The Rap-Up: Time to start taunting

When trying to lose isn’t enough, why not try motivating the opponent to win?

The Toronto Raptors have been creative in their tanking efforts. Instead of filling the injury report (only), Darko Rajakovic has also tried playing his third-stringers in clutch moments, benching his starters in the 4th quarter, and making questionable play calls. All of these efforts were supposed to help the Raptors lose. How about motivating the opponent to win?

That’s right, folks. It’s time for the Raptors to light a fire in their opponents by taunting them!

There’s no denying the competitiveness of NBA players. Whether they’re a perennial All-Star or a G-Leaguer trying to make the league, players will always give that extra oomph when they have something to prove. When they stepped on the court, Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, and Kobe Bryant all used the slightest criticisms as extra fuel.

Why wouldn’t it also motivate the Alex Sarrs, Jeff Dowtins, and Josh Greens of the league?

For this week’s Rap-Up, let’s replace the Fun Fact with a Fun Taunt the Raptors should employ on their opponent.

March 24 @ Washington Wizards

The Washington Wizards may have the worst record in the NBA but they’re not playing like the worst team. Brian Keefe’s squad (I bet you didn’t know that was the Head Coach’s name) won 4 of 6 before losing their last four games.

Washington is also catching the Raptors at an opportune time. Toronto is 2-11 in the second game of back-to-backs and lost the last six. If you remove the failed buzzer-beating loss to the Wizards on March 8th, the last four results by the Raptors on zero days rest:

• February 5th: 138-107 loss to Memphis
• February 12th: 131-108 loss to Cleveland
• February 26th: 111-91 loss in Indiana
• March 17th: 129-89 loss in Phoenix

Outside of the fact that Wednesdays were unkind to the Raptors in February, that’s an average margin of defeat of 26 points!

Fun taunt that may only interest me

“During the championship season, lots of people were saying that Milwaukee had a dynamic duo, but we never worried about Khris Middleton. We felt he was overrated and he proved us right!” — Chris Boucher (hopefully)** —

** This is not an actual quote, but you thought it was, didn’t you?

Prediction

In the last meeting, the Wizards won despite Toronto dressing Scottie Barnes, Jakob Poeltl, and RJ Barrett. This matchup could see any combination of those three and/or Immanuel Quickley in — or out — of the lineup. Unlike the last meeting, Bilal Coulibaly and Corey Kispert will be missing as they’re both out for the season.

We’ll be scraping the barrel trying to find reasons why the Raptors will lose any of its remaining games, but their record with zero days rest — in addition to a thinned-out roster — should be enough to get the (tank) job done. Washington covers the +3.5 spread.

March 26 @ Brooklyn Nets

Don’t be fooled by the Brooklyn Nets and their 3-14 record since the All-Star break. Only seven of those games were at home, where the Nets have won two of their last three. Brooklyn has been competitive in the friendly confines of the Barclays Center, losing by two to Boston and Golden State, and by eight to Oklahoma City.

Cam Thomas and De’Anthony Melton are out for the season but, for the most part, the Nets have not been dealing with many injuries nor are they benching their starters.

The Nets have lost eight of their last ten games, but none of the losses were more than eight points.

Fun taunt that may only interest me

“I respect Jordi Fernandez and think he’s an amazing coach. What he’s done with Brooklyn is truly remarkable. I mean, sure, he wasn’t good enough for the Toronto Raptors, but good for Sean Marks to pick up our scraps.” — Darko Rajakovic (hopefully)** —

** This is not an actual quote, but if you wish to aggregate it, you will look foolish and I will get traffic…..wait, what was my point?

Prediction

D’Angelo Russell gives a little extra when facing Toronto. He has been spotted at U of T summer runs over the last two summers. His girlfriend, the mother of their two kids, is from Oakville. I expect nothing less than 30 points from the 9-year veteran. Brooklyn covers the -4.5 spread.

March 28 vs Charlotte Hornets

If you squint hard enough, you can see the Charlotte Hornets as a playoff team next season. LaMelo Ball is an All-Star (regardless of how the coaches felt in February), Brandon Miller and Miles Bridges are 20-point scorers. Josh Green continues to show signs of potential. Grant Williams continues to show signs of….grit? Perseverance? Ability to be a rotational player?

The diamond in the rough, though, is Mark Williams. With another year remaining on his rookie deal, the former Blue Devil is averaging 15.5 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks. Only 10 other players average at least 15 points and 10 rebounds. Six were All-Stars this season. The other four were snubs/fringe All-Stars (Domantas Sabonis, Ivica Zubac, Nikola Vucevic, and Jalen Johnson).

Fun taunt that may only interest me

“I respect Charles Lee and think he’s an amazing coach. What he’s done with Charlotte is truly remarkable. I mean, sure, he wasn’t good enough for the Toronto Raptors, but good for Jeff Peterson to pick up our scraps.” — Darko Rajakovic (hopefully)** —

** This is not an actual quote, but oh boy do I wish it was!

Prediction

In their last four losses, Charlotte has combined to lose by 119 points(!) after falling to the Clippers (by 35), Hawks (by 32), Thunder (by 35), and Heat (by 17). As bad as that sounds, it’s actually better than the 3-game stretch in late February when the Hornets lost three games by a combined 131 points!! Charlotte lost to the Blazers by 53 points, Kings by 42 points, and Warriors by 36 points….all in a span of 4 days. Toronto covers the -2.5 spread.

March 30 @ Philadelphia 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers have already lost the season series, having fallen to Toronto in each of the first three matchups. With the Sixers’ top-6 protected pick possibly headed to the Thunder, Philly has been in full-tank mode for a month and quite content with “losing” the season series to a fellow bottom-7 team.

Nick Nurse’s squad still has work to do as they have the 3rd-easiest remaining schedule. Toronto still has the easiest schedule but a Raptors loss here would be monumental in the inverse standings.

The Sixers will be wrapping up a 3-game homestand that might as well have been a 3-pack of cupcakes from Dufflet! Philly will have played the Miami Heat, losers of 10 straight before defeating the Hornets on Sunday, the Washington Wizards, and the Toronto Raptors.

Fun taunt that may only interest me

“I don’t really care for Nick Nurse and think he’s an overrated coach. What he’s done with Philadelphia is truly unremarkable. I mean, sure, he wasn’t good enough for the Toronto Raptors, so he bailed. How you liking him now, Daryl Morey?” — Darko Rajakovic (hopefully)** —

** This is not an actual quote…..April Fools is not for another two days.

Prediction

When the NBA schedule was released, you’d figure the March 12th matchup between Philly and Toronto would produce five 20-point scorers. What would cause a double-take of epic proportions would be the names of those scorers: Quentin Grimes (29 points), Jeff Dowtin Jr. (20), Jared Rhoden (25), AJ Lawson (28), and Orlando Robinson (25)! You wouldn’t even be able to guess who was a Sixer or a Raptor because none of them were on their respective teams when the season started! Philadelphia has lost its last five games when playing on zero days rest. Toronto completes the season series sweep and covers the +1.5 spread.

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Last Week’s Record: 2-1

Season Record: 29-42