A Change in Philosophy

by RaptorsHQ - Archives on Jul 7, 2008 12:00 AM EDT in General

An All-Star as a Raptor? Possible. Very possible.

It’s a complete 180 from last season.

2007/08 Raptors
Biggest Strength: Depth
Biggest Weakness: Lack of Grade A Talent

2008/09 Raptors
Biggest Strength: Grade A Talent
Biggest Weakness: Depth

The trade for six-time All-Star Jermaine O’Neal was BC essentially recognizing that you need stars to win in the NBA. This is something I have preached since Day 1. Depth is only an asset when it is supported by a firm, strong foundation. The Raptors now have that foundation.

Looking at the current roster it is not a stretch to believe that if things work out and the injury bug stays away that the Raptors will have three representatives at the NBA All-Star game this year. Bosh, Calderon and O’Neal.

There are questions surrounding each one of these players. Can Bosh elevate his game, in particular defensively? Can O’Neal stay healthy and help Bosh carry the load? Can Calderon stand the wear and tear of being a starting PG logging heavy minutes for 82+ games? All legitimate questions.

Of course it was only last season when people were questioning another trio. When Danny Ainge decided that he had enough young assets to make a big splash he went all-in by obtaining Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen to put alongside Paul Pierce. When the three of them were put together there were legitimate questions being bandied about. Can they co-exist? Is Ray Allen healthy enough to play all 82+ games? Can Kevin Garnett elevate his play and win the big one? Is Paul Pierce healthy and can he share the spotlight? Is this team deep enough? In the end the answer to those questions was resoundingly yes, and the result was the Larry O’Brien trophy in Boston for the 17th time.

What’s interesting about the Boston scenario is that when the 2007/08 Celtics first took the floor there were some serious concerns about the PG spot and the C spot. The one and the five spots are arguably the two most important spots on the floor. On top of these concerns the Boston bench featured players like Tony Allen (recovering from ACL surgery), Glen Davis (questions about conditioning), Brian Scalabrine (no comment needed), Eddie House (has never actually unpacked a suitcase) and Leon Powe. Many people doubted the mark-up of this Boston team and even as they added pieces as the season wore on it didn’t change the fact that depth and play from the 1 and the 5 remained legitimate concerns.

Contrast that Celtics team to this year’s Raptors. Three positions are well manned while the SG and SF position leave a little to be desired. On a whole however, there are fewer questions about Parker’s ability to play the two spot then Rondo’s ability to orchestrate the Boston offense. Also, when it comes to the bench suddenly things don’t look so bad for the Raps. As of now the bench features Bargnani (a former number one overall pick with much to prove), Jason Kapono (arguably one of, if not the best three point shooter in the game), Kris Humphries (respectable back-up), Joey Graham (who I would argue STILL has not been used correctly) and Roko Ukic (relatively unknown), amongst others.

I’d take the Raps bench any day of the week.

The depth issue really only becomes an issue when someone hits the IR. When Boston started the season with a healthy squad they went 20-2. The number of doubters and the strength of their voices diminished. When KG went down for a stretch they came back down to earth. That’s the reality of the NBA. When a key player goes down the team is going to struggle. This will undoubtedly be the case with the Raptors this season. If Bosh, O’Neal or Calderon suffer an injury of course things will get a lot tougher.

Unlike the Celtics however, I would argue the Raps better talent to fill the gap. If the Raps do stay healthy there is no telling what the ceiling is for this squad. ESPN the Magazine predicts this team to be in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Let’s take a closer look at the Raptors bench as it is today:

Bargnani: I think the point has been made. More is expected from this guy as a result of being the number one pick in the draft. Players don’t pick where they are drafted but the expectations surrounding them are based upon that very fact. His summer is going to be filled with big man camps, intense training and a lot of practice. I don’t want to take any comfort in the fact that our number one pick could be a great sixth man, but that’s all that is going to be asked of him this season. I, for one, believe he can play this role well provided Mitchell is consistent in how he is used.

Sixth man of the year? Not what you want from a number one pick, but it will have to do.

Kapono: It will be interesting to see if it is Kapono or Moon that starts at the 3. I for one hope it is Kapono. For these purposes however, lets assume Sam uses Kapono off the bench. When used correctly this guy is instant offence. Sure he looks slow on the defensive end but he more than makes up for it when given an opportunity at the opposite end of the court. Kapono was one of the lone bright spots late in the season and all followers of the team will be looking to see if he can build on that strong finish. If Kap-One does come off the bench there will be a lot of pressure on Ukic or whoever the second string PG is to ensure Kapono is given every opportunity to showcase his amazing shooting stroke.

Humphries: A banger who is just a little shot happy. Humphries is a solid player to but besides Bargnani when Bosh and O’Neal are getting a break (although I don’t imagine many minutes in the game when one of the big men are not on the floor). He likes to get into the paint, can move some bodies and is essentially our version of Glen Davis. There will be certain games where Hump will be an asset and others when he won’t get off the bench. Considering the rotation of big men that’s ok.

Graham: Ah the enigma that is Joey Graham. Graham was on the outside looking in last season as the team simply had too many players suited to play the 3. Now some of the backlog has cleared and once again Graham is going to be provided an opportunity to get some minutes. The strange thing is I don’t expect or want him to only play the three. Graham should also see some time at the 4 spot. As a comparison I would like to see Graham become this team’s version of Leon Powe. Powe is undersized to play the 4 but has enough strength and size to outmuscle other players. Powe is not nearly as effective outside of 12 feet but Coach Rivers found a way to use him effectively. I believe Graham could be as effective as Cal grad if Mitchell uses him in a similar fashion.

Ukic: I might be in the minority here but I for one am getting more and more comfortable with the idea that Ukic could be the back-up PG. Why? Ukic has played in the second best league in the world for quite some time now and has finally logged some decent minutes. The situation is similar to the situation when Babcock brought Calderon over. Was it a hit right away? No. Was Calderon good enough? Yes. There will be struggles but the Raptors (and their fans) need to see what they have.

Adams: Franchise will be taking a closer look at Adams this week. Let’s just say I am more comfortable with Adams then knowing the team is paying Brian Scalabrine to do similar things.

Jawai: He won’t be called on to do much and what the Raps have in this guy is a complete unknown to us at this point.

All in all I feel pretty comfortable with the depth on this team. As Franchise suggested yesterday with good health it is not completely out of the realm of possibility that they are near the top of the Eastern Conference standings. Of course injuries are part of the game. If Paul Pierce had been out of a big chunk of last season do you think the Celtics would be NBA Champs? Debateable, if not doubtful.

I am not suggesting that the Raps are positioned to win the NBA Championship next season, but so long as BC scours the globe for some additional small pieces (I for one hope he uses the remaining loot on Tony Allen), take comfort in the fact that this teams suggested lack of depth is not all that some are making it out to be.

Besides, I get way more excited about this team and what it can do with O’Neal playing 35 minutes a game then Rasho and Hump combining to do the same.

HOWLAND

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Comments

All and any team can't really afford to have quality players as depth...every time is susceptible to injury (as your example w/ Boston points out...but you can argue that players from any team). All you can do is cross your fingers that everything stays healthy, or is good to go for the playoffs and any injury time doesn't jeopardize playoff positioning.

I think one big diff w/ Boston was Garnett whipping everyone into line. His intensity is contagious, and made there bench play harder. I wonder if JO, supposedly motivated w/ the trade, will come in and knock some heads...like Graham, Hump, Moon, even Bargnani.

by JayElZee on Jul 7, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

I think the thing to remember about the Celtics and their bench play was the "culture change" (for lack of a better term) KG appears to have brought to the team. While I would bet on our current bench to beat the Celtics bench, that bet becomes a lot riskier when you factor in the mental element the Celts seem to have found with their big 3. Guys like Powe, Davis and even Perkins and Rondo knew what expectations were and knew that while the big 3 would do most of the heavy lifting they weren't doing it all.

Can Bosh, Calderon and O'Neil have a similar effect? I haven't a clue. I hope so but who knows until the season starts.

by Sam on Jul 7, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Where'd you get that picture of Bargnani?!? Is that a rebound? all kidding aside great post and here's to Good Joey for atleast 50 of 82 games!

by Edgar on Jul 7, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

I vascillate on what I think will happen with the Raps next year, but I agree that we have a shot to be special if everyone comes to play and stays relatively healthy. One thing I like about the addition of O'Neal is the inevitable situation when one of the stars gets injured. When Bosh went down the Raps were finished. There was a big hole in the season where the Raps were amongst the easiest teams to beat in the league. Presumably, a line up without Bosh still has O'Neal to cause problems for opponents.

I'd like to say that Joey is ready to jump to the big time, but I can't say that Sam seems to have been a huge help to him. Also, a lot of first round draft picks just don't make it. We forget this when we complain that Graham was picked before Granger. So was Korolev. A lot of what Howland argues here depends on Sam getting these guys to work in their defined roles. We'll see.

One thing I do like is that we've seen improvement from Graham and Bargnani in areas that were weaknesses when they came in. Graham was a four who got a lot of time to learn swingman skills. Bargs couldn't hit his shots last year, but he did improve his work around the basket. If the refs cut him a little slack, he may not be all that bad down there this year. Now, if Joey can slash and Bargs hit his shot, the bench looks great.

by EaseMyPain on Jul 7, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

I think Bargnani will be a lot better this season...He will be practising with another bigman in JO and that will help his game temendously..O'Neal is finally healthy after 2 years and with him and Bosh, I believe ESPN the Magazine for picking the Raps to be at the top of the Eastern Conference...where are all the Atlantic Division mockers now...Where is the NBA title? THE ATLANTIC NO MORE TITANIC DIVISION...
--the critics are always looking for things to critique...the depth of the Raptors is excellent what more do you want...Kapono or Moon, Bargnani, Joey who will have 4 years NBA experience, Humphries and we all know what Hump can do, plus I am sure Bosh or Jermaine will be on the Floor at all time to add some depth to the 2nd unit..I LOVE THIS TEAM...RAPS4LIFE

by raps4Life on Jul 7, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

I'm very impressed with the Raps' brass this off-season. They really thought it out and went in force to improve the team based on the real problems of the last season: interior presence, rebounding, 2nd scorer. Yes, we still need a slasher at the 2 position, however there is always the trade deadline to make small adjustments.
We got burned pretty bad with TJ's injury situation therefore all Raps fans are a little bit on the fences with JO addition. On paper I have no doubts we can compete with anyone in the East if healthy. In the end though, we do have a very competitive team and that's all we can ask for from the management.

by Daniel on Jul 7, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Too much Rod Benson Live from Toronto:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/Too-much-Rod-Benson-Toronto-free-agent-camp?urn=nba,92179

by LAs Only on Jul 7, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Summer league squad:

http://thestar.blogs.com/raptors/2008/07/joeys-in-jamari.html

Nice squad, some intriguing players, and somehow... Benson!

by lessthanzero on Jul 7, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

was delfino really that good? I mean our bench is the same minus delfino and t.j. Pretty much we got a huge upgrade at Centre(Did Rasho even really play starters minutes there?) and have an actual back-up point instead of two starting ones. While I like Delfino, I think there are alot of guys out there that can bring just as much to this team. who knows maybe adams or benson fills our huge depth gap that the loss of delfino apparently causes.

by Carl on Jul 7, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Also, can it really be called depth having two starting pg? All that really means is you have less quality minutes on the floor since your two starters have to share the time. All we've really done is shifted our "depth" at point gaurd and placed it at the Centre spot. What's scarier:

Jose 24 min. t.j 24 min.
Rasho 21 min. Andrea 24 min.

Jose 38 min. Ukic 10 min.
Jermaine 35 min. Andrea 13 min.

I liked Rasho as well but is it really that big a loss to lose a guy that gave you 20 minutes a game in the regular season and only 15 in the playoffs? Besides Rasho's big end of the regular season I really thought he was just a really good back up Centre in a starting role

by Carl on Jul 7, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

When it comes to Raptor depth, I think its a valid concern, since we lack the kind of all round players that you want soaking up big minutes in the event of injuries (Kapono, Moon, Ukic, Adams).

I think Ukic is going to have some different growing pains then Calderon. Since he often times carried his teams as a scoring point in the Adriatic league, I think adjusting to more of a pass-first role is an ongoing process, especially since he only played big minutes in Euroleague his last year. While I think he'd offer good potential to add some scoring punch at guard, I thing it would be asking too much to expect him to set the table for someone like Kapono at this stage of his development.

Let's look at the change in depth from a big picture point of view.

OUT (TJ, Rasho, Delfino, Baston,)

IN (Jermaine O'neal, Roko Ukic, combo guard, Adams, Jawai)

We've taken a big hit in bball experience. Thankfully, combo guard is the position with the greatest depth of serviceable players in the NBA. With the limited amount of money around the league, I can see BC biding his time until late august then scooping someone up for the vet minimum. I just hope its someone capable of squeezing both Ukic and Adams out of the rotation come play off time, SHOULD the need arise. I'm not looking for someone to set the world on fire, just make good decisions with the ball in crunch time.

by yardly on Jul 7, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

On second thought, I'd rephrase the last part to say "capable of squeezing Adams out of the rotation". I don't think BC would bring Ukic over without a safety net in place unless he was he could handle the role / grow into it quickly.

Delfino to Adams is a pretty big drop off. Delfino had the ballhandling ability to handle occasional pg duties, could hit the "3" even if he was streaky, and had high level bball experience (NBA, Italian League, Argentina national team)

Adams hasn't show any of the above, as far as I know. Until game time, I see him as a short physical wingman defender, whose got the hops and strength to drive and finish in traffic. Anything else in his bag of skills will hopefully come out in summer league play.

by yardly on Jul 7, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Hey one of my guys is on the summer roster, Daniel Ewing. I mentioned him in another thread saying he’d be a good backup looking for a chance to prove himself. I’m very happy to see him getting a look and you know what, don’t be surprised if he gets picked up. He did well abroad, has NBA experience, young but mature at 25yrs and has something to prove. Ewing and Benson would be my picks to get spots on the roster.

by Member29 on Jul 7, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Yardly - Interesting timing about Adams vs. Delfino...see tomorrow's article.

Carl - As much as I worry about depth at a few spots, I agree on Rasho. Nesterovic was solid, but I don't think he wins an extra 10 games for you at center. I do think though having him start and Bargs come off the bench ALL of last year would have made a difference and gotten Toronto closer to 47...but that's another story.

by Franchise on Jul 7, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Wow, Howland I've got to say that you've got some rose-coloured glasses for this team. The acquisition of O'Neal makes this team better - assuming, and its a big assumption, that O'Neal doesn't miss a large segment of games next year. Based on the last 3 years, that's an unlikely scenario.

As for the Raptors depth, it frightens me to think what happens to this team if Calderon misses any games. Ukic is a complete unknown and logic suggests he's more likely to fail in his 1st season then succeed - given his lack of any NBA experience. If Calderon goes down, this team could be in the lottery.

This team and Boston are completely different. None of Boston's 3 key players were injury prone. Also, Boston has at least 1 player (Pierce) who can create his own shot in a close game. The Raptors have no such player and would depend on a pick and roll with Calderon and 1 of Bosh/O'Neal. Also, Boston's great play was predicated on the commitment of its players like KG to defense - something that is not well known to this Raptors team.

by Bball on Jul 7, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

When I look at the roster it looks good! Depth is still a question mark. However a Bruce Bowen type of 2/3 is still needed. It's a long offseason and I don't BC is quite done. It will be tough with the cap but he will find a way. Pietrus, Artest, Noiconi, would be nice but how is the question. Cmon BC go get us a legit 3.
GO RAPS!!!

by raptorize blog mastershayne on Jul 7, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

To pick up on bball's comment. Frankly, if one of our top 3 players goes down for a significant period of time I'd rather be lottery-bound than hanging onto a 7th or 8th seed and a 5-game playoff exit. Hitting the lottery gives us a shot at lottery talent which, if properly chosen, means really cost-effective talent. Of course BC's not exactly batting 1000 when it comes to lottery picks but maybe we just get lucky.

by Sam on Jul 8, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions