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Optimists rejoice! HoopsWorld.com: Surprise Playoff Teams

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  • Optimists rejoice! HoopsWorld.com: Surprise Playoff Teams

    Toronto Raptors – There’s something fresh about this team now that Andrea Bargnani is gone, and every basketball fan in Canada is excited about the potential coming-out party we could bear witness to this year for Jonas Valanciunas. Of course, a lot depends on how Dwane Casey deals with Rudy Gay and DeMar DeRozan, the team’s duet of ball-stopping wings, but optimism is high for the Raps, particularly with Kyle Lowry healthy.

    They’ve got a decent bench, a formidable starting five and more than enough all-around talent to win their fair share of games this year. Hitting .500 is plenty reasonable for Toronto, but it will take a few more wins than that to crack the Eastern Conference’s playoff scene. If Toronto can be five to eight wins better than expected, they’ll be right in the thick of it come season’s end.

    http://www.hoopsworld.com/nba-saturd...-playoff-teams
    Oh Happy Day!

    ESPN looking for a 7th seed at 37 wins.
    HoopsWorld saying need better than .500 to crack the playoffs.

    don don don

  • #2
    Eh that preseason...

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    • #3
      Matt52 wrote: View Post
      Oh Happy Day!

      ESPN looking for a 7th seed at 37 wins.
      HoopsWorld saying need better than .500 to crack the playoffs.


      don don don
      Well, I don't know which one is right, but when's the last time it took .500+ to crack the playoffs in the East? A lot of the teams vying for those last spots could easily be sub-.500 this season....including the Raps

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      • #4
        I'm honestly hoping the get no more that 16 wins.

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        • #5
          Playoff run, baby. Thats what this club and Jonas Valancuinas desperately need.
          The Baltic Beast is unstoppable!

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          • #6
            Matt52 wrote: View Post
            Oh Happy Day!

            ESPN looking for a 7th seed at 37 wins.
            HoopsWorld saying need better than .500 to crack the playoffs.

            don don don
            ESPN is on crack if they think any team in the East is getting a 7th seed with less than a .500 record. The East is "worse," but it's worse because Philly is going to be so bad they're challenging for the losses record and Orlando won't be far behind them. Having worse teams doesn't mean you need less wins to make it into the top 8.

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            • #7
              magoon wrote: View Post
              ESPN is on crack if they think any team in the East is getting a 7th seed with less than a .500 record. The East is "worse," but it's worse because Philly is going to be so bad they're challenging for the losses record and Orlando won't be far behind them. Having worse teams doesn't mean you need less wins to make it into the top 8.
              Orlando will be bad but not Philly bad. Philly will likely win about 16 games. I expect Orlando in 24-28 range. Still bad but not THAT bad.

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              • #8
                7th seed? i think they're good enough to finish 6th(assuming they dont tank for Wiggins).
                Mamba Mentality

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                • #9
                  TRex wrote: View Post
                  7th seed? i think they're good enough to finish 6th(assuming they dont tank for Wiggins).
                  with that big event and all the hype going in it would be a spit in the face to fans to run a tank next season. CAN WE FINALLY DROP THIS WHOLE WIGGINS TALK NOW??

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                  • #10
                    Rapstor4Life wrote: View Post
                    with that big event and all the hype going in it would be a spit in the face to fans to run a tank next season. CAN WE FINALLY DROP THIS WHOLE WIGGINS TALK NOW??
                    I really believe that if the Raps start the season like they did last year, Masai is going to blow up the team and tank.

                    First 20 games is key.
                    Mamba Mentality

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                    • #11
                      magoon wrote: View Post
                      ESPN is on crack if they think any team in the East is getting a 7th seed with less than a .500 record. The East is "worse," but it's worse because Philly is going to be so bad they're challenging for the losses record and Orlando won't be far behind them. Having worse teams doesn't mean you need less wins to make it into the top 8.
                      I don't understand it either. When bad teams play bad teams, someone has to win. There will be a drop by a slight # of games, but teams 5 games under 8 games under .500 will not/should not make the playoffs.
                      Twitter - @thekid_it

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                      • #12
                        I worked with the guys at Hoopsworld for 3 seasons, Editor & insider Steve Kyler has been calling the Raptors a playoff team since July. The starting lineup that played .500-ball remains intact and they got better in the off season! It's not all that complicated.

                        "7. Toronto Raptors – 34-48 last season, projected 44-38

                        The Raptors have brought back the core of last season’s roster that played .500 ball after the Rudy Gay trade and have upgraded the Andrea Bargnani anchor that had been holding them back last year with three-point shooting specialist Steve Novak and the physical play of Tyler Hansbrough." Pro Bball Report


                        Ujiri keeps saying the players will determine what happens - he will tank if they get off to an extended bad start - but there is no reason to believe that will happen (no reason other than this team has had more bad luck with injuries than any 1 team deserves).
                        The best Raptors discussion board is at Raptors Republic.

                        Stephen Brotherston, Pro Bball Report

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                        • #13
                          TRex wrote: View Post
                          I really believe that if the Raps start the season like they did last year, Masai is going to blow up the team and tank.

                          First 20 games is key.
                          I think the tougher decision is what if they see some good signs, but after like 25 games they're like 11-14....

                          It's going to be a very interesting season. Whatever happens, from playoffs to sucking/tanking, there's going to start being a lot at stake for this team. They can't suck so much that it makes it harder to help Jonas grow as a player. But they don't need to be the worst team in the league. And making the playoffs would be the best way to help Jonas grow, but the hardest way to keep building the team. But does helping Jonas grow while winning help build the team? It builds culture, and could help establish an emerging star that'll attract other players...

                          And deciding what to do will have to happen in those early weeks if they're going to make the most of any choice.
                          Last edited by white men can't jump; Sun Oct 20, 2013, 02:28 AM.

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                          • #14
                            brothersteve wrote: View Post
                            I worked with the guys at Hoopsworld for 3 seasons, Editor & insider Steve Kyler has been calling the Raptors a playoff team since July. The starting lineup that played .500-ball remains intact and they got better in the off season! It's not all that complicated.

                            "7. Toronto Raptors – 34-48 last season, projected 44-38

                            The Raptors have brought back the core of last season’s roster that played .500 ball after the Rudy Gay trade and have upgraded the Andrea Bargnani anchor that had been holding them back last year with three-point shooting specialist Steve Novak and the physical play of Tyler Hansbrough." Pro Bball Report


                            Ujiri keeps saying the players will determine what happens - he will tank if they get off to an extended bad start - but there is no reason to believe that will happen (no reason other than this team has had more bad luck with injuries than any 1 team deserves).
                            Yes, .500 thanks to 7-1 run to end the season.


                            Injuries are part of the game. Injuries actually did Toronto a favour last year by shelving Bargnani for the majority of the season. Minnesota is a team that has had a lot of bad luck due to injuries. Toronto is par for the course - just like the majority of other teams.

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                            • #15
                              The quality of players, from 1-15 on the Toronto Raptors is simply lower than that of a team that has any hope of competing for championship anytime in the next decade. I watched the Maple Leafs do what the Raptors have been doing fr the last 8 years or so, they did it since 93. Not good enough to make the playoffs, or past one round, but not bad enough to draft high. Its a terrible cycle, and one you can easily do with a Rabid Toronto fanbase. You guys are kinda funny, like to rip the Leafs for how the run their team, yet choose to support the same behavior here with the Hoopsters.

                              Toronto isn't a favorable free agent destination, they are going to have to build through the draft, while developing what they have now. If what they have shows a flat line for development, it has to go. If guys are unhappy, or not willing to play hard, be team guys, they have to go. Its that simple. If you pay Superstar cash for a guy who gives you average at best numbers, and bad efficiency.... again, he isn't what you need moving forward. If your PG isn't a team leader, a selfless pro, and a top end guy...I don't like it, he has to go.

                              I think the common misunderstanding with so many people is that guys like me that call for the tank are simpletons, just looking for the pie in the sky. We are not, only, we see that the only real way to have a chance for superstar talent, is through a high draft pick. You can say what you want all day long about this player or that that was drafted late in the draft and became a star, those guys are few and far between and the numbers support that if you come last, you do indeed have a better chance to get a superstar on the roster than everyone else.

                              Toronto, with an Allstar game coming, international attention, NATIONAL attention, NEEDS Wiggans. He cannot land in an American city. And if Toronto tanks and does not get him, they needs a guy just as good to offset that loss.

                              Coming in 8th is a curse, a repeating curse in Toronto, and if thats what you want, fine, your choice. I don't. I want a chance to see something great in my time cheering for this team.

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