The Toronto Raptors find a glimmer of hope in Game 2 Loss to Cavs
The Toronto Raptors have had 51 hours to soak up the embarrassment of game 1. How will they respond in Cleveland? Will they find a solution for the James Harden or Donovan Mitchell problem? Will they accept the challenge? Because going down 2-0 to a team like Cleveland might be all she wrote.
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15 Comments
We're losing these games for the folllwing reasons:
(1) We don't have a Center that can dominate & protect the paint. It was supposed to be Jak but he's.not holding his own against Allen or Mobley.
(2) We don't have a legit certified bucket getter like they do. It was supposed to be Ingram but he's not holding his own in comparison to Mitchell.
(3) Way too many turnovers.
(4) No true 3 & D wing since we lost OG that can contain Mitchell.
(5) lack of a PG that can shoot, dribble & drive like a Coby White or a Donte Divincenzo.
The Raps need to change this roster in the offseason both through trades and in the draft and should consider hiring a coach like Michael Malone or promoting Jama.
Also Scottie hasn't looked like a really good defender out there from what i've seen so far. Mitchell, Harden & Mobley all went off. Yeah he guarded Mitchell towards the end of the game but whats the point then?
If Scottie is such a great defender why hasn't he been able to shut down Mitchell or Harden so far in this series?
I remember when OG used to defend Mitchell and he would really give him a tough time. Not at all impressed by Scottie's defense or Ingram's offense this series.
Finally, I think many realistic fans could have predicted this result and thought that the Raptors were better off building the talent on this roster by tanking this year and getting a lottery pick in what is supposed to be a very deep draft.
Yet another mistake by the front office as far as I can tell.
Actually liked this game as they finally showed confidence and fight towards the end. Some things I liked today
1. There was a possession where Scottie was guarding Mitchell half court and kept up with him and had Mitchell go baseline. Sadly this is tiring but would like to see this more towards the end of the game
2. Mamu is quicker then I thought. It was either the second or first, but I like some of the possessions of Mamu on Harden as his length is able to give him good contest.
3. Boyles is that guy
Aside from the brandon ingram becoming DeRozan tonight, I really did not like Jamal Shead getting 38 minutes. Surprisingly the two guys who id rather eat up those minutes barely played this season but I think could serve as X factors and dominate short minutes.
1. Jonathan Mogbo: I remember 2018 when Rookie OG gave Harden trouble on a away game in Houston. I really think Mogbo could match that with his footwork and strength. Sadly the lights could catch him as he barely played this season and yet in the playoffs. But if it doesn't, I think he would be great on Harden & could guard the bigs when the switch happens.
2. Gradey Dick: Gradey has the exact skills (in theory) that attacks the Cavaliers weaknesses. He spaces the floor, his mid range pull up jumper, and quick decision making. If the cavs are leaving Jamal Shead open id rather let Gradey Dick be guarded that way as he can attack the close out for a mid range or make a play. And most importantly, his off ball cutting. However, the time he gets subbed in is situational as he needs to be on someone like Keon Ellis on defense, or just one of their spot up 3 point shooters. I believe Gradeys length would let him effectively contest shots.
What makes it great though is that these two guys synergize well with Scottie
I often get jealous of teams that actually have players that can fight over screens.
Y'all are gonna call me crazy… but the Raptors need to get rid of rj and prioritize Gradey. He is a better defender than rj. better shooter better atlete.. i watched old gradey tape, he guarded Darius garland in space, garland got by him but gradey recovered and swatted his layup attempt… this kid has solid upside as a starter and its not as if rj been good defensively.. raptors destroyed this kid's confidence, but if they are serious, at least bring him in the game for bi if he continues to struggle and play cmb jakobe scottie dick and mamu.. try that for fuck sakes. i see something in gradey i'd hate to see him flourish somewhere else on a team who's roster composition makes sense..
Scottie again yall best player has the highest mine a -17 on hist team🤣🤣🤣just like demare derozen in 2018 like their best player is negatively impacting their team of winning like this team aint series they getting swept by yhte cavs again or maybe loosing in game 5.
Imagine what it could look like 🥵 2:23:00
With 8 against 5 officiating, you simply can't turn over the ball stupidly like the Raptors did these past two games. They are their own worst enemy at times. Darko got completely outcoached and needs to sit Jakob's ass on the bench. This is not the series for him. I'm not convinced that street clothes Quickley would've made a difference in this game either. Only the Raptors can make Cleveland look like the top 5 defence due to our abysmal spacing, and missing so many wide open shots and easy bunnies around the rim. Yaye! for our players making their FTs. Why is it so rare that the Raptors make their damn FTs and 3s in the same game? Is that too much to ask for? I suppose a much better roster on paper and highest in the NBA payroll like the Cavs have that they would naturally be expected to be highly favoured to win these games. I actually think the Raptors can play so much better than this. They just need to get out of their own way and play agenda-free basketball. Enough of wasting most of the possession trying to get the ball to BI. Hats off to Cleveland they played the harder more physical game, hustled their ass off for the 50/50 balls, and have starters that can make their shots. I not counting on it, but hopefully we get a more favourable whistle on our home floor. Shake it off Raptors and let's go!!!
I am not a huge Quickley fan but I think he would help in this situation – spreading the floor and pushing the pace. My eye just tells me here we are seriously outgunned. Harden and Mitchell hunt shots, collapse the defence and pick us apart. They don't even cover our starting PG. I like Shead a lot but his offense sucks. Scottie is interesting at the point – I have to hand it to you Rob, you have pushed this for years. It is nice we can use him there but I still think we aren't maximizing his size. It is an inherent problem when you have a guy playing on the perimeter who isn't a shooter. We need to show a pride and give a win or two to the fans at home – make adjustments best we can – we could still turn the tides and make it a fun watch but the Cavs are just quite a big better. They are starting 2 HOF guys at guard – we are starting a second spring midget who can't shoot and other guy who is good but playing out of position. Contenders have elite guard play that includes shooting and a startingncentre who protects the rim and can stretch the floor. We don't have anything close to this at either position. This really is a roster thing. We will come down, run the offense, move the ball and get a wide open shot – they take the shot which is the right thing but the problem is it's not a good shot. It's hard when you do everything right – good attitudes, generally work hard, run the set properly then get a wide open Shead 3. I remember every year, that when you get to the NBA playoffs, elite talent is paramount. You watch guys work magic, make crazy athletic plays- we had and ultra elite best player on the floor type of player once in Kawhi….we won a championship.
Wow maybe we need IQ a lot more then we thoughts. He adds a detention we don’t have. Super deep threes. Super deep pull up 3’s. High volume 3 point maker. But damn, you can’t play Poeltl for even 5 minutes. We lost the game because of those yak minutes. I hate to say that, but it’s the truth. He looks like he’s on another planet out there. If he can’t hang with Allen…. Then who can he hang with!
CALL FIVE !
Game 3 is going to be huge for how we view this team going into the off season.
Ingram needs to model his game after Middleton.
I still dont see how he fits on this team. Too much money for a guy who's realistically a playoff 3rd option.
Hope we can keep RJ as our 6th/7th man
One of your best, every word on point
I think we should throw Gradey in for a 10 min stretch. This could be the moment he needs to break out. Put him on Sam Merrill and just let the two white boys hang out and shoot threes. If I see yak play another minute in this series I’m going to lose my mind. I can’t Beleive how bad he looks. It’s insane
Raptors of the last 5-6 years have been a joke
lol damn you stay on Scottie’s nuts