Media Watch for October 7, 2006 - Training Camp Edition

I would perferably like to se P.J down in the D-league to get some experience. I would also like to see Jones start this season and have Parker come off the bench to back him up. Kris should be giving competition with the Grabage man for minutes, but I think this is becomming a Bonner situation were he get's minutes because Sam likes him alot.

is anybody else a bit worried about the offense? It seems that nobody is worried at all, but we lost some key components to that offense. Namely Mike james and his 20- ppg. That is not easy to reaplace, especially with people who are a) rookies b) never played in the league c) playing with a new ball and d) are adjusting to a new pg.

I mean it is all good and great that the raps are practicing the D all the time, but when I hear that the entire team is missing shots in practice it makes me cringe.

Also, I was reading somewhere (probably realgm) that bosh had 4 3-pointers in the scrimmage game? If so, do you think that it might be a possibility of bosh playing the 3, mo-p the 2, Bargs the 4, and rasho the 5...just to make things interesting...and of course to help with rebounding?

I know my "Missing Mike James" piece came under heavy fire when I posted it earlier this summer but I do think that his offence and clutch play is gonna be missed. Neither TJ nor Calderon are the shooting threats James was and I wonder what impact that's going to have on the screen and roll game that Bosh used so effectively last year. I'll be talking a bit more about this in Monday's piece but I still believe that the Raps offence isn't going to be quite the juggernaut it was last season.

Our offense stunk it up last year. Mike James and Jalen Rose never passed unless they had to. Our FG% and Assist numbers were in the bottom half of the league. And out possessions rarely lasted deeper then 15 seconds into the shot clock. It was pass, pass, trey.. pass, pass, trey.

Look for more balanced scoring this year. This'll be a result of people moving without the ball which in turn will be a result of knowing that teammates will pass to them.

From what i've been reading, Parker has a sweet shot and, aside from bosh, was the most impressive player at the open practice scrimmage. So, make sure you remember him in your calculations...

I wouldn't worry about the absence of heart and offence which Mike James brought to the locker room and court. With the off season signings this past summer we've improved our all-around offence and all- around heart. Lets do the math. Last season Mike James brought close to 20 points a night; Alvin Williams, Eric Williams, Aaron Williams & Hoffa would total as a whole mabe 8 points. I'm looking at a 28 point absence from 5 players from our last season roster. I can assure any worry warts out there that Bargs, Garbs, Jones, T.J and Parker can easily match and surpass that 28 points per night. On the topic of Heart we have two world champions and a player who last season recovered from a spinal injury and had a productive year. Honestly we are a deeper team. Sam Mitchell has options from 1-9 and perhaps even 1- 10. We may miss some of our fan favorites from last year, (Lord knows I'd like to have CV back), but honestly we are better ... and knowing that helps me come to terms with Colangelo's summer overhaul.

a) rookies b) never played in the league c) playing with a new ball and d) are adjusting to a new pg.

a) All of the "rookies" have years of experience playing in Europe, except Tucker but we aren't counting on his O anyways b) See a) and and this could actually work in the Raps favor while the rest of the league won't have good scouting on these guys c) Both teams will be playing with the new ball, so it doesn't hinder any team more than any other; and d) I honestly would prefer watching our team adjust to taking a pass from TJ or Jose for easy shots. Ain't nobody playing on the raps that would rather have James at the point than what they have now.

When your team scores very well, can't stop anyone, and finishes out of the playoffs 3 years in a row, you work on your weaknesses and rely on your strengths being there. I think we have so many weapons in the arsenal now and they won't be standing around watch Mike ('I've been a back up combo guard my entire life but this contract year I think I am the first and often only option') James jack up 3's. Watch Bash, Parker, Bargs, Ford, Peterson and Jones all contribute to MJ's 20.

I am just saying I am worried. But I am still oging to defend myself (and also looking forward to that article franshise is talking about to see his take)

Eddie:

Do you think that Mike Jamess 47%FG of his 44%3pt hurt us on the percentages? or Bonners 45%FG and 42% 3pt and CV Smooths 46%FG. and I dont think so. And Mikes 5.8 assists are decent compared to TJ's 6.6. I also remember the problem being pass pass pass, dribble, pass pass pass, dribble....dribble dribble dribble jack up a shot LATE in the posession.

But I agree with teh more balanced scoring...and that will help take double teams off of bosh, and whoever else is hot.

Raptorman:

I am rembering him in my calculation (see the response to archibald), but I am also not going to take in one open scrimmage to believe in parkers shot...TJ had 26 points didnt he? does that mean he is going to score alot for us? I hope not as he is a career 10ppg guy.

Sean:

James and his 20.3, CV and his 13, and Bonner and his 7.5. I dont really care about the rest. But that is 40.5 points. That is alot of points.

You also have 5 good players trying to come in and play in 3 players minutes. That is not going to help players get into a groove and score in bunches...if you are talking about the 5 of them playing and replacing the above 3 (as the rest didng get any time.

But we certainly are a much deeper team, and that can only help with practice, and cometition.

Archibald:

a) who was the last european "rookie" to come over and score really well? Sarunas Jasikevicius and his 7 ppg and his 39% shooting? He was suppose to be a sharpsooter in Europe on one of its best teams. He was a star, he played for years, he won, he "Led Maccabi Tel Aviv to consecutive Euroleague titles in 2004 and 2005 " (from nba.com)...isnt that the same team that parker was on? Also let barcelona the year bfore that to a championship...he played in the states...the similarities are high for you to expect parker to contribute a ton...the others arnt quite the same positin, but you get my point.

b) see a)

c) I will give you the point, but im just saying if im worried about offence, im worried baout the raps adjusting to the ball...not other teams and their good offence

d) Oh I completly agree with you on this point. I will love their passing better. My point is just that it is easier to play with others that you know how they play. No one knows how parker plays, and he doesnt know how they play. Could be hard time to adjust. You could make an arguemtn that is one of the reasons the raps started off so slowly last year...adjusting to a new pg (but im not goign to make that leap :) )

So there are my arguments, and I am going to stick by them until the team or someone brings me an argument that will sway me more than these one (which I hope they do)