Are the Raptors currently the 2nd best team in the East?

The Flying Gent · Post #241 » by **The Flying Gent** » Sat Dec 16, 2017 6:57 am

I think the actually important question is not which of the two finishes higher or is 'better', but which of the two have a chance to beat Cleveland in a series.

And right now, i think both do.

GreatWhiteStiff · Post #242 » by **GreatWhiteStiff** » Sat Dec 16, 2017 7:05 am

Jakay wrote:I mean this year so far Boston is clearly the better team, and Hayward is too good not to fit himself in nicely. He's white LeBron Jr.

It's still so close though it's a pretty dumb distinction when the answer is "neither are good enough". The one thing that really cements Boston for me in this argument is the Raps really don't have that ice veined game stealer like Boston does with Kyrie. DD and Lowry have both had some moments, but I never get the feeling with either of them that there's some miracle shot coming.

The clearly better team has a much much worse offensive rating and a slightly better defensive rating. Not even sure if the stats im looking at are updated.

I don't even think boston's drating is likely to be maintained. Wouldn't surprise me if their offensive efficiency improves (also wouldn't surprise me if it didn't), or they're simply better or will be seen to have performed better in the playoffs than toronto.

OGLife · Post #243 » by **OGLife** » Sat Dec 16, 2017 8:20 am

supremacy wrote:
sshle wrote:
711takeover wrote:
Lol yeah man Bradley is definitely better than Hayward you're right.

Bradley at 8 million/15 million next year v. Hayward at 30 million. Make your pick. I’ll take Bradley.

Yeah, this is wrong. Bradley will make more than 15per. Good try, though.

No way his contact goes more than 15-20 mill per next year. You can quote that.

OGLife · Post #244 » by **OGLife** » Sat Dec 16, 2017 8:24 am

711takeover wrote:
sshle wrote:
CeltsFlow wrote:

How funny you guys turn on him once he’s no longer a Celtic.

It's not turning on him. Hayward is better and a game changer

Would like to know what makes Hayward better than Bradley? I know Bradley is the far better defender.

Also considering the Cletics have brown, Tatum and Horford, how does it make the Celtics a better roster to have Hayward instead of Bradley plus a big at about 10 mill per

bb22 · Post #245 » by **bb22** » Sat Dec 16, 2017 9:51 am

The Flying Gent wrote:I think the actually important question is not which of the two finishes higher or is 'better', but which of the two have a chance to beat Cleveland in a series.

And right now, i think both do.

I agree. I should have emphasized the word "currently" more. Come playoffs, baring any injuries, Cleveland leaps in front of the Raps and Celtics imo. I'm eager to see how the Celtics perform in the playoffs. Will Kyrie's clutch genes be enough to carry them deep into the playoffs and past Lebron and Co?
As for right now, I'd consider changing the title to: Are the Raptors currently the best team in the East. They are playing like it.

RaptorsLife · Post #246 » by **RaptorsLife** » Sat Dec 16, 2017 9:54 am

Demar derozan is analytical player now damn

Obpm is 3.0

He is 11th in offense win share and 13th overall in win shares

CelticsLV · Post #247 » by **CelticsLV** » Sat Dec 16, 2017 10:44 am

Raps are trending upwards while Celtics are gradually regressing. Not so far fetched to say that Raps are better as of now. I was really surprised with Celtics start of the season and was more pessimistic after Hayward went down. After the win streak Boston hasn't been good at all. Raps and Cavs have been playing much better and most stats suggest it too. W/L, NetRtg etc. Celtics offense has been above average but defense has regressed big time.

bb22 · Post #248 » by **bb22** » Sat Dec 16, 2017 11:06 am

CelticsLV wrote:Raps are trending upwards while Celtics are gradually regressing. Not so far fetched to say that Raps are better as of now. I was really surprised with Celtics start of the season and was more pessimistic after Hayward went down. After the win streak Boston hasn't been good at all. Raps and Cavs have been playing much better and most stats suggest it too. W/L, NetRtg etc. Celtics offense has been above average but defense has regressed big time.

Although Hayward's injury has been a blessing for guys like Tatum and Horford thus far (more minutes and usage), signs of fatigue are beginning to show. Right now would have been a great time for Hayward to come back, to make up for Tatum's eventual slow down and give them some second wind. Boston has slowed down, but they are still finding ways to win most of their games. The Cavs are in for a rough January, too.

RaptorsLife · Post #249 » by **RaptorsLife** » Thu Dec 21, 2017 4:39 am

2nd seed now. 14-3 last 17. + 12.5 point diffential in that strench. Overall +8.8. Celtics and cavs combined 9.0

biggest thing that makes it likely to translate in playoffs

last year 30th in assists

after tonight raptors are 7th in assists. passing way more. less iso

StepBackCrack · Post #250 » by **StepBackCrack** » Thu Dec 21, 2017 4:42 am

Raps are the definition of paper tigers. No offense, Raps fans.

BetterCallSaul · Post #251 » by **BetterCallSaul** » Thu Dec 21, 2017 4:43 am

sshle wrote:
711takeover wrote:
sshle wrote:
How funny you guys turn on him once he’s no longer a Celtic.

It's not turning on him. Hayward is better and a game changer

Would like to know what makes Hayward better than Bradley? I know Bradley is the far better defender.

Also considering the Cletics have brown, Tatum and Horford, how does it make the Celtics a better roster to have Hayward instead of Bradley plus a big at about 10 mill per

What dude? Gordon Hayward is a bonafide all star and a two way player. Are you suggesting that he's only marginally better than Bradley (who I love, by the way).

KnightofHyrule · Post #252 » by **KnightofHyrule** » Thu Dec 21, 2017 4:46 am

Teshima Junta wrote:Raps are the definition of paper tigers. No offense, Raps fans.

And it's a good thing that people believe that. Makes winning that much better.

Childs · Post #253 » by **Childs** » Thu Dec 21, 2017 4:47 am

Im just happy about the ball movement. So much better to watch, and I hope it translates to the playoffs. I know Raptors fans want Casey's head on a pike, but give him alot of credit. Unfortunately Lowry prob won't make the all-star team, because his stats are alot less sexier. Oh well, Id rather him be under minutes restriction, than have him sit out for like 20 games like last year.

Childs · Post #254 » by **Childs** » Thu Dec 21, 2017 5:06 am

CoachD wrote:Ya those Cs looked great tonight against another sub .500 team

Lmao

You do realize we lost to the Clippers right?

Post #255 » by **Prez** » Thu Dec 21, 2017 5:25 am

At this point, yeah, you have to say they are. They're just a really balanced, well constructed team. I was skeptical about their depth with some of the vets they lost but they just keep finding contributors through the draft.

Also people frequently trash Dwayne Casey but he's nowhere near as bad as some of these actually horrible coaches around the league. Not gonna name any names...but see avatar.

jlokine · Post #256 » by **jlokine** » Thu Dec 21, 2017 5:33 am

Childs wrote:
CoachD wrote:Ya those Cs looked great tonight against another sub .500 team

Lmao

You do realize we lost to the Clippers right?

that was one game... every team could lose to a sub .500 team.. that's also in the middle of a 9-1 in the last 10. warriors also lost to the kings. doesnt mean anything.

SK21209 · Post #257 » by **SK21209** » Thu Dec 21, 2017 5:42 am

Really hope we get Raps/Celtics as the 2/3. I've been on the "Raps offense always tanks in the playoffs so who cares" bandwagon for a while but they're definitely sharing the ball better this year.

Throwback24 · Post #258 » by **Throwback24** » Thu Dec 21, 2017 6:01 am

It's not the Celtics, the players on the team and the fan base know the Raptors own them. If they meet up in the playoffs the Celtics are going home.

Don't make any mistake about it. They aren't the team the Wiz swept, the Wiz are now the Raptors sons. The Celtics are in the same tier as them

PierceFan4ever · Post #259 » by **PierceFan4ever** » Thu Dec 21, 2017 6:05 am

Throwback24 wrote:It's not the Celtics, the players on the team and the fan base know the Raptors own them. If they meet up in the playoffs the Celtics are going home.

Don't make any mistake about it. They aren't the team the Wiz swept, the Wiz are now the Raptors sons. The Celtics are in the same tier as them

Oh really? Could have sworn the Celtics beat the Raptors earlier without Kyrie...hmmmm

Throwback24 · Post #260 » by **Throwback24** » Thu Dec 21, 2017 6:08 am

PierceFan4ever wrote:
Throwback24 wrote:It's not the Celtics, the players on the team and the fan base know the Raptors own them. If they meet up in the playoffs the Celtics are going home.

Don't make any mistake about it. They aren't the team the Wiz swept, the Wiz are now the Raptors sons. The Celtics are in the same tier as them

Oh really? Could have sworn the Celtics beat the Raptors earlier without Kyrie...hmmmm

We can go back and forth presenting who won the last 5 matchups. The general sentiment in a lot of basketball circles is that the Raptors are superior.

I mean if they're the peoples champ, who are we to argue this? They were anointed by the PEOPLE and represent the PEOPLE.

If you're looking to take an exotic vacation next summer, you know where you'll lay your money in the playoffs. In your heart of hearts, you know.

As do Raptor fans. There are no biases when it comes to picking a winner, I pray it happens. You'll learn.