Who will be better next season: Toronto or Indiana?

[NZB2323]

The Hawks took the championship 08 C's to 7. They werent anything to speak about in 09.

Moral of the story. Lets not base our entire judgements of teams on 7 game sample sizes.

The 09 Hawks went from 8th seed to 4th seed and won a playoff series in 2009.

Yes. And I wouldnt be surprised if the Pacers won more games and a series next year. I also wouldnt be surprised if they took a step back. A 7 game sample doesnt tell you who they are. The 82 game sample is a much better indicator

While not a 82 game sample, the Raptors do have a history of disappointing in the playoffs.

-Getting swept in 2018 with homecourt advantage
-Getting swept in 2017
-Being pushed to 7 games in first 2 rounds in 2016 with homecourt advantage before losing in the ECF
-Getting swept in 2015 with homecourt advantage
-Losing in the first round in 2014 with homecourt advantage

Also, typically, young teams who make the playoffs improve.

[Darth Celtic]

Every year that I was like "wow, pacers crushed the offseason" and all the sports world talks about them, they are terrible. Every year I write them off as a lotto team, they end up going far in the playoffs. I'm going to say, I thought they did well, so I'm putting the Raptors ahead of them.

[KHRICH]

Why would anyone think Toronto?? Pacers had a great off season, have depth, and a team that shows grit. Pacers will win the East this year, and probably finish with the second best record in the East. And I am not even a Pacer fan, but a Cavs fan who felt the Pacers were the best team they faced in the Eastern Conference playoffs and that was last year prior to their additions this year.

Pacers win the east? Jesus... what planet am I on. Did bucks Sixers raptors an celtics just fold franchises and move west? I honestly think pistons will finish ahead of Pacers.

you're high.

[xBulletproof]

The cockiness of a single Pacers fan is funny.

I fixed that for you.

Never seen the dude before and even I'm rolling my eyes. Chill with lumping us all together here.

[phraoh]

Not sure why Toronto fans think anything will be different in the East this year? You think just because Lebron is gone, Raptors will suddenly be a team to be reckoned with in the East? Just look at last year, Cavs struggled with Boston and Indiana (7 game series), and SWEPT the Raptors. You honestly have to question Toronto until they actually do something in the playoffs....and that's just the way it will be until they win the East...no one (except their fans) will believe it until it actually happens, which is understandable.

[sca]

The cockiness of a single Pacers fan is funny.

I fixed that for you.

Never seen the dude before and even I'm rolling my eyes. Chill with lumping us all together here.

My bad, I thought there were two Pacers fans with interesting opinions, apparently there was only one.

[RaptorsLife]

Raptors by far

[L3GEND4RY]

Nothing the raptors do in the regular season matters. They could win 82 games and i'd still pick against them in the playoffs against anything higher than a 6 seed. We definitely need to see evidence they are worth taking seriously before taking seriously.

Completely agree.

I think Oladipo will have a big year as well.

[mowcrowbar]

didn't mean to be cocky. really don't remember all of your bench. van Vleet. Powell. I'd really have to look up the rest so I asked. I fully agree that our bench had weaknesses last year particularly on the road. Good Lance tended to show up at home with Bad Lance on the road. GRob was our only other wing and he disappointed. Evans should be a big upgrade at 2 with McDermott upgrading the 3.

Sent from my phone.

I can see Evans taking over the starting pg spot from Collison tbh, or outplaying him in minutes at the very least. With his increased shooting, he can probably even play the off guard and let Oladipo create. As far as the Raptors bench goes, it necessarily isn't about individual players, even though we have some really good pieces, but how they play in cohesion. Think about it, the Raptors bench outperforms the starters more often than not. I'd keep my eye out for Siakam and OG personally.

how did Evans playing PG work out in the past? he is much better off the bench..6th man of the year 2019.

Very well. He played pg in Sacramento.

[RaptorPride]

Oladipo is the best player between both teams but I still got the Raptors as the better team.

[Wizop]

how did Evans playing PG work out in the past?

Very well. He played pg in Sacramento.

and Victor has played some point. I think they can play together without it being necessary to label one the 1 and the other the 2. as long as both can bring the ball upcourt under pressure and can initiate the offense, they'll be fine together.

Sent from my phone.

[RaptorPride]

Toronto.... Depth makes a huge difference for a long season and the Raps have the best bench in the league.

Pacers significantly upgraded their bench. Our second 5 is now CoJo, Reke, Mcbuckets, O'Quinn (or Leaf), and Sabonis. Remind me where you are better now.

Sent from my phone.

Sabonis > Siakam
Reke > CJ Miles
Cory Joseph = FVF (although I will admit he had a great season)
McDermott > Powell
KOQ < Poeltl

Not bashing but why do you believe Sabonis is better than Siakam? same with CoJo and Fred being even?

[Wizop]

Not bashing but why do you believe Sabonis is better than Siakam? same with CoJo and Fred being even?

wasn't my ranking but Sabonis is a very effective 5. Perhaps Siakkim is better at 4. the post probably matches up the players incorrectly and Sabonis should have been compared to Poeltl. aren't they the 2nd unit centers?

CoJo probably better defender. FVV better scorer.

Sent from my phone.

[dipodenis]

Pacers significantly upgraded their bench. Our second 5 is now CoJo, Reke, Mcbuckets, O'Quinn (or Leaf), and Sabonis. Remind me where you are better now.

Sent from my phone.

Sabonis > Siakam
Reke > CJ Miles
Cory Joseph = FVF (although I will admit he had a great season)
McDermott > Powell
KOQ < Poeltl

Not bashing but why do you believe Sabonis is better than Siakam? same with CoJo and Fred being even?

Sabonis is a better rebounder, FT shooter, 3 point shooter. Look at the playoff stats too. Sabonis has a much larger impact. Pascal definitely has potential though, and his defensive versatility is much better than Domas. As for CoJo vs. FVV, I think most would choose VanVleet, but CoJo just plays his role so well. And his defense is very underrated. I almost wish he was more aggressive offensively at times.

[TheBoi10]

lmao Raptors easily. Raps net rating 7.6, Indy's 1.something.

Raps have the much better offense (3rd) and Defense(5th), Indy 12th in both.

It's not close.

[TheBoi10]

Toronto likely wins more regular season games but who wins in a playoff matchup? I could see a matchup between these two teams going 7 games.

Raptors in 4 or 5 games easily.

Raps have mismatches across the board, literally own the Pacers.

[SmashMouthRod]

Toronto.... Depth makes a huge difference for a long season and the Raps have the best bench in the league.

Pacers significantly upgraded their bench. Our second 5 is now CoJo, Reke, Mcbuckets, O'Quinn (or Leaf), and Sabonis. Remind me where you are better now.

Sent from my phone.

Sabonis > Siakam
Reke > CJ Miles
Cory Joseph = FVF (although I will admit he had a great season)
McDermott > Powell
KOQ < Poeltl

No way is Cojo equal to VanVleet. I agree with the other comparisons though.

[dukes_wild]

CoJo = VanVleet???

Sabonis > Siakam??

Pacers fans need to stop drinking the kool-aid

[TheBoi10]

Toronto.... Depth makes a huge difference for a long season and the Raps have the best bench in the league.

Pacers significantly upgraded their bench. Our second 5 is now CoJo, Reke, Mcbuckets, O'Quinn (or Leaf), and Sabonis. Remind me where you are better now.

Sent from my phone.

Pacers easily have the best bench in the league now....

[NinjaBro]

Sabonis > Siakam
Reke > CJ Miles
Cory Joseph = FVF (although I will admit he had a great season)
McDermott > Powell
KOQ < Poeltl