Now, Tucker’s not a perfect piece, obviously. He’s not a great shooter, for example. But he understands his role well, fits the culture and attitude of the team from what I’ve been able to gather from Phoenix, and brings a ton of defence and toughness. Whether he jumps Norman Powell as the first wing off the bench is the biggest question here, but options abounding is rarely a bad thing, especially in the playoffs.
And yes, the Celtics did nothing. Which is amazing. The Raptors appear to be the second-best team in the Eastern Conference once again. And their future pipeline looks pretty solid. So that’s good! Whether that means they get to the conference finals isn’t something I can tell you, but it’s more likely today than yesterday, and much more likely now than 10 days ago.
Beefed-up Raptors might be too big to fail: Arthur | Toronto Star
“Everything always looks pretty on paper. Now we have to go out and play, and execute,” said Ujiri. “I think we needed it. I think this team . . . deserved this chance to see, you know?”
“I think we had to consider that. Considering the players we have now, maybe where we found ourselves last year. It’s important that we — hey, let’s do it till we fail. This team, the coaches, the players, the fans the organization — I think they deserve it, you know? And you know what, if we gave it our best shot, we gave it our best shot. In the East, there’s Cleveland at the top, and then there’s five, six, seven teams that could catch steam at any time. Whoever does at the right time, maybe you find yourselves there. We want to give ourselves the best shot to be there.”
And in the East, they were alone. Boston, with their arsenal of assets, didn’t make a deal for Paul George or Jimmy Butler, the only two real stars on the market: The Celtics are clearly waiting to use their two future top-five picks from Brooklyn to dominate the post-LeBron era, assuming there is one.
Raptors exit deadline with most complete lineup they’ve ever had – Sportsnet.ca
It’s the way that trade deadlines are supposed to work, but rarely do.
“I say that with all respect you know, I honestly can’t tell until we go out there and play,” said Raptors president Masai Ujiri when asked if this was the most complete team he’s had in Toronto. “But on paper when you fill it out, OK here we have a point guard, we have backup, we have shooting guard, we have backup, three, we have backup, four, we have backup, five, we have 10 backups. So I think that [this is their best lineup], you hope it works out.”
Their highest-profile acquisition, Serge Ibaka, is a tough-minded professional – the prototype for the modern big man — who wants to make an impact in Toronto. When his flight from Orlando was cancelled on Wednesday, he leased a private plane to make sure he was at work with his new team.
“I was very excited,” he said about being traded. “Because I was going to be a better place, a better team. And I love to compete at a high level, so it’s a great opportunity.”
Raptors GM Ujiri’s deadline deals shrewd, necessary | Toronto Sun
You may not be able to wipe the smile off head coach Dwane Casey’s face until the playoffs arrive.
Ibaka got done early but the Tucker addition came right at the deadline. The belief all day Thursday was the Suns would hold out for a first-round pick but when Ujiri and his management team led by GM Jeff Weltman wouldn’t budge and the Suns couldn’t find anyone else to go that high, Ujiri got his man at his price.
That’s two defensive difference makers, Ibaka who will start and Tucker who will come off the bench, for a team that even a week ago had no answers for how they were going to re-locate that defensive culture that had been missing almost all season.
Suddenly thanks to a couple of shrewd deals, that defence looks primed once again to take the Raptors on another long playoff run.
P.J. Tucker Adds Another Piece to the Raptors’ Resurgence – The Ringer
What does Tucker bring to the Raptors? In mind, body, and spirit, he is a Chuck Hayesian no-stats all-star on the perimeter, filling in gaps and playing thankless defense. He offers the quickly modernizing Raptors more lineup versatility — and hopefully everything he brought the Suns back in 2012–13. In a seven-game series, when teams essentially have their opponents figured out, finding new ways to throw a curveball becomes paramount. Tucker slides in as another guy who can play the 4 in small-ball lineups. His 3-point percentages may have regressed since his career-high 38.7 percent mark in 2013–14, but he is still a willing shooter, as 38.5 percent of his field goals this season have come from long range. In Serge Ibaka, Patrick Patterson, DeMarre Carroll, and Tucker, the Raptors suddenly have a quartet of versatile 3-and-D frontcourt players to move in and out of their lineups. It’s not the sexiest trade, but the Raptors already made their big move — Ujiri just needed to make sure he had reinforcements.
Raptors pick up P.J. Tucker from Suns in deadline deal | Toronto Star
The return to Toronto at least sends Tucker back into familiar territory.
“It’s crazy . . . I go right back to where I started,” he said. “(I’m) grateful for the opportunity. I’ll be the same person and do the same things I’ve been doing my whole career.”
The Raptors, facing a summer when they will have to spend significant sums to keep the core of the team intact, also get the so-called Bird Rights to Tucker, meaning they can re-sign him without regard to the NBA salary cap.
NBA Trade Deadline: Raptors Make Moves, Celtics Sit On Their Hands | SI.com
All told, Ujiri parted with Terrence Ross, Jared Sullinger, and a total of three picks to acquire the two veterans. That price looks excellent given that Tucker should fit more neatly in a three-and-d role than Ross, Sullinger is a total non-factor, and the Raptors kept their own 2017 first-round pick. The bulk of the risk in this move comes with the possibility that both Ibaka and Turner are free agents this summer, but the disappointment that might result from losing one or both would pale in comparison of a postseason flameout in May. Ujiri’s well-timed and thoughtful moves should help reverse the Raptors’ backsliding.
Rautins on Tucker: “Whatever you need, he can do” – Video – TSN
Leo Rautins says P.J. Tucker is a physical defender, who can guard multiple positions and fits into the longterm vision that Toronto president Masai Ujiri has.
Person of Interest: New Toronto Raptors forward P.J. Tucker – Sportsnet.ca
“They know I’m going to come at them so they’re ready to come at me too,” Tucker said. “I like it, though. I’m getting respect in this league for what I do. They know I’m going to hit them so they’re going to try to hit me too.”
Raptors fill need by bringing Tucker back to Toronto | Toronto Sun
It’s far too soon to project Toronto’s post-season opponent, but matchup-wise the Raptors are better positioned, better balanced.
Washington and Boston have been rolling and there’s no stopping the Cavs, the NBA’s reigning champs, when LeBron James is imposing his will.
Atlanta has found a nice rhythm, but the Hawks aren’t considered formidable.
Any scenario that does not involve the Raptors playing Cleveland until the East final looks favourable and winnable, barring injuries.
With Ibaka and Tucker, spacing no longer will be an issue for the Raptors — at least it shouldn’t — who can spread the floor with the ball in Lowry’s hands.
Defensively, the two acquisitions represent a huge upgrade, hands down, with little price that was paid.
The Raptors, on paper, can go nine, 10 deep.
Report: Raptors trade for Suns’ P.J. Tucker, fulfil destiny – Raptors HQ
My two favourite parts about all of this though are as follows:
First, the Raptors reunite with the only other second round pick they’ve ever selected who amounted to anything in the NBA. At 21, Tucker played 17 games for Toronto all the way back in 2006-07. He didn’t do much then and disappeared to Israel, Italy, Ukraine, Greece and Germany before returning to the league as a wizened vet. That he now joins the Raptors, and their other second round success story Norman Powell (who may as well be the guy’s Looper), is just an awesome turn of events.
Second, and this really can’t be overstated: the Boston Celtics stood pat. They’re still a good team, and still able (along with those dang Wizards) to mix it up with the Raptors. But they decided to once again sit on the pile of vaguely useful assets and hope for better days. The dreams of Paul George, Jimmy Butler or some other superstar are put to bed again. Maybe this will be the year the Celtics make it out of the first round? What fun.
Raptors are all-in after eventful trade deadline week – Article – TSN
Like Ibaka, P.J. Tucker is a player they have been fond of for years. They made a run at him around this time last season and now, after sealing the deal moments before the buzzer on Thursday, the veteran swingman is Toronto-bound. Ujiri was able to get it done without giving up anything of consequence. The expiring contract of sparingly used forward Jared Sullinger goes to the Suns along with two future second-round picks, as Toronto was able to hang onto its remaining first-rounder that Phoenix spent most of the day trying to get them to include.
Tucker, unlike Ibaka, isn’t likely to move the needle in a significant way. How much he will factor into Dwane Casey’s rotation remains to be seen. He may team with Norman Powell to absorb Ross’ minutes off the bench. Maybe he supplants Powell altogether. Maybe he fills Powell’s old role – the vacant James Johnson gig – as their situational 10th man or perhaps an injury opens up an even bigger opportunity.
One thing we know for certain: with the Raptors about to embark on the stretch run of the season and, ultimately, the playoffs, Casey will be thrilled to have another option he can turn to; an experienced one to boot.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQ38dJADY4B/
10 Under-the-Radar Figures From an Underwhelming NBA Trade Deadline – The Ringer
If there’s a clear winner from the last week, it’s the Raptors, who have quietly assembled a team capable of matching up with the Cavs. The biggest weakness on their roster was at power forward, where they had cobbled together a rotation out of a raw rookie (Pascal Siakam), a converted center (Lucas Nogueira), and a guy coming off a broken foot who might have weighed close to 300 pounds (Jared Sullinger) to split time with Patrick Patterson. Now, with the additions of Serge Ibaka and P.J. Tucker, they have two of the league’s best defenders at that position, both of whom can shoot 3s and open up the floor for their stars. Ibaka has the size, length, and athleticism to guard Kevin Love, while Tucker has the strength, toughness, and quickness to at least partially prevent LeBron James from bullying him all over the floor.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQ3n2_lBzj8/
Raptors regroup as trade deadline strikes | Toronto Star
With president Masai Ujiri having pulled off his major deal a week before Thursday’s 3 p.m. trade deadline, Casey and the players can likely rest easy and concentrate on preparation rather than worrying about any further deals.
“Guys shouldn’t be looking over their shoulders — they shouldn’t have been looking over their shoulders before,” Casey said. “We’re set unless something happens in the next 24 hours, but the group we have, I like the addition of Serge, a huge addition on both ends of the floor.”
And Ibaka likes having had a week to process the trade, and two practices with his new team.
“It helped a lot . . . I think it’s gonna help a lot,” he said.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQ350tYDfGg/
Court Squeaks: How does Tucker fit in with the Raptors? – Video – TSN
Matthew Scianitti and Josh Lewenberk discuss how P.J. Tucker will fit into the Raptors’ lineup, evaluate the two deals Masai Ujiri made prior to the trade deadline, and take a closer look at what other Eastern Conference teams did or didn’t do.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQ4K8WXgSaO/
Return of Patterson another huge boost to Raptors rotation – Sportsnet.ca
Even with the addition of Ibaka in front of him, you can expect Patterson to resume his role as a crucial element in several of Toronto’s lineups. He’ll guard multiple positions on defence, space the floor on offence, and have the green light to shoot three-pointers when he has a good look. Casey could even look to leverage both Patterson and Ibaka on the floor at the same time, which would give the Raptors great versatility on defence and two shooting bigs on the offensive end.
But after Thursday’s practice, Casey wasn’t sharing much with regards to how he’ll deploy his power forwards. He said he was simply holding out hope that Patterson would be good to go Friday night.
“We’ll see—I don’t want to give all of our scouting reports away,” Casey said. “With Pat, we’ll see what he does. He’s done this before where he’s had great practices. But we’re keeping our fingers crossed and legs crossed that the medical people and he can come to a decision.
“We need him. He’s an important part of what we do. Hopefully his body co-operates with him and lets him play.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQ1dsarja4G/
Bringing Up Bebe Week 18: Turbulent Trade Talk – Raptors HQ
Now, the only thing left to grapple with is expectation. The Raptors were a good team at the beginning of the year and, after their pair of trades, they are better. But they’ve also had some trouble winning games in 2017. The play of many on the roster — including Bebe — has gone up and down and sideways. The hope here is that all the pieces, new and old, will be able to coalesce into something great. On paper, looking at the 10-man rotation, this looks easy. In practice? We don’t know yet.
The goal, of course, is to go back to the Eastern Conference Finals and give the Cavaliers a rough go. They’ll have some stiff competition this year (even with the Wizards making only a modest move and the Celtics standing firm). Obviously Toronto would like to beat Cleveland, and these most recent moves inch them slightly closer to that goal. (It doesn’t hurt that the Cavs are currently all over the place due to injury and roster unrest; plus, LeBron might be getting… tired? Naaaah.) But this is why they play the games — to see expectation put into action.
If it doesn’t happen the way we all want, try to remember this afternoon and these moments of joy. It’s fun to imagine the future, but expectations don’t always meet reality. If the days ahead bring pain, think back to this day, and then, going forward, resolve to hold tight to those moments in the present that bring happiness.
Rotation now set:
PG: Lowry/CoJo
SG: DeRozan/Norm
SF: Carroll/Tucker
PF: Ibaka/Patterson
C: Jonas/BebeRaps also kept their prospects
— William Lou (@william_lou) February 23, 2017
Game Preview: Raptors vs. Celtics | Toronto Raptors
Serge Ibaka became a Raptor a little over a week ago in a trade that brought him to Toronto from Orlando and sent Terrence Ross and a future first-round pick to the Magic. Despite being in town for the team’s final game before the All-Star break, Ibaka was not able to suit up, making Friday his expected debut.
Ibaka was pleased that Toronto’s schedule allowed him to get in two practice sessions and a morning shootaround with his new teammates before hitting the court for real. While Dwane Casey didn’t want to overwhelm the seven-year veteran with information, Ibaka is eager to get things going in Toronto.
[Casey] says it’s a lot but I’m going to pick it up quick,” Ibaka said. “Just have to learn how to play with the players. Especially on defence, most of the things already know how to do, there’s little changes but no big change. Today was my first practice. We’re going figure it out. We’re going to learn each other.”
As Ibaka gets accustomed to a new system, Patrick Patterson has been the teammate to be especially helpful with instruction as the team went through plays during practice Despite just two practices with his new teammate, Patterson is already impressed with what Ibaka has shown.
“With Serge, it’s all about plays pretty much, and play calls,” Patterson said. “He’s a tremendous athlete, he’s very smart, IQ, he’s played with the best in the league, he’s been in crunch time situations so he knows the game of basketball through and through. So with us, it’s just about talking to him about where to be on what plays, play calls, understanding certain words and certain schemes and where guys like to be in that set, so when I’m out there on the court with him, it’s just talking to him as if we’re all playing on the same team, because right now we’re playing against each other [during practice], but just like talking to him, each play, where to be each set so that he’s comfortable and he knows what to do.
Toronto it's been an pleasure. Thank you for taking me in with open arms. you guys are seriously the BEST!! Best of luck @Raptors
— Jared Sullinger Sr. (@Jared_Sully0) February 23, 2017
Boston Celtics at Toronto Raptors: Friday NBA preview | Toronto Star
KEY MATCHUP
Thomas vs. Lowry
Two of the top fourth-quarter scorers in the league go at it again. Thomas plays with a chip on his shoulder that makes Lowry look like a guy without a thing to prove to anyone.
Did I miss something? Send me any Raptors-related article/video to rapsfan@raptorsrepublic.com
