In the spirit of keeping a bit of optimism alive, let’s remind ourselves of how emphatically the Raps responded to the same type of humiliation just a year ago. I mean, rebounding to tie the Eastern Conference Finals at two games apiece was arguably the greatest two-game stretch in franchise history. Needless to say, but let’s try to enjoy the moment anyway, the opportunity for history to repeat itself is at Toronto’s doorstep.
However, in the spirt of being realistic, we also need to remind ourselves of what took place after that response. Watching Cleveland impose their will and the series eventually reverting back to a one-sided affair was a humbling experience.
The biggest and current disappointment, though, is the fact that this roster, one that was specifically reconstructed to make noise on this very stage, failed to make a dent and ended up writing the same 0-2 script.
Now, other than the part of this fan base that’s already bailed, where to we go from here?
Well, even though part of the conversation depends on what Game 3 has in store, it’s tough not to have two different mindsets circulating through our collective thoughts at the same time. On one hand, we’re contemplating how this squad can even the score. On the other, we find ourselves thinking about what the future might look like if things don’t turn around in a hurry.
Note: I can’t exactly blame those who jumped ship. LeBron does own a perfect 19-0 postseason record when his team is in the 2-0 driver’s seat. (That tends to come with territory of appearing in six straight finals.) But what seems to have gotten lost in the shuffle is that the Raps don’t necessarily need to win this series for it to be viewed as a success.
Hear me out…
If they can get their act together fast enough and prove they belong on the same floor with Cleveland when it matters most (easier said than done), then a case can be made to keep this roster (coaches included) as intact as possible. Even if it means MLSE has to break their own rules by exceeding their usual spending limits.
Often times, I’d scoff at putting so much emphasis on one game, but considering the narratives surrounding this squad will drastically shift if their current way of life continues, the meaning of tonight’s game skyrockets — it’s a moment of truth, if you will. Sure, a sustained level of competitiveness still has to come to fruition after the fact, but if a foundation to reclaim some of their backbone isn’t set tonight, well, here’s the short list of storylines:
1. The contract situations of Patterson, Ibaka and Lowry.
PP: His underrated flexibility on defense has often made up for his shooting inconsistencies, but even if MLSE ends up being in a giving mood, an odd man out is essentially unavoidable.
Serge: What happens if the Raps come up lame and seem even more disengaged over the course of the next two games? Judging by DeRozan’s latest press conference (it doesn’t get more deflating than that), the odds are relatively high. With an unpredictable offseason sure to follow, we’d have to seriously question if Ibaka would even want to re-sign. On the bright side, money does tend to silence uncertainty.
K-Low: Even though numerous media outlets portrayed this situation much differently seven months ago, it fits well with this club’s Jekyll and Hyde personality. A once “lock to stay” has since transformed into, shall we say, a 60/40 wildcard? That’s taking both management and the player into account.
2. Casey’s job security and JV’s trade value.
Coach: Whether or not Casey’s job was in danger coming into the playoffs is anyone’s guess. Speculation is all we really have when it comes to his status, anyways. Still, one can realistically wonder if Masai (even though he’s always backed him) currently has him on a series-to-series leash. His adjustments against the Bucks will likely go along way, and at the very least, he’s visibly more willing to pull the trigger on a change than ever before.
JV: It’s safe to say Valanciunas’ trade value has fluctuated throughout the league just like his playing time. I get it, he’s a liability on defense until the offense he provides in a particular matchup allows you to live with the damage. Depending on how the more pressing dominos fall, JV’s fate has a wide range of outcomes. Game 2 might have something to say when the time comes, though.
Here’s where the cloud hanging over this team goes even more haywire. OF COURSE Lowry has become questionable for tonight’s game with an ankle injury, and OF COURSE he might not play with so many potential repercussions hanging in the balance.
Even if he does suit up, chances are he won’t be at full capacity. Which, when you combine how much his regular season injury derailed the Raps’ cohesiveness, furthers the fear that we’ll never get to witness what this group could truly become.
On the flip side, I’d have to see Lowry go out like that to believe it. The man was drawing charges with a bad back to get over the Milwaukee hump. Furthermore, in that same vein, why should we as fans go out without a fight, especially when this series still has room to breathe? If we’re going to throw in the towel now, what was the point of the grind we all went through beforehand? Besides, the mainstream once again didn’t extend an invite. Let’s not help satisfy how much the masses wanted a LeBron-Giannis matchup just yet.
It’s no secret that T.O.’s perimeter and transition defense have to take a giant leap forward. Yes, a tall order considering the current climate. But Cleveland’s 48 percent success rate (32 for 67) from downtown over the first two games has to come back down to earth at some point, right? That 10 percent bump from their regular season mark has been the difference.
It’s also how they’ve been able to mask what they lack up front, along with relentlessly pushing the action to minimize how exposed they can be in half-court sets. In fact, it’s just a continuation from the first round. The Raps are once again leaving chances for offensive rebounds on the table just to get back. Still, when you take a look at how the Cavs’ number of attempts from behind the arc (33 and 34) actually match up with their season average (34), the Raps can’t afford to rely on factors of sustainability.
As for the overall defense, it’s time for T.O. to truly start trusting one another. How many times has a solid one-on-one defensive effort been wiped out by an excessive over-help? Particularly resulting in a Cavs’ corner three. All you’re doing is creating a path for the freight train to keep on rolling.
For a parting shot (stop me if you’ve heard this before), Game 3 offers yet another chance for all of us to see what this team is made of. The difference this time around? That notion can now be viewed in more ways than one.
PS: You can follow me on Twitter, @thethirdjersey.
