Lunchbox Links

by RaptorsHQ - Defensive Stance on Dec 8, 2010 2:45 PM EST in Daily Links

What time is it? It's time for a Bargnani the Bad post from T.Jose Caldeford, which can be helpfully summarized as follows:

1st point: Despite being the team's focal point on offence, Bargnani is not a good passer.
2nd point: Despite being a 7-footer (and having a pretty soft touch inside), Bargnani remains a jump shooter.
3rd point: Toronto is better offensively with him on the bench.
4th point: Toronto is better defensively with him on the bench.
5th point: Toronto is better on the glass with him on the bench.

NBeh? blog disputes the idea that Andrea Bargnani is playing better this season.

And Arturo Galletti responds to a criticism of Wins Produced.

In the latest edition of Raptors Republic's Statophile, Tom Liston makes it clear that the wings are the Raptors' largest issue. Probably because Sonny Weems has no idea how to go over a screen.

Andrew Thell of Empty the Bench thinks DeMar DeRozan, Amir Johnson and Jerryd Bayless are showing potential... although Franchise and TSN's Tim Chisholm would probably dispute the inclusion of DeRozan on that list. Bayless is among the under-the-radar storylines in the East, according to ESPN.

Tim W. of the Picket Fence looks at the Raptors after 21 games.

The draft stock of Bargnani clone Donatas Motiejunas is rising.

The road back to the NBA just got a little longer for former Raptor Patrick O'Bryant. He was released by Chinese team Fujian just two days before their season opener after coaches became frustrated by his poor performance, indifference and lack of effort. Of course, those three things also describe the Raptors' perimeter defence the past couple of games, so perhaps O'Bryant would fit right in?

The New Orleans Hornets' sad financial documents.

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When was the last time you posted links that didn't have Bargnani hate written all over them

by HDave on Dec 8, 2010 3:42 PM EST reply actions

Calling Bargnani ugly or making fun of him for whatever reason would be considered ‘hate’. Using stats to form a conclusion is what I would call ‘analysis’, and I think both the Caldeford and NBeh blogs do a nice job of supporting their opinions with actual statistics.

If you read Caldeford regularly, you’d also know he had positive things to say about Bargnani prior to the latest post.

Let’s get a few things straight before the Bargnani supporters mindlessly throw around the word ‘hater’:

The assist stat was not created to slag Bargnani.

Shot distribution analysis was not created to slag Bargnani.

Stating how the Raptors perform in certain areas with Bargnani on and off the floor is not unfair.

Wages of Wins (and PER, etc) is not the secret invention of someone whose sole purpose in life is to fool people into thinking that Bargnani is a terrible player.

by RaptorsHQ - Defensive Stance on Dec 8, 2010 3:59 PM EST up reply actions

Come on DS...

We notice the extra effort you put into casting Bargnani in a negative light. I’m not even sold on the guy myself, but your bent is obvious and it’s kinda too bad, because I’ve always liked this site for its balance. I mean, you can go anywhere and people railing against this and that.

Bargs is what he is – he didn’t get a max contract, he isn’t an all star, he’s not a traditional centre, he doesn’t have an NCAA pedigree, he doesn’t get his touches at all costs, he does get benched when he sucks… At the end of the day, he is on this Raptors team we’re all fans of.
He may even end up being a useful piece on this team, barring the event he puts it all together this year, which he is getting the chance to do.

by axl t on Dec 8, 2010 4:54 PM EST up reply actions

I have always had mixed feelings about Bargnani ever since he was drafted by the Raptors. I’d like to like him, but he just doesn’t do enough of things that I want to see him do. Perversely, the more DS bashes Bargs the more I am developing a soft spot for the guy. Maybe I should go see a doctor….

by DW19 on Dec 8, 2010 5:30 PM EST up reply actions

Two words...

Rashard Lewis…

Think about it…

by Mikthaniel on Dec 8, 2010 5:41 PM EST up reply actions

A useful player on a championship contender (when healthy)

Not sure what you’re getting at…

by axl t on Dec 8, 2010 7:45 PM EST up reply actions

We could have throw Rashard money at Andrea and he would still be Andrea Bargnani on the struggling Raptors…

So I guess what I’m getting at, is when used properly on a contending team, with quality team mates and coaching, Bargnani is a STEAL of a player…

Too bad the situation around him leads to all the hate…

by Mikthaniel on Dec 9, 2010 12:17 AM EST up reply actions

*have thrown ... sorry for the spelling mistake

by Mikthaniel on Dec 9, 2010 12:18 AM EST up reply actions

Ah, got you now

I agree, the early signing seems to be a worthy gamble… even if Bargnani only ends up being a trade chip… NBA people seem to see at least huge potential there…

by axl t on Dec 9, 2010 11:47 AM EST up reply actions

Exactly,

If we overhaul the entire team and create a contender around him, great, he’s a great piece to have…

If we trade him to a team already built that way, he is valuable and not overpaid…

But he’s on the Raptors’ current squad and is the focal point of the team and this has him thrown over the coals every game… it isn’t his fault someone else bet on him being something he isn’t… He shows up to play every game cough Bosh cough and gives you basically the same thing EVERY night… can’t ask him to do much more… can ask the coaching staff and management to open their eyes to what he IS rather than what they WANT HIM TO BE…

by Mikthaniel on Dec 10, 2010 1:15 PM EST up reply actions

LOL really , DStance is paying all these people to write this stuff, just so he can post in the lunchbox links.
Bargs is lazy, and when his shot is not falling, it shows.
You get a couple of good games out of him, then a string of games where he is a bench big at best.
Not to mention a bench big that doesn’t rebound or play defense. How is it that Bayless is doing a better job of rebounding lately than Bargs?

by PNUTZ on Dec 8, 2010 4:12 PM EST up reply actions

DStance is paying all these people to write this stuff, just so he can post in the lunchbox links.

It’s costing me a fortune too. My kids won’t have much of a Christmas ;)

by RaptorsHQ - Defensive Stance on Dec 8, 2010 4:35 PM EST up reply actions

You're clever bro

That’s what I said right? That he’s paying people….Good one. All I’m saying is that he picks and chooses write ups that cast Bargs in a negative light. Like shit, OKAY, the advanced stats don’t support him, we get it. Just shut up already.

by HDave on Dec 8, 2010 6:54 PM EST up reply actions