Does Toronto have reason to be optimistic for making the finals this year without Kawhi?

mdonnelly1989 · Post #1 » by **mdonnelly1989** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 11:45 pm

Toronto is a very good team one of the best defensive teams in the league

Does Toronto have a good reason to feel optimistic this year without Kawhi to make the finals?

SFour · Post #2 » by **SFour** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 11:51 pm

great coach, elite defense, championship experience....I don't see why they can't be optimistic

fianchetto · Post #3 » by **fianchetto** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 11:55 pm

Of course they do. They've proven to be able to take care of Giannis (to the extent that it's possible), the only guy really standing in the way. Now that they can't put Kawhi on Giannis they have Anunoby back who is cut from the same cloth defensively.

They'll have to scratch and claw their way out of any series with the bucks, celtics, or 76ers and won't have an easy time offensively against stout defenses.

But they easily have as good a chance as any team not from Milwaukee to meet the LA team on the other side.

Homer38 · Post #4 » by **Homer38** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 11:56 pm

Why not

3rd best record in the NBA,second best in the east.The bucks are great and I think they will win the east,but Toronto have a shot...

rapstarter · Post #5 » by **rapstarter** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 11:56 pm

This season, every team that's not terrible has a chance.

Catchall · Post #6 » by **Catchall** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 11:56 pm

Boston and Philadelphia have been up and down this season. Toronto could at least make the ECF.

Optms · Post #7 » by **Optms** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 11:58 pm

The East is a crap shoot. I wasn't buying the Bucks hype before the shutdown and I'm still not. Sixers, Raps or the Celtics can end up in the Finals and it would not surprise me. Giannis is a regular season MVP caliber player only. He cannot sustain that level of production or raise it against defense geared to stop him. He's basically the James Harden of the East.

Chandan · Post #8 » by **Chandan** » Sat Aug 1, 2020 12:11 am

most anyone are not optimistic. We know we are going in as underdogs.

Dupp · Post #9 » by **Dupp** » Sat Aug 1, 2020 12:20 am

The bucks are making the finals just accept it everyone.

Lalouie · Post #10 » by **Lalouie** » Sat Aug 1, 2020 12:27 am

they're in the east where there's only two other teams to worry about.

they're well coached

they have a vet team. one of only TWO contenders w/ a vet team

rising star, solid star, solid bench,

they been through a lot and come through like champs. they've survived as much cr@p as any team has the right to expect.

tor versus mil in the east

Tor_Raps · Post #11 » by **Tor_Raps** » Sat Aug 1, 2020 12:29 am

Everyone was on the bucks balls last season and they ultimately lost. Whether it's the Raptors or any other east team, there is reason to feel like you have at least a fighter's chance.

Boston and Toronto, especially, should feel better than that. Miami indy and philly can join that category too if things click. No one should fear the deer tbh.

D.Brasco · Post #12 » by **D.Brasco** » Sat Aug 1, 2020 12:33 am

Dupp wrote:The bucks are making the finals just accept it everyone.

They were saying that last year too

Read on Twitter

sule · Post #13 » by **sule** » Sat Aug 1, 2020 12:39 am

Stupid Canadian team should keep their ego in check and remember their place in the pantheon of NBA teams.

docholliday99 · Post #14 » by **docholliday99** » Sat Aug 1, 2020 12:41 am

It'll be tough without Kawhi - he was a big reason defensively why the Raptors beat the Bucks and offensively, he's an elite iso player and that will be missed in the playoffs.

IF the Raptors make the Finals, it will be a team effort, much like Billups' Pistons back in the day.

SpaceCenter · Post #15 » by **SpaceCenter** » Sat Aug 1, 2020 12:52 am

mdonnelly1989 wrote:Toronto is a very good team one of the best defensive teams in the league

Does Toronto have a good reason to feel optimistic this year without Kawhi to make the finals?

Raptors are a very good team who is weak at the most important position (SF). I think they're only winning if OG breaks out which I don't think he will(bust).

Dupp · Post #16 » by **Dupp** » Sat Aug 1, 2020 12:58 am

D.Brasco wrote:
Dupp wrote:The bucks are making the finals just accept it everyone.

They were saying that last year too

Read on Twitter

Paul pierce said the Celtics were gonna steamroll them. He is invalid.

Toronto ain’t the same animal anymore.

Teen Girl Squad · Post #17 » by **Teen Girl Squad** » Sat Aug 1, 2020 1:27 am

Yes. The long layoff + unique situation gives their experience and coaching an extra edge. I wouldn't say they are favorites but it would legitimately not shock me if they came out of the east this year.

Liam_Gallagher · Post #18 » by **Liam_Gallagher** » Sat Aug 1, 2020 1:29 am

sule wrote:Stupid Canadian team should keep their ego in check and remember their place in the pantheon of NBA teams.

You mean the team with the 3rd best record in the league?

Patsfan1081 · Post #19 » by **Patsfan1081** » Sat Aug 1, 2020 1:31 am

Lalouie wrote:they're in the east where there's only two other teams to worry about.

they're well coached

they have a vet team. one of only TWO contenders w/ a vet team

rising star, solid star, solid bench,

they been through a lot and come through like champs. they've survived as much cr@p as any team has the right to expect.

tor versus mil in the east

Two other teams? They’re 1-6 vs Milly, Boston, and Miami this year and have the worst record vs playoffs teams among the four teams. Not sure how you come to the conclusion there are only two veteran teams that are contenders either....

celticfan42487 · Post #20 » by **celticfan42487** » Sat Aug 1, 2020 1:33 am

No one should feel optimistic against the Bucks outside of the LA teams.

Bucks going to have a real easy time making the finals.