PG: Still the CHAMPS!

[720]

Just gonna hope Siakam takes this **** show of a performance in the bubble to heart and actually gets better.

[Psubs]

At the beginning of the year, I said to myself that this team was 2nd round playoff team. Turns out that was the case. Realistically we'd have just as much trouble against Miami as we did against Boston. Basically, we'd have to clutch and grab and win ugly to have a chance. Then if by some miracle we made it to the finals, I don't see us standing a chance against the Clippers, but maybe the Lakers since we match up well with them for whatever reason, that was the only path I saw for us to repeat. In the end, we didn't have a steadying presence on the team and a lack of composure did us in.

It was a fun year with a lot of great moments. Feel bad for Siakam. I hope he grows from this.

They have more spot up shooters. Really just have to worry about Butler drives. We can handle Dragic.

[biblast]

As poorly as we played in this game, we had a chance to win! If Norm makes that late fast break dunk and 1 like in game 6 and we box out on that missed f/t, we probably win the game! Urghh!

[Boardbreaker]

Serge only playing 20 minutes is disappointing. He deserved way more burn tonight.

[Scott Hall]

Did Wuhan cost us Game 7 at home? do we blame China for selling and eating weird animals for this loss? Lol

A more plausible reason is Gordon Hayward getting hurt cost us the repeat.

Hayward's defense isn't great and maybe Smart doesn't hit 5 treys in 3 minutes.

Yup I was disappointed Hayward got injured he makes Boston worse defensively

[Clutch0z24]

Only bright spot for me this playoffs is OG...He never got to play last year during our championship run but this dude showed he had big shot genes in him and he is way young as well....He has so much more room to grow and the next step in his development will be fun to watch

[baller16]

This is pretty damn uncalled for but I'm not that mad that it was said. Stuff like this will really put pressure on him to get better next season. He has given me vibes all season long of not giving af after getting paid a big ass contract.

You could see it in in his game. He started slipping offensively 2 months in and continuously regressed to the point where he didn't know how to execute the offensive moves he used to torch teams with in the playoffs. Single coverage and all, he could barely beat an average defender off the dribble and take it the hole like he used too. This doesn't just happen randomly, he clearly stopped training and working hard and it shows.

Not picking up a ball in 4 months was the icing on the cake. A guy like him who had some crazy work ethic last year would never allow something like that to happen. His 2019 self would be shocked to see himself being this laid back after stinking it up since the start of the year.

Read on Twitter

[RaptorsNorth]

Serge only playing 20 minutes is disappointing. He deserved way more burn tonight.

[vado]

I said this in another thread, but I think more recognition should be given to the fact that Nurse was also playing the guys that got us a championship. This was their 'see if they could run it back' season. Masai and Nurse were clearly respecting the champs. I get that it was frustrating to watch things like the ghost of Gasol being wheeled out every game, I was yelling at my TV when it was happening, but I also think Nurse did the right thing by respecting the team that got us a championship. I think we create good culture by doing that, players know we'll treat them right if they achieve. Next year I expect to see some reasonable line-up changes.

Interesting perspective. I hope this was the reason. Nurse is a good NBA coach but far from perfect. He should have moved away from Gasol and Siakam earlier in this game. Ibaka should have been in the game late in the 4th over Siakam.

[lakeshoreJays]

Great run by the boys, and a really entertaining series. FVV and Pascal will be back with a chip on their shoulders next season. Lowry, FVV, Ibaka, Powell, OG, Thomas, Davis, Boucher, X FACTORS and run it back in front of the fans.

[VanWest82]

I'm still having trouble with that last possession by FVV. Like seriously wtf was he doing? Great season overall though. So much pride with this group.

[lakeshoreJays]

Serge only playing 20 minutes is disappointing. He deserved way more burn tonight.

Thats the kind of culture we a living in. Even the official NBA 'analysts' on TNT and ESPN spend half their time trashing players as terrible instead of highlighting all the greatness of the series.

[blackcosmos]

As poorly as we played in this game, we had a chance to win! If Norm makes that late fast break dunk and 1 like in game 6 and we box out on that missed f/t, we probably win the game! Urghh!

I feel it was not about one or two plays. But those turnover in the 2nd and then thru out the game was the difference.

[Tha Cynic]

There's a bit too much hatred for Pascal Siakam right now. First of all, he is not and nor has he ever been a first option type of player. In fact he's really more of the #3 option. The Raptors forced him into that role but should have stopped when he showed that it was overwhelming him.

The reason he played the role of first option on this team is because the Raptors' two best shot creators are both undersized guards (Lowry and Van Fleet), and one of those two really isn't all the efficient on most nights (Van Fleet).

I blame the coaching staff more for putting him in a position where he couldn't succeed. It was one of the issues I had with Casey and what he did to DeRozan and Lowry during his tenure. Nurse is a much smarter coach so it was surprising to see him continue to die by going to Siakam as if he's some sort of elite shot maker.

[Yosemite Dan]

All those mental mistakes point to fatigue.

Fatigue from what? They swept the first round then had 6 days off and did not have to travel anywhere between games. If you’re tired from that then you have no business being a professional athlete. It was the same for every team still playing, how come no one else is fatigued?

[TheAlchemist]

Forget the numerous errors that coulda, woulda , shoulda.

Fred Van Shieet holding the ball till The very end was disgusting.

No timeout by nurse. Nothing.

This game shoulda gone to OT.

[WildWolfdog]

The Celtics were tight tonight. This was their worst game of the series. We were just worse and had nothing left in the tank. So it hurts.

I do still believe in Pascal but am in no doubt that the past 8 weeks were embarrassing for him and ultimately without him contributing offensively we had no chance against a talented Celtics squad. Get back in the gym and come back stronger. Our next few years are on his shoulders and we’ll see how much he really wants it.

Or if the rumours are true, go to the gym for the first time in months.

[sidsid]

Some good stuff in this series and a nice legacy sealer for Lowry.

- OG really shored up all aspects of his game this season. Rebounding, handles/attacking, and off ball movement. He's looking like more than 3 and D. Great strides. A complete player.

- Siakam basically in a sophomore slump wasn't going to turn around his game during these playoffs. Needs an offseason retool and new approach. Really impressive what the team did considering that would be a recipe for a sweep like disaster for other teams (see last year's Celtics collapse against the Bucks).

- FVV: it was important that his physical limitations were exposed in these playoffs. Too many people (including likely the front office) were still clinging to the "slump" narrative for last year's Sixers/Bucks series. Crucial to not make a massive overpay for what's expected of a contender. He should not be sniffing 20 mil.

I saw these playoffs as good development time for some guys. Disappointed we didn't get to see more Davis even though it's understandable.

[Vlade Divac]

I think these couple of minutes where Nurse played both Ibaka and Mark were where we were awful and helped Boston established their game. Also finally a game where true value of Mark was finally established he was worst -19 deservedly so. I have no words for garbage Siakam put on the floor in last month and a half.

[RaptorsNorth]

Why do I have a feeling Pierce told Smart to post that King of the north post