Beasts of the East we can call them. And no, unlike what was projected in the preseason, we are not talking about the Bulls or Cavaliers. The Toronto Raptors (16-6) have been one of the more interesting teams to follow this season. Their place atop the Eastern Conference standings and the sixth-best record in the NBA is made all the more impressive by the fact that in a league where the best teams usually have at least one superstar, generally a multi-time All-Star, this
Ten more NBA games are on tap for Wednesday night, with the most interesting in Houston. Not 100% sure it’s a great play in daily fantasy, as both the Grizzlies and Rockets are excellent defensively, but with Dwight Howard (knee), Patrick Beverley (hamstring), Terrence Jones (leg) and Isaiah Canaan (ankle) all unavailable, I’m leaning heavily to Memphis. [Read more…]
How do you replace DeMar DeRozan? Toronto’s all-star and leading scorer will be out indefinitely with a groin injury that involves a torn tendon. His misfortune actually benefits daily fantasy players, because salaries have yet to adjust and at least three Raptors will share those 33 minutes per game. [Read more…]
Much like the New Orleans Pelicans rookies, the Toronto Raptors rookies get their share of hazing. This type of treatment towards the newcomers apparently happens up in Canada too. Instead of making them carry around girly luggage, the Raptors vets were a bit more caring in that their gifts for the rooks will help keep them warm in the cold Canadian climate. Maybe they’ll stay warm, but that won’t keep their teammates from giving them as much grief possible. [Read
The Sixers have made waves with their willingness to rebuild by all means necessary, so nothing GM Sam Hinkie does should come as a huge surprise. Still, for a rebuilding club, the prospect of trading the reigning NBA Rookie of the Year would certainly raise a few eyebrows. According to Zach Lowe of Grantland, Philadelphia tried to do exactly that by shopping Michael Carter-Williams heavily during the 2014 NBA Draft back in June. [Read more…]
When the final buzzer sounded on the Toronto Raptors last season, the team was left deflated on its home court after a crushing last-second Game 7 loss. It was an ending to a season that no one – not pundits, not fans, maybe not even management – could have predicted. After 18 games and a 6-12 record, it appeared as though the Raptors were destined for yet another forgettable season, lodged firmly in the bottom third of the NBA. Instead, after
The Nets and Bulls are on course for a potential rematch of last year’s first-round playoff series. Is this the ideal scenario for Brooklyn? As they say in the borough, “Fuhgeddaboudit!” It’s been a frigid winter in Brooklyn, and a trip to the “Windy City” could dampen any hopes of the Nets springing ahead to the next round. [Read more…]
The Toronto Raptors had no intention of making the playoffs this season. Head coach Dwane Casey admitted as much earlier in the season, but the talent on the team turned out to be above average in an Eastern Conference that turned out to be historically subpar. So general manager Masai Ujiri sent the overpaid Rudy Gay to Sacramento on Dec. 8 with the team in first place at 7-12, and the Raptors have turned into one of the East’s best teams. Toronto