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

[711takeover]

Of course. They go completely missing in some games. But then in other games they don't.

The common idea is that DeRozan and Lowry can't preform in the playoffs at all. This is inaccurate. They learn as the series goes on, which is evident because their worst games happen earlier in the series and their best games happen later in the series. As I told someone before, I'm happy it ain't the other way around.

DeRozan and Lowry need to win 4 games before the other team does. They've done it. Thrice. Only the Cavs, Warriors and Spurs have done it equal or more playoff game wins AND series wins over the past 2 years. But dudes make it seem as if the Raps get swept in the first round every year.

Relax man ... the beat the one man show pacers , the heat with a washed up D-Wade and no whiteside, and a young bucks team. Such a bad look for raptors fans, a few meaningless playoff series and you're acting like they're the kings of the eastern conference.

No I'm not. It's for the sake of comparison. While the Raptors were doing everything you said, the entire Eastern Conference outside of Cleveland were somehow doing worse, yet they are put ahead almost every year.

THAT'S the point. Every year people gas the Wizards and then they flop. Every year Bucks are dangerous and then they flop. I don't wanna hear that noise anymore.

Yeah they've been in their "prime" as a team since 2014-2015. Boston is up and coming since their rebuild by trading KG and Pierce. Raptors have maybe one more year of ECF contention (getting there).

[The_Hater]

THAT'S the point. Every year people gas the Wizards and then they flop. Every year Bucks are dangerous and then they flop. I don't wanna hear that noise anymore.

Wait, didn't the Wizards sweep the Raptors as a lower seed one year?

And I'm not sure about this 'every year' business with the Bucks considering Giannis just came into his own last season. They missed the playoffs prior to that. That's a young team on the rise, not a veteran team that has disappointed.

Anyways, just more proof that you're still an embarrassing troll.

[Gary Cokeman]

All that and they'll still clam up in the playoffs.

Enjoy:

Spoiler:

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

Now, show me a highlight video of a Knicks player making a impact in the playoffs, or a lowlight video of a Knicks player "clamming up"...

All that effort for no reason.... Now, show me where I ever claimed the Knicks were the second best anything anywhere, and there's plenty of videos of Melo clamming up in playoff lowlights.

[The_Hater]

Enjoy:

You do realize that both Derozan and Lowry have NOT been very good during their entire playoff careers, right?

Of course. They go completely missing in some games. But then in other games they don't.

The common idea is that DeRozan and Lowry can't preform in the playoffs at all. This is inaccurate. They learn as the series goes on, which is evident because their worst games happen earlier in the series and their best games happen later in the series. As I told someone before, I'm happy it ain't the other way around.

DeRozan and Lowry need to win 4 games before the other team does. They've done it. Thrice. Only the Cavs, Warriors and Spurs have done it equal or more playoff game wins AND series wins over the past 2 years. But dudes make it seem as if the Raps get swept in the first round every year.

Using videos or their playoff accomplishments to prop up two all-star players who by and large have underperformed in the playoffs (and their team has underperformed along with them) is embarrassing.

As a Raptor fan, this is a subject I'd either concede or avoid completely.

[Froob]

Nope...

They have the best point differential in the conference despite playing tougher schedules than both the Cavs and Celtics. There might actually be a good case here.

It's a talented bunch I just don't think they have the ceiling to really be a true threat to the Cavs. Defense hasn't been as sharp lately, but Celts have the defensive fire power to match up with the Cavs. Ultimately if Cavs play their B+ game, they probably won't be stopped.

[Asif16]

Cavs are the best team in the east. After that, 2nd is debatable, but I'm leaning to the Celtics because of their coaching.

But the Celts/Raps are clearly ahead of anyone else in the east. I laugh at the people who actually think the Pistons/Bucks/Wizards might be better. They're not.

[beeshake]

yes

[Froob]

Cavs are the best team in the east. After that, 2nd is debatable, but I'm leaning to the Celtics because of their coaching.

But the Celts/Raps are clearly ahead of anyone else in the east. I laugh at the people who actually think the Pistons/Bucks/Wizards might be better. They're not.

I was pretty confident preseason that Wiz would be #1 seed (not the best team though), thought with their continuity and health they'd have a great shot at #1. They've had a lot of really pathetic losses.

[Asif16]

Cavs are the best team in the east. After that, 2nd is debatable, but I'm leaning to the Celtics because of their coaching.

But the Celts/Raps are clearly ahead of anyone else in the east. I laugh at the people who actually think the Pistons/Bucks/Wizards might be better. They're not.

I was pretty confident preseason that Wiz would be #1 seed (not the best team though), thought with their continuity and health they'd have a great shot at #1. They've had a lot of really pathetic losses.

They have no depth. They're bench is one of the worst. They team defense isnt that good. And dare I say it, I think John Wall is overrated (Doesnt mean I dont think he's good, just not as good as everyone hypes him up to be).

People love to point out LOwry's struggles in the playoffs, but John Wall has struggled just as much but people never point it out. Im honestly scared more of Bradley Beal than John Wall

[The_Hater]

Nope...

They have the best point differential in the conference despite playing tougher schedules than both the Cavs and Celtics. There might actually be a good case here.

It's a talented bunch I just don't think they have the ceiling to really be a true threat to the Cavs. Defense hasn't been as sharp lately, but Celts have the defensive fire power to match up with the Cavs. Ultimately if Cavs play their B+ game, they probably won't be stopped.

It's funny, but that's the way I feel about the Celtics. Without Hayward they just don't have the talent to compete with any of the contenders this season. That's just such a huge loss.

I like the Raps talent and depth better than the Celtics as they sit right now, I think the Celtics are overachieving due to having a great coach but I always feel that teams like this never have another level for the playoffs because they're playing every regular season game like a playoff game. We'll see if Stevens can prove me wrong.

[The_Hater]

Cavs are the best team in the east. After that, 2nd is debatable, but I'm leaning to the Celtics because of their coaching.

But the Celts/Raps are clearly ahead of anyone else in the east. I laugh at the people who actually think the Pistons/Bucks/Wizards might be better. They're not.

I was pretty confident preseason that Wiz would be #1 seed (not the best team though), thought with their continuity and health they'd have a great shot at #1. They've had a lot of really pathetic losses.

They have no depth. They're bench is one of the worst. They team defense isnt that good. l

They currently rank 10th in defensive efficiency so I don't think that's completely accurate.

Wall has been hurt (and playing poorly) or out of action for most of the season (he's missed 11 games). Any disappointment with their record can be traced primarily in that direction. They're still a dangerous team come playoffs.

[VinBaker6]

Nope...

They have the best point differential in the conference despite playing tougher schedules than both the Cavs and Celtics. There might actually be a good case here.

It's a talented bunch I just don't think they have the ceiling to really be a true threat to the Cavs. Defense hasn't been as sharp lately, but Celts have the defensive fire power to match up with the Cavs. Ultimately if Cavs play their B+ game, they probably won't be stopped.

LBJ is getting the Finals, the Raps nor anyone else are beating him barring injury

[Asif16]

I was pretty confident preseason that Wiz would be #1 seed (not the best team though), thought with their continuity and health they'd have a great shot at #1. They've had a lot of really pathetic losses.

They have no depth. They're bench is one of the worst. They team defense isnt that good. l

They currently rank 10th in defensive efficiency so I don't think that's completely accurate.

Wall has been hurt (and playing poorly) or out of action for most of the season (he's missed 11 games). Any disappointment with their record can be traced primarily in that direction. They're still a dangerous team come playoffs.

I dont doubt that they can be a threat, but I always found John Wall overhyped. I understand he's been battling injuries this but that isnt the reason I think that. He's lethal on the fast break but I think he's a guy that can def be stopped or slowed down in the halfcourt game.

[binjumper]

Should've dropped money on this thread being a boston/toronto dick slanging contest

[Dave_From_NB]

Should've dropped money on this thread being a boston/toronto dick slanging contest

It's a thread on the GB about whether the Raptors are better than the Celtics. What other possible outcome could there be?

[The_Hater]

They have no depth. They're bench is one of the worst. They team defense isnt that good. l

They currently rank 10th in defensive efficiency so I don't think that's completely accurate.

Wall has been hurt (and playing poorly) or out of action for most of the season (he's missed 11 games). Any disappointment with their record can be traced primarily in that direction. They're still a dangerous team come playoffs.

I dont doubt that they can be a threat, but I always found John Wall overhyped. I understand he's been battling injuries this but that isnt the reason I think that. He's lethal on the fast break but I think he's a guy that can def be stopped or slowed down in the halfcourt game.

He was probably overhyped coming out of college but I think Wall is generally rated properly these days. I don't ever see him listed as a top 10 player but he's generally included in the next 10. He's not overly efficient but can get to the basket and create for teammates consistently and is a high level defender when he wants to be. He only has one All-league 3rd team on his resume so it's not like he's been getting showered with accolades.

[London2Boston]

Comfortable 3rd at best.

[Froob]

They have no depth. They're bench is one of the worst. They team defense isnt that good. l

They currently rank 10th in defensive efficiency so I don't think that's completely accurate.

Wall has been hurt (and playing poorly) or out of action for most of the season (he's missed 11 games). Any disappointment with their record can be traced primarily in that direction. They're still a dangerous team come playoffs.

I dont doubt that they can be a threat, but I always found John Wall overhyped. I understand he's been battling injuries this but that isnt the reason I think that. He's lethal on the fast break but I think he's a guy that can def be stopped or slowed down in the halfcourt game.

Wall was gassed while IT was slicing him up at the end of games but, nobody cares about Wall's defense. Gortat isn't that good either...def overrated. But, I figured they could get it done in the regular season.

[Asif16]

Should've dropped money on this thread being a boston/toronto dick slanging contest

The thread wasnt even started by a Raps fan but everyone assumed it was.

The problem with this thread is the fact that people don't even think that the Raps being the 2nd team in the East is even 'Debatable". Im not saying you have to agree with the fact. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion but the fact that some people dont even think the Raps should even be in the Conversation given their start to the season, is truly remarkable.

[Asif16]

Should've dropped money on this thread being a boston/toronto dick slanging contest

It's a thread on the GB about whether the Raptors are better than the Celtics. What other possible outcome could there be?

Lol this thread had nothing to do specifically with whether or not the Raps are better than the Celtics. Most Celtics fans like yourself just assumed it did. It's an open conversation about the East. It's literally in the thread title.