Let’s see here, the last time I was heard from on these pages was about a month ago. The calm before the game-of-the-year storm, if you will. No worries, I don’t expect you to click on my shameless plug. But just in case this team’s recent struggles continue into the playoffs (knock on wood), the buzz surrounding the Raps’ victorious clash with Houston can serve as a reference point to when we thought they were finally able to get over their annual hump.
Okay, I did write that intro before Wednesday night’s “redemption” took place. Perhaps I should tone down the negativity. Actually, hold that thought, did I just hear that correctly… Kyrie Irving has been ruled out for the entirety of the playoffs? Man, that’s just bad for basketball, and not even as beneficial to the Raps as one might think. I mean, that realistic/dream scenario of the Cavs hobbling into a tilt with T.O. after going through a fight with Boston is likely all but a fantasy at this point.
On a personal note, I’ll be in Cleveland when the playoffs start. What can I say, the NBA schedule makers didn’t check with my people. But with the Canadian masses in mind, it looks like I’ll be busy doing my best Wayne Gretzky impersonation (à la the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake) and burying a loonie somewhere around Quicken Loans Arena. I’m open to suggestions for stashing something more original, though, especially if that reference just went way over your head.
Now, before we bring Indiana into the equation, the moment calls for a mini Q and A session. In the answers portion I’ll be attempting the risky proposition of speaking for a fan base so feel free to comment in the attack section. Wait, I might have that last part backwards.
Questions: With the aforementioned “redemption” now in the books, everything is back to normal, right? Well, was the win over the Celtics at least enough to forgive and forget what happened beforehand? Not to mention how bad of a look it was for Kyle Lowry to have his worst game of the season the day after he decided to catch the NCAA Finals in person. You know, the trip he took on the eve of a back to back with the Raps in danger of losing their grip on the 1-seed. Like, why isn’t more being made about that? The schedule had just six games left and the impending back to back featured their two toughest opponents.
Answers: Let’s start with Lowry. While nobody is trying to be anyone’s babysitter, his post-game quote after the Boston game did raise a few eyebrows:
“It’s not redemption, it’s my job to come out here and be professional and be a leader.”
In this case, either timing wasn’t his strong suit or he’s insulting our intelligence. Still, from what we’ve been exposed to, it’s just an extension of his interactions with the media. It’s not even in the same ballpark as Vince’s graduation but by no means does he get a free pass. It was painfully obvious that his stop-over in San Antonio affected him.
As for the first two questions, it all depends on what section of this fan base your seats are in. In Section A, you’re sitting with the relentless types. People that now refuse to give into the optimism they sold themselves on earlier in the year, at least from the perspective of getting to the finals or at least until the Raps earn back their trust. It’s a valid viewpoint, sure, but defense mechanisms aren’t as fun as using your imagination if your imagination is realistic.
In Section B, you’re rubbing elbows with the frustrated yet even-keeled crowd. People that cringe every time a close-out is either late or nonexistent (especially lately), but also realize that ranking dead last in defensive rating since March 18th is likely just a blip on the radar. These are the same people who can’t figure out how Section A forgot all their previous training in the art of disappointment.
In Section C, well, when hanging out with extremists you tend to let your emotions get the best of you, and not in a good way. The opinion of these homers/haters tends to coincide with whatever bandwagon is driving by at the time.
By the way, with the Raps’ magic number sitting at one, it’s rather fitting that the Pacers are on deck. In a sense, Indiana represents what Toronto used to be, and I’m not just referring Victor Oladipo following DeMar DeRozan’s footsteps in the proving people wrong department.
According to the “expert” consensus, they’re an up and coming squad that stuck their noses in a race they don’t exactly belong in. So in a symbolic sort of way, even though any Celtics loss would also award T.O. the honour, the Raps earning the East’s top seed for the first time ever by defeating who they once were would mean that much more. Better yet, we’ll be able to say the word redemption with a straight face if they don’t need to prey on much more inferior competition (Orlando, Miami, Detroit) to get the job done.
However, you could argue that I’m not even giving the Pacers their proper due. And that’s not just because I’m writing this while last night’s 20-point win over Golden State plays in the background. One that included 15 threes at a 51 percent clip, 32 assists, five players in double figures, and the rights to brag about being the first Eastern Conference team to sweep the Warriors since Charlotte’s last season as the Bobcats (2013-14).
They may not be on the mainstream’s short list of talking points just yet, but a quick glance at their roster and a build-around “big three” is present and accounted for:
- Bojan Bogdanovic, who hit six of those threes, is now making a concerted effort to change his one-dimensional rep by adding points in the paint.
- Being traded twice before his 25th birthday did raise red flags, but Oladipo immediately helping the Pacers shake off all of the quick-to-judge criticism from the Paul George trade has been one of the season’s most entertaining plot developments. All the while becoming a John Wall clone in terms terrorizing teams in transition.
- Myles Turner probably received “unicorn” status a bit too early. Regression across almost all of his position’s traditional stat categories does cause a double take, but when he offsets that trend with an uptick in threes and assists, his game only lends itself to the new breed of NBA bigs.
And while their supporting cast won’t be confused with Mob City anytime soon, CoJo and company won’t go out without a fight, especially if tonight’s one of the night’s Lance Stephenson decides to show up.
Bottom line: A vital opportunity is at the Raptors doorstep. It just so happens that they’re not guaranteed a second chance if they fail. The season overall has taught us to believe, but the last three weeks have taught us otherwise.
I’m going with the bigger sample size.
