3 In the Key – Toronto Raptors Game Day Preview vs. Pistons

by RaptorsHQ - Archives on Nov 5, 2008 12:00 AM EST in 3 in the Key

Raptors' fans will get the first crack at these new-look Pistons tonights...

So we've got the reigning Eastern Conference Player of the Month getting to go toe-to-toe against a Pistons team that has just made a shocking and huge trade two games into their season.

Thanks Detroit. Now I have to rewrite this whole 3 in The Key...

The long and short of it is though, the Raptors' concern still has to be with the same players that I had already outlined.

I had mentioned to a colleague about how Walter "Fabio" Herrmann seemed to be a good pickup for the Pistons last year. A mobile, unselfish, Argentinian center/power forward who could hit the outside shot would be kinda perfect to backup or play along side Rasheed Wallace.

Flash forward a few months and he has quickly become the guy that the people of the Palace of Auburn Hills have chosen as their personal gladiator.

With NBA TV showing the Piston-Wizards game on Sunday morning, I was able to catch an athletic Pistons bench come alive and completely bury the Wizards. Herrmann, Stuckey and Maxiell all came off the pine to give some extra hustle, allowing the Pistons to score 117 points for the game.

Now, toss in Allen Iverson, and the starting five looks to become much more mobile and willing to take it to teams. People across the league (and our own fanbase) have been divided on this trade thus far, but my concern is just with this immediate match - Iverson's first with his new club. In fact, I've always believed that any team that has Allen Iverson on its team will be running with trouble in their back pocket because the guy just loves to hoist up shots by volume. Yes, he's been top of the league at scoring, and can get to the basket, but turn him into a jump shooter? Well, he shoots just under 43% for his career and 31% from the 3-point line.

Oh yeah, he's moving back to PG after playing a couple years at SG, tossing in a further adjustment.

In the end though, I'm just not sure how much the Raptors' gameplan changes with him going to Detroit, at least in the short-term.

In fact, I still believe that out of all the teams that can always make games against the Raptors look incredibly ugly, Detroit comes out on top. Always stifling on defense, always able to hit the open jumper, and with a team that just doesn't seem to let up from roster spots one through eight. I'm not convinced that having AI in the lineup is going to change the way Detroit plays, especially with the transaction happening so recently.

So as a first true test against an Eastern Conference opponent, what are the keys?

1. Size Matters -

Yeah, it's going to be a theme to use Bosh and O'Neal to their maximum potential, but being that much taller (thanks to wingspan) and bigger than both Herrmann (6'9") and Wallace (6'11") is going to be vitally important in this game.

However, on the opposite end, look for both of our bigs to be pushed to their limit trying to guard both players who can shoot consistently from the outside, especially from 3-point range.

It'll be interesting to see how Sam Mitchell handles having Bosh and/or O'Neal pulled out away from under the basket, leaving the paint exposed for drives by the smarter and more experienced Piston SG and SF players. I'm thinking we'll see a lot more Bargnani as he is often used to guarding shooters from his Euroleague days. And yes, Herrmann isn't starting for the Pistons, but he plays far more minutes than your average backup.

Toss in AI and you need rebounding to come from everywhere especially if our bigs are lured to the perimeter. If you're the Raptors, you especially have to make Detroit pay for Allen Iverson's quick trigger finger.

2. Stopping Detroit's Bench Play -

It'll be easy to say it's their bench against ours, but the fact is, the Piston's bench is just as dangerous as their starters, while ours is still struggling to find a consistent rhythm. The difficulty with playing against Detroit is that even if you manage to rack up the fouls against their starters, the bench players can still come in and dominate the game thanks to their athleticism and propensity for going to the paint. Jose and Roko both have to try and keep Stuckey in front of them as his dribble penetration and finish is what throws defenses completely out of sync. Stopping him has to be the priority to make sure others like Maxiell and Herrmann don't go off big.

In the past, we've seen Mitchell have to play extended minutes for his starters against Detroit because he's had to make up lost ground against Detroit's bench. This year, he might need to do so just to stop the Detroit bench from overpowering our subs.

We may joke about his hair, but Raptors' fans should be very afraid tonight...

3. Turnovers -

If there's one place that Detroit is going to have trouble with, it'll be turnovers and points off of turnovers. In their debut against Washington, the Pistons committed 17 turnovers.

With Iverson now also in the mix, that's an additional 4 turnovers per game and possibly more as he adjusts to his new squad.

The Raptors on the other hand, have managed to place seventh overall in the league in forcing their opponents into turnovers, which isn't a bad thing especially since it's saved the Raptors against both the Warriors and the Bucks.

What this means is that the Raptors have to continue to punish teams that are loose with the rock and continue to score points off of those turnovers. And while Detroit cleaned up their turnovers against Charlotte, the Raptors are a team that predicates their offense on getting more opportunities to score than their opponents. It's especially important if you add in the Raptors anemic rebounding so far.

Overall though, I can see the Raptors being able to capitalize on an out-of-sorts, newly constructed Detroit team just as much as I can see Allen Iverson going into the game trying to prove that he was worth the trade.

Most importantly for the Raptors is that they need this game to see just how well they match up against a top team in the Eastern Conference. Yes, it's good that the Raptors are able to beat the middle of the pack conference teams, but if they wish to be an elite team this season it's the Detroits and Bostons that they'll have to fell.

Additionally, it's how the Raptors measure up against the elite that will begin to make clear whether Bryan Colangelo needs a real slashing SF/SG, or perhaps some help at the 1 instead.

Vicious D

Additionally, the second week of blogger power rankings is up at Lakers Nation - check it out here.

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Comments

According to SI.com, there's a good chance AI may not play today. Doug Smith is reporting something similar. Apparently Billups has some personal matters to wrap up before reporting for his physical and if he doesn't play today, according to NBA rules, neither can Iverson.

by OneandDone on Nov 5, 2008 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Hopefully AI doesn't play, but I don't think that makes it a lock. It's their bench that always kills us.

In previous years I would have said that a long layoff between games is always bad for the raps, but maybe the new practice ethic will mean they're more prepared.

by axl on Nov 5, 2008 12:00 AM EST reply actions

repeat Q from past thread:

What did Grange say exactly about Bosh leaving that everyone disagrees with?

by TJ Caino on Nov 5, 2008 12:00 AM EST reply actions

TJ, read Grange at the Globeandmail.com & his blog, From Deep for an interesting perspective on the Raptors and the NBA.

by Johnn19 on Nov 5, 2008 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Two keys for improvement tonite vs Det:

1. Rebounding must be competative.
2. Bargnani must go to the basket and score.

by Johnn19 on Nov 5, 2008 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Good write up!
I disagree with Sam - tonites matchup is a good early measuring stick for our squad. A top Eastern team. Of course it is.
Its no more important than the other 81 games but a good early test.

by Tinman on Nov 5, 2008 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Love Pistons and Raptors games I can't lose I am big fan of both. No bricks at tv tonight! lol

by Davl on Nov 5, 2008 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Im hopin for a grind it out 89-81 raps win. Who's backing up stuckey? cuz they dont have lindsey anymore.

by Sho on Nov 5, 2008 12:00 AM EST reply actions

As we are talking about the Pistons and Raptors I think we should bury the belief that Bosh is going to go to the Pistons in 2010. It is not that I am deluded into believing that Bosh will stay in Toronto (although that is a possibility) but that I just don't think Detroit will in a position in 2010 to make a move for any of the big ticket (wade, bosh lebron) free agents. They have a nice team but they are slowly trading their team away. First it was letting Big Ben go then trading away mr. "big shot". Next it will be sheed and at some point probably hamilton as well. With Iverson coming off the books at the end of the year, Detroit will have a difficult decision to make. Go for a mid level (8-10 milper) FA and make your team good enough to draw a FA and then risk not having the money or keep the cash and hope your team as constituted continues to be competitve enough to draw one of the big names. I really believe Detroit will have to trade Sheed away as well and come away a big winner in the deal if they hope to lure any of Bosh, Lebron or Wade away, regardless of what their cap situation is. I mean does anyone really believe Michael Curry is going to be a better coach then Flip Saunders was?
If Bosh bolts TO, my money is on Either NY/NJ (which ever one lands lebron and has Cap space) or his home state of Texas (Houston, Dallas and San Antonio all have good teams and one of them might clear some cap space before 2010). If Bosh bolts is Toronto dead? I doubt it. they will have Bosh's salary cleared as well (everyone in US seams to forget this) Oneal's salary will come off the books at the same time. That is 20 million dollars. Think they could sign some good players just with the 20 mil, never mind what happens if Bosh comes off too?

The entire argument is ridiculous anyway. It is two years from now and talking about it is pointless as a lot of things could happen in two years, so why worry about it.

by McGateway on Nov 5, 2008 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Sho - If not AI, then maybe Will Bynum.

by Vicious D on Nov 5, 2008 12:00 AM EST reply actions

I hope AI plays. Detroit runs a different offense than Denver and they will be a learning curve. Play and beat them now, rather than later. But I also heard AI isn't playing. At least we ain't facing this guy and his mad training skills http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEB9a6boK3A

by bukkaboom on Nov 5, 2008 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Would suck if AI doesn't play, I'm going to be at the game tonight.

Caino - Grange was essentially saying that Bosh remaining with the club in 2010 hinges on Bargs' development...admittedly a scary thought. However his other point about everyone thinking that others were better top choices than Andrea is just wrong.

There were four equal frontrunners in that draft - Andrea, Ty Thomas, Aldridge and Morrison, believe it or not. After that it was Gay, who fell because of issues about his lack of passion for the game, and then Roy and Foye, both of whom projected to be the most "NBA ready," but lacked the "upside" of the other options before them.

As for the top 4, it really depended on what you were looking for, and which sports reporter you talked to. All had their own preferences so saying that Bargs was behind everyone else on people's lists simply isn't the case.

PS - Tracker is finally updated! Right now it has the Hawks in first but after a few more games run through the system it will correct itself.

by Franchise on Nov 5, 2008 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Speaking of Will Bynum. It's nice to see him sticking around in the NBA. Loved him and Luther Head on "Preps".

by Briggs on Nov 5, 2008 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Pistons are also tough because 'Sheed has tended to do a decent job guarding Bosh straight up so that no double has to come so they can stay home on the shooters. If Bosh can get going against 'Sheed that ought to open things up. If he can't...long night offensively

by Jdbar on Nov 5, 2008 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Also, not sure if everyone's seen it yet but the Raps are getting some early season props ala ESPN:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/awards?page=awards-081104

Great quote too which echoes back to our Bosh free-agency discussions:

Kobe Bryant has the most passionate and loyal fans in the NBA. A close second? The Raptors. Since I didn't include Bosh in my preseason list of top 10 MVP candidates, you know what my inbox looked like last week."

Also, went with a friend last night to see the premier of "Gunnin' 4 The Number One Spot," Adam Yauch of Beastie Boys' fame's new documentary. It's a pretty cool look at some prep (and now pro) kids lives, the culmination being a game between them all at historic Rucker Park. Here's the link:

http://www.gunninmovie.com/

by Franchise on Nov 5, 2008 12:00 AM EST reply actions

yeah I'm with Jdbar on the 'sheed thing. surprised it hasn't been given a bit more pub here.

'sheed has been a legit bosh killer in seasons past. sometimes almost mockingly so. it'll be interesting to see how that plays out now that bosh is apparently playing at another level. will he break through the 'sheed shield and further solidify himself among the elite PF's of the east? will he get smothered and frustrated as he has in the past? will he defer to J.O.?

also, another guy that usually gets the business from detroit is bargs. they've mos def given him the business in the past, and let him know exactly how they feel about a soft, 3 point shooting 7 footer who's afraid to drive, or bang. let's see if rises up tonight.

these are the 2 things I'll be watching.

by papa on Nov 5, 2008 12:00 AM EST reply actions

No big comments about tonights game except i agree on sheed but just wanted to say the discussion on the site the past week or so has been sick - lots of great info and ideas.

by fromlongrange on Nov 5, 2008 12:00 AM EST reply actions