The Raptors Feel Disrespected Because LeBron Answered A Question About Facing Dwyane Wade Next Round

Sentinal-  James was asked Wednesday about the Heat's 1-0 lead against the Toronto Raptors and if he had thought about the potential of going against Wade for the right to advance to the NBA Finals.

"Naturally," James said, "of course."

"That's been since I came back," James said of the mulling the possibility of going against the Heat and Wade in the playoffs. "It would be great to play against those guys in the postseason. But I've always, throughout my whole career, I've always wanted to go against Wade in a playoff series.

"We've always talked about it even before we became teammates in '10. It's not been heavy on my mind, but it's crossed my mind throughout my whole career."

"Any time one of my best friends are able to go out there and perform the way he performed, it's definitely motivating," he said. "I was looking forward to Game 1 after watching him in Game 6, the way he was able to close that game out.

"They all gritted [Tuesday] night, not only Miami, but Toronto. It was a slugfest watching that game. And they were able to pull it out, as well."

Raptors response:

Raptors players are all being asked about LeBron's comments as a sign of disrespect

— Ethan J. Skolnick (@EthanJSkolnick) May 4, 2016

Lowry on perception people want Heat/Cavs: "I'm sure we are looked at as the underdog. But we are the No. 2 seed. Let ESPN talk about them."

— Ethan J. Skolnick (@EthanJSkolnick) May 4, 2016

Dwane Casey on LeBron's comments: "Nobody respects us & everybody's written us off and that's fine." He says Raptors should "take offense."

— Ethan J. Skolnick (@EthanJSkolnick) May 4, 2016

Wait, the Raptors are offended? Is that the team that just got taken the distance by Paul George and ONLY Paul George? Kyle Lowry is upset? Isn't that the guy that was in the gym reteaching himself how to shoot a fucking basketball until 4AM this morning? Dwane Casey - the coach that has all of one series win on his resume - feels that he and his players are being disrespected?

Let me stop you right there Dwane. I have a little message for the Raptors players and personnel. I'm offended. In fact, we are all offended. We are offended by the fact that Kyle Lowry's shooting percentage still gets carded walking into the bar. We are offended by DeMar DeRozan getting a max contract this summer when he can't even get a shot off during a potential game tying possession in overtime. We are offended by Dwane Casey running a half court offense that's so stagnant it makes the Cleveland Cavaliers look like the Princeton Tigers. We are offended that we had to wait every second of seven whole games for the Raptors to dispose of the Indiana Pacers. We are offended that there are only four watchable teams still in the NBA playoffs and the #2 seed in the Eastern Conference isn't one of them. We are offended that Toronto has been so bad that the general public has basically already accepted that the Heat are eventually going to advance with their second best player sidelined for the season.

​The Raptors are being disrespected, and it's because respect is something that you EARN. They shouldn't be upset with the reporter that asked this question nor should they be upset with LeBron James for answering it candidly, because both of them were speaking on behalf of everyone outside of Canada that enjoys watching competent, quality basketball. As much as I hate LeBron James, he's just looking forward to a potential matchup against D-Wade because it's one the only things that can salvage this miserably uninteresting postseason. 

Well, that and he isn't nearly as good at holding his tongue as his BFF...

Wade said he won't talk about facing LeBron James "until we get four wins" against Toronto

— Manny Navarro (@Manny_Navarro) May 4, 2016