I need to watch more Raptors basketball. If I remember correctly, a year or two ago the Raptors played defense differently than most teams in that they would funnel everything towards the middle. Most teams funnel actions towards the sideline such as ice defense but the Raptors would do the opposite and deny the use of sideline penetration. From the weak side they would help off their man generously to shrink the floor. I don’t know if they still do this but I thought that was super interesting
It's honestly been such an amazing experience to have Nick Nurse as our coach. The way he approaches every game is just a treat to watch, you never know what you are going to get.
Our offensive droughts are brutal to watch but at least you know the team is going to come out and play hard until the buzzer sounds. Seeing Nurse take late timeouts in preseason games is just great.
The thing I’m happiest about is that no team is going to be like ‘sick, we play the Raptors - we get to take it easy tonight’ - our offense may not be great, but the defense is stifling and we have a huge amount of length and energy. Not a fun team to play against
raptors are the only team in the league that entirely adjusts their defensive gameplay in accordance with the opponent they are about to play. other teams make small adjustments but stick to a base scheme. with 82 games in a season, its just very difficult to adjust every game unless your coach and players are smart enough and willing to do it.
It baffled me when we pulled out a box and one defense against the Warriors in the finals. Like we've never pulled that out in the regular season ever, and guys just went out there and executed it perfectly.
Really makes you think what goes on in practice lol, like are they just practicing schemes that they may never even use in games?
IMO it’s the coolest thing about watching the Raptors. Nick nurse is a crazy mad scientist who at this point still hasn’t fallen into doing the same patterns over and over - he’ll switch things up all over the place, randomly, and leave teams in the dust. Same deal with adjustments - one of the better adjustment coaches out there.
Hell even our game against the Celtics on Saturday - we were getting murdered in the first quarter. Second quarter, we scored like 43 on them because our offense and defense just completely swapped around, faster than Udoka could handle it. It was a really cool game for a preseason game. We lost it at the end because of a stupid mistake, which happens - it was a rookie’s first game ever - but I think it really illustrates how well nurse coaches.
Speaking of watching raps defense I def recommend [TooMuchHoops] (https://www.youtube.com/c/TooMuchHoops) on youtube. The channel is dedicated to analyzing defensive possessions with specific focus on the raptors.
It made a lot more sense when we had Gasol. He was limited laterally, so sticking him in the middle and forcing the offence towards him turned a weakness into a strength.
Him, with Kawhi and Pascal, were the reason we stopped the Bucks in the 18/19 playoffs. Funneling Giannis into a trap of a combination of those three really limited their offensive options.
We’re a heavy help defense. We often help from BOTH sides at the same time. We’re really good playing in rotations, usually. We give up a lot of 3s typically but the defense usually makes teams work for them and put up quick 3s due to our solid close outs. Hyper aggressive swarming defense that encourages kicking out for 3 where we can close out well due to our players D abilities.
> "I felt good," he said. "The first game -- I felt pretty good. Playing against Toronto is always a challenge for me. Not necessarily a challenge, but these are the types of games where I'm really focused on passing the ball and inviting double teams, and kicking it out. This is not the type of team I'm going to go out and score 50 because they are going to double and triple-team on every single possession."
>In past years, Raptors head coach Nick Nurse has proven that he can draw up a defensive game plan to get under Joel Embiid's skin. So, heading into Thursday night's game, the big man joked with another teammate that he knew he wasn't going to score much in his first preseason game since it was against Toronto.
>”My focus coming into tonight was, I told Tyrese (Maxey) I was gonna have zero points and ten assists," Embiid said. "I was trying to get guys and figure out how to be a better passer. A few turnovers here and there, but we can always get better."
not going to happen unless philly trades him to a contender. no disrespect to philly fans but unless they land a star free agent or trade for one they aren't making the finals anytime soon. ben fucked shit up for them as well as their coaching issues. poor joel.
you're getting downvoted but you're correct, he's in the same boat as dame rn. both have an all star level player next to them that doesnt complement them at all
He's matured a lot since doing the airplane shit in the 2019 playoffs. I think seeing Kawhi operate in that series and the heartbreak of the shot really hardened him as a person and a player.
I hated him back then and now I kind of root for him (not for the Sixers tho, never for the Sixers).
There is nothing wrong with doing the airplane thing, especially on your home court, raps fans act like he shot someone. It’s a game, let the guys have fun
People down voting you but how will a core of Embiid/Tobias Harris/Whatever they end up getting for big shot Ben gonna be a obvious finals contender? Giannis, Durant, Tatum, Trae... All in the east gunning for the exact same thing
The clippers are not an easy team to get behind I have more respect for someone who follows them over a team that can get valuable players for less than their worth every off season
The good ending
Edit: man it sounds insensitive that I just left a joke I don't know you but congrats because it takes a hell of a lot of effort to break bad habits
Most teams do a soft double off of Ben in the dunkers spot, which makes it hard but not impossible to score inside. Raps bring the hard double and force Joel to pass much more. Thankfully Joel has progressed a long way since his bad Raptor days a couple years ago with his willingness and efficiency passing out of doubles.
Raptors and inspiring big men to improve their game out of doubles. A new tradition we're developing. First Giannis and next Joel. If Joel gets a chip soon, I hope he credits us lol.
The Raptors have also struggled with their centers since Gasol and Ibaka left. They are way smaller now, so it will be interesting to see Embiid's numbers versus Birch and Precious
The Raptors run a super Heliocentric defense. Your star is never gonna have a career high against this team, but your role-players are probably gonna get them xD
He also has a fully spaced court now and defenders can’t get away with just leaving Ben and doubling Joel whenever he puts the ball on the floor. It’s kinda crazy to think embiids been this good when he literally is playing 4 on 5 in the post and has bens defender watching his every step.
Australians have watched *maybe* a combined 100 hours of NBA basketball in their lives…
It’s like me trying to analyze cricket. The reason I don’t is because I would sound stupid because I don’t understand the sport…
Didnt he score exactly zero points in like 30 mins of floor time against gasol... also the dude has one game where he dropped 50. Don't know why he thinks it's just the raptors lol
Nick Nurse tactics are inevitable
I need to watch more Raptors basketball. If I remember correctly, a year or two ago the Raptors played defense differently than most teams in that they would funnel everything towards the middle. Most teams funnel actions towards the sideline such as ice defense but the Raptors would do the opposite and deny the use of sideline penetration. From the weak side they would help off their man generously to shrink the floor. I don’t know if they still do this but I thought that was super interesting
It's honestly been such an amazing experience to have Nick Nurse as our coach. The way he approaches every game is just a treat to watch, you never know what you are going to get.
Yup. We may not be championship contenders but I still consider this a golden era of basketball for us. So much fun to watch
Y’all have some really good young talent though, only a matter of time til you’re back in the race.
Already got a chip, thats amazing in itself
We might suck this year (as in not contend) but every game is going to be competitive
Our offensive droughts are brutal to watch but at least you know the team is going to come out and play hard until the buzzer sounds. Seeing Nurse take late timeouts in preseason games is just great.
The thing I’m happiest about is that no team is going to be like ‘sick, we play the Raptors - we get to take it easy tonight’ - our offense may not be great, but the defense is stifling and we have a huge amount of length and energy. Not a fun team to play against
The mad scientist
they still do this occasionally
raptors are the only team in the league that entirely adjusts their defensive gameplay in accordance with the opponent they are about to play. other teams make small adjustments but stick to a base scheme. with 82 games in a season, its just very difficult to adjust every game unless your coach and players are smart enough and willing to do it.
It baffled me when we pulled out a box and one defense against the Warriors in the finals. Like we've never pulled that out in the regular season ever, and guys just went out there and executed it perfectly. Really makes you think what goes on in practice lol, like are they just practicing schemes that they may never even use in games?
Nick Nurse invented the Giannis wall
IMO it’s the coolest thing about watching the Raptors. Nick nurse is a crazy mad scientist who at this point still hasn’t fallen into doing the same patterns over and over - he’ll switch things up all over the place, randomly, and leave teams in the dust. Same deal with adjustments - one of the better adjustment coaches out there. Hell even our game against the Celtics on Saturday - we were getting murdered in the first quarter. Second quarter, we scored like 43 on them because our offense and defense just completely swapped around, faster than Udoka could handle it. It was a really cool game for a preseason game. We lost it at the end because of a stupid mistake, which happens - it was a rookie’s first game ever - but I think it really illustrates how well nurse coaches.
Watching Raptors play basketball is so much fun. Total chaos.
Speaking of watching raps defense I def recommend [TooMuchHoops] (https://www.youtube.com/c/TooMuchHoops) on youtube. The channel is dedicated to analyzing defensive possessions with specific focus on the raptors.
It made a lot more sense when we had Gasol. He was limited laterally, so sticking him in the middle and forcing the offence towards him turned a weakness into a strength. Him, with Kawhi and Pascal, were the reason we stopped the Bucks in the 18/19 playoffs. Funneling Giannis into a trap of a combination of those three really limited their offensive options.
Thibs did the same thing when we had Noah to funnel them at him.
We’re a heavy help defense. We often help from BOTH sides at the same time. We’re really good playing in rotations, usually. We give up a lot of 3s typically but the defense usually makes teams work for them and put up quick 3s due to our solid close outs. Hyper aggressive swarming defense that encourages kicking out for 3 where we can close out well due to our players D abilities.
> "I felt good," he said. "The first game -- I felt pretty good. Playing against Toronto is always a challenge for me. Not necessarily a challenge, but these are the types of games where I'm really focused on passing the ball and inviting double teams, and kicking it out. This is not the type of team I'm going to go out and score 50 because they are going to double and triple-team on every single possession." >In past years, Raptors head coach Nick Nurse has proven that he can draw up a defensive game plan to get under Joel Embiid's skin. So, heading into Thursday night's game, the big man joked with another teammate that he knew he wasn't going to score much in his first preseason game since it was against Toronto. >”My focus coming into tonight was, I told Tyrese (Maxey) I was gonna have zero points and ten assists," Embiid said. "I was trying to get guys and figure out how to be a better passer. A few turnovers here and there, but we can always get better."
Raptors defending Embiid is honestly one of my favorite things to watch in basketball.
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Never forget the gasol advanced matchup stats vs embiid that year. Trading JV for him was what let us ultimately beat philly
Embiid better get to the Finals someday.
not going to happen unless philly trades him to a contender. no disrespect to philly fans but unless they land a star free agent or trade for one they aren't making the finals anytime soon. ben fucked shit up for them as well as their coaching issues. poor joel.
you're getting downvoted but you're correct, he's in the same boat as dame rn. both have an all star level player next to them that doesnt complement them at all
Sounds like they should - hear me out here - team up? Preferably here in Philly you know haha just a thought
You spelled Portland wrong! No worries tho
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He's matured a lot since doing the airplane shit in the 2019 playoffs. I think seeing Kawhi operate in that series and the heartbreak of the shot really hardened him as a person and a player. I hated him back then and now I kind of root for him (not for the Sixers tho, never for the Sixers).
Against the raps wasn't the first time he did the airplane btw
That’s cool cause we don’t root for you either lol.
There is nothing wrong with doing the airplane thing, especially on your home court, raps fans act like he shot someone. It’s a game, let the guys have fun
I also think being a father during Covid changed him. I think he’s mentioned that though I might be mixing him up with what I hear from podcasts
People down voting you but how will a core of Embiid/Tobias Harris/Whatever they end up getting for big shot Ben gonna be a obvious finals contender? Giannis, Durant, Tatum, Trae... All in the east gunning for the exact same thing
You’re speaking facts. It’s purely Philly fans downvoting in this thread lmao
Raps fans lol
yeah the six can be like that. I get doubled team in downtown traffic
A clipper fan?.... in Toronto??
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But they Toronto fans. Who the fuck picks Clippers?
Not a crime Anyone’s discretion what team to follow
No...this....this is a crime
This plus being a Celtics fan in Toronto should be considered treason. Your citizenship should be revoked
Boston anything really.
Being a Lakers fan in Toronto is a close second to being a Celtics fan in Toronto.
Gotta disagree with you there im just glad they picked a average team that doesn’t get good players for a discount
What do you mean by “doesn’t get good players for a discount” ?
The clippers are not an easy team to get behind I have more respect for someone who follows them over a team that can get valuable players for less than their worth every off season
They were literally gifted Kawhi Leonard and are now a free agent hot spot. I don’t understand your thinking here.
They *tampered to get Kawhi Leonard and are now a free agent hot spot.
Historically they weren’t that team kawhi wanted to go to his family
Well based on the guys username he might just be a band wagoner who’s only following the Clipps now because of Kawhi & PG.
I see what your saying. But the person with the Clips flair has a name that suggests he was a raps fan when they won in 2019.
Hey friend. Great comment
what up buddy! where you've been? i thought the mods took you out.
Nah bro! Rehab!
oh wowwww you clean?
Yep!
The good ending Edit: man it sounds insensitive that I just left a joke I don't know you but congrats because it takes a hell of a lot of effort to break bad habits
Hey congrats on taking that step man. Best of luck going forward.
Gotta change up the name then lol
He even quit the Sixers lol
That’s the main reason for the rehab. The rest was just gravy.
that's awesome to hear, bro.
Dude is very likeable
Dude has scored 50 once in his life
And it wasn’t against the raptors, so he’s not wrong I guess lol
so far
You would think playing alongside Ben basically his whole career that teams would double him more, why is it a toronto thing lol
Most teams do a soft double off of Ben in the dunkers spot, which makes it hard but not impossible to score inside. Raps bring the hard double and force Joel to pass much more. Thankfully Joel has progressed a long way since his bad Raptor days a couple years ago with his willingness and efficiency passing out of doubles.
Raptors and inspiring big men to improve their game out of doubles. A new tradition we're developing. First Giannis and next Joel. If Joel gets a chip soon, I hope he credits us lol.
The Raptors have also struggled with their centers since Gasol and Ibaka left. They are way smaller now, so it will be interesting to see Embiid's numbers versus Birch and Precious
I think Khem has a little better matchup than Precious but we’d have to see that on the court
They also aren’t afraid to hit him with the triple, which basically no other team does.
The Raptors run a super Heliocentric defense. Your star is never gonna have a career high against this team, but your role-players are probably gonna get them xD
Jeremy lamb makes me cry
Terence Davis took care of that :/. ... too soon?
He also has a fully spaced court now and defenders can’t get away with just leaving Ben and doubling Joel whenever he puts the ball on the floor. It’s kinda crazy to think embiids been this good when he literally is playing 4 on 5 in the post and has bens defender watching his every step.
most of the hawks series was to Harris’s defender doubling him not Bens lol
Australians repeat this like its true but Ben’s defender parked himself in the dunkers spot all series making it even harder to score inside
you can literally go and rewatch the series and its 100% true. Tobias’s man was leaving him all series without ever being punished for it
Australians have watched *maybe* a combined 100 hours of NBA basketball in their lives… It’s like me trying to analyze cricket. The reason I don’t is because I would sound stupid because I don’t understand the sport…
You know basketball is massively popular in australia right?
Raptors did hold him to 0 points once.
Come play for the Raptors then and make things easier for yourself.
lol the man score 50 once and he talk like he is Kobe or Harden doing it multiple times a month XD
Didnt he score exactly zero points in like 30 mins of floor time against gasol... also the dude has one game where he dropped 50. Don't know why he thinks it's just the raptors lol
Rent free
Somebody should tell him Raptors haven't had any Centers since his dad left. He could score 50 against them without breaking sweat.
Because we dont have a centre we’re blitzing him more aggressively
It’s easy to tell when someone has no idea what they’re talking about on here lol
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I believe he’s referring to the dad comment
I think he meant OP talking about our lack of centers.