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2019-2020 Toronto Raptors Thread: ?Hail to the Champions! In Masai We Believe?

A few kind words about KLow:

[tweet]1212462600073732096[/tweet]

Story:
https://clutchpoints.com/raptors-news-cavs-tristan-thompson-calls-kyle-lowry-a-hall-of-famer/

In the Raptors 117-97 win last night, not only Lowry led the Raptors but kudos to Terrence a Davis with 19 points.
Lowry, Ibaka, Davis and Hollis-Jefferson (14)  were the players with double digits points.

Highlights:
https://www.nba.com/video/2019/12/31/0021900500-toronto-raptors-vs-cleveland-cavaliers-game-highlights
 
Some Raptor facts:

- team is 6-5 since mid December
- stingiest defence (after Milwaukee) in the league
- have lost more man games to injuries than any other team in the league

[tweet]1214691147609759744[/tweet]

Latest victory was a 112-110 comeback win in OT Wednesday against the Charlotte Hornets in which Terrence Davis had a standout game.

Highlights:
https://www.nba.com/raptors/video/teams/raptors/2020/01/09/2996790/1578538982117-nba-web-200108-gamehil-torvschadigital-2996790
 
That was one comeback the Raptors can forget about...a 105-104 loss to the DeMar DeRizan-led San Antonio Spurs here at the Scotiabank Arena.

DeMar had 25 points with 20 of those coming in the second half alone, spurring the Spurs on the comeback trail.  With the Raptors on a fifteen point lead going into the final quarter, San Antonio?s shooting remained consistent while the Raptors were a little shaky at the rim.  Nevertheless, there?s no underestimating Toronto as the scoreboard indicates.

Serge Ibaka had 14 rebounds to go with his 21 pts., while Lowry contributed with 15 assists.

Crazy back and forth game, entertaining no less.

DeMar, by the way, received a warm ovation from the faithful during a mid-quarter video tribute.  An emotional return for him no doubt.

Highlights:

https://www.nba.com/raptors/video/teams/raptors/2020/01/13/3004889/1578880377366-200112-postup-torvssas-highlightsdigital
 
What a night at the Arena Tuesday.

The tribute to Kobe Bryant, the return of former Raptor Vince Carter, and Kyle Lowry?s all-time record-breaking ascension in the franchise?s  history.

All that in the Raptors 130-114 win over the Atlanta Hawks.

Lowry became the all-time franchise assists leader surpassing ex-Raptor Iose Calderon.

Carter received a warm welcome in his last appearance in Toronto (he will retire at the end of this season).

The Raptors are currently on an eight-game winning streak.

Highlights

Bryant tribute:
[tweet]1222325152337231872[/tweet]

Lowry!
[tweet]1222351853423337472[/tweet]

[tweet]1222352379456212994[/tweet]

[tweet]1222358955353092098[/tweet]


Game highlights:
https://www.nba.com/raptors/video/teams/raptors/2020/01/29/3041121/1580268247805-200128-postup-torvsatl-highlightsdigital
 
The Raptors (33-14), on an eight-game winning streak, occupy second spot in the Eastern Conference  one full game above third-place Miami Heat, and 8.0 GBL Milwaukee Bucks.

They?re also the league?s second-best defensive squad:

[tweet]1222319404647702528[/tweet]
 
I somehow fell into tickets to the game last night and was happy to cheer on our boy VC one last time.
 
Obviously roster moves may happen between now and then but the Hawks will play in Toronto one more time before the season ends on April 10th so last night being Vince's "last" game in Toronto is emphatically not a sure thing.
 
Cue the comeback!

Add in a franchise record 12th consecutive win and the Toronto Raptors, ladies and gentlemen, are gaining full steam ahead.  They sit firmly in second place 5.0 GBL Milwaukee Bucks and 2.5 up on third place Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference.  Second-best defence in the league and a 37-14 w/l record.

The Raptors defeated the Indiana Pacers 119-118 in Toronto, led by Serge Ibaka?s 30 points and Lowry?s 32.  Siakam with 25 and 3 steals.

Highlights

Lowry!
[tweet]1225219771173679105[/tweet]

Terrence Davis
[tweet]1225241582196142081[/tweet]

Siakam:
[tweet]1225247281554894848[/tweet]

Ibaka!
[tweet]1225251325157527558[/tweet]

Game highlights:
https://www.nba.com/video/2020/02/05/0021900758-toronto-raptors-vs-indiana-pacers-game-highlights
 
The Knicks are apparently hiring Leon Rose as their new President, which means the long rumoured "Masai to Knicks for a dumptruck of money" thing probably isn't happening. It'd be nice if the Raps would announce a nice long extension at this point but...?
 
The friendship between Raptors GM Bobby Webster and the Leafs Kyle Dubas:  How they both share similar philosophies, similar ideals.  Webster achieved his goal (Raptors Championship win) while Dubas is still awaiting his.

Dubas on Webster:
?One of the things that stood out to me was how incredibly calm he is? about everything. Not in a laid back, chill sense. Just a calm confidence,? Dubas says. ?He was somewhat of an outsider as well. He didn?t grow up having a long-playing history.?
Click to expand...

Neither of them really listens to the outside noise. The Raptors faced years of criticism after falling to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the postseason three years in a row, leading to the firing of Casey and the trade that sent DeMar DeRozan to San Antonio for Leonard.
?I care because we?re disappointed. I don?t care because other people are upset,? Webster says. ?I care because the team?s disappointed. We all put an incredible amount of work into it. And to have seasons end like that, it?s tough to take.?
Click to expand...

Early this season Dubas read something he found interesting and passed it along to Webster. They had a discussion about the topic, but Webster won?t divulge what it was. Dubas is still quick to pass on ideas that he thinks might interest his counterpart.
Webster says he?s not as good about reciprocating but is grateful to have benefitted from his friend?s inquisitive mind ? even if he still doesn?t listen to hockey podcasts, as Dubas does with basketball. On the other side, Dubas says he?s particularly benefitted from the experience and example set by Webster and the Raptors.
Click to expand...


https://theathletic.com/1557158/2020/01/29/how-kyle-dubas-friendship-with-raptors-gm-bobby-webster-offers-the-leafs-a-championship-roadmap/
 
The Raptors have done some pretty amazing things on their way to a 14 consecutive win streak...and counting.

They sit second in the overall East, 6.5 GBL Milwaukee Bucks.  They own the third-best w/l record in the league (after the L.A. Lakers).  They are first in their Atlantic Division.  Now here?s where everything veers off on a different course...

...they have the best  ? yes, Kawhi ? the best defence in the NBA forcing 22+ turnovers avg./game.  This includes 10 steals per as well.

During this streak, they have been tops in the league with the 3-pt. shot @ 39%+.

Currently Gasol (hamstring) and Lowry (whiplash) are out with day-to-day injuries, while Norm Powell is out indefinitely with a fractured finger.  However, at one point, Toronto had one of each of their seven starters/regulars in the lineup out for a brief period at any one time during the streak. 

Can the Raptors keep on winning?  Judging by the above, why not.

T-Wolves vs Raptors in T.O. Monday.

GO RAPTORS GO!


Source:  NBA stats
 
The future of Masai:  What can transpire going into Ujiri?s final years of his contract, his relationship within the ranks of MLSE, and what MLSE would need to further do to retain his future status should he elect to remain in Toronto.


https://www.sportsnet.ca/basketball/nba/stress-masai-ujiris-future-raptors-just-beginning/
 
Remember that altercation Masai had with the Almaeda PD officer when the Raptors won the Championship.  Turns out he is totally disabled and 100% not a racist.

The suit claims Strickland suffered serious injuries to his body and nervous system that will result in a ?permanent disability.?

...

The suit claims Ujiri?s actions were ?foreseeable? based on what it cites as Ujiri?s ?previous altercations involving similar circumstances.? The Raptors, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment and the NBA were also named in the suit. They?re all accused of failing to warn the plaintiff of Ujiri?s ?violent predisposition? and ?propensity for physical violence prior to his assault on (Strickland).?

The suit, which seeks medical expenses, lost wages and other damages, also accuses the defendants of failing to ?provide adequate safety and security to the public? and ?failing to post signs warning of danger, including the danger of Masai Ujiri.?
Click to expand...
 
L K said:
Remember that altercation Masai had with the Almaeda PD officer when the Raptors won the Championship.  Turns out he is totally disabled and 100% not a racist.

The suit claims Strickland suffered serious injuries to his body and nervous system that will result in a ?permanent disability.?

...

The suit claims Ujiri?s actions were ?foreseeable? based on what it cites as Ujiri?s ?previous altercations involving similar circumstances.? The Raptors, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment and the NBA were also named in the suit. They?re all accused of failing to warn the plaintiff of Ujiri?s ?violent predisposition? and ?propensity for physical violence prior to his assault on (Strickland).?

The suit, which seeks medical expenses, lost wages and other damages, also accuses the defendants of failing to ?provide adequate safety and security to the public? and ?failing to post signs warning of danger, including the danger of Masai Ujiri.?
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Who's the lawyer, Lionel freaking Hutz??
 
In reference to LK?s posted article:  MLSE response:

Jennifer Quinn, a spokesperson for Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, said in an email on Monday that the lawsuit is disappointing.

"We are disappointed but not at all surprised Mr. Strickland has elected to take this path. His claims are baseless and entirely without merit. They should and will be viewed appropriately for what they are." Quinn said.

"The Toronto Raptors and Masai have jointly retained very able counsel who will be handling this matter on our behalf and consequently, we do not intend to make any further statement about it."
Click to expand...

$75,000+ (Which includes the mentioned med. expenses & lost wages) is the amount Strickland is suing for.  Either he was never fit to be a police officer or he needs early retirement money.


https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/masai-ujiri-sued-by-california-officer-1.5458416
 
Then and now:  Some comparables from this season (without Kawhi) to last season (with Kawhi):  The Raptors are better.

                  2018-19            NBA Rank            2019-20          NBA Rank
Record          43-16 (.729)    No. 2 in East          40-14 (.741)  No. 2 in East
Home Record 24-5  (.828)  -                            21-7 (.750)
PPG                        114.3            6th                  113.4                9th
OPP PPG                  108.7            10th                  106.7                5th
ORTG                      112.5            5th                  111.7                11th
DRTG                      107.3            8th                  105.1                2nd
3PM/G                    11.5              13th                  13.7                  5th
3P%                      34.6              22nd                  37.8                  3rd

The only blip here appears to be their ORTG.  What is that?
(Pretty obvious the Kawhi played an effective role in that stat).

What is Offensive Rating - ORtg?A metric that estimates how many points an individual player produces per 100 team possessions. This concept is also used to rate a team's offensive production per 100 possessions.

Source:    SportingCharts


https://ca.nba.com/news/no-kawhi-no-problem-the-toronto-raptors-are-ahead-of-where-they-were-at-last-years-nba-all-star-break/15ucxt1tmz2x013f3l7vurf182
 
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