Raptors win 3 out of last 4!!!

[TheBob]

By defeating LA the Raps have now won three of their last four including huge wins over Sacramento and Indiana. Do you guys believe that with Carter back and the Raps becoming healthier that they can squeeze into the playoffs?

[Andrew]

The world of pro sports teaches us to never say never, but the numbers are certainly against the Raptors. At 13-34, they're 10 games out of eighth place in the East. They're not mathematically eliminated from the playoffs yet, but it would take an incredible run to make the playoffs. Personally, I think the Raptors at 13-34 are in that proverbial hole, and odds are that even a gallant run would come up short.

Now that I've said that, the Raptors are probably guaranteed to make the playoffs.

[Nick]

Hehe...*cough* Karma! *cough* Karma! *cough*
I'm getting really excited for the raps now. And a lot more respect for Carter...he has really helped the raptors kick some ass!

Although, I agree with Andrew. i don't think they'll make the playoffs...

p.s. Poll shows 3 all...

[Rens]

Yes everybody back on the bandwagon please...

I (fan of the Raptors as you might know) was hoping they wouldn't try and do something like this, it might ruin the chances of a high pick. They could get anywhere between 20-30 wins and still have a good chance at a high pick, butr with every win the chance lowers.

I'd hate to see them either sneak into the playoffs and fall out of the lottery entirely or see them miss the playoffs barely and end up with a very low lottery pick.

[Andrew]

That's a good point, whether it's better for the Raptors to make a spirited run at the playoffs (even with a low seeding, a healthy, determined Raptors team could most likely fare well) or cut their losses and auto-pilot for a decent chance at a lottery pick - which could help make their 2003/2004 outfit a more promising one with a talented rookie who could make an immediate contribution (but who knows? Maybe not).

With their current record, the Raptors are, as you pointed out, in the lottery with a good chance at a high pick, with each win taking them further away from a top five pick (as it stands today, they have the third best odds at getting the first overall pick, and assuming they didn't get any of the first 3 picks, would pick no lower than sixth). But they have 35 games left in the season. Do you think they will tank the rest of the season (or at least cruise to a humble finish) with so many games left though? After all, it's both a risky strategy, and a brand of basketball most fans won't appreciate.

[TheBob]

Andrew, unfortunatly I feel they're attempting a run at the playoffs. Vince definetly doesn't want to tank the season and Lenny needs to put up big wins now that the team is getting healthy again to prove that he can coach this team. Even though I really hope this doesn't happen, I have a feeling the Raptors are going to play some amazing ball for the rest of the season and barely miss the playoffs. It's such a shame really because if the Raps were to get the 7th or 8th seed I think they could pull off an upset. I mean who really wants to play a healthy Raps team? They have one of the deepest benchs in the league with Lenard, Murray, Alston and Bradley.

[Boyk]

It must be becoz of Zendon Hamilton lol, ever since they signed him they've started winning hheeheh
nah seriously, it looks like maybe Carter is showing leadership or sumfin, coz they sure are playing different ball.

There in the East, so anything can happen, they could make the playoffs with a 40-42 record..........they would have to go 27-8 for the rest of the season, but hey, anythings possible, keep hoping raptor fans

[Boyk]

Andrew, unfortunatly I feel they're attempting a run at the playoffs. Vince definetly doesn't want to tank the season and Lenny needs to put up big wins now that the team is getting healthy again to prove that he can coach this team. Even though I really hope this doesn't happen, I have a feeling the Raptors are going to play some amazing ball for the rest of the season and barely miss the playoffs. It's such a shame really because if the Raps were to get the 7th or 8th seed I think they could pull off an upset. I mean who really wants to play a healthy Raps team? They have one of the deepest benchs in the league with Lenard, Murray, Alston and Bradley.

they would face either the Nets or Pacers if they squeezed in, and the Nets or Pacers would rip them apart.
theres no way they would pull an upset over either of those 2 teams.

[TheBob]

Andrew, unfortunatly I feel they're attempting a run at the playoffs. Vince definetly doesn't want to tank the season and Lenny needs to put up big wins now that the team is getting healthy again to prove that he can coach this team. Even though I really hope this doesn't happen, I have a feeling the Raptors are going to play some amazing ball for the rest of the season and barely miss the playoffs. It's such a shame really because if the Raps were to get the 7th or 8th seed I think they could pull off an upset. I mean who really wants to play a healthy Raps team? They have one of the deepest benchs in the league with Lenard, Murray, Alston and Bradley.

they would face either the Nets or Pacers if they squeezed in, and the Nets or Pacers would rip them apart.
theres no way they would pull an upset over either of those 2 teams.

Where's your support for that? The Raps almost upset last year's number 2 seed and this season they've yet to have a healthy crew. When healthy I think they're a better team than the Nets and they always play Indiana tough, with AD bringing his best stuff against his former club.

[Boyk]

yer but your forgetting, by then the nets will have a healthy Dikembe Mutumbo, and rodney rogers seems to play pretty good in the playoffs.

and the Pacers have one of the most talented teams in the NBA
if not the most talented.

[TheBob]

You're right I did forget about Mutumbo, but i've heard that he's really declining with age. Plus last time he and Antonio Davis squared off Mutumbo deffinetly didn't dominate. So who knows what could happen?

[Electrifyer]

The Raptors haven't really done that great in the playoffs anyway, so if they were in 7 or 8th seed, I don't see them doing great in playoff atmosphere.

As for some people saying that Toronto should intentially not do good for the rest of the season and forfiet it for a high draft pick, that is complete crap to me. No team should ever take losses over wins. Toronto doesn't need Lebron James as an excuse to not win any games. I can't see how a team who picks losses over wins can have any fans at all.

[TheBob]

The Raptors haven't really done that great in the playoffs anyway, so if they were in 7 or 8th seed, I don't see them doing great in playoff atmosphere.

They've done great in the playoffs the past two years. Last year almost knocking out the number two seeded Pistons without one of league's best players and their most valuable player. Furthermore, the year before last they fell one shot short of making the Eastern conference finals.

[shadowgrin]

Vince is back!...to his old dunking self...but the Raps still won't make the playoffs...

[Andrew]

Andrew, unfortunatly I feel they're attempting a run at the playoffs. Vince definetly doesn't want to tank the season and Lenny needs to put up big wins now that the team is getting healthy again to prove that he can coach this team.

They're not eliminated yet, and a great run could see a playoff berth. I agree in regards to Wilkens, it's already been reported his job isn't secure, so another unlikely playoff run would go a long way in seeing him back on the bench next season. And after sitting for so long, watching the Raptors struggle, there's no doubt Vince wants to play, and wants to win.

But you used the word unfortunately. Would you prefer the Raptors miss the playoffs and use a lottery pick to add more depth to their roster (say, a talented young centre)? As I said, it's a risky strategy that may not result in a good draft choice (sixth isn't a good pick if there's only a few good players to choose from) and also won't appeal to the fans. And as you mentioned, won't help Wilkens keep his job.

I don't think they should call it quits yet. You've already mentioned the depth of their bench, they don't desperately need a top prospect to come out a better team next year. I still doubt they can overcome the odds and make the playoffs (as Laddas already pointed out, they'd have to win 77% or greater of their final 35 games to have a chance) but they shouldn't tank the season. That's more of a Denver/Cleveland thing to do, because neither of those teams has the roster and ability to make a run that Toronto does.

[TheBob]

Would you prefer the Raptors miss the playoffs and use a lottery pick to add more depth to their roster (say, a talented young centre)?

Absolutly, a high pick would make them far and away the best team in the East and make them a championship contender.(providing they make a good pick)

As I said, it's a risky strategy [...] and also won't appeal to the fans

Actually I believe most real Raptors fans would rather sacrifice this season in order to gain a top notch player to ball with Vince. Ideally, this should have been done last year. Btw I don't know if you knew this but attendance an television ratings for the Raptors this year have barely changed despite their injury riddled season, so I'm not sure if even the casual fan would mind.

You've already mentioned the depth of their bench, they don't desperately need a top prospect to come out a better team next year.

If you look carefully at their bench though you notice that almost all of their depth is in their backcourt and their center position is ever so weak...

I still doubt they can overcome the odds and make the playoffs (as Laddas already pointed out, they'd have to win 77% or greater of their final 35 games to have a chance)

See that's the thing, I either want them to make the playoffs or not be even close. As I mentioned before, I'm very afraid that they'll come somewhere in between and get an average pick. Then again, thankfully, I don't get to decide whether they attempt a playoff run or tank. So for the meantime I'll cheer for them to win but won't be disapointed if they don't.

[Rens]

Would you prefer the Raptors miss the playoffs and use a lottery pick to add more depth to their roster (say, a talented young centre)?

Absolutly, a high pick would make them far and away the best team in the East and make them a championship contender.(providing they make a good pick)

Nah not the best team in the East.. there aren't many quality big men in this draft (Milicic, who's probably gone when the Raptors pick, and maybe Okafor). It kinda depends on the offseason who'll come out as the best team in the East, will NJ resign Kidd, who'd come to Miami, stuff like that.

Actually I believe most real Raptors fans would rather sacrifice this season in order to gain a top notch player to ball with Vince. Ideally, this should have been done last year. Btw I don't know if you knew this but attendance an television ratings for the Raptors this year have barely changed despite their injury riddled season, so I'm not sure if even the casual fan would mind.

The Raptors haven't sold out as many games as they did before though. I'd love to sacrifice this season, maybe have Lenny fired in the process?

If you look carefully at their bench though you notice that almost all of their depth is in their backcourt and their center position is ever so weak...

When all healthy, the Raptors' biggest strength is their bench, Alston, Hunter, Lenard, Bradley, Murray/Peterson, Montross/McCoy, N'Diaye.
It's the starters that are pretty much decent at best at most positions.

[TheBob]

Nah not the best team in the East.. there aren't many quality big men in this draft (Milicic, who's probably gone when the Raptors pick, and maybe Okafor).[/color]

Even if there aren't many big men in the draft they may be able to use the pick to deal for a good big man.

It kinda depends on the offseason who'll come out as the best team in the East, will NJ resign Kidd, who'd come to Miami, stuff like that.

In my mind Kidd isn't going anywhere, he's in the perfect situation. As for Miami I don't see them getting anyone of any significance.

[TheBob]

Raptors win again, beating the bucks with some clutch baskets down the stretch. That's four of their last five going into the break...things could get interesting with the weak scheduel they've got for the next month.

[Bill Russell]

What happened to Lamond Murray? Is this guy still on the IL?

[Andrew]

Yeah, he's still out with a torn ligament in his right foot. Guess it's taking longer than expected to properly heal.

[Rens]

He's expected to return within like two weeks.

[Andrew]

But wasn't he expected to be out for 8 weeks from the season opener? If that's the case, then he's been out longer than expected. If not...my knowledge of his injury is incorrect or outdated.

[Rens]

I was thinking 3 months, nonetheless he's out longer than expected

[Andrew]

Given the added depth he will give the Raptors bench, better late than never.