With less than two days to go before the start of the 2014 NBA Playoffs, it’s an exciting time to anticipate all of the action set to take place. As one of the more surprising teams this season, the Toronto Raptors are gearing up to kick off the post-season with their scheduled match up against the Brooklyn Nets.
Despite clinching the Atlantic division and earning the three seed for the Eastern Conference, there are still doubts surrounding the inexperienced Raptors. This will be the first time in the playoffs for many of the players on this roster, but they’re not letting that serve as a point against them.
One of the more notable reactions being made come from Raptors Forward Amir Johnson. Taking to twitter to voice his thoughts, he asserted the confidence that he has in his team.
Who says we don’t have experience? Experience is what you get when you didn’t get what you wanted. #SixYears #OurTime #Focused #RTZ
— Amir Johnson (@IamAmirJohnson) April 17, 2014
The Brooklyn Nets are filled with players that have all had varying experiences in the playoffs before, but this group of first timers isn’t being deterred. Having secured only their 2nd division title in franchise history, the team is out to prove that they are a force to be reckoned with.
As the game draws near, speculation against them will continue to build until tip-off. Of course that doesn’t mean the Toronto team will let that get to them in the least. First year All Star shooting guard Demar DeRozan was also on hand to deliver some quotes himself earlier today. Toronto Raptors beat reporter Josh Lewenberg reported was on hand for DeRozan’s comments.
DeMar on 1st playoffs “It aint like its rocket science or nothing. People keep bringing it up like Ive got to kno trigonometry or something”
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) April 17, 2014
DeRozan on Nets experience: “We’re all in the same league, man. Credit to them… but we play against guys who are experienced all season”
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) April 17, 2014
To add to the anticipation building, the Raptors also launched their “We The North” campaign with a promotional video, narrated by the musician Drake, also the team ambassador. The Toronto team will get their chance to prove their doubters wrong on Saturday, as they open the playoffs at home against the Nets at 12:30 pm est.
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Unfortunately for Raptors, the Nets advantage goes beyond experience.
The Raptors had about the least injuries in EC this season and the Nets know them well.
Meanwhile the Net team that Raptors will face, will be healthier and better than at any time this past season, unlike as in the previous 4 matchups (the 2 losses were back end of back to back). Nets led by 14 in 3rd Q, before running out of gas in one of the games, and they led down the stretch, until 4 secs left (bad pass by DWill) in the other loss.
Nets didn’t have the speedy Thornton, and Plumlee has since come into his own, and is playing big minutes. KG will be available for at least 20 minutes, and same for Kirilenko, who is back in his groove again.
Nets never had the luxury or desire to play DWill, Joe, Paul and Livingston for 36 minutes and KG, Kirilenko for 36 minutes in the same game. Now they will.
Paul Pierce has now become the Heart of the Nets, but DWill doesn’t have to have perfect ankles or a hot shooting touch for Nets to win. He just has to keep Lowry under 25 pts.
However, if Nets have the All Star DWill, as he was playing at end of 2013 season, they will also get by Heat (who they match up well against).