ECQF | P1 (2) Toronto Raptors vs (7) Orlando Magic

[PD28]

Some serious over confidence from Magic fans haha love it!

[jayrehme]

What do you mean overconfidence? This is a 2-7 matchup against a team with near 0 playoff experience. There's been like a grand total of 2 or 3 upsets of this magnitude in 30 years. Raps fans should be overconfident.

And they have many more advantages than just HC. Cmon bro

So you admit they are overconfident. Toronto is in more of desperation because they have alot more on the line, while Orlando has already exceeded expectations. In the end, no one will be too surprised if Orlando wins though. These, aside from "experience", are 2 even teams. Its a matter of who shows up to play.

[nabbs]

Before the Magic contingent come at me with their takes and vitriol, let me just say congratulations on a great second half of the season, your team is up and coming, Clifford is great, unquestionably impressive statistical resume that you guys have put together. However, consider the following:
Since Feb 1st:

Wins: Nets, Minny, Bucks, Hawks, Pelicans, Bulls, Hornets, Raps, Warriors, Pacers, Mavs, Cavs, Hawks, Pelicans, Grizzlies, Sixers, Pacers, Heat, Knicks, Hawks, Celtics

Losses: OKC, Bulls, Knicks, Cavs, Sixers, Grizzlies, Wizards, Pistons, Raptors

Bucks (no Giannis)
Raps (no Kawhi or FVV first matchup)
GSW (close game but no KD)
Indy (no Dipo or Sabonis, but Sabonis returned the second matchup_
Sixers (no Simmons)
Celtics week and a half ago (Smart and Tatum went down with injuries, also had nothing to play for)

Now this isn't the be all, end all of things, but the playoffs are all about matchups and in-game adjustments. While the front court of Orlando is a bad matchup for us, you guys haven't decisively beaten any of the upper echelon playoff teams while said teams are operating at full strength/health. Additionally, to touch on the latter point, in-game adjustments favour the team who has a good coach to recognize, and just as important, has the personnel to play a variety of different styles. The Raps are tailor made to do just that.

[Courtside]

I get the overconfidence from raptors fans, this season is make or break for them. If they lose in the first round to Orlando, I cant see Leonard sticking around, and then what do they have? Unfortunately they got a tough first round matchup against one of the hottest teams in the league, who play dominant defense and are well coached. The only advantage Toronto has is home court advantage.

Actually, Toronto would still have a playoff team seeded higher than the Magic. Looking at how they did this season without him, you could argue that they'd win this series even if Kawhi didn't play.

The Raptors are probably a 63-68 win team if they didn't have the load management happening, the extended time lost to several key players, or experiment so much with oddball roster combinations or getting Lin going. The Magic had to go on a hot run to make the playoffs while the Raptors were on cruise control from about Feb on. It's good to be confident in your own team, but you really don't seem to understand your opponent all that well.

[LBJKB24MJ23]

What do you mean overconfidence? This is a 2-7 matchup against a team with near 0 playoff experience. There's been like a grand total of 2 or 3 upsets of this magnitude in 30 years. Raps fans should be overconfident.

And they have many more advantages than just HC. Cmon bro

So you admit they are overconfident. Toronto is in more of desperation because they have alot more on the line, while Orlando has already exceeded expectations. In the end, no one will be too surprised if Orlando wins though. These, aside from "experience", are 2 even teams. Its a matter of who shows up to play.

He doesnt speak for us.

Confidence is a top 4 team should be beating a low ranked team.

Maybe you're playing on the insecurities of raptors fans rather than overconfidence.




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[LBJKB24MJ23]

Some serious over confidence from Magic fans haha love it!

There are Magic fans? Lmao

Magic is a franchise that should move Seattle or Vegas.



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[pingpongrac]

I get the overconfidence from raptors fans, this season is make or break for them. If they lose in the first round to Orlando, I cant see Leonard sticking around, and then what do they have? Unfortunately they got a tough first round matchup against one of the hottest teams in the league, who play dominant defense and are well coached. The only advantage Toronto has is home court advantage.

You're clearly trolling, but I'll bite again.

Playoff Experience
Toronto: 543 games: 3 champions, 1 more with finals experience, 2 more with conference finals experience
Orlando: 85 games: 2 conference finals appearances; Ross - a former Raptor - accounting for 31 of those games and 1 conference finals appearance

Talent
Toronto: 11 all-star appearances, 5x All-NBA, 3x DPOY, 1x Finals MVP + Clear best player in Kawhi
Orlando: 1 all-star appearance

Supporting Cast/Depth
Toronto: Lowry/Siakam/Gasol/Green/Ibaka/VanVleet/Powell
Orlando: Gordon/Fournier/Augustin/Isaac/Ross/Iwundu/Carter-Williams/Birch

Key Stats
Toronto: 58 wins, 112.5 ORTG (#5), 106.8 DRTG (#5)
Orlando: 42 wins, 108.1 ORTG (#22), 107.5 DRTG (#8)

Tell me again how Toronto's only advantage is home-court advantage - which could be enough on its own anyway considering Toronto was 32-9 at home while Orlando was 17-24 on the road.

[dacrusha]

Before the Magic contingent come at me with their takes and vitriol, let me just say congratulations on a great second half of the season, your team is up and coming, Clifford is great, unquestionably impressive statistical resume that you guys have put together. However, consider the following:
Since Feb 1st:

Wins: Nets, Minny, Bucks, Hawks, Pelicans, Bulls, Hornets, Raps, Warriors, Pacers, Mavs, Cavs, Hawks, Pelicans, Grizzlies, Sixers, Pacers, Heat, Knicks, Hawks, Celtics

Losses: OKC, Bulls, Knicks, Cavs, Sixers, Grizzlies, Wizards, Pistons, Raptors

Bucks (no Giannis)
Raps (no Kawhi or FVV first matchup)
GSW (close game but no KD)
Indy (no Dipo or Sabonis, but Sabonis returned the second matchup_
Sixers (no Simmons)
Celtics week and a half ago (Smart and Tatum went down with injuries, also had nothing to play for)

Now this isn't the be all, end all of things, but the playoffs are all about matchups and in-game adjustments. While the front court of Orlando is a bad matchup for us, you guys haven't decisively beaten any of the upper echelon playoff teams while said teams are operating at full strength/health. Additionally, to touch on the latter point, in-game adjustments favour the team who has a good coach to recognize, and just as important, has the personnel to play a variety of different styles. The Raps are tailor made to do just that.

Magic had a very weak post-AS schedule, so it's easy to see how they racked up so many wins. I mean, good for them, but yeah.

And even though since AS break the Raptors have been on cruise control with little incentive to win, they have still ended the season being hotter of the two in the last couple of weeks, winning 7 of 8 including a beat-down of a Magic team going all-out for a win on April 1st...

[dacrusha]

I get the overconfidence from raptors fans, this season is make or break for them. If they lose in the first round to Orlando, I cant see Leonard sticking around, and then what do they have? Unfortunately they got a tough first round matchup against one of the hottest teams in the league, who play dominant defense and are well coached. The only advantage Toronto has is home court advantage.

You're clearly trolling, but I'll bite again.

Tell me again how Toronto's only advantage is home-court advantage - which could be enough on its own anyway considering Toronto was 32-9 at home while Orlando was 17-24 on the road.

On top of that, Raptors road record is better than Orlando home record.

[nabbs]

I get the overconfidence from raptors fans, this season is make or break for them. If they lose in the first round to Orlando, I cant see Leonard sticking around, and then what do they have? Unfortunately they got a tough first round matchup against one of the hottest teams in the league, who play dominant defense and are well coached. The only advantage Toronto has is home court advantage.

You're clearly trolling, but I'll bite again.

Tell me again how Toronto's only advantage is home-court advantage - which could be enough on its own anyway considering Toronto was 32-9 at home while Orlando was 17-24 on the road.

On top of that, Raptors road record is better than Orlando home record.

There is also this

Read on Twitter

[jayrehme]

The raptors are "tailor made" for alot of regular season wins due to depth and ability to rest players, but come playoff time, depth shrinks.

[FlatearthZorro]

Why does this thread have 18 pages, I just noticed it, half of em are Raptors' fans trying to convince themselves they gonna be fine. Yea, you should be fine. No need for insecurity. You're the far superior team. If this goes to 6, I'd be shocked. No offense to the Magic, they just aren't as talented. Anything's possible, but Magic winning the series is very unlikely.

[j-ragg]

Before the Magic contingent come at me with their takes and vitriol, let me just say congratulations on a great second half of the season, your team is up and coming, Clifford is great, unquestionably impressive statistical resume that you guys have put together. However, consider the following:
Since Feb 1st:

Wins: Nets, Minny, Bucks, Hawks, Pelicans, Bulls, Hornets, Raps, Warriors, Pacers, Mavs, Cavs, Hawks, Pelicans, Grizzlies, Sixers, Pacers, Heat, Knicks, Hawks, Celtics

Losses: OKC, Bulls, Knicks, Cavs, Sixers, Grizzlies, Wizards, Pistons, Raptors

Bucks (no Giannis)
Raps (no Kawhi or FVV first matchup)
GSW (close game but no KD)
Indy (no Dipo or Sabonis, but Sabonis returned the second matchup_
Sixers (no Simmons)
Celtics week and a half ago (Smart and Tatum went down with injuries, also had nothing to play for)

Now this isn't the be all, end all of things, but the playoffs are all about matchups and in-game adjustments. While the front court of Orlando is a bad matchup for us, you guys haven't decisively beaten any of the upper echelon playoff teams while said teams are operating at full strength/health. Additionally, to touch on the latter point, in-game adjustments favour the team who has a good coach to recognize, and just as important, has the personnel to play a variety of different styles. The Raps are tailor made to do just that.

Magic had a very weak post-AS schedule, so it's easy to see how they racked up so many wins. I mean, good for them, but yeah.

And even though since AS break the Raptors have been on cruise control with little incentive to win, they have still ended the season being hotter of the two in the last couple of weeks, winning 7 of 8 including a beat-down of a Magic team going all-out for a win on April 1st...

You're not wrong, but Orlando had a good record against the east's elite. They didn't just collect wins all year beating the Cavs and Hawks.

[FlatearthZorro]

Aaron Gordon can be a lockdown man to man defender when he's focused in on somebody, I've seen Gordon in the past give Harden, Durant and Kawhi trouble. Leonard vs Gordon is the most exciting matchup of the 1st round by far.

I think so, yea. Possibly. And they got Simmons to guard Siakam. I expect huge series from Vuc even if/when the Magic lose, cause there ain't nobody who can guard him on that Raptors team.

[j-ragg]

Why does this thread have 18 pages, I just noticed it, half of em are Raptors' fans trying to convince themselves they gonna be fine. Yea, you should be fine. No need for insecurity. You're the far superior team. If this goes to 6, I'd be shocked. No offense to the Magic, they just aren't as talented. Anything's possible, but Magic winning the series is very unlikely.

I feel like most Magic fans echo this. I'd be happy with 3 home games.

[FlatearthZorro]

Why does this thread have 18 pages, I just noticed it, half of em are Raptors' fans trying to convince themselves they gonna be fine. Yea, you should be fine. No need for insecurity. You're the far superior team. If this goes to 6, I'd be shocked. No offense to the Magic, they just aren't as talented. Anything's possible, but Magic winning the series is very unlikely.

I feel like most Magic fans echo this. I'd be happy with 3 home games.

Yea, as I wrote I'm not trying to offend Magic fan base. Kinda excited to see if Gordon can do well in the playoffs. He's still a great talent. Then Vuc(Vuc should/will own in this one, in the post above I mentioned it, nobody on that Raptors team can stop him, Gasol is not that physical or quick and Ibaka is too short for Vuc, he will be doing WORK, imo) and guys like Ross and Simmons. Hope you guys come out swinging. Even if you don't make it.

[WestbrookGOATed]

Some serious over confidence from Magic fans haha love it!

145 people picked the Raptors in 4 and you're talking about over confidence? There is a 0% chance the Magic get swept.

[Uncle Dennis]

Why does this thread have 18 pages, I just noticed it, half of em are Raptors' fans trying to convince themselves they gonna be fine. Yea, you should be fine. No need for insecurity. You're the far superior team. If this goes to 6, I'd be shocked. No offense to the Magic, they just aren't as talented. Anything's possible, but Magic winning the series is very unlikely.

There's just so many of us on this site man.

[mademan]

Some serious over confidence from Magic fans haha love it!

145 people picked the Raptors in 4 and you're talking about over confidence? There is a 0% chance the Magic get swept.

I dont think you know what 0% means.

[j-ragg]

Why does this thread have 18 pages, I just noticed it, half of em are Raptors' fans trying to convince themselves they gonna be fine. Yea, you should be fine. No need for insecurity. You're the far superior team. If this goes to 6, I'd be shocked. No offense to the Magic, they just aren't as talented. Anything's possible, but Magic winning the series is very unlikely.

I feel like most Magic fans echo this. I'd be happy with 3 home games.

Yea, as I wrote I'm not trying to offend Magic fan base. Kinda excited to see if Gordon can do well in the playoffs. He's still a great talent. Then Vuc(Vuc should/will own in this one, in the post above I mentioned it, nobody on that Raptors team can stop him, Gasol is not that physical or quick and Ibaka is too short for Vuc, he will be doing WORK, imo) and guys like Ross and Simmons. Hope you guys come out swinging. Even if you don't make it.

Didn't take it as offense at all, just saying almost every Magic fan has a pretty realistic mindset about what's gonna happen. Just enjoying the ride.

Simmons is gone though, traded to Philly but trust me that guy is terrible. Sixer/Magic fans both agree he shouldn't be a rotation player these days.