Masai: We have a Young Team and there will be Growing Pains

[Johnny Bball]

This team has exceeded most people's expectations, but there is more context to the equation.

The first and most encouraging sign is that Scottie is more ready to contribute than basically anyone thought.

A lot of players played through injuries and played extremely heavy minutes to boot. This is an extreme outlier compared to the rest of the league.

A first round pick was also dealt for a rotation player.

Despite these factors the team will ultimately end up a few games out of a play in scenario where a lot of people pegged them to be.

More context? You just made three lame excuses for you being very wrong and having no clue how good this team was. And they are going to end up probably 20 games better than where you kept telling everyone where they would end up.

Oh, and the didn't trade the pick, they swapped it. But same old same old from you.

[mademan]

This team has exceeded most people's expectations, but there is more context to the equation.

The first and most encouraging sign is that Scottie is more ready to contribute than basically anyone thought.

A lot of players played through injuries and played extremely heavy minutes to boot. This is an extreme outlier compared to the rest of the league.

A first round pick was also dealt for a rotation player.

Despite these factors the team will ultimately end up a few games out of a play in scenario where a lot of people pegged them to be.

Wow, are you this negative in real life? "Will end up a few games out of a play in"...lol, we also end up a few games out of the top seed.

[Tofubeque]

By "growing pains" Masai meant possibly finishing in 5th instead of having home court advantage

[Clay Davis]

This team has exceeded most people's expectations, but there is more context to the equation.

The first and most encouraging sign is that Scottie is more ready to contribute than basically anyone thought.

A lot of players played through injuries and played extremely heavy minutes to boot. This is an extreme outlier compared to the rest of the league.

A first round pick was also dealt for a rotation player.

Despite these factors the team will ultimately end up a few games out of a play in scenario where a lot of people pegged them to be.

I was expecting it. I thought we'd win 45 games. I don't know why we need to spend so much time making excuses for losers and providing context for them. A janitor takes out the trash and keeps it there.

[JN]

Phoenix is 11-4 in games without Chris Paul (11-3 if you exclude the Toronto game)

Imagine calling that win at Phoenix a fake win.

[JN]

We are a few games away from officially clinching a playoff spot.

At that point there will be no reason not to cheer hard for the Raptors to do well in each and every playoff game they play no matter what your philosophy was for this season. There will be nothing to be gained by them losing.

There will be three groups of TwO members;
1) Those who have accepted or realized that our team is not in the bad situation that they imagined and cheer for the team.
2) Those who will cheer like heck for the Raptors to win but as soon as they lose will claim the loss proved their point that the team badly mismanaged everything.
3) Those who will actually cheer for the opposition because being right about the team being "bad" or the team doing the wrong thing in their eyes is more important than the team doing well.

Fine with group #1. Can tolerate group #2 although I disagree that any later lotto pick is that franchise altering or that us making the playoffs was bad in an way. Something is really wrong with those in group #3 and we know who some of them are.

[Ell Curry]

That's pretty much my sentiment. I had Raptors a bit higher though, 37 was my floor (hence me taking the over bet on Raptors wins). I honestly had .500 record expectations. The East was actually better/more even that I expected.

Pretty much everyone in the top 6 has exceeded my expectations except for OG. I had OG as a MIP candidate as well as a fringe DPOY candidate - injuries and inconsistent play cost him that (I think both bets were pretty heavy, over +1000). I had low expectations for Boucher's continuation off last season (esp from 3), but he's been better lately as the 7th man.

Same but I figured Boucher would still be a good bench player.

If you'd told me the Cavs and Bulls were gonna win 45 ish games I'd have had us in the play-in and around 40.

I didn't think that Boucher would be out of the rotation, but I certainly didn't believe he'd repeat as a 38% 3pt shooter while delivering ~2 bpg. If there's an outlier season, that one was it (he's 28% from 3 - worse than I expected, and 0.9 bpg, also worse but I suspect guys have adjusted to his 3pt close out blocks)

Boucher is in his prime since he was such a late developing player. It just probably won't last near as long as other players' do.

[Double Bubble]

Some really horrendous takes in this thread

it's called "realGM"

[Ref_from_hell]

We are a few games away from officially clinching a playoff spot.

At that point there will be no reason not to cheer hard for the Raptors to do well in each and every playoff game they play no matter what your philosophy was for this season. There will be nothing to be gained by them losing.

There will be three groups of TwO members;
1) Those who have accepted or realized that our team is not in the bad situation that they imagined and cheer for the team.
2) Those who will cheer like heck for the Raptors to win but as soon as they lose will claim the loss proved their point that the team badly mismanaged everything.
3) Those who will actually cheer for the opposition because being right about the team being "bad" or the team doing the wrong thing in their eyes is more important than the team doing well.

Fine with group #1. Can tolerate group #2 although I disagree that any deep lotto pick is that franchise altering or that us making the playoffs was bad in an way. Something is really wrong with those in group #3 and we know who some of them are.

Oh we most certainly do

[alienchild]

This team has exceeded most people's expectations, but there is more context to the equation.

The first and most encouraging sign is that Scottie is more ready to contribute than basically anyone thought.

A lot of players played through injuries and played extremely heavy minutes to boot. This is an extreme outlier compared to the rest of the league.

A first round pick was also dealt for a rotation player.

Despite these factors the team will ultimately end up a few games out of a play in scenario where a lot of people pegged them to be.

More context? You just made three lame excuses for you being very wrong and having no clue how good this team was. And they are going to end up probably 20 games better than where you kept telling everyone where they would end up.

Oh, and the didn't trade the pick, they swapped it. But same old same old from you.

Troll's love omitting things when they are at work.

[Ackshun]

Where all my heads that think moving from Tampa will add 20 wins this year?

Masai with that reality dose.

well, we have added 17 so far with 6 more games remaining.

The trolls post super negative Shiznat … then… if they’re right .. they strut around like they did something .. and if they’re wrong … then they say “well I’m glad I was wrong” it’s like a win win .. to be a miserable negative baiting troll ! Lol

I'm not miserable at all.

But can admit when I was wrong but to be fair, Bobby and Masai both didn't expect this.

Either way, you are much better person that i am.

[LarrySeinfeld]

Where all my heads that think moving from Tampa will add 20 wins this year?

Masai with that reality dose.

well, we have added 17 so far with 6 more games remaining.

The trolls post super negative Shiznat … then… if they’re right .. they strut around like they did something .. and if they’re wrong … then they say “well I’m glad I was wrong” it’s like a win win .. to be a miserable negative baiting troll ! Lol

I categorize the trolls as 2 types (there may be more not sure):

1) The ones who are sick in the head and just pop in to make fake posts in order to bait and get reactions. They also throw gambling into it to rub it in others faces (adding salt to the wound in their minds). It' gives them some sort of sick pleasure because their lives are miserable and they need to spread it around. They like to see others in misery so that they are not alone in theirs (these ones I actually feel sorry for because it involves mental health, and I mean this quite seriously).

2) The insecure girlfriend/boyfriend troll. Deep down they love the team and want them to succeed but are too insecure to place their faith and heart into it for fear the team will let them down and they will be left broken hearted. So they create their own parachute incase they fall they never hit the ground. Fine, have your cake and eat it too..

It's important to also know how to distinguish between the trolls and what is only an opposite or differing opinion. Without differing opinions there is no reason for this forum. That's something you need because it gives us a chance to discuss basketball and learn from each other. We have some really smart posters here who have changed my stance on many things basketball and raptors related.

[Van_Trump]

Thad Young pickup was in anticipation of playoffs

[JN]

This team has exceeded most people's expectations, but there is more context to the equation.

The first and most encouraging sign is that Scottie is more ready to contribute than basically anyone thought.

A lot of players played through injuries and played extremely heavy minutes to boot. This is an extreme outlier compared to the rest of the league.

A first round pick was also dealt for a rotation player.

Despite these factors the team will ultimately end up a few games out of a play in scenario where a lot of people pegged them to be.

More context? You just made three lame excuses for you being very wrong and having no clue how good this team was. And they are going to end up probably 20 games better than where you kept telling everyone where they would end up.

Oh, and the didn't trade the pick, they swapped it. But same old same old from you.

The hoops these guys run around to justify their reasoning is sad.

We are 11 wins clear of qualifying for a play in spot. (The Knicks in 11th are at 35 wins)
Instead these guys pat themselves on the back for their "fight to get in the play in" prediction because we are 3 games clear of the play in line.

[Kingsway_fan]

Team exceeded all expectations... biggest takeaways:

1. Pascal progression to highest level yet .. all nba level.
2. Scottie 's well rounded game as a 20 year old, poised, and exceeding all expectations.
3. Solid progress from a young precious, bodes well for "pascal Lite" future Raps c...
4. Progress from Trent.. still young and with upside
5. Solid play from fred on many nights
6. Solid play from boucher, esp second half and as a centre... continues to improve.
7. Consistent two way play from OG, when healthy.

[OakleyDokely]

Siakam, all-nba 2nd team year:

35.2 MIN, 22.9 PPG, 7.3 REB, 3.5 AST, 1.0 STL, 0.9 BLK, 45.3 FG, 35.9 3PT, 79.2 FT, .554 TS

Siakam, this year:

37.9 MIN, 22.5 PPG, 8.5 REB, 5.2 AST, 1.2 STL, 0.6 BLK, 49.4 FG, 35.4 3PT, 74.7 FT. .565 TS

[Kingsway_fan]

Siakam, all-nba 2nd team year:

35.2 MIN, 22.9 PPG, 7.3 REB, 3.5 AST, 1.0 STL, 0.9 BLK, 45.3 FG, 35.9 3PT, 79.2 FT, .554 TS

Siakam, this year:

37.9 MIN, 22.5 PPG, 8.5 REB, 5.2 AST, 1.2 STL, 0.6 BLK, 49.4 FG, 35.4 3PT, 74.7 FT. .565 TS

Indeed. His best year ever... on a side note, competition for the three all nba teams is also more intense than before with players like derozen deserving ... hopefully pascal does make the third team...

[aminiaturebuddha]

Siakam has been incredible, and seems to keep getting better. He's definitely better than his All-NBA season, and deserves it this year. Let's hope the voters agree.

I think people should temper their expectations a bit for him in the playoffs though, not in terms of quality of play, but in the numbers. Any reasonably intelligent opposing coach in the playoffs is going to go heavy on two types of defence against the Raptors - one is zone, and the other is blitzing Pascal (and to a lesser extent Fred) to keep him from getting deep in the paint, and force him to give up the ball.

That means that we'll have to rely on guys like OG, Trent, Boucher, and Precious to step up and take advantage of the attention that Pascal draws. I could definitely see a situation where the Raptors win a series and Pascal "only" averages about 17 ppg, but averages 7+ apg, and the Raps win largely because of what Pascal is doing.

[Quattro]

This team has exceeded most people's expectations, but there is more context to the equation.

The first and most encouraging sign is that Scottie is more ready to contribute than basically anyone thought.

A lot of players played through injuries and played extremely heavy minutes to boot. This is an extreme outlier compared to the rest of the league.

A first round pick was also dealt for a rotation player.

Despite these factors the team will ultimately end up a few games out of a play in scenario where a lot of people pegged them to be.

You were wrong (like always) and now you’re trying to put some “context” around why you were wrong (like always).

Keep questioning Masai. It’s entertaining for the rest of us here to throw your posts back at you.

Fact is, this was a development year for this team and we still won 46-49 games. There’s nothing you’re going to say at this point that is going to change the fact that Masai is really good at his job and you’re pretty bad at analyzing his moves and where this team is going.