just for fun, i looked at the 3 top EC teams right now and their upcoming schedules until jan 8 (when raptors return home).

ATL: 22 @Dal, 23 LAC, 26 Mil, 27 @Mil, 30 Cle, 2 @Uta, 3 @Por, 5 @LAC, 7 Mem.

9 games

i could see the hawks go 3-6 4-5 in these 9 games. they have gone 4-2 against the west (SA LAL) (Uta NO Den HOU). i think dallas, clippers, blazers, griz, cavs(???) will beat them. plus 3 back to backs and a 4 game in 6 night (tha includes one of the back to backs)

WAS: 21 Pho (L), 23 Chi, 25 @NY, 27 Bos, 29 @Hou, 30 @Dal, 2 @OKC, 3 @SA, 5 @NO, 7 NY

10 games

2 back to backs, HOU/DAL and OKC/SA. the most games over the period out of the 3 teams.

TOR: 21 NY (W), 22 @Chi, 27 @LAC, 28 @Den, 30 @Por, 2 @GS, 4 @Pho

7 games

raptors will probably win the least out of the 3 teams, and they will also play the least over this period of time. they might win 3 out of the 7?

overall i think all 3 teams will finish from now to jan 8 with a losing record (since they are all playing quite a bit vs the west and on the road) but i think the 2 game lead that the raptors have will probably hold up.

you will notice i posted my comments AFTER the win against the knicks...

i realize Jose Calderone and Andrea Bargnarni are 2 of the most prolific champions in NBA history and everything, but i don't really count the Knicks as being part of the Raptors "tougher schedule"...

my guess is the raptors will be out of 1st after the warriors game on january 2nd.

as a side note: if the Knicks bring back Steve Novak and sign Vince they could field an entire starting line up of former Raptors

JimmyJRaynor

Canada16715 Posts

December 22 2014 03:56 GMT

#1403

On December 22 2014 12:37 Jibba wrote:
Can I just point out how silly 'We The North' is when Portland and Minneapolis are both further north than Toronto.

the ad campaign is meant to get the entire country behind one team.
and. basically. that country is north of the 29 other teams in the NBA.

the raptors fans were louder than the pistons fans at their recent game in detroit.
the game ended with a pile of raptors fans singing the jamaal-magloire-memorial canadian national anthem.

so i think this raptors national identity thing is working.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/basketball/how-the-raptors-redefined-their-brand-and-took-toronto-by-the-throat/article21360335/

RowdierBob

Australia13028 Posts

December 22 2014 04:33 GMT

#1404

Jesus, has anyone seen the Kings' D-League team play (Reno Big Horns)?

It's comical--they play this run and gun, full court press style that you played before you really knew what you were doing in under 10s basketball. They're averaging 141 points per game, whilst keeping their opponents to a meager 140.

And this is what their owner wants to bring to the NBA. Holy shiitttt. Just watch:

(the Lakers D-League team won this game 175-152, IN REGULATION). Loool.

Jibba

United States22883 Posts

December 22 2014 04:50 GMT

#1405

I didn't realize the Lakers' D-league team played in a gym. I know Bakersfield does, but their arena is almost entirely luxury boxes and the regular seats go for $3k.

Most D teams have actual arenas.

oneofthem

Cayman Islands24199 Posts

December 22 2014 05:47 GMT

#1406

kobe is singlehandedly saving you guys your pick

hero

red_

United States8474 Posts

December 22 2014 06:00 GMT

#1407

On December 22 2014 14:47 oneofthem wrote:
kobe is singlehandedly saving you guys your pick

hero

Up 8 at half despite 3/13 shooting, Kobe steps it up a notch for the final 24 minutes to ensure the loss. A truly clutch performance.

rabidch

United States20289 Posts

December 22 2014 06:42 GMT

#1408

On December 22 2014 14:47 oneofthem wrote:
kobe is singlehandedly saving you guys your pick

hero

he understands heroball very well

MassHysteria

United States3678 Posts

December 22 2014 07:22 GMT

#1409

@jibba Ya, they used to play at Staples but now they play the games at the Lakers practice facility(same owners).

TwoToneTerran

United States8841 Posts

December 22 2014 09:40 GMT

#1410

Anthony Davis is a really good basketball player (though you probably couldn't tell the game before this one).

icystorage

Jollibee19350 Posts

December 22 2014 14:43 GMT

#1411

http://www.gfycat.com/HandyPoisedGodwit

cue benny hill music

AgentW

United States7725 Posts

December 22 2014 14:56 GMT

#1412

Weren't the Wolves involved in something really similar earlier this season, with it taking like 8 combined turnovers before someone could lay the ball in? Maybe it was against Atlanta or something? I thought the game was in Minnesota, too.

zev318

Canada4306 Posts

December 22 2014 15:24 GMT

#1413

kobe is sacrificing his stats to save a franchise, how can people hate on that?

MassHysteria

United States3678 Posts

December 22 2014 16:10 GMT

#1414

I don't hate it at all. I just hate watching it lol.

Xeris

Iran17695 Posts

December 22 2014 16:22 GMT

#1415

Yea -- the Lakers might play better and win more games with Kobe off the floor, therefore Kobe destroys their chances by taking 30 shots/game. Intelligent tactics.

Definitely a fan of the recent Hornets win streak to bump the Lakers down.