Watched the Bucks vs Raptors game and I must say I never saw the Raptors being this good this season, give them credit for what they're doing. They didn't play well in the 2nd half (understatement) but I wouldn't be shocked if they won the East. I wouldn't have them as favourites but they certainly have a chance.
Was really impressed with that Boucher kid, I know he's raw but the ability to knock down 3's with that weird form, the block on Giannis and both the follow up dunks he had, even though one missed it just showed the kind of potential he has if he can put it together and work hard.
I have to say, there isn't a player in the league I like watching less than Kyle Lowry, the constant flopping with and without the ball, the constant whining to the refs. I actually feel really bad for NBA refs, as poor and inconsistent a job as some of them do, it really is so much easier without the pressure of the moment.
Many years ago in a division II league I played in, I was forced to ref a game as the ref was stuck in really bad traffic. I'd happened to show up really early to the game I was playing in and they didn't really give me much of a choice. I honestly hated it so much, having these kids (early 20's) yelling at me because they disagreed with calls that were so obvious, I wanted to punch a few of them and found myself not giving them calls later in the game out of spite
I think if I was an NBA ref I might take a swing at Lowry.
There was one play that he literally stuck his head under George Hills legs and tried to stand up in an attempt to draw a foul, it was the one of the weirdest and worst attempts I've seen by a player trying to draw a foul and thankfully he was called for an offensive foul (one of a few on him)
Just like the Allstar game I felt Nurse blew any chance the Raptors had to win this game by refusing to bring back the guys that were responsible for the teams good play in the 1st half until it was too late, I'm not a fan of +/- especially on a single game basis but the bench were all in the plus and starters all the minus, but he refused to give Ibaka and Lowry's minutes to someone else despite their horrible play and combined 4-27 shooting
In the Pelicans/Lakers game, I'm really jealous of the young talent on the Pelicans.
Obviously Zion has to drop some weight but what he really needs to do is work on his handle on offense and work on his effort on defense. 90% of the time his effort on defense is very disappointing, nothing like what I saw from him at Duke. Way too much standing around and watching, not helping or closing out. You can see the effort level pick up on the other end, that's a bad habit hopefully they aren't too afraid to let him know.
I really like that Melli kid for them, knows his game and doesn't try to do too much outside of it. Can knock down the 3 and has some creativity going to the basket if the defense closes out.
Ingram is having a great season and he's showing why he was taken so high in the draft
I like Gentry and I like Holiday as a defender, but I think it was a poor decision to stick him on Lebron in the paint so many times without any help. You also have to run some plays to get Redick some looks if he's out there for 20 minutes, there's no excuses to get no shots other than a 3 he got fouled on
Not a fan of Ball, really hoping the Bulls don't end up with the even uglier one come draft night
