Wizards & Raptors look shaky

[bksballer89]

I think these 2 are both ECF pretenders and would not be shocked in the least bit if one of them is eliminated in round 1. Something about these 2 teams especially Toronto got me thinking they'll be out fast

 

[Arizona_Sting]

I've been saying this for a while. They are both very beatable teams... like I said before the "Big 3" in the East remains ATL, CHI & CLE. If one of those 3 doesn't represent the EC in the finals I'd be shocked.

 

[bksballer89]

If Miami can get healthy, I honestly think any of the potential 6-8 seeds in the East which will be Milwaukee/Miami/Brooklyn/Detroit/Charlotte can beat those 2 in a series

 

[Arizona_Sting]

I would never sleep on Miami if Wade/Bosh/Deng are all healthy for the playoffs. Experience is everything and Washington & Toronto don't have a ton. I don't think any of those other teams would be able to upset them though. Wish Parker was healthy for MIL though... that would've made them a lot more interesting as an upset pick.

 

[mr.hockey4242]

Wizards are still 1 really good player away. Throw Durant on there and they are crazy good(obviously most teams would be but you get the point).


Beal at this point is still just too much of a supporting guy. Kinda like Wes Matthews. Problem is Beal's the 2nd best player to a more pass oriented PG. Where as Matthews is option 3 with a high scoring PG.


Wizards have great depth and vet presence but need another weapon.

 

[Demonjoe93]

I have questions about the Wizards, but I think the Raptors will be fine. They'll at least get to the second round.

 

[Arizona_Sting]

Wizards are still 1 really good player away. Throw Durant on there and they are crazy good(obviously most teams would be but you get the point).


Beal at this point is still just too much of a supporting guy. Kinda like Wes Matthews. Problem is Beal's the 2nd best player to a more pass oriented PG. Where as Matthews is option 3 with a high scoring PG.


Wizards have great depth and vet presence but need another weapon.

You know what. You comparing Matthews to Beal helped me come up with a comparison for Washington. They're kinda like the Blazers if you took Aldridge off their team. They just need to find that last piece. Definitely heading in the right direction.

 

[Arizona_Sting]

Right now I'd rank them:

1) ATL
2) CHI
3) CLE
4) TOR
5) WASH

 

[bksballer89]

I have questions about the Wizards, but I think the Raptors will be fine. They'll at least get to the second round.

Toronto defense is very suspect.

Currently ranked 19th. I expect Miami & Brooklyn who are right behind them to pass them tonight so they should be 21st in DEF EFF tomorrow morning.

At least Washington plays defense

 

[bksballer89]

Right now I'd rank them:

1) ATL
2) CHI
3) CLE
4) TOR
5) WASH

Unfortunately at the moment I have Cleveland ahead of Chicago but everything else I agree with.

Chicago is about to fall to 5-10 in their last 15

 

[bksballer89]

Both teams need to make the 2nd round to consider their season a success IMO but unfortunately I see at least one of them losing in round 1.

 

[mr.hockey4242]

You know what. You comparing Matthews to Beal helped me come up with a comparison for Washington. They're kinda like the Blazers if you took Aldridge off their team. They just need to find that last piece. Definitely heading in the right direction.

Yup. The other thing too is that Wall is more of a play maker than Lillard as well. Which is just fine but without that other option it leaves them vulnerable.

Really are one move away. Whether it's getting Durant to come home in 2016 or something else this off season they just need 1 more guy.

 

[wildturkey]

Meh. Check on them in March. Its a week or so before the All Star break. That's prime time for teams to have dips

 

[tducey]

Toronto's good but they need another impact player before they can be considered true contenders.

 

[trojanfan12]

Meh. Check on them in March. Its a week or so before the All Star break. That's prime time for teams to have dips

Yeah, players that aren't all-stars are thinking about their upcoming vacation and all star players are thinking about the all star game. After the all star break is when things traditionally start getting interesting and heated in the NBA anyway. If the dip continues after the all star break, that's when it becomes a problem.

 

[trojanfan12]

Toronto's good but they need another impact player before they can be considered true contenders.

Well good luck with that. Lebron is trying to bring them all to Cleveland.

 

[anotheridiot]

Unfortunately at the moment I have Cleveland ahead of Chicago but everything else I agree with.

Chicago is about to fall to 5-10 in their last 15

yes, and alot of those games were very winnable. Thibbs needs to figure out this terrible defense, the film is around the league and the directions to beating the bulls are league wide now.

Atlanta better than expected Cleveland on an 11 game winning streak, sorry, but chicago is not even top half of the east now. one defender gets beat and no help arrives, that guy doesnt seem to want to help.

 

[WiggyRuss]

Unfortunately at the moment I have Cleveland ahead of Chicago but everything else I agree with.

Chicago is about to fall to 5-10 in their last 15

I do not think Chicago has the offense to win 3 playoff series' to get to the Finals- plus that team's health issues always seem to be a problem

 

[podsox]

it sounds like thibs has no idea what to do with gasol and rose. they are assets on the offensive end but both refuse to play any type of defense

 

[bksballer89]

it sounds like thibs has no idea what to do with gasol and rose. they are assets on the offensive end but both refuse to play any type of defense

Why is the defense so bad though? Is Gasol that bad? In previous years with Rose the defense was still really good so what is the issue this year?