Building a contender on a knife's edge?

[tDotted]

thats a little cryptic even for csis.. what does p00ka = salmon = Eliza mean ?

Work backwards mate.

Hmm... still trying to figure this one out. 'Eliza Salmon' was an English vocalist who lived in the 18th century.. Critics often said that it was "hard to distinguish her voice from the instrument". In Irish mythology, a pooka is a hobgoblin who changes it's shape, making it difficult for people to identify it.

Real cryptic stuff right there.

[Axel]

In Irish mythology, a pooka is a hobgoblin who changes it's shape, making it difficult for people to identify it.

Never knew that. Anyways good night (and move on).

[Demographic Shift]

Hmm... still trying to figure this one out. 'Eliza Salmon' was an English vocalist who lived in the 18th century.. Critics often said that it was "hard to distinguish her voice from the instrument". In Irish mythology, a pooka is a hobgoblin who changes it's shape, making it difficult for people to identify it.

Real cryptic stuff right there.

LOL.. Ignorance is bliss on this one... It must be some kind of high school lunch table squabble that happened in the past...
Guys who can delete stuff at will don't seem to want to relive what must have been some epic republican drama. So be it...

[DanH]

Dudes, it's just a poster who trolls who keeps making new accounts with different names and has been caught over and over again. There's nothing more to it.

[KHD]

Hmm... still trying to figure this one out. 'Eliza Salmon' was an English vocalist who lived in the 18th century.. Critics often said that it was "hard to distinguish her voice from the instrument". In Irish mythology, a pooka is a hobgoblin who changes it's shape, making it difficult for people to identify it.

Real cryptic stuff right there.

well, at least that troll had an apt name then.

[Doc]

LOL.. Ignorance is bliss on this one... It must be some kind of high school lunch table squabble that happened in the past...
Guys who can delete stuff at will don't seem to want to relive what must have been some epic republican drama. So be it...

You're finally getting it.

[thead]

Dudes, it's just a poster who trolls who keeps making new accounts with different names and has been caught over and over again. There's nothing more to it.

Could we sign someone like that to improve the team? What are the cap implications? Keeping in mind we decided to hold on to you for at least another year

[DogeLover1234]

I didn't have a problem with the actual STRATEGY if the Raptors flame out in a the playoffs.

What I had an issue with was the insinuation that a Raptors squad with no Lowry/DD and no other additions (which is what you explicitly stated in your post) would win 50 games in the NBA. There's absolutely no reason to stretch the truth that far to try and get your point across. Just operate within the realm of reality.

I think the team would look a lot like the Trailblazers, and as you said they are not a 50 win team. If we want to become a team that is good because of the coaching and system, then I think it makes it easier to go this route with young guys, just probably won't result in as many wins for a while.

[Chr1s1anL]

I just don't see Masai tanking in his last two years under contract.

[Axel]

I just don't see Masai tanking in his last two years under contract.

Rebuilding doesn't need to mean tanking.

You can change the complexion of a team and still win games. Getting younger would extend our window.

[JWash]

Rebuilding doesn't need to mean tanking.

You can change the complexion of a team and still win games. Getting younger would extend our window.

I've got a question though.

If we're moving out our older pieces and still trying to win games, how are we going to get that superstar talent that elevates us past where we are right now?

I kind of thought that was the whole point of it. Tear-down so we can try to do that through the draft. If that's not the case then we're not really progressing at all.

[Axel]

Building a contender on a knife's edge?

I've got a question though.

If we're moving out our older pieces and still trying to win games, how are we going to get that superstar talent that elevates us past where we are right now?

I kind of thought that was the whole point of it. Tear-down so we can try to do that through the draft. If that's not the case then we're not really progressing at all.

Depends on what is brought in from trading Lowry, but a quick retool around JV could keep this team competitive (making the playoffs) and give us financial flexibility.

The Knicks pick could also play a big part.

You can get younger and better positioned for the long term without completely tearing it down.

[JWash]

Depends on what is brought in from trading Lowry, but a quick retool around JV could keep this team competitive (making the playoffs) and give us financial flexibility.

The Knicks pick could also play a big part.

You can get younger and better positioned for the long term without completely tearing it down.

You're not going to trade Lowry or DeRozan for a superstar.

The Knicks pick is here regardless of whether Lowry/DD are here or not.

The point is that if you're not setting up to acquire a superstar via the draft what is the point of the tear down? Sure the team gets younger, but the ceiling is arguably lower or at best the same. Our problem right now is lack of superstar talent. You're certainly not getting it via free agency with that kind of squad so I just don't see the reasoning behind it.

If we're tearing it down and getting rid of Lowry and DD. The logical course of action would be to tank. If you're not trying to get a superstar, then wtf are we actually doing with that strategy? Just extending a "window" doesn't do a whole lot for us.

[Axel]

You're not going to trade Lowry or DeRozan for a superstar.

The Knicks pick is here regardless of whether Lowry/DD are here or not.

The point is that if you're not setting up to acquire a superstar via the draft what is the point of the tear down? Sure the team gets younger, but the ceiling is arguably lower or at best the same. Our problem right now is lack of superstar talent. You're certainly not getting it via free agency with that kind of squad so I just don't see the reasoning behind it.

If we're tearing it down and getting rid of Lowry and DD. The logical course of action would be to tank. If you're not trying to get a superstar, then wtf are we actually doing with that strategy? Just extending a "window" doesn't do a whole lot for us.

I disagree with most of what you said.

JV is young. If we are able to pair him with Murray then that is a good starting point for a new core.

Being younger and not capped out is a good place to start. With the right coach and return on Lowry and DD, then we can quickly reload.

The biggest issues with our team seem to be age/contract status, and use of personnel. I believe JV can be a 20-10 guy in the right system. I believe that Masai can get Ibaka to consider our offer (never underestimate the Africa connection). I believe that Ross and Carroll can be more than we see under Casey. I believe the right coach can make a world of difference.

[JWash]

I disagree with most of what you said.

JV is young. If we are able to pair him with Murray then that is a good starting point for a new core.

Being younger and not capped out is a good place to start. With the right coach and return on Lowry and DD, then we can quickly reload.

The biggest issues with our team seem to be age/contract status, and use of personnel. I believe JV can be a 20-10 guy in the right system. I believe that Masai can get Ibaka to consider our offer (never underestimate the Africa connection). I believe that Ross and Carroll can be more than we see under Casey. I believe the right coach can make a world of difference.

We're only capped out for this free agency period, afterwards we're not.

I'm not really interested in quickly reloading. It doesn't make sense. If you're not getting your hands on a superstar talent, when those prospects finally top out you're not going to be in any better of a position than we're in right now. Someone like Murray can still be drafted with those guys here, we could still go after Ibaka, so I'm not seeing where the big leap is coming from.

If you're trading Lowry and DD you need to tank in order to raise the ceiling of the squad moving forwards, because the only way to become a title contender is to get your hands on a superstar. Sitting in the middle with JV and prospects isn't going to get it done.