Our center spot is obviously one of our biggest weaknesses, but overall I see some improvement from Yak this year

Enjoy folks who have prime video.

This isn’t a rage post, genuine discussion.
I don’t see how it makes sense, but I do hear continued whispers of CMB starting over Jak.

At 6’7.. how does that work? Is it just complete insanity?
Is the idea that he’s a good enough rebounder that the lineup could make sense?

I’m not a basketball expert. People calling for Myles Turner trades clearly are also not basketball experts. I would’ve thought there are vet minimum 7 footers kicking around.. but is the idea that maybe running small with CMB when you’ve got the rest of the defense.. is that enough?

Would love to hear real takes on why this could or couldn’t work and in which circumstances.

I honestly think what this team needs most is a two-way guard who can defend on and off the ball, make smart decisions, and organize the offense without needing to dominate possession.

That’s why I keep coming back to Jrue Holiday.

We already have Kawhi, Scottie and CMB as our core. We don’t need another ball-dominant scorer who needs the entire offense built around him. We need a guard who can defend opposing guards, make the right reads, control the tempo, and play alongside our main guys without getting in their way.

Holiday checks almost every box. He brings playoff experience, elite defensive instincts, strong basketball IQ, and the ability to contribute both on and off the ball. He can take on difficult defensive assignments while still helping organize the offense.

He’s much closer to the type of floor general I want than another high-usage scoring guard. Kyle Lowry is still my ideal template, and I think Holiday brings some of that same toughness, discipline and team-first mentality.

I know his age, contract and trade cost would all need to be considered. But if Portland isn’t going anywhere and Holiday is available, Toronto should at least explore it.

We have a championship-level player in Kawhi, two young cornerstones in Scottie and CMB, and a backcourt that still needs more defensive reliability and composure under pressure.

I’d rather bring in a veteran like Holiday who makes everyone around him better than chase another big name who needs the ball in his hands.

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Raptors with Kawhi/Scottie/CMB on the court together through 3 quarters: +14 in 6.5 minutes (Knicks: 22% FG)

The rest of the time: -22 in 29.5 minutes (Knicks: 51% FG)

Also from Lewenberg:

Raptors outscored the Knicks 21-7 in 6:36 with Kawhi/Scottie/CMB on the floor today.

Held NY to 2-9 FG, blocked 2 shots, forced 3 turnovers. The trio is +20 (39-19) in 11:35 this preseason.

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Enjoy if you have prime video.

I guess the Knicks didn't like what they saw last night and damn we really wasted that first round pick trading for him.

Jeff Teague, DJ Wells, and B Hen react to ESPN’s Top 100 NBA players, and they can’t believe the disrespect that some of the veteran players are getting. The guys are shocked that Toronto Raptors RJ Barrett is ranked 99th in the NBA. The guys think this list is HORRIBLE, and would make major changes to the top 100.

Other notables:

Stan Van Gundy, guest on the show, described Scottie as "a good pick." He also picked CMB as his second pick for 6MOY.

Both Lowe and Van Gundy picked Darko for COY.

Awards predictions start at the 1:01:49 mark of the podcast.

Pre-season Schedule

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Raps got the 16th (Kawhi) / 12th (CMB) / 6th (Scottie) best defenders in the league!