@Arkandel said in The Basketball Thread:
The Raptors have a great squad this year. Deep, with Siakam really emerging as a future All-Star on a really cheap contract. They have several guys who can spread the floor and several former All-Defensive or even DPY players in Kawhi, Green, Gasol. Basically they have no weaknesses defensively, they don't need to hide anyone. It's only their offense that concerns me against the Warriors if it goes that far since Lowry isn't there, Siakam is young and untried and Green was never meant to be a scoring machine.
I think that's the key: the Raptors have no defensive weaknesses. LeBron exposed and exploited those weaknesses repeatedly, but that's why they traded for Leonard and Green, both of whom are tight on defense. I think the Raptors understand that this is their year, which means everyone will be squeezing an extra bit of effort on the floor. Also, VanFleet is looking great off the bench, and wily veterans like Lin and Ibaka can provide a burst of energy to toss opponents on their asses.
But frankly the Warriors are overpowered, nevermind their current issues putting the Clippers away.
Except, not in the paint. Losing Boogie is a huge problem for them now; they have to rely on what's left of Bogut. The Raptors could simply defend hard on the perimeter, and force Green into playing offense, which isn't his forte. I can see the Raptors making a solid run against Warriors, and maybe even beating them, by a defensively-responsible strategy with Ibaka and Gasol exploiting the paint hard. Hell, put them both out (Ibaka, I believe, used to be a PF) and watch the Warriors struggle to defend the interior game.