ECSF: P1 | (1) Toronto Raptors vs Cleveland Cavaliers (4) | TIED 0-0

[jbk1234]

Have we started complaining about the refs and how the series is rigged yet?

I've started complaining about how Ibaka could most likely be a negative factor in this series for the Raptors.

I've held off on Lue but I'm not sure how long I'm going to last.

[lebron stopper]

Have we started complaining about the refs and how the series is rigged yet?

I've started complaining about how Ibaka could most likely be a negative factor in this series for the Raptors.

I've held off on Lue but I'm not sure how long I'm going to last.

Lue has outcoached Casey before. Who knows what will happen this time though...

[jbk1234]

I've started complaining about how Ibaka could most likely be a negative factor in this series for the Raptors.

I've held off on Lue but I'm not sure how long I'm going to last.

Lue has outcoached Casey before. Who knows what will happen this time though...

What's funny is Drew, our assistant, looked to have a better feel for our roster than Lue when he was out.

[Vee-Rex]

Have we started complaining about the refs and how the series is rigged yet?

I've started complaining about how Ibaka could most likely be a negative factor in this series for the Raptors.

Raps fans have Ibaka, Cavs fans have [insert any non-LeBron player] who could **** the bed in this series.

[AK47MVP]

Lue has outcoached Casey before. Who knows what will happen this time though...

Not that it is that difficult. Just play smaller and smaller until Casey will counter by 3 pg lineup.

[CoachD]

I would give TT the start against those guys, see if he's "back" to himself.

Later in the game the Raptors will roll with a 3 guard lineup and that's where we can go without TT. In fact, that 3 guard lineup will really play into the Cavs hands...will allow us to put Hill, JR, Korver, LeBron and either TT/Nance/Love on the court together.

That 3 guard lineup is gonna force Korver to really defend. Siakim or OG will likely always be out there to guard Lebron, and I cant see Lebron wanting to expend energy defending FVV or Lowry or something

Korver has been really defending. He's not a terrible defender like some think. He made some great defensive plays against Indiana. And if Toronto decides to ISO FVV against Korver down the stretch, that'd be a win for the Cavs.

Plus down the stretch Korver can guard OG and LeBron can take one of the guards.

I love these hot takes that involve NO actual real-world logic.

Toronto will not ISO Fred on anyone, because that's not how they play, or how he plays. Fred will suck defenders in, find the open man and break down that thing the Cavs do after an offensive possession. I refuse to call it defence.

[Vee-Rex]

I'm hoping it's:

Hill/Smith/James/Love/Tristan

to start

I've trashed Tristan all year but I'm willing to give him another chance to be the player we all loved. Also because I do NOT want Love starting at the center position again. It kills us in so many ways:

1. Our interior defense is non-existent.
2. Our PnR defense is ATROCIOUS because opposing teams attack Love in the PnR and with Love out by the perimeter, we have NO rim protection. Zero.
3. Our defensive rebounding is worse, especially with Love out at the perimeter defending/trapping/getting torched by PnRs. Teams crash the boards and score.
4. Our screen-setting on offense is a lot worse since TT does this so well.
5. We get ZERO second-chance opportunities because Love is often parked by the 3-point line. With TT AND Love playing together, opposing teams HAVE to pay special attention to defensive rebounding or they'll get torn in half.

I'm perfectly fine with Love at the 5 for stretches at a time, but we cannot start it and rely heavily on it or the warts will start popping up and hurting us.

[jbk1234]

I'm hoping it's:

Hill/Smith/James/Love/Tristan

to start

I've trashed Tristan all year but I'm willing to give him another chance to be the player we all loved. Also because I do NOT want Love starting at the center position again. It kills us in so many ways:

1. Our interior defense is non-existent.
2. Our PnR defense is ATROCIOUS because opposing teams attack Love in the PnR and with Love out by the perimeter, we have NO rim protection. Zero.
3. Our defensive rebounding is worse, especially with Love out at the perimeter defending/trapping/getting torched by PnRs. Teams crash the boards and score.
4. Our screen-setting on offense is a lot worse since TT does this so well.
5. We get ZERO second-chance opportunities because Love is often parked by the 3-point line. With TT AND Love playing together, opposing teams HAVE to pay special attention to defensive rebounding or they'll get torn in half.

I'm perfectly fine with Love at the 5 for stretches at a time, but we cannot start it and rely heavily on it or the warts will start popping up and hurting us.

Starting TT against the Raptors is a mistake that too many Cavs fans want to make. The Raptors are going to run their offense through a 1 & 5 PNR (not a 1 & 4 PNR through Ibaka). If you put TT on JV, the Raptors will just post him and you won't have to worry about defensive rebounds.

Also, when the Raptors bring in their young big men, TT will already be gassed and all you'll have is Nance who is better suited to start against JV if you insist on starting two bigs.

[Dupp]

Yeah right now I’m not sure nance is better suited against anyone. He’s in full bum mode

[Benedict_Boozer]

I think the Raptors need to finish this in 5 games or they are done. They aren't winning a game 6 in CLE and in a game 7, betting against Lebron hasn't been smart the past 10 years. He would come into TOR spitting fire.

Game 1 is more important because of this, if TOR gets it I think they are in great shape.

[jbk1234]

Yeah right now I’m not sure nance is better suited against anyone. He’s in full bum mode

The best bet is to get JV off the floor early by going small but Nance is a better post defender against a skilled big man than TT. That's not TT's game.

[chrisab123]

Should be an interesting series. I’d put money on LeBron over Toronto. Worse roster to make the finals the Iverson 76ers or LeBrons current team? Both teams had one superstar and a bunch of okay/mediocre options around them. Kevin Love is a starter but he’s very meh now. The shine has been off him for years.

[Yuri Vaultin]

Yeah right now I’m not sure nance is better suited against anyone. He’s in full bum mode

The best bet is to get JV off the floor early by going small but Nance is a better post defender against a skilled big man than TT. That's not TT's game.

I think TT has typically feasted on the o-boards when playing the Raptors though, so there is that.

[RGM_SU]

Cleveland should be favoured in this series. Toronto may be the first seed, but they haven't looked good against Washington. And the Cavs have the best player in the series while DeRozan and Lowry are prone to disappearing acts in the playoffs.

[jbk1234]

Yeah right now I’m not sure nance is better suited against anyone. He’s in full bum mode

The best bet is to get JV off the floor early by going small but Nance is a better post defender against a skilled big man than TT. That's not TT's game.

I think TT has typically feasted on the o-boards when playing the Raptors though, so there is that.

I'd rather have improved offensive efficiency with the 1st unit and a less clogged paint.

[evilution]

Yeah right now I’m not sure nance is better suited against anyone. He’s in full bum mode

The best bet is to get JV off the floor early by going small but Nance is a better post defender against a skilled big man than TT. That's not TT's game.

I think TT has typically feasted on the o-boards when playing the Raptors though, so there is that.

Maybe, but TT has been quickly getting worse, while JV is steadily getting better.

[ratul]

This series is going to make me throw up. Please, let us beat LBJ! One time!

[bmurph128]

I'm hoping it's:

Hill/Smith/James/Love/Tristan

to start

I've trashed Tristan all year but I'm willing to give him another chance to be the player we all loved. Also because I do NOT want Love starting at the center position again. It kills us in so many ways:

1. Our interior defense is non-existent.
2. Our PnR defense is ATROCIOUS because opposing teams attack Love in the PnR and with Love out by the perimeter, we have NO rim protection. Zero.
3. Our defensive rebounding is worse, especially with Love out at the perimeter defending/trapping/getting torched by PnRs. Teams crash the boards and score.
4. Our screen-setting on offense is a lot worse since TT does this so well.
5. We get ZERO second-chance opportunities because Love is often parked by the 3-point line. With TT AND Love playing together, opposing teams HAVE to pay special attention to defensive rebounding or they'll get torn in half.

I'm perfectly fine with Love at the 5 for stretches at a time, but we cannot start it and rely heavily on it or the warts will start popping up and hurting us.

I'm with you 100%.

[bon]

Cleveland should be favoured in this series. Toronto may be the first seed, but they haven't looked good against Washington. And the Cavs have the best player in the series while DeRozan and Lowry are prone to disappearing acts in the playoffs.

The Cavs sure looked great against Indiana

[RaptorPride]

We winning I already know