Toronto Raptors
fromRaptors Rapture
1 day agoA subtle issue is exposing the Raptors' execution down the stretch
Toronto Raptors' poor free throw shooting at 66.3% raises concerns about their mental fortitude during a critical season stretch.
The Leafs are playing as if they are scared to win, and not afraid to lose. It looks as though they are just there because they need to be, and with no playoffs on the horizon, they just don't play together and feel as though what's the point? From an outside perspective, this could be completely different in the locker room, but it seems as if they don't care to win, or even don't hate to lose.
Hafley must deal with this organization's mental game before the physical game. Hopefully that's what the new hires at general manager and head coach acknowledge. Hafley, the former Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator, is believed to be here because of his relationship with new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan. The two worked together in Green Bay for the past two seasons when Sullivan was vice president of player personnel.
For Francischinelli, it's more than a championship opportunity, it's a chance to cement himself as one of LFA's next breakout stars on a stage built for future UFC talent. And the first thing anyone notices about the Brazilian striker is his sheer physical presence; standing an incredible 6-foot-6 at 170 pounds, it's no surprise he's viewed as one of the promotion's most intriguing prospects.
It would've been easy for the Patriots to fall into a trap game against an inferior opponent after a big Week 5 victory over the Buffalo Bills, but Mike Vrabel didn't let it happen. New England took care of the New Orleans Saints, and although it was ugly at times, the 25-19 victory represented that the Patriots' mental toughness is getting stronger.