Series Thread: 2nd Round: Toronto Raptors vs Philadelphia Sixers

[Bloody Brian Burke]

Other than the weeping part, seems fair and reasonable, and you certainly aren't the only person with these thoughts on Lowry.

I've had them, but I'll give him credit when it is due.

Lowry's a fine player who's very inconsistent and incredibly overpaid.

He's also incredibly unlikable. Not that I give a shit but if you're going to come off as an asshole you've gotta at least be very good most of the time.

Gasol is probably going to opt out.

Lowry is expiring.

But, gonna be hard to not eat a bad contract in return because of his salary.

Siakam is awesome.

I honestly don't think Kawhi is 100% out the door.

He bought a 15 million dollar house in San Diego.

No matter where he plays, it's basically a Summer house unless he plans to Helicopter in from Phoenix or one of the Cali teams...lol

You think Gasol's gonna opt out? That's a lot of money to pass up with no guarantee of a better contract out there for him at that age.

Raptors can take a bad contract if it's sweetened, which would be worth it in this case. If they aren't going to contend for two years or so they need to grab as many lottery tickets as they can get. They can eat a bad salary for a couple more years for that return.

I think Phillip Rivers choppers into LA for practices/games from SD because he didn't want to uproot his 400 strong family lol. Kawhi could do that if he wanted. Maybe he's afraid of helicopters though.

 

[Sparhawk]

Point is you tried to blame Lowry for his team losing to a team no one in his conference could beat. Seemed obvious but forgot often things need to be dumbed down for you.

I do not believe Mecca blamed Lowry, but I could be wrong on that.
The national narrative on Lowry is that he does not perform well in the playoffs.
Whether or not that is choking is up to you.
If he plays even average and they lose, the narrative will be thrust upon him once again.

Trust me, the 'national narrative' on Philly fans is legendary and those articles write themselves because it's easy copy and gets clicks. "notorious for throwing snowballs at Santa" just rolls right off the keyboard.

Lowry could have scored 20+ points per game through the first 6 games, but if he doesn't perform in Game 7, that all goes away and the narrative comes back. It's not about right or wrong, it is what it is.

 

[Sparhawk]

What's the over/under for average number of minutes that the starters get?
40? 42?

I expect Enis/Scott to get decent minutes for the Sixers.
Ibaka for the Raptors.

I mean, there's no way Brett Brown goes with a 'regular' rotation, right?
Right????
Helllooo??? Is this thing on???

"Sir, this is a Wendy's."

 

[eaglesnut]

And whoever lose, their season will be a failure IMO.

After Sixers acquired Butler/Harris and Raptors traded for Kawhi in the offseason, conference finals was a must for both teams

A failure.
Failure.
Failure.




Pffffft okay

 

[trojanfan12]

"Butler sucks."

-Wiggy

I was really impressed with how the Sixers were able to overcome his inefficiency.

 

[trojanfan12]

.....and Gasol.

Do you think the Raptors style has cost Marc some money this summer?

9 and 7 doesn't look great.

But, he's doing all that they've asked for the greater good.

Not sure why it would. He has a pretty good track record that shows what he can do.

I doubt he gets another $25 million dollar deal (certainly not for more than 1 year), but that will be more about his age than his play.

Like you said, he's sacrificing for the greater good. Teams that will be interested in him, know this.

 

[trojanfan12]

Kawhi has been fantastic.

But Toronto is not beating Milwaukee.

They are simply better.

I'm not convinced of that. I think what the Bucks did to the Celtics has as much to do with whatever the hell is going on with the Celtics as it did with how good the Bucks are.

 

[dtgold88]

I do not believe Mecca blamed Lowry, but I could be wrong on that.
The national narrative on Lowry is that he does not perform well in the playoffs.
Whether or not that is choking is up to you.
If he plays even average and they lose, the narrative will be thrust upon him once again.

Trust me, the 'national narrative' on Philly fans is legendary and those articles write themselves because it's easy copy and gets clicks. "notorious for throwing snowballs at Santa" just rolls right off the keyboard.

Lowry could have scored 20+ points per game through the first 6 games, but if he doesn't perform in Game 7, that all goes away and the narrative comes back. It's not about right or wrong, it is what it is.

Well said, and happen to agree about the Santa comment. Would bet many fans who use it are not aware of how long ago it took place. Bet many think it happened this millenium.

 

[trojanfan12]

And whoever lose, their season will be a failure IMO.

After Sixers acquired Butler/Harris and Raptors traded for Kawhi in the offseason, conference finals was a must for both teams

I don't know. They are meeting in the semifinals, so obviously only 1 team can get to the ECF and the series is going 7 games.

Maybe if they didn't end up facing each other now, they do in the ECF?

Regardless of which team wins, they did expose some holes in each other that each will need to address in the off-season.

 

[bksballer89]

I don't know. They are meeting in the semifinals, so obviously only 1 team can get to the ECF and the series is going 7 games.

Maybe if they didn't end up facing each other now, they do in the ECF?

Regardless of which team wins, they did expose some holes in each other that each will need to address in the off-season.

I get that but that isn't the way most will look at it.

Toronto lose and Leonard probably walks.

Philly lose and they may lose Butler, Harris, or both.....and oh yeah Simmons will hear it all summer long about not being able to shoot.

Big game Sunday night

 

[dtgold88]

I get that but that isn't the way most will look at it.

Toronto lose and Leonard probably walks.

Philly lose and they may lose Butler, Harris, or both.....and oh yeah Simmons will hear it all summer long about not being able to shoot.

Big game Sunday night

Not sure if this is true here, but in general I agree. One game (or even one play) can change the course of a player, team, etc.

Best example I can think of is The Stop of Love on Curry in Game 7. sure, Love did a nice job but Curry got off an OK shot, it almost went in, and he's made higher contested shots than that one.

That shot goes in and what happens? Love gets ripped for his D, and there is talk he must be moved as no team with him can win a title. Lue of course gets ripped for Love being on Curry for the play.

 

[Sparhawk]

I get that but that isn't the way most will look at it.

Toronto lose and Leonard probably walks.

Philly lose and they may lose Butler, Harris, or both.....and oh yeah Simmons will hear it all summer long about not being able to shoot.

Big game Sunday night

Yeah, this game has major ramifications for both teams.
Win and you probably increase your chances or retaining top free agents.

 

[flyerhawk]

I get that but that isn't the way most will look at it.

Toronto lose and Leonard probably walks.

Philly lose and they may lose Butler, Harris, or both.....and oh yeah Simmons will hear it all summer long about not being able to shoot.

Big game Sunday night

Simmons better be practicing his shooting the moment the season ends.

 

[bksballer89]

Simmons better be practicing his shooting the moment the season ends.

I would hope so. If I'm Sixers, i would challenge him to take 3 or 4 jumpshots per game next season.

First order of business in becoming a mediocre shooter is to at least bot be afraid to attempt them

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

I do not believe Mecca blamed Lowry, but I could be wrong on that.
The national narrative on Lowry is that he does not perform well in the playoffs.
Whether or not that is choking is up to you.
If he plays even average and they lose, the narrative will be thrust upon him once again.

Trust me, the 'national narrative' on Philly fans is legendary and those articles write themselves because it's easy copy and gets clicks. "notorious for throwing snowballs at Santa" just rolls right off the keyboard.

Lowry could have scored 20+ points per game through the first 6 games, but if he doesn't perform in Game 7, that all goes away and the narrative comes back. It's not about right or wrong, it is what it is.

I didn't.

All I said was I'm taking the 6ers in game 7 because Lowry tends to get a hairball.

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

Lowry's a fine player who's very inconsistent and incredibly overpaid.

He's also incredibly unlikable. Not that I give a shit but if you're going to come off as an asshole you've gotta at least be very good most of the time.


You think Gasol's gonna opt out? That's a lot of money to pass up with no guarantee of a better contract out there for him at that age.

Raptors can take a bad contract if it's sweetened, which would be worth it in this case. If they aren't going to contend for two years or so they need to grab as many lottery tickets as they can get. They can eat a bad salary for a couple more years for that return.

I think Phillip Rivers choppers into LA for practices/games from SD because he didn't want to uproot his 400 strong family lol. Kawhi could do that if he wanted. Maybe he's afraid of helicopters though.

If he can get 3-5 year deal, probably.

I'm sure his people have an inkling of what is out there for him.

 

[msgkings322]

Not sure if this is true here, but in general I agree. One game (or even one play) can change the course of a player, team, etc.

Best example I can think of is The Stop of Love on Curry in Game 7. sure, Love did a nice job but Curry got off an OK shot, it almost went in, and he's made higher contested shots than that one.

That shot goes in and what happens? Love gets ripped for his D, and there is talk he must be moved as no team with him can win a title. Lue of course gets ripped for Love being on Curry for the play.

Love was able to handle Curry because Curry wasnt 100% and couldn't do Curry things to get off a better shot

That's what people mean when they say he was not himself that year

But you are right about how narratives hinge on tiny moments. If Curry makes that shot what do people think of LeBron and his 2 rings with only the Heat? Does Durant come to Oakland? Etc.

 

[Iggloo]

I mean, I guess winning will certainly elevate Philly in the eyes of some free agents, but I think it is already going to be a coveted spot for players due to the nucleus of Embiid and Simmons. But Butler surely gets re-signed and probably Harris too, so most of the money will be gone.

 

[DJ Fieri]

I was really impressed with how the Sixers were able to overcome his inefficiency.

LMAO

 

[tlance]

I'm not convinced of that. I think what the Bucks did to the Celtics has as much to do with whatever the hell is going on with the Celtics as it did with how good the Bucks are.

True

But they also did that to the Celtics with their 3rd best player logging 15 minutes in game 5. And I generally believe in giving more credit to the winner vs. blame to the loser, but I cannot argue Boston played poorly. Much of that, IMO was due to Milwaukee's defense taking them out of rhythm.

Milwaukee is a force with their full unit in tact.