The Palaeontologist's Hammer
@palaeohammer.bsky.social
Scientific Insight on your Toronto Raptors
by Mac Priebe
by Mac Priebe
This is some wild decision-making from the referees here. No NBA players take a twinkle-toes shot like this. It's preposterous!!!
Can't blame Mitchell for pulling this crap, he knows EXACTLY what he's doing with a crew that has rewarded him for existing right from the tip.
Can't blame Mitchell for pulling this crap, he knows EXACTLY what he's doing with a crew that has rewarded him for existing right from the tip.
November 14, 2025 at 1:42 AM
This is some wild decision-making from the referees here. No NBA players take a twinkle-toes shot like this. It's preposterous!!!
Can't blame Mitchell for pulling this crap, he knows EXACTLY what he's doing with a crew that has rewarded him for existing right from the tip.
Can't blame Mitchell for pulling this crap, he knows EXACTLY what he's doing with a crew that has rewarded him for existing right from the tip.
3rd Quarter
This is just absurd.
I get that Mitchell is a legitimately great player. It's particularly unfair to RJ that Mitchell falls on his own volition, and RJ pays the price in foul trouble. It would be silly to challenge, but the refs just need to do better.
This is just absurd.
I get that Mitchell is a legitimately great player. It's particularly unfair to RJ that Mitchell falls on his own volition, and RJ pays the price in foul trouble. It would be silly to challenge, but the refs just need to do better.
November 14, 2025 at 1:28 AM
3rd Quarter
This is just absurd.
I get that Mitchell is a legitimately great player. It's particularly unfair to RJ that Mitchell falls on his own volition, and RJ pays the price in foul trouble. It would be silly to challenge, but the refs just need to do better.
This is just absurd.
I get that Mitchell is a legitimately great player. It's particularly unfair to RJ that Mitchell falls on his own volition, and RJ pays the price in foul trouble. It would be silly to challenge, but the refs just need to do better.
Excellent movement. Scottie starts above the break, rotates to opposite corner. He's got a mismatch and thinks barbecue chicken...but Mobley is lingering in the paint to guard Mamu. In turn, Mamu slips to the corner, and Mobley has to stick to him (Mamu already had two 3PM). Easy and1 for Scottie.
November 14, 2025 at 12:53 AM
Excellent movement. Scottie starts above the break, rotates to opposite corner. He's got a mismatch and thinks barbecue chicken...but Mobley is lingering in the paint to guard Mamu. In turn, Mamu slips to the corner, and Mobley has to stick to him (Mamu already had two 3PM). Easy and1 for Scottie.
The kind whistle: Gradey completely held and shoved three feet in front of the ref, no call, but a parade to the line at the other end. Hopefully it evens out over time...
November 14, 2025 at 12:34 AM
The kind whistle: Gradey completely held and shoved three feet in front of the ref, no call, but a parade to the line at the other end. Hopefully it evens out over time...
Amazing that they are in this game.
That was true all last night too...but their play has not been encouraging after a great start
That was true all last night too...but their play has not been encouraging after a great start
November 9, 2025 at 2:10 AM
Amazing that they are in this game.
That was true all last night too...but their play has not been encouraging after a great start
That was true all last night too...but their play has not been encouraging after a great start
3rd Quarter
This is exactly what I'm talking about. This is just WAYYYY too easy. A lazy shot fake followed by a slow motion drive. As a result, Scottie has to clean up the mess.
It isn't this hard to stay in front of guys. Do better.
This is exactly what I'm talking about. This is just WAYYYY too easy. A lazy shot fake followed by a slow motion drive. As a result, Scottie has to clean up the mess.
It isn't this hard to stay in front of guys. Do better.
November 9, 2025 at 2:04 AM
3rd Quarter
This is exactly what I'm talking about. This is just WAYYYY too easy. A lazy shot fake followed by a slow motion drive. As a result, Scottie has to clean up the mess.
It isn't this hard to stay in front of guys. Do better.
This is exactly what I'm talking about. This is just WAYYYY too easy. A lazy shot fake followed by a slow motion drive. As a result, Scottie has to clean up the mess.
It isn't this hard to stay in front of guys. Do better.
You can quibble with the call, but this is simply a bad decision by Mamu. It comes with the high pressure defensive attitude that has proven to be so very useless so far this season.
The result: Instead of a desperate hand grenade, PHI are gifted with two points.
The result: Instead of a desperate hand grenade, PHI are gifted with two points.
November 9, 2025 at 1:46 AM
You can quibble with the call, but this is simply a bad decision by Mamu. It comes with the high pressure defensive attitude that has proven to be so very useless so far this season.
The result: Instead of a desperate hand grenade, PHI are gifted with two points.
The result: Instead of a desperate hand grenade, PHI are gifted with two points.
This strikes me as concerning for Embiid. He quickly passes out of a mismatch against Walter. Sure, they score (Grimes wasn't outageously open), and Scottie was lingering nearby...but Embiid seemed to have zero interest in getting barbecue chicken.
November 9, 2025 at 1:25 AM
This strikes me as concerning for Embiid. He quickly passes out of a mismatch against Walter. Sure, they score (Grimes wasn't outageously open), and Scottie was lingering nearby...but Embiid seemed to have zero interest in getting barbecue chicken.
2nd Quarter
Let me get this straight: Darko starts with Gradey on VJ??? Tells him to pressure him 94 feet??? And then yanks him after this???
Like, yeah, that's not good D, but asking Gradey to guard VJ - let alone with hot stove defense - was asking for failure.
Let me get this straight: Darko starts with Gradey on VJ??? Tells him to pressure him 94 feet??? And then yanks him after this???
Like, yeah, that's not good D, but asking Gradey to guard VJ - let alone with hot stove defense - was asking for failure.
November 9, 2025 at 1:19 AM
2nd Quarter
Let me get this straight: Darko starts with Gradey on VJ??? Tells him to pressure him 94 feet??? And then yanks him after this???
Like, yeah, that's not good D, but asking Gradey to guard VJ - let alone with hot stove defense - was asking for failure.
Let me get this straight: Darko starts with Gradey on VJ??? Tells him to pressure him 94 feet??? And then yanks him after this???
Like, yeah, that's not good D, but asking Gradey to guard VJ - let alone with hot stove defense - was asking for failure.
What is this defense?
November 9, 2025 at 12:55 AM
What is this defense?
I know Jakob just scored, but this rebounding work is completely unacceptable (rest of team def gets blame too: RJ's man walks into rebound, while the ball practically hits Scottie as he turns away from it)
Jakob isn't playing well and won't contribute to pace. Sandro/CMB should play instead
Jakob isn't playing well and won't contribute to pace. Sandro/CMB should play instead
November 8, 2025 at 2:01 AM
I know Jakob just scored, but this rebounding work is completely unacceptable (rest of team def gets blame too: RJ's man walks into rebound, while the ball practically hits Scottie as he turns away from it)
Jakob isn't playing well and won't contribute to pace. Sandro/CMB should play instead
Jakob isn't playing well and won't contribute to pace. Sandro/CMB should play instead
We're so used to consistent RJ games, its just odd that he's off tonight.
(Scottie shot chart is not much better.)
An RJ turnaround could spark the team. Something to monitor...
(Scottie shot chart is not much better.)
An RJ turnaround could spark the team. Something to monitor...
November 8, 2025 at 1:55 AM
We're so used to consistent RJ games, its just odd that he's off tonight.
(Scottie shot chart is not much better.)
An RJ turnaround could spark the team. Something to monitor...
(Scottie shot chart is not much better.)
An RJ turnaround could spark the team. Something to monitor...
Raptors have been back-cut for easy 2s way too many times tonight. Here, IQ just stops paying attention to his mark, bailing out an otherwise bad possession for ATL
This has not been a good effort for the team tonight. After three days off and considering the stakes, one might expect more juice.
This has not been a good effort for the team tonight. After three days off and considering the stakes, one might expect more juice.
November 8, 2025 at 1:42 AM
Raptors have been back-cut for easy 2s way too many times tonight. Here, IQ just stops paying attention to his mark, bailing out an otherwise bad possession for ATL
This has not been a good effort for the team tonight. After three days off and considering the stakes, one might expect more juice.
This has not been a good effort for the team tonight. After three days off and considering the stakes, one might expect more juice.
Star performance tonight
17/3/6/4/2, no turnovers and selfless play.
He has been AWESOME
17/3/6/4/2, no turnovers and selfless play.
He has been AWESOME
November 5, 2025 at 2:28 AM
Star performance tonight
17/3/6/4/2, no turnovers and selfless play.
He has been AWESOME
17/3/6/4/2, no turnovers and selfless play.
He has been AWESOME
Another one
November 5, 2025 at 2:20 AM
Another one
3rd Quarter
It's not sexy, but almost every time a team can make a post-to-post pass, the scoring opportunity created will be fantastic
It's not sexy, but almost every time a team can make a post-to-post pass, the scoring opportunity created will be fantastic
November 5, 2025 at 2:14 AM
3rd Quarter
It's not sexy, but almost every time a team can make a post-to-post pass, the scoring opportunity created will be fantastic
It's not sexy, but almost every time a team can make a post-to-post pass, the scoring opportunity created will be fantastic
Raptors deserve credit for finishing the job when things weren't going well. Darko gets flowers for getting Battle in and then riding his hot streak
The 4Q defense fell apart: Too many easy chances at the rim. Cavs were depleted so it worked out, but they need to be in the film room correcting this
The 4Q defense fell apart: Too many easy chances at the rim. Cavs were depleted so it worked out, but they need to be in the film room correcting this
November 1, 2025 at 2:45 AM
Raptors deserve credit for finishing the job when things weren't going well. Darko gets flowers for getting Battle in and then riding his hot streak
The 4Q defense fell apart: Too many easy chances at the rim. Cavs were depleted so it worked out, but they need to be in the film room correcting this
The 4Q defense fell apart: Too many easy chances at the rim. Cavs were depleted so it worked out, but they need to be in the film room correcting this
IQ is miscast as a point guard; he's a microwave scorer who can pass well considering. That's why he forces this, ending badly.
Kudos are earned for the steal and push, even 1v3.
However, in this situation, a true point guard recognizes that Battle is on fire and wide open.
Kudos are earned for the steal and push, even 1v3.
However, in this situation, a true point guard recognizes that Battle is on fire and wide open.
November 1, 2025 at 1:22 AM
IQ is miscast as a point guard; he's a microwave scorer who can pass well considering. That's why he forces this, ending badly.
Kudos are earned for the steal and push, even 1v3.
However, in this situation, a true point guard recognizes that Battle is on fire and wide open.
Kudos are earned for the steal and push, even 1v3.
However, in this situation, a true point guard recognizes that Battle is on fire and wide open.
Hunter is practically in slow motion, yet RJ still can't stay in front of him to contain the drive.
I am still not hopeful for this defense despite CLE's low score here. Not containing drives, lazy rebounding and constant self-inflicted scrambling. Not seeing signs of improvement.
I am still not hopeful for this defense despite CLE's low score here. Not containing drives, lazy rebounding and constant self-inflicted scrambling. Not seeing signs of improvement.
November 1, 2025 at 12:37 AM
Hunter is practically in slow motion, yet RJ still can't stay in front of him to contain the drive.
I am still not hopeful for this defense despite CLE's low score here. Not containing drives, lazy rebounding and constant self-inflicted scrambling. Not seeing signs of improvement.
I am still not hopeful for this defense despite CLE's low score here. Not containing drives, lazy rebounding and constant self-inflicted scrambling. Not seeing signs of improvement.
Rebounding involves awareness and effort; The Raptors are not showing either. Scottie is right where the ball bounces and makes little effort to position or jump for it. It's Shead's man who gets it, with Shead completely losing track of him, then fouling him
Unprofessional, unacceptable effort.
Unprofessional, unacceptable effort.
November 1, 2025 at 12:06 AM
Rebounding involves awareness and effort; The Raptors are not showing either. Scottie is right where the ball bounces and makes little effort to position or jump for it. It's Shead's man who gets it, with Shead completely losing track of him, then fouling him
Unprofessional, unacceptable effort.
Unprofessional, unacceptable effort.
Scottie's bad game continues. Johnson is his responsibility, putting back an easy 2 while Scottie looks on FIFTEEN FEET from the rim.
He is just a space cadet tonight.
He is just a space cadet tonight.
October 28, 2025 at 2:12 AM
Scottie's bad game continues. Johnson is his responsibility, putting back an easy 2 while Scottie looks on FIFTEEN FEET from the rim.
He is just a space cadet tonight.
He is just a space cadet tonight.
3rd Quarter
This has not been a good Scottie game. He has been in outer space on defense, commonly out of position and losing track of his mark. No way a guard should steal this rebound AND bully his way into a layup.
Did not care for his first half pull up made three on a 1v1 fast break
This has not been a good Scottie game. He has been in outer space on defense, commonly out of position and losing track of his mark. No way a guard should steal this rebound AND bully his way into a layup.
Did not care for his first half pull up made three on a 1v1 fast break
October 28, 2025 at 1:44 AM
3rd Quarter
This has not been a good Scottie game. He has been in outer space on defense, commonly out of position and losing track of his mark. No way a guard should steal this rebound AND bully his way into a layup.
Did not care for his first half pull up made three on a 1v1 fast break
This has not been a good Scottie game. He has been in outer space on defense, commonly out of position and losing track of his mark. No way a guard should steal this rebound AND bully his way into a layup.
Did not care for his first half pull up made three on a 1v1 fast break
Perchance, is your grandma Betty Lou?
October 28, 2025 at 1:04 AM
Perchance, is your grandma Betty Lou?
Weak call. CMB is backpedalling, and Castle still initiates contact.
Calling this a shot attempt is just a cherry-shaped turd on this crap sundae
Calling this a shot attempt is just a cherry-shaped turd on this crap sundae
October 28, 2025 at 1:01 AM
Weak call. CMB is backpedalling, and Castle still initiates contact.
Calling this a shot attempt is just a cherry-shaped turd on this crap sundae
Calling this a shot attempt is just a cherry-shaped turd on this crap sundae
This is exactly what I'm talking about.
On a made basket, 6 seconds remaining. Of course they would like a shot at the rim. Gradey in the wrong matchup has no business pressuring full court in the bonus, just get back and stay in front
Instead, easy path to the rim to finish a DISASTROUS quarter
On a made basket, 6 seconds remaining. Of course they would like a shot at the rim. Gradey in the wrong matchup has no business pressuring full court in the bonus, just get back and stay in front
Instead, easy path to the rim to finish a DISASTROUS quarter
October 28, 2025 at 12:46 AM
This is exactly what I'm talking about.
On a made basket, 6 seconds remaining. Of course they would like a shot at the rim. Gradey in the wrong matchup has no business pressuring full court in the bonus, just get back and stay in front
Instead, easy path to the rim to finish a DISASTROUS quarter
On a made basket, 6 seconds remaining. Of course they would like a shot at the rim. Gradey in the wrong matchup has no business pressuring full court in the bonus, just get back and stay in front
Instead, easy path to the rim to finish a DISASTROUS quarter