ECQF | P1 (2) Toronto Raptors vs (7) Orlando Magic

[Bankai]

I just hope that people giving Orlando a chance is not just discrediting the Raptors because they still think Derozan/Casey/JV etc is still on this team, this is a different Raptor team with All-NBA caliber players with a new supporting cast. LeBron and anyone who was scared of him, is gone. The only question mark is how will Nurse coach, but the Kawhi/Gasol Raptors is battle tested.

That said, the only reason this series might be competitive is because the Magic have not played like a typical #7 seed. They are going to give the Raptors a fight, but on paper you cant tell me that Magic has an advantage anywhere over the Raptors.

[orlando_joe]

delete

[Durant Durant]

[orlando_joe]

THese games will either be barn burners that goes to maybe 6 games or it’s going to be a sweep. I know that sounds like a Magic Johnson take at first glance, but I think this series comes down to the Raptors offense. We’ve been much better with our full 5 (now featuring Gasol) and struggled vs the Magic because we couldn’t score on them. If that is no longer an issue, I don’t see these games being close at all considering we are also a great defensive team but the Magic have a subpar offense.

It may be more competitive than some think. One the Raptors beat us twice on games we weren't rested. Two we finally have a backup PG that is semi competent.

We lost so many games early with Jerian Grant running the backup point. With Briscoe and now MCW running the backup point and getting at least 15 minutes, we're 23-12. That's a pace to win around 54 games.

That's how bad Grant was.


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plus no more simmons

[jayrehme]

When you have guys like Lowry, Gasol, Kawhi, Green on the team...do you really need to coach Also Nurse was responsible for the Raptors offense last season and this season (total of 117 wins)...I'm pretty sure his coaching credibility won't take a hit unless he can't get past Philly in the 2nd round.

Lowry, Gasol are past their primes and Green is a role player / borderline bench player. I'll give you Leonard. He's extremely solid. Toronto is good because they are deep and play good defense. Toronto fans tout that "we are a new team this year". Well, that isn't always good. Comfort and chemistry counts for something. Orlando's core has been together for a few years now and have really gelled these past few months. It'll be a competitive series that either team can win, pretty even matchup.

[Chandan]

What do Raptors and Lakers fans have in common?



We both hate magic.

[PD28]

When you have guys like Lowry, Gasol, Kawhi, Green on the team...do you really need to coach Also Nurse was responsible for the Raptors offense last season and this season (total of 117 wins)...I'm pretty sure his coaching credibility won't take a hit unless he can't get past Philly in the 2nd round.

Lowry, Gasol are past their primes and Green is a role player / borderline bench player. I'll give you Leonard. He's extremely solid. Toronto is good because they are deep and play good defense. Toronto fans tout that "we are a new team this year". Well, that isn't always good. Comfort and chemistry counts for something. Orlando's core has been together for a few years now and have really gelled these past few months. It'll be a competitive series that either team can win, pretty even matchup.

Raptors: Washed up players plus leonard, and no chemistry.

Orlando: Young, better chemistry.

Should be a good series!

[dohboy_24]

Raptors will do just fine. The best Orlando will be able to do will be to win a game or two, but that's about it. Raps in 5.

[pingpongrac]

When you have guys like Lowry, Gasol, Kawhi, Green on the team...do you really need to coach Also Nurse was responsible for the Raptors offense last season and this season (total of 117 wins)...I'm pretty sure his coaching credibility won't take a hit unless he can't get past Philly in the 2nd round.

Lowry, Gasol are past their primes and Green is a role player / borderline bench player. I'll give you Leonard. He's extremely solid. Toronto is good because they are deep and play good defense. Toronto fans tout that "we are a new team this year". Well, that isn't always good. Comfort and chemistry counts for something. Orlando's core has been together for a few years now and have really gelled these past few months. It'll be a competitive series that either team can win, pretty even matchup.

Passed-His-Prime Lowry is still putting up 14 PTS/5 REB/9 AST on solid efficiency. Gasol is only averaging 9 PPG with Toronto, but his minutes have been limited - and he's also being extremely unselfish (4 APG and a ton of secondary assists) which has resulted in some of the most aesthetically pleasing (and highly efficient) basketball on the offensive end. Green is much more than just a role player; he was probably the best 3+D role player in the entire league this season. He shot above 46% from the field and 45% on three-point attempts (both career highs), giving him a .632 TS% while also ranking #1 in RPM for SGs because he made a big impact on both ends of the court.

This isn't anything close to an even matchup. Toronto has an insane talent advantage, better depth, home-court advantage and a massive playoff experience advantage. There's no clear coaching advantage either way. The only thing I might have given Orlando a few weeks ago is the chemistry advantage, but Toronto's starting lineup has been firing on all cylinders lately and chemistry isn't an issue at all now.

[Ramed Nazored]

How about this for an excercise.

Contrast raptor players 1 through 8 with magic players 1 through 8, and tell me where ORL has the advantage.

I can think of one, being Vuc vs. Gasol, and maybe the bench match up with Ross vs. Raps role players.

Aside from that the talent and depth advantage is skewed heavily to TOR.

I predict Raps in 5. I’d also like to argue that the “playoff choker” narrative is very overblown.

The Raptors weren’t supposed to beat the Nets in 2014. They were a very mediocre team in 2015, losing more than winning in the second half of the season. They had a great 2016 PO run, got eliminated by a much better Cav’s team in 2017, and suffered at the hands of Derozan’s attrociois play vs the Cavs in 2018.

There aren’t really any “upsets” to speak of here, save the Washington series, and anyone who was close to the team saw that coming.

The “playoff choker” storyline is a misnomer. It isn’t rooted in a fine grain analysis of what really went down the last several years. And “choking” aside, this franchise still has more playoff success over the last five years than 28 of the NBA’s 30 teams.

You might also want to consider that our two most incompetent playoff performers - DD and Casey - are no longer a part of the team.

Anything short of a super competitive 7 game ECF appearance should be considered a huge disappointment.

[Viper1500]

I love the optimism from the Orlando side but I see a slim chance of winning more than 2 games. Toronto is DEEP and have the best player on the floor.

[TdotRap4Lyfe]

Good luck Raptor bros. I know you hate us Magic fans but it doesn't mean we can't wellwish each other.

Who said we hate you? Lol

[basketballRob]

How about this for an excercise.

Contrast raptor players 1 through 8 with magic players 1 through 8, and tell me where ORL has the advantage.

I can think of one, being Vuc vs. Gasol, and maybe the bench match up with Ross vs. Raps role players.

Aside from that the talent and depth advantage is skewed heavily to TOR.

I predict Raps in 5. I’d also like to argue that the “playoff choker” narrative is very overblown.

The Raptors weren’t supposed to beat the Nets in 2014. They were a very mediocre team in 2015, losing more than winning in the second half of the season. They had a great 2016 PO run, got eliminated by a much better Cav’s team in 2017, and suffered at the hands of Derozan’s attrociois play vs the Cavs in 2018.

There aren’t really any “upsets” to speak of here, save the Washington series, and anyone who was close to the team saw that coming.

The “playoff choker” storyline is a misnomer. It isn’t rooted in a fine grain analysis of what really went down the last several years. And “choking” aside, this franchise still has more playoff success over the last five years than 28 of the NBA’s 30 teams.

You might also want to consider that our two most incompetent playoff performers - DD and Casey - are no longer a part of the team.

Anything short of a super competitive 7 game ECF appearance should be considered a huge disappointment.

Head to head Isaac is better than Siakam.

I also like Cliff better.

[RaptorsCity12]

Let’s Go Raptors!!!

Magic, best of luck to you! I hope you guys play well.... just not well enough to beat us lol


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[pingpongrac]

How about this for an excercise.

Contrast raptor players 1 through 8 with magic players 1 through 8, and tell me where ORL has the advantage.

I can think of one, being Vuc vs. Gasol, and maybe the bench match up with Ross vs. Raps role players.

Aside from that the talent and depth advantage is skewed heavily to TOR.

I predict Raps in 5. I’d also like to argue that the “playoff choker” narrative is very overblown.

The Raptors weren’t supposed to beat the Nets in 2014. They were a very mediocre team in 2015, losing more than winning in the second half of the season. They had a great 2016 PO run, got eliminated by a much better Cav’s team in 2017, and suffered at the hands of Derozan’s attrociois play vs the Cavs in 2018.

There aren’t really any “upsets” to speak of here, save the Washington series, and anyone who was close to the team saw that coming.

The “playoff choker” storyline is a misnomer. It isn’t rooted in a fine grain analysis of what really went down the last several years. And “choking” aside, this franchise still has more playoff success over the last five years than 28 of the NBA’s 30 teams.

You might also want to consider that our two most incompetent playoff performers - DD and Casey - are no longer a part of the team.

Anything short of a super competitive 7 game ECF appearance should be considered a huge disappointment.

Head to head Isaac is better than Siakam.

I also like Cliff better.

Isaac has done an excellent job slowing down Siakam in the last 3 matchups, but Siakam does so many more things that he's still the better player even if he's struggling to score.

[basketballRob]

How about this for an excercise.

Contrast raptor players 1 through 8 with magic players 1 through 8, and tell me where ORL has the advantage.

I can think of one, being Vuc vs. Gasol, and maybe the bench match up with Ross vs. Raps role players.

Aside from that the talent and depth advantage is skewed heavily to TOR.

I predict Raps in 5. I’d also like to argue that the “playoff choker” narrative is very overblown.

The Raptors weren’t supposed to beat the Nets in 2014. They were a very mediocre team in 2015, losing more than winning in the second half of the season. They had a great 2016 PO run, got eliminated by a much better Cav’s team in 2017, and suffered at the hands of Derozan’s attrociois play vs the Cavs in 2018.

There aren’t really any “upsets” to speak of here, save the Washington series, and anyone who was close to the team saw that coming.

The “playoff choker” storyline is a misnomer. It isn’t rooted in a fine grain analysis of what really went down the last several years. And “choking” aside, this franchise still has more playoff success over the last five years than 28 of the NBA’s 30 teams.

You might also want to consider that our two most incompetent playoff performers - DD and Casey - are no longer a part of the team.

Anything short of a super competitive 7 game ECF appearance should be considered a huge disappointment.

Head to head Isaac is better than Siakam.

I also like Cliff better.

Isaac has done an excellent job slowing down Siakam in the last 3 matchups, but Siakam does so many more things that he's still the better player even if he's struggling to score.

Slowing down? You mean shutting down.

In the last game Siakam scored a little while Isaac was out of the game but not when he was guarding him. He does it to other guys too, like John Collins can't score at all on him.

Isaac has also shot around 40% from 3 and 11 points a game since the all star. He'll clearly be better than Siakam when he fully develops.

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[jayrehme]

I get the overconfidence from raptors fans, this season is make or break for them. If they lose in the first round to Orlando, I cant see Leonard sticking around, and then what do they have? Unfortunately they got a tough first round matchup against one of the hottest teams in the league, who play dominant defense and are well coached. The only advantage Toronto has is home court advantage.

[mademan]

I get the overconfidence from raptors fans, this season is make or break for them. If they lose in the first round to Orlando, I cant see Leonard sticking around, and then what do they have? Unfortunately they got a tough first round matchup against one of the hottest teams in the league, who play dominant defense and are well coached. The only advantage Toronto has is home court advantage.

What do you mean overconfidence? This is a 2-7 matchup against a team with near 0 playoff experience. There's been like a grand total of 2 or 3 upsets of this magnitude in 30 years. Raps fans should be overconfident.

And they have many more advantages than just HC. Cmon bro

[KokoKaizer]

I hope for a good serie !

We're the underdog here, nothing to loose

[basketballRob]

I get the overconfidence from raptors fans, this season is make or break for them. If they lose in the first round to Orlando, I cant see Leonard sticking around, and then what do they have? Unfortunately they got a tough first round matchup against one of the hottest teams in the league, who play dominant defense and are well coached. The only advantage Toronto has is home court advantage.

What do you mean overconfidence? This is a 2-7 matchup against a team with near 0 playoff experience. There's been like a grand total of 2 or 3 upsets of this magnitude in 30 years. Raps fans should be overconfident.

And they have many more advantages than just HC. Cmon bro

disregard I thought you were trying to say Toronto had the head coaching advantage.

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