[OhCanada-Participant]

With all the aggravated rants and disappointment this team has brought out of me I must say I’m very happy with how the team gas performed. They have missed a lot of shots and dealt with pressure poorly but the team never quits and has some dawg in them. They find a way. Most importantly they are starting to learn and adapt to what their opponent is doing or taking away from them and finding weaknesses to attack themselves. Casey has always been a guy that got out coached and maneuvered in the playoffs and has been criticized openly about it yet now he has grown into a better coach and is making the right adjustments and is properly using guys like Valanciunas, Carroll, Biyambo.

Jonas has always been this dominant he just struggles defending in space because of his lateral quicks. Although in the first two series guarding guys like Mahinmi, Turner, Allen, Whiteside, Haslem, Stoudemire he hasn’t had that issue.

Casey finally decided to feature him as the first option after game 2’s performance made it obvious to everyone he was the difference then after a thorough whooping and Toronto’s best playoff game to date he gets injured early in the 3rd. Toronto was up 55-42 playing like the team we watched in the regular season then Valanciunas sat out and Miami went on a huge run led by an incredible 21-point 3rd by Wade.

Wade kept attacking the rim and Casey elected not to play Biyambo much allowing Wade essentially to have free layups because you can’t put a body on him or the refs will give him the call every time you touch him. He also got his shooting stroke back which is a bad combination.

With Miami down three points with thirty seconds on the clock Wade attacked the rim for an easy layup. Derozan hit both free throws and left 24-seconds on the clock for Miami. Then Casey subbed in Biyambo to protect the rim. Next possession Wade drove to the rim and met Bismack there and couldn’t get his easy bucket kicked it out to JJ for a tough 3-pointer and JJ missed essentially closing the game.

I really like how I’ve seen this team evolve led by Casey and am excited for the future. But I’m even happier that I am finally able to watch my Raptors compete for the present. For people who say everybody should tank remember Toronto never tanked as a matter of fact the reason why they are the 2nd best team in the East is because when Ujiri tried to tank after trading Gay the team came up and started winning also a tank attempted trade for Lowry was declined last second.

If they keep improving watch out once those nerves settle in and they get comfortable with playoff basketball they can beat anyone.

[dmo21Participant]

I am not going to deny it, but I am a Casey hater. It shouldn’t take you 9 playoff games against teams without a good post defender to figure out that you need to use Jonas more. Shouldn’t take Wade driving to the hoop for lay ups more than 5 times to figure out that you should probably put in a shot blocker. Once again, he called a timeout today and he drew the play for Lowry to dribble the ball and take a deep, contested 3 (he made it this time, but that should be irrelevant). With Wade having a great night, we never saw him throw Powell at him once. I’m sorry, but Casey is still a poor coach and I believe this team is under achieving with him at the helm. 

[dmo21Participant]

I am not going to deny it, but I am a Casey hater. It shouldn’t take you 9 playoff games against teams without a good post defender to figure out that you need to use Jonas more. Shouldn’t take Wade driving to the hoop for lay ups more than 5 times to figure out that you should probably put in a shot blocker. Once again, he called a timeout today and he drew the play for Lowry to dribble the ball and take a deep, contested 3 (he made it this time, but that should be irrelevant). With Wade having a great night, we never saw him throw Powell at him once. I’m sorry, but Casey is still a poor coach and I believe this team is under achieving with him at the helm. 

[Phenomenal1]

 Casey isn’t a good coach, as pointed out it’s taken him 9 games to realize Jonas has an advantage and is playing well. I’ll give him credit for starting PPatt as he guards Johnson well. With Vogel and Joeger available I would move off Casey and push after those two real hard.

I would also trade Lowry and the Knicks pick for Butler or George if I could and probably let Derozan walk and try and sign Beal, Clarkson, Gordon, Batum, or Fournier. Lowry and Derozan for whatever reason are not good in the playoffs and can’t be your lead guys.

 

 

 

[OhCanada-Participant]

You must be trolling.

[Phenomenal1]

 Casey is proven mediocre coach. How many games do you need to watch Lowry and Derozan before you realize they suck in the playoffs

[Phenomenal1]

 Casey is proven mediocre coach. How many games do you need to watch Lowry and Derozan before you realize they suck in the playoffs

[OhCanada-Participant]

You must be trolling.

[Phenomenal1]

 Casey isn’t a good coach, as pointed out it’s taken him 9 games to realize Jonas has an advantage and is playing well. I’ll give him credit for starting PPatt as he guards Johnson well. With Vogel and Joeger available I would move off Casey and push after those two real hard.

I would also trade Lowry and the Knicks pick for Butler or George if I could and probably let Derozan walk and try and sign Beal, Clarkson, Gordon, Batum, or Fournier. Lowry and Derozan for whatever reason are not good in the playoffs and can’t be your lead guys.

 

 

 

[halfdecayedParticipant]

 they will get exposed by Cleveland my man, that’s for sure.. They will win against Miami because Whiteside’s injury doesn’t look good right now. But Im glad they are advancing

[halfdecayedParticipant]

 they will get exposed by Cleveland my man, that’s for sure.. They will win against Miami because Whiteside’s injury doesn’t look good right now. But Im glad they are advancing

[PurpleMonkeyDishwasherParticipant]

 You guys deserve to enjoy this run!  I hope the Raptors keep it going right to the finals!

 

 

[PurpleMonkeyDishwasherParticipant]

 You guys deserve to enjoy this run!  I hope the Raptors keep it going right to the finals!

 

 

[HitsterParticipant]

 Good to see the Raptors doing well, just a pity Miami aren’t at full strength to see a real cracker of a series. For such an experienced coach Dwane Casey doesn’t spot things he should do immediately. But 3 divisional titles in a row, their best ever regular season, their first play off series win for 15 years must be keeping Oh Canada happy.

Also they have a great chance to make their first ever Conference Final and then it gets very interesting.

 

[HitsterParticipant]

 Good to see the Raptors doing well, just a pity Miami aren’t at full strength to see a real cracker of a series. For such an experienced coach Dwane Casey doesn’t spot things he should do immediately. But 3 divisional titles in a row, their best ever regular season, their first play off series win for 15 years must be keeping Oh Canada happy.

Also they have a great chance to make their first ever Conference Final and then it gets very interesting.

 

[joe2324Participant]

 raptors also have a lottery pick this year too

[joe2324Participant]

 raptors also have a lottery pick this year too

[Author]

Posts