Two Toronto Raptors Were at a Cleveland Casino Morning Before Game 5 Blowout

DeMarre Carroll and Cory Joseph are in BIG trouble right now. These two adults had the audacity to visit Cleveland’s Jack Casino the morning of Game 5. The Toronto Sun‘s Steve Simmons really let them have it:

"On the morning of the latest, biggest game in Raptors history — just before 2 in the morning to be precise — two prominent Toronto players were spotted walking through a downtown Cleveland casino with a large group, clearly not in game-preparation mode."

CLEARLY! Wow. This is basically treason. And before the biggest game in Raptors history. (Previous biggest game in Raptors history: N/A)

"This may have had nothing to do with how or why the Raptors were decimated and embarrassed 116-78 again by the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference final. But it makes you wonder."

You’re right. It does make me wonder.

"Why?"

Why!?

"Why would DeMarre Carroll and Cory Joseph put their own reputations in question, possibly put their team in question, by being seen wandering around in the middle of the night?"

They put their reputations and team in questions! Question! Wandering! Night! ZOMG!

"The Raptors had a team dinner on Tuesday night and stayed together to watch the Western Conference game between Oklahoma City and Golden State. Then it was supposed to be bed time. That’s what coach Dwane Casey believed."

So they lied!? And after bed time, the time when you should never lie! This is obviously why they lost.

"They weren’t good “but that’s not why we lost,” said Casey."

Well, surely the author of this article disagrees. Otherwise this would be a lot of words for nothing.

"That’s why the backdrop of Carroll and Joseph being caught out late has to be troublesome. It may not, as Casey said, be the reason they lost. It wasn’t."

So what’s the point of this?

"But what if it was symptomatic of something else? Players not necessarily prepared? Players not taking their jobs seriously?"

Or, maybe the Cavs are good and the Raptors aren’t as good. Sometimes you can take your job seriously, but not be totally super serious for a couple hours a day.

Carroll and Joseph combined to shoot 3-12 from the field. They had a total of 11 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals between them. Meanwhile, their teammates, who all presumably said their prayers, went straight to bed, got their required 8 hours sleep, and ate a healthy and balanced breakfast, shot a combined 24 of 57 (42%) for 67 points. Now, that is the kind of productivity that you want, but obviously can’t expect if you want to get maximum enjoyment out of a mid-week trip to Cleveland, Ohio.

If Carroll and Joseph had hit their averages, the Raptors would have broken 80-points last night with ease. Instead, they chose to be out “wandering” some 18 hours before the game. That’s bad timing, but unfortunately, sometimes the siren song of Cleveland nightlife just proves too much for even the most dedicated professional. They’ll have plenty of time to visit any casino they want next week.

[Yes, Steve Simmons is the same writer who outed Phil Kessel as a hot dog addict.]