. TOR handed that to him on a silver platter.

And even after this lose, fans still think they will win the series in 6 and don't realize they are the underdogs.

The 180 opposite would be SAS. They have proven a ton, yet the players and fans are amazingly humble. Even after all that SAS has proven, they stay level and focused and continue to achieve at an elite level. They and their fans have a quiet confidence that wins the support of none SAS fans.