The Toronto Raptors entered this NBA season with some pretty lofty expectations after winning 48 games last season which was good for the 5th seed in the Eastern Conference while keeping their core together in the offseason and adding some additional pieces around them. Since then they have failed to live up to the billing as they will finish the 2022 calendar year with a 16-20 record, 4 games under .500 at the near halfway point of the season. There are clear problems with this team which we have spoken about on this channel but these problems line up really well with a preseason assessment an ESPN show had for the team.
The Raptors really did not commit to a direction at the start of the season and are seemingly paying the price. The front office preached patience, probably a good decision at the time but now with the on-court product we are seeing is time for Bobby Webster and Masai Ujiri to take action with the trade deadline rapidly approaching.
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0:00 – Overview
1:00 – The Raptors are in a hole
2:09 – Is there hope for the rest of the season?
2:47 – An identity crisis
4:25 – Is it the front office’s fault?
5:57 – The Raptors have no direction
7:55 – Changes need to happen
8:56 – Are we going to tank?
This is Amateur Hour Sports. On this channel, Jacob Gramegna analyzes and breaks down the latest on the Toronto Raptors NBA team from trade rumors to post-game reactions, analysis and much more. By subscribing to this channel you will be there first to watch and enjoy 3-4 videos a week all focused on this team and on game days Jacob goes live on the channel for a watch party where he interacts with chat, answers your questions and analyses the game as it happens with play by play and commentary. Join the Amateur Hour Army today by subscribing and consider becoming a member to give the extra support to the channel and help create better content more often.
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#raptors #torontoraptors #NBA
31 Comments
Last few games I have been watching and hoping for improvement from both Beau Cruz and Malachi. So disappointing in both players seeing them both drastically underperform given their minutes. Something needs to change and soon.
I really like the make up of the team. But I truly feel it’s time to cash in on the work the coaching staff / management have done over the last 6-7 seasons. We need a good replenishment of talent. I say sell hi on pascal. He’s elite right now. He’s 27-28. Fred to. Time for them to go. I seriously feel that it’s time. I’m on the fence with Gary. He’s still vary young. I say trade pascal, trade fred. Get a boat load of picks and young players in return. Give OG and Scottie the reigns.
💣
If we want to develop, how about giving the end of line bench players a chance instead of throwing away another Yuta.
From bow until Feb 5, 16 of 19 games are against 0.500+ teams, 11 of which on the road. This includes a 7 game western swing against 6 west playoff teams. Tank is the only option now.
Last night's game was TOO close with all the turnovers we forced. I still hope we go for a CENTER
What is Aton's situation in Phoenix, contractually? He would look good in a Raps uniform.
This is a wishful thinking trade for lebron james…….lakers should realize that they are wasting lebron late in his career.
It’s true we develop players but you have to have a coach who can employ and execute with them. Sometime
not gonna lie i thought these guys were just fools for down playing the raps as usual but to see it come true this season is really sad
Thumbsnail is eye popping today Jacob
It's time to let play our bench/young players. If Siakam or Fvv is trade, I want good prospects & draft picks.
I think it's a very fair point you made that the front office actually DID try to address shooting and in a round about way, the center position (Koloko). You also mentioned injuries which imo has been the real back breaker for this team. Otto, Precious, Khem, Siakam have all missed 10 or more games. To have to consistently rely on Koloko to hold down the center position is ludicrous so Nick has had to throw Barnes, OG, Thad or anyone available in the middle. This has been a disaster. Those guys can only mix it up down low for so long before everything falls apart. Getting Precious back will be a massive relief for so many reasons. No way Barnes should be playing there and Pascal only in small doses.
Yes, shooting is still terrible but GTJ is improving, OG is gaining confidence more and more and you have to think Fred will turn things around. I also believe having OPJ finally healthy and in rhythm will be huge. Even having Precious back to draw more attention down low will hopefully open up our shooters more.
Anyways, it's true we're on the cusp of packing it in this season but like you said, we're way too talented to be this bad. I'm not opposed to making a big trade but we have to remember that not many top players are all that interested in playing in Toronto long term. For me Fred, Boucher and Khem are guys we should be moving out. Get a center who can bang and protect the rim and get a pass first pg with some length.👍
This Raptors roster is totally imbalanced and won't even win a playoffs series, with the offense coming from Siakam plus some times Fred,O.G or Trent, after most of that 2019 championship roster left or was traded, the front office should of focused on building around the peices that remained Fred, Siakam, O.G. the last three seasons, which was wasted on Nick' s all big everything roster with definite role for each player.The Cleveland Cavaliers did it better but even they are moving away from that idea with the Donovan Mitchell trade.The time now build around Barnes now because let's be real Fred and Pascal are older and the front office hasn't built around them properly from 2019 to now, will they break the bank go all out this season, I doubt.
Raptors have had seasons like this where there treadmill and masai (f.o)just stand pat like they do when this happens and don't be surprised they do that this year.
I’m very unhappy you said the raptors won’t make the playoffs. U don’t really deserve to hype them up when we win in the first round now.
Season's a marathon not a race, and front office really don't need to pull a trigger on roster change. KD trade wouldn't make sense because Nets asked for everyone – if Raptors are trading out 2-3 of the starters + assets, how would you surround KD with players that can help us contend? More blockbuster trades have failed then lead to a championship. American media and even some of our fans' refuse to believe Masai's desire to run long and athletic because it's unconventional and not translating to win now, but they could be a very different team a year or two.
Getting a full and healthy squad should be front office's new year's resolution. If the roster underperforms, then trades will definitely be made.
Celtics last year was 18 wins 21 loss before January. Everyone said split Tatum and brown. End finishing 2 place in east and going to the final. Raptors are 16 wins 20 loss. They can turn around
Also we need to be patient for the players to develop. The goal is not win a chip now, it’s win a chip in 2-3 years. Y’all forgot about that
The Raptors don’t got “IT” lol
Nick Nurse needs to play Gary Trent jr. as Gary Trent Jr. Period.
This channel sucks, don't join us when we start playing good again this guy has been doing nothing but clickbaity titles, and as soon as we lose he throws all these ESPN narratives to seem like he saw all this as well and as soon as we win its all "raptors are the best team ever" bro stay loyal and represent your team its okay to criticize the team when they not playing good but hating because your trying to keep your engagement up is the shit that keeps these narratives that toronto is a tough place to play I like the leafs and Jay's. Our media makes it impossible to have patience for our teams. Use to be a fan of ur channel but this sucks now. We as toronto fans have a amazing and true raptors channel to follow and support NBACHEV
FVV for Bamba & Gary Harris/ FVV, Birch for Vooch & Coby White/ FVV for Poet &l Josh Richardson. Birch & Thad for Richaun Holmes.
Siakam and OG have been so good it would be a shame to tank the season away. Despite the injuries,poor rim protection and 3pt shooting, this core good. I rather see the front office retool this team and give them the help to make a playoff push.
This is what on-court internal development looks like.
Management is targetting 2024.
Trade talk is a complete bore. Have you got anything to say about how Barnes and Koloko are doing in terms of their assignments?
They need a superstar
Agreed !!!!!!!
RAPTORS WILL BE IN
PLAYOFFS ONLY IF
VANVLEET WILL BECOME
A BENCH PLAYER.
Meanwhile, the Nets are now on an 11-game winning streak. Tied for the top of the standings, thanks to the stellar play of KD. Accountability should come from the front office.
Let's just tank and get Wambenyama
Craptors barnes barney.