Kyle Lowry Out Until (At Least) Playoffs

[saltlover]

I actually hope Raptors can take the 3rd seat over the Wizards, so we don't have to face the Wizards at the 2nd round. Raptors don't do so well in playoffs.

I hope Atlanta takes the 4th seed, beats Toronto, and we meet them in the second round.

Also, don't worry about Washington.  They're not making it past round 2, no matter who they face.  That team collapses when things aren't going their way.  Good front-runners, so don't let them get an early lead like we have a couple of times.  But Wall goes into hero ball when the team is down late, and he's just not a good enough player to come out ahead in those situations most of the time.  In the playoffs, on the road? No chance.

[mahcussmaht]

How much does the addition of Ibaka offset the loss of Lowry?  They have a good backup PG in Cory Joseph.  They are in the 4th seed right now.  At worst, they will fall to 5th.  Let's imagine that Lowry does come back in the 1st round and works off his rust during that series.  You might want to avoid getting the 1st seed, because you face the winner of 4/5 in the second round.  A healthy Raptor team is better than a healthy Celtic team.  Getting the #1 seed is appealing, but you could be setting yourself up to deal with a frightening Miami Heat team in Round 1, a better team than us in Round 2, the defending champs in Round 3, and a mega team in Round 4. 

We might be better off staying at #2 and playing the Wizards in Round 2.

[celticsclay]

How much does the addition of Ibaka offset the loss of Lowry?  They have a good backup PG in Cory Joseph.  They are in the 4th seed right now.  At worst, they will fall to 5th.  Let's imagine that Lowry does come back in the 1st round and works off his rust during that series.  You might want to avoid getting the 1st seed, because you face the winner of 4/5 in the second round.  A healthy Raptor team is better than a healthy Celtic team.  Getting the #1 seed is appealing, but you could be setting yourself up to deal with a frightening Miami Heat team in Round 1, a better team than us in Round 2, the defending champs in Round 3, and a mega team in Round 4. 

We might be better off staying at #2 and playing the Wizards in Round 2.

Wait you are more scared of the Heat than Pistons/Chicago/Pacers? If the Heat somehow got that 8th seed that would be amazing. No interest in going up against players like Wade/Butler/George/Drummond before I pick Dragic, Whiteside and plucky players.