The Raptors must address their perimeter shooting this offseason, Eric Koreen of The Athletic argues. Gary Trent‘s shooting slump and injuries to Fred VanVleet and OG Anunoby have exposed the lack of natural shooters on the roster. Toronto ought to focus on finding another shooter or two in free agency or the draft, Koreen says. The Raptors currently rank 13th in 3-point shooting.
We have more from the Eastern Conference:
- The Nets had discussions with several teams prior to the trade deadline regarding Joe Harris, according to Ian Begley of SNY.tv. However, Harris’ ankle injury impacted what teams were willing to give up for him. Harris, who hasn’t played since Nov. 14, opted this week for season-ending surgery on his left ankle. He has two years left on his four-year, $75MM contract.
- The Nets are running out of time to build chemistry, Mark W. Sanchez of the New York Post notes. Even with Kevin Durant back in the lineup, the rotation remains in flux. Ben Simmons has yet to make his season debut, Kyrie Irving‘s availability remains uncertain, Goran Dragic just joined the team and the coaches are still sorting out frontcourt options. “We are cutting it close,” Durant said. “There’s under 20 games left in the season. We have to go out there and figure it out.”
- Al Horford has proven his worth during the Celtics’ turnaround, Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe writes. Boston has outscored opponents by 7.6 points per 100 possessions with Horford on the court. Horford, whose $26.5MM salary next season is partially guaranteed, has been a defensive anchor during the resurgence. “Everybody thinks Al is up there in age and that he’s lost it,” Marcus Smart said. “He’s still got it.”
Which draft class was better, the 2007 class led by KD, Horford, Conley, Joakim, Marc Gasol, Swaggy P, Thad Young & Jeff Green or the 1997 class led by Duncan, T-Mac, Chauncey, Bobby Jackson, Van Horn, Stephen Jackson, Tim Thomas & Brevin Knight?..
Raptors need to miss the playoffs to have their first round pick. They have an early 2nd though which should definitely be used on someone with shooting ability.
They could easily miss though, they’re probably locked into a 7th 8th seed and it’s not a clear path to the playoffs if you have to get through one of BRKLN or ATL/CHA
Sure but it’s an important point none the less. They could also catch Cleveland and finish 6th.
Celtics have fixed Al Horford. His trade value is equal to a 30 years old good player in summer
Lakers are trying to fix Westbrook now. After that, Westbrook would be equal to an bottom line all star
I predict that K Nunn will start the season in April and also end the season in April
It’s been a rollercoaster season for Raps. Once Fred & OG returns, 6th is attainable as Clev is coming back to earth. Mobley hitting rookie wall like Scottie in past weeks. Something also not right with how OG doesn’t want to play through minor injuries. He’s great when he plays but this pattern of hangnail hurts is getting ridiculous.
Nets season hangs on Kyrie playing. I don’t play Ben at PG. He needs to play on wing. And post every guy they try to play on him. NY still can lift mandate for arenas ….. If so.
Then Nets are a dangerous team to meet in playoffs. A seven gm series with any of top three seeds. Nets can beat anyone of them. Not a Kyrie fan. But I hope he gets to play. I’m an NBA fan.
As a Sixers fan hoping for a long play off run, I’m only really worried by two sides in the east and that’s the Nets and the bucks. The Celtics don’t scare me but I’d also try avoid them.
My ideal situation would be the Nets either play the Bucks in the first round or the Nets finish in the play in and face the Raptors. In which case can the Celtics please play the Bucks in the first round. All three scenarios aren’t that unlikely.
Firstly if they played each other in the first round it would simply eliminate one and probably be a long and tight series which could lead to players in their second round match up being more tired and banged up.
In the second scenario, Kyrie couldn’t play in Toronto and that would have a huge affect on things. I also think they have the best guys for guarding KD with long and athletic forwards like OG, Barnes and Siakim. Another couple factors to include is Dragic coming back to fitness still and having to face the team he refused to play for that would add some spice. Another would be how fit and able is Ben Simmons and how would he affect his team. I sure a lot of those guys aren’t use to playing with a 6’11 point guard which can’t shoot. I just think there’s a good chance the Raptors upset the Nets.
Then lastly Celtics vs Bucks in the first round also think the bucks best chance of losing if it isn’t the Nets is the Celtics. They have been in terrific form, they have great team defence and I think they have take it up another level. Stopping Giannas will be near impossible but if you take the ball out of his hands as much as possible and take away the three ball, you’ll give them problems.
Just hoping the Celtics don’t get in some one game playoff. If they get in a series, I think being a defense first team, they can wear whoever the other team down.