So... how did the Raptors get good?

[ECUPantherFan]

I always hear (and say myself) that the Hornets will struggle mostly because small-market teams don't really have a fair shake in the FA game.  So... how in the holy hell did the Raptors become a contender?  What are they doing that we aren't doing?  

[PantherKing1983]

Its pretty simple their roster is constructed similar to ours except their players are producing ours are not. 

They have two guys playing allstar level and we have one at borderline all star level. 

Their rookies and MLE players are contributing Miles actually at way above his previous levels shooting lights out from 3. 

We need a 3rd guy to go with Kemba and Dwight was supposed to be BAtum but hes failing and we have 3 other guys not living up to their money in Williams / Zeller/ MKG that pretty much sums it up no performance from our money guys. Kemba the only guy thats putting up bang for the buck and that is over after next year . 

[JakeDel5674]

^What he said, next year we have to tank and try to go for Zion or one of the top picks. I love Kemba, but I would rather he move to another team and start winning. WE MUST get rid of Batum's contract. 

[davos]

They have Dan Tolzman finding guys like Fred Vanvleet and Delon Wright on top of cementing a dynamic duo to lead the way.  

When your 2nd and 3rd units have the ability to go on runs and keep momentum, you'll win a lot of games.  

[toldozer]

 They beat up on the shitty east.  They aren't going to win a championship.  They won't even win the east. Cleveland and Boston don't care about the regular season.  Just like Atlanta a few years ago. They may make it to the conference finals but they'll get waxed there. 

[davos]

1 hour ago, toldozer said:

 They beat up on the shitty east.  They aren't going to win a championship.  They won't even win the east. Cleveland and Boston don't care about the regular season.  Just like Atlanta a few years ago. They may make it to the conference finals but they'll get waxed there. 

I would take a step back there.  The Raptors are the best team in the East and should win it as things stand. 

Cleveland looks more on par with Indiana than Boston at the moment.  The big thing--getting the 1 seed is close to a free run for the Raptors.  Only one of the Celtics or Cavs would meet TOR in the conference semis (unless Cleveland somehow slips to the 4-6 seed behind Indiana/Washington/etc.).  

You're right in that there's no team in the East that can compete with either Houston or Golden State.  I can see Boston or Toronto taking a game or two in a series but that's it.  

 

[bLACKpANTHER]

1) drafted DeRozen in 09'

2) drafted Valanciunas in 11'

3) traded (no name player) + 1st Rd pick = Lowry in 12'

4) traded (Calderon) = Rudy Gay in 13'

5) less than a year after trading for Gay - they trade him away to the Kings for spare parts

6) Lou Williams wins 6th Man of the Year in 15'

7) traded (Terrence Ross) + 1st Rd pick = Serge Ibaka in 17'

8) traded Cory Joseph to Pacers ( in a sign and trade for CJ Miles) in 17'

They knew who were the solid players and quickly realized the bad ones = Rudy Gay, Bizmack Biyombo - and got rid of them ASAP. They weren't afraid to trade 1st round picks for Quality talent. The underachieved for a long time and got swept in the playoffs but kept building. Once they got Ibaka and CJ Miles - they were deep enough that when Lowry or DeRozen had "off nights" - they could pick up the slack. It's been a long road for them to get where they are at.

 

We have hung onto the Hendos, MKGs, Kaminskys, BIZs for far too long hoping the talent would be realized and consistent. Lamb is probably the only one when we bought in early and he has finally developed in our system. Kemba was a star out the gate - everyone knew that.

[SOJA]

They also implemented a new offense this offseason that emphasizes 3 point shooting and Dwayne casey has become a much better coach 

[toldozer]

4 hours ago, davos said:

I would take a step back there.  The Raptors are the best team in the East and should win it as things stand. 

Cleveland looks more on par with Indiana than Boston at the moment.  The big thing--getting the 1 seed is close to a free run for the Raptors.  Only one of the Celtics or Cavs would meet TOR in the conference semis (unless Cleveland somehow slips to the 4-6 seed behind Indiana/Washington/etc.).  

You're right in that there's no team in the East that can compete with either Houston or Golden State.  I can see Boston or Toronto taking a game or two in a series but that's it.  

 

I bet you said the same thing when Atlanta won 60 plus games a few years ago. The regular season is completely irrelevant.  I'll give you 20 bucks if the raptors make it to game 7 in the east conference finals or better