PG: We may never lose again.

MEDIC · Post #161 » by **MEDIC** » Thu Oct 23, 2025 11:42 am

Raptors_Dynasty wrote:I was impressed by IQ’s finishing today which was a weakness so I’m encouraged.

His shot wasn’t falling but that was never a weakness in his game.

Whole team looked good.

That's the way I look at it. I am looking for growth from him. Proof that he was working on weaknesses in his game this summer.

So far he has shown that.

I.would rather see this version of Quick than someone who hits 3's, hits the odd fliater, avoids contact & plays no defense.

The 3's will come. Sometimes you take a bit of a step back on your sthrengths when you start working hard on other aspects of your game.

MiamiSPX · Post #162 » by **MiamiSPX** » Thu Oct 23, 2025 11:46 am

That was fun, probably the best Raps game in years. I hope that wasn't the high water mark lol.

Just a couple of more 3s and a balanced whistle in the 1st and we probably blow them out by 35+. I think that ring with the Celtics makes everyone gloss over the fact that Porzingis missed another 75 games over the last 2 seasons. I am not sure why he is considered such a big addition when the likelihood of him lasting the season is very slim.

No complaints at all. IQ going 0/7 doesn't bother me because that won't happen often, and he was still solid. This is the Barnes we need and want.

Elmago wrote:They should just look to move Trae this year before he opts out, build around Jalen johnson, daniels, Risacher + NO 1st round pick.

I agree they need to trade him but not because he may opt out, but rather in case he opts in.

ATLTimekeeper · Post #163 » by **ATLTimekeeper** » Thu Oct 23, 2025 11:55 am

NAW with a 2-15 off the bench.

Porzingis and Johnson are both kinda fake defenders. They hunt blocks, but don't play all that hard on that end.

Godaddycurse · Post #164 » by **Godaddycurse** » Thu Oct 23, 2025 12:13 pm

Im surprised they didnt go zone more against our suspect outside shooting.

JCP11 · Post #165 » by **JCP11** » Thu Oct 23, 2025 1:00 pm

Brinbe wrote:

Read on Twitter

gonna be tough on the body to keep this pace up over the course of a regular season but they do have the depth to get it done without overexerting anyone. and I think Darko will be pretty judicious with his subs and making sure he's not overplaying anyone.

The team's best defender wasn't even playing. I think they will be fine. Can't wait to see what team looks like with CMB.

dublo7 · Post #166 » by **dublo7** » Thu Oct 23, 2025 1:07 pm

Beatdown, beatdown! Looks good raptors keep it going.
I guess our spacing will get better over the next few months.

Go Jays!

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WuTang_CMB · Post #167 » by **WuTang_CMB** » Thu Oct 23, 2025 1:10 pm

Raps clearly following OKC/Indy high octane offense and defense. Raps got upgraded talent now with BI and younger guys improving but against teams with more talent then them, this recipe will help win games against those teams. Darko is going to play 10-11 guys a night in order to maintain this type of attack in order to keep guys fresh.

Loved what I saw for game 1

Shoutout to RJ as well. I never liked his game. But now that he's sandwiched between BI and Barnes, he will get lost in coverages which is a big boost to him. Just gotta hope he makes his Free Throws and plays neutral defense.

MEDIC · Post #168 » by **MEDIC** » Thu Oct 23, 2025 1:14 pm

LoveMyRaps wrote:I f***ing love RJ

All the haters can shut up.

He's definitely improved a ton!

Me too man. From the time he arrived, I liked his game. I hope he is here for the long haul. Great guy, good leader, gym rat, works on his weakesses, seems to have chemistry with BI & hasn't even hit his prime yet.

He is going to be a super solid veteran when he is 27-28 years old & could make an allstar game or 2 if this team starts becoming a consistent 50 win team.

Fairview4Life · Post #169 » by **Fairview4Life** » Thu Oct 23, 2025 1:21 pm

Godaddycurse wrote:Im surprised they didnt go zone more against our suspect outside shooting.

theonlyeastcoastrapsfan · Post #170 » by **theonlyeastcoastrapsfan** » Thu Oct 23, 2025 1:35 pm

Great start, thought IQ was strong in all the areas he was doubted. Great first real test for Bobby and Darko. The team situation is a lot more rosey, if we’re actually competitive and can build towards a championship team.

MEDIC · Post #171 » by **MEDIC** » Thu Oct 23, 2025 1:38 pm

nikster wrote:I think we will play deep because we are gonna play aggressive and run teams off the floor. Indiana has auccess with the style last year. Even in the playoffs 9 guys playing at least 14 minutes and nobody playing more than 33. We still have overlap but its a good problem to have right now

Yeah. If they want to play like this, that will be the plan. They have the depth & horses to do it too.

I think Darko should stick with it, even if the refs have a quick whistle. I would rather lose a game here and there because of foul trouble/ sus reffing , than take the foot off the gas pedal. You commit to this. Live and die by it. Build the habits. Build the reputation. I disagreed with Alvin on this one during the broadcast.

Just think, we were missing 2 of our top 5 defenders & the our depth and defense still looked amazing.

Deepest Raptors team I have ever seen (in terms of playable players)

redraptor77 · Post #172 » by **redraptor77** » Thu Oct 23, 2025 1:39 pm

JCP11 wrote:
dTox wrote:Any update on when we can expect CMB's return?

I'm wondering the same thing.

I’m pretty sure in the pre game show they said he is undergoing final tests today (Thursday) full contact and he could be good for Friday

Sandman88 · Post #173 » by **Sandman88** » Thu Oct 23, 2025 1:42 pm

Underrated performer is Jamal Shead. Getting strong Lowry vibes from him. His pressure and table setting is a breath of fresh air for the bench unit. That no look dish to Poeltl after drawing 2 defenders was a thing of beauty.

djsunyc · Post #174 » by **djsunyc** » Thu Oct 23, 2025 1:47 pm

imho, that was the best offensively executed game we had in a few seasons.

mihaic · Post #175 » by **mihaic** » Thu Oct 23, 2025 1:52 pm

WuTang_CMB wrote:Raps clearly following OKC/Indy high octane offense and defense. Raps got upgraded talent now with BI and younger guys improving but against teams with more talent then them, this recipe will help win games against those teams. Darko is going to play 10-11 guys a night in order to maintain this type of attack in order to keep guys fresh.

Loved what I saw for game 1

Shoutout to RJ as well. I never liked his game. But now that he's sandwiched between BI and Barnes, he will get lost in coverages which is a big boost to him. Just gotta hope he makes his Free Throws and plays neutral defense.

If he makes FTs he will likely be actually efficient. Look at the assists too and the rim pressure. He really schooled Dyson Daniels, they noticed it in the broadcast too.

I like the effort he puts on D, if he continues to play like this he is a keeper. Plus he rebounds well for a guard.

mihaic · Post #176 » by **mihaic** » Thu Oct 23, 2025 1:57 pm

Sandman88 wrote:Underrated performer is Jamal Shead. Getting strong Lowry vibes from him. His pressure and table setting is a breath of fresh air for the bench unit. That no look dish to Poeltl after drawing 2 defenders was a thing of beauty.

Lost in translation was something I noticed in the 4th Q. May be a coincidence but worth keeping an eye on it.

Trae was starting to heat up and abuse Quick for 3 or 4 consecutive plays and Hawks were on a run, brought the diff down to 20 or so. It was when Matt or Alvin said the momentum shifted. Darko then immediately swapped Quick with Shead, and Trae was done.

That was a great counter by Darko and his staff. And well done by Shead. He's only a sophomore too.

ash_k · Post #177 » by **ash_k** » Thu Oct 23, 2025 1:58 pm

That 50-win predication must not have looked as far-fetched at the end of the game for many now.
It looked as expected with all the length and agility,with the talent and skills: It looked dominant with PLENTY OF ROOM to spare and I mean plenty.

Boselecta · Post #178 » by **Boselecta** » Thu Oct 23, 2025 2:05 pm

Seeing some of the lineups out there opening day there's no reason we shouldn't make the playoffs.

Post #179 » by **tsherkin** » Thu Oct 23, 2025 2:15 pm

manjusaka wrote:I thought he played good tonight, he is more like a true PG. Box won’t show how he played tonight, it is just the 3 didn’t fall tonight.

It seems like it went well. Threes come and go in bunches, and that's what he's here for. You shoot enough, and often enough, you'll have a night like that. Even Steph had an 0/6 game last year, and four games with just 1 make. So for the other mortals of the league...

Mikistan · Post #180 » by **Mikistan** » Thu Oct 23, 2025 2:16 pm

Sandman88 wrote:Underrated performer is Jamal Shead. Getting strong Lowry vibes from him. His pressure and table setting is a breath of fresh air for the bench unit. That no look dish to Poeltl after drawing 2 defenders was a thing of beauty.

His drive, draw 2, then backwards bounce pass to poeltl was very very nice.

He also had some poor passes, sailed one out of bounds going cross court for the 3pt line to (RJ? cant remember) and one other where he picked up dribble and forced an entry pass from the wrong angle -- but the first I'll attribute to nerves as it was early in his first minutes of gametime, the other comes with reps.. there are certain angles for post entry passes that are important to reduce risk of the defender slipping up past the post-up to intercept and hes not the only one in the league that gets in trouble with this.

but loved what he was bringing, and at his age, we got a lot of upside from a lot of players