PG: OG Leonard

[Valard]

This teams ability to play defense is wild. Props to Nurse for digging into this identity and refusing to budge. I hated seeing Thomas benched and couldn't believe SJ was going to be given minutes. 9 games later... you see how much the accountability for defense has made.

This team CANT tank. Its literally not in their DNA regardless of who you trade or who leaves.

[will]

OG plays his best when he's a big. Happened vs Jokic last year and now vs Sabonis

OG starting 5 in the All Star game if there was one.

[will]

This teams ability to play defense is wild. Props to Nurse for digging into this identity and refusing to budge. I hated seeing Thomas benched and couldn't believe SJ was going to be give minutes. 9 games later... you see how much the accountability for defense has made.

This team CANT tank. Its literally not in their DNA regardless of who you trade or who leaves.

99% gonna be nailed to the bench for a while now.

Defense is the Raps calling card.

[Inevitable]

Trade Lowry, unlock the youth.

[hsb]

So the Raptors defense is getting better and better after adjusting to a few changes to begin the year?

[will]

Trade Lowry, unlock the youth.

Already done been unlocked.

[RapsFanInOhio]

Nick (I’m pretty sure) was referencing Stan last year when he talked about guys “not buying in” and looking for their offense instead of working on both ends of the floor. It took him a year, but he’s a defense first player and is hitting / taking good shots within the flow of the offense instead of forcing things. They need to bring him back this off-season and continue developing him. He’s only 24 and could reasonably be a very solid 3&D guy - he’s pretty much there already. His growth has been my favorite storyline to watch this year.

[Ramed Nazored]

Who remembers this CLASSIC RealGM thread from a couple of weeks ago?

viewtopic.php?f=32&t=2037720

All the boards worst posters were going OFF in that thread. Oh boy, what a gem.

[gojoorange]

If OG comes back with a pull game next season he could really become THAT guy we’re all hoping he develops into.

The man needs to improve his free throws before he starts pulling up.

[mademan]

RIP TWO. Let's get that HCA then. It's early season, we can still climb the rankings back to the top. Only Bucks are untouchable, imo. We can go as high as 2

[will]

STANANOUBY is so incredibly incredible to watch.

All over the floor in all kinds of positions.

PAUSE.

Their versatility is crazy. Perimeter lockdown defense, rotations and guarding the rim.

[Ramed Nazored]

Nick (I’m pretty sure) was referencing Stan last year when he talked about guys “not buying in” and looking for their offense instead of working on both ends of the floor. It took him a year, but he’s a defense first player and is hitting / taking good shots within the flow of the offense instead of forcing things. They need to bring him back this off-season and continue developing him. He’s only 24 and could reasonably be a very solid 3&D guy - he’s pretty much there already. His growth has been my favorite storyline to watch this year.

He's the most improved player on our team from last year to now. He was atrocious last year, forced everything, hardly in position on D. Now, he's like a new man, and I forget just how young he is.

It really is an awesome storyline.

[djsunyc]

For anyone is says Nurse is a bad coach. The game plan they had around Sabonis was outstanding.

and bam

[biblast]

Breakout game for OG! Happy for him! SJ has been good too! The kid is built like a tank! Very physical

[Kevin Willis]

OG/SJ might be one of the best defensive duo's in the league. They lock up half the floor.

Include Boucher just to have a block party.

[aminiaturebuddha]

What a great, fun win for the Raptors!

The defence has really been coming together the last few games and this afternoon it was fantastic - led by great play by FVV, OG and Stanimal, among others. If Stanley keeps playing like this, opposing stars are really going to hate playing the Raptors (even more than they already do). Could you imagine when OG hits the bench and you think you're getting a breather and then his virtual defensive twin comes on and switches onto you instead? That's tough.

I'll admit, I thought Stanley had no business in the NBA last year. Kudos to him for finally figuring out his role, and putting in the work to become a useful player.

Also, this might have been Baynes' best game of the season. So there's that.

[Kevin Willis]

Nick (I’m pretty sure) was referencing Stan last year when he talked about guys “not buying in” and looking for their offense instead of working on both ends of the floor. It took him a year, but he’s a defense first player and is hitting / taking good shots within the flow of the offense instead of forcing things. They need to bring him back this off-season and continue developing him. He’s only 24 and could reasonably be a very solid 3&D guy - he’s pretty much there already. His growth has been my favorite storyline to watch this year.

He's the most improved player on our team from last year to now. He was atrocious last year, forced everything, hardly in position on D. Now, he's like a new man, and I forget just how young he is.

It really is an awesome storyline.

Boucher maybe...

[will]

Nick (I’m pretty sure) was referencing Stan last year when he talked about guys “not buying in” and looking for their offense instead of working on both ends of the floor. It took him a year, but he’s a defense first player and is hitting / taking good shots within the flow of the offense instead of forcing things. They need to bring him back this off-season and continue developing him. He’s only 24 and could reasonably be a very solid 3&D guy - he’s pretty much there already. His growth has been my favorite storyline to watch this year.

He's the most improved player on our team from last year to now. He was atrocious last year, forced everything, hardly in position on D. Now, he's like a new man, and I forget just how young he is.

It really is an awesome storyline.

Stanley knows his chances are running out and he better get with the program to stick as an NBA player.

Feels like he knows his role and identity now, and he is playing within that role. Plus, the team trusts him when he is on the floor.
What a beautiful sight we are all witnessing with Stanley and STANANOUBY!

[Jcity08]

Who remembers this CLASSIC RealGM thread from a couple of weeks ago?

viewtopic.php?f=32&t=2037720

One of the worst threads to reside on this board. There's been unending waves of hate towards OGs career since his rookie season, there is no patience towards his development and there are unrealistic expectations towards his impact right out of the gate.

I'll be honest, sometimes I have to take breaks from this board when I see threads like this popping up.

[Harcore Fenton Mun]

OG/SJ might be one of the best defensive duo's in the league. They lock up half the floor.

Include Boucher just to have a block party.

You can just see teams avoid that half of the floor, they can extend out so far too.