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

[The_Hater]

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.

I like Gortat, I've always found him underrated. Why do you think he isn't very good?

[Froob]

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.

I like Gortat, I've always found him underrated. Why do you think he isn't very good?

Watching that series last year, he just didn't seem to have a big impact. Horford owned him. Rather have a more of a defensive force there. I do give him a lot of credit for being a good finisher and setting a hell of a screen.

[johanliebert]

I’ve been so thoroughly underwhelmed with Toronto, but more specifically Lowry/Derozan in recent years; so much so, that I think they’re worse than their record indicates. I think they’re closer to 5th/6th than they are to second best. Cleveland and Boston are clearly better, and with the addition of Bledsoe, and the impending return of Parker I think Milwaukee is better too. I like a healthy Washington team over then as well.

you are underwhelmed with a top 3 back court from last season?

only klay/curry provided more offense out of the back court.

there is a definite bias when it comes to this team. if its playoff success the bucks/celtics havent been any better in tht aspect.

[johanliebert]

also love how the celtics only argument is their coaching..that only gets you so far as players win rings. any system needed HOF talent.

regardless the cavs/raps/celtics put a distance between themselves and the rest of the east. not gonna argue about ranking.

[chrisab123]

Hmm this probably has nothing to do with Derozen scoring 37 last night. But no they’re 3rd or 4th. Still would take the Wizards over them.

well boston is basically the 60 win hawks team but worse in the playoffs i would take cavs , raps bucks and wiz over you and the bulls if they still had rondo

How are the Celtics the 60 win hawks team? Please explain without using lazy logic of just looking at the standings of the Hawks a couple years ago and comparing it to the Celtics this year.

[The_Hater]

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.

I like Gortat, I've always found him underrated. Why do you think he isn't very good?

Watching that series last year, he just didn't seem to have a big impact. Horford owned him. Rather have a more of a defensive force there. I do give him a lot of credit for being a good finisher and setting a hell of a screen.

Well he's not as good a player as Horford, there's an underrated NBA player, but I think he's above average in a lot of areas. He rebounds, he can play the PnR, he can score and pass a little bit. His defensive stats have always been well above average. I think he's pretty solid.

[Amare_1_Knicks]

I’ve been so thoroughly underwhelmed with Toronto, but more specifically Lowry/Derozan in recent years; so much so, that I think they’re worse than their record indicates. I think they’re closer to 5th/6th than they are to second best. Cleveland and Boston are clearly better, and with the addition of Bledsoe, and the impending return of Parker I think Milwaukee is better too. I like a healthy Washington team over then as well.

you are underwhelmed with a top 3 back court from last season?

only klay/curry provided more offense out of the back court.

there is a definite bias when it comes to this team. if its playoff success the bucks/celtics havent been any better in tht aspect.

Well, Boston has been at least AS successful as they were, considering they were a CF team last year; and look to be even better/more legitimate this year with the moves that they’ve made.

But yeah, I’ve been underwhelmed with them. They’re inconsistent, seem to fold under pressure, and their RS play definitely does not translate to the postseason. The fact is, that backcourt isn’t going to get you anywhere serious.

[Secret Lover14]

They are not the 2nd best team in the East. They are the 2nd best team in the NBA

[Trippinskarlo]

also love how the celtics only argument is their coaching..that only gets you so far as players win rings. any system needed HOF talent.

regardless the cavs/raps/celtics put a distance between themselves and the rest of the east. not gonna argue about ranking.

Only argument? We have the better defense, best player, better coach, better record, won the head to head without our best player, better record last year, and went further last year..................and the better coach.

[almatic]

I’ve been so thoroughly underwhelmed with Toronto, but more specifically Lowry/Derozan in recent years; so much so, that I think they’re worse than their record indicates. I think they’re closer to 5th/6th than they are to second best. Cleveland and Boston are clearly better, and with the addition of Bledsoe, and the impending return of Parker I think Milwaukee is better too. I like a healthy Washington team over then as well.

you are underwhelmed with a top 3 back court from last season?

only klay/curry provided more offense out of the back court.

there is a definite bias when it comes to this team. if its playoff success the bucks/celtics havent been any better in tht aspect.

The Bucks & Celtics have showed progression over the last 2 seasons while the Raptors have looked stagnant since 2015.
The Celtics never got swept in the 1st round as the higher seed.

Both of those teams have smaller size playoff samples but showed more within it.
Sure they haven't had the success, but they haven't had the same failures as these Raptors have had yet either.

[NZB2323]

Is this the annual, "let's overrate the Raptors early in the season thread?"

I'm sure that Raptors fans will tell me that the team is much better this year, and that I need to watch more Raptors games0, and that Derozan and Lowry are going to be much better in the playoffs this year.

[pingpongrac]

I’ve been so thoroughly underwhelmed with Toronto, but more specifically Lowry/Derozan in recent years; so much so, that I think they’re worse than their record indicates. I think they’re closer to 5th/6th than they are to second best. Cleveland and Boston are clearly better, and with the addition of Bledsoe, and the impending return of Parker I think Milwaukee is better too. I like a healthy Washington team over then as well.

you are underwhelmed with a top 3 back court from last season?

only klay/curry provided more offense out of the back court.

there is a definite bias when it comes to this team. if its playoff success the bucks/celtics havent been any better in tht aspect.

The Bucks & Celtics have showed progression over the last 2 seasons while the Raptors have looked stagnant since 2015.
The Celtics never got swept in the 1st round as the higher seed.

Both of those teams have smaller size playoff samples but showed more within it.
Sure they haven't had the success, but they haven't had the same failures as these Raptors have had yet either.

The only failure the Raptors have had is being swept by the Wizards in 14-15. Even though the Raptors had HCA against the Nets in 13-14, no one expected them to win a series - let alone even sniff the postseason that year. Cleveland was 12-2 against the East in 15-16 with both losses against Toronto. Cleveland was 12-1 against the East last year with their sole loss being a buzzer beater by Bradley. The other three series the Raptors played in, they won. They may have been ugly wins, but they won all of the series that they were supposed to, so I don't get the narrative you're spinning.

[OGLife]

Yes easily

Who do you have at #1?

Cavs as the way it stands, they’re going to the finals.

[OGLife]

1. Cleveland
2. Boston
3. Toronto.

So no.

LOL

[OGLife]

Nope...

Yup. Boston is overrated. Once Irving’s body gives out, peace.

[TommyPoints]

yet no one south of the border is really giving them any credit...

Like as in Mexico?

[strudel forever]

1. Cleveland
2. Boston
3. Toronto.

So no.

LOL

why is this funny

[Vee-Rex]

So many bookmarked Raptor hate threads. All will be bumped in April, and then again in June.

I was with you with the April part but June?

Nah bruh

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[GoCeltics123]

Nope...

Yup. Boston is overrated. Once Irving’s body gives out, peace.

I mean you're talking about bodies giving out yet you ignore the fact that Lowry is old and injury-prone. Well done sir.

[711takeover]

1. Cleveland
2. Boston
3. Toronto.

So no.

LOL

Why is that funny? That's currently the standings I believe