3 in the Key: Raptors' Game-Day Preview vs. Pacers
by Raptors HQ - Vicious D on Dec 28, 2011 8:01 AM EST
in 3 in the Key
Email
Print
One down, a bunch more to go. You may have heard that the Raptors beat the Cavaliers, but Kinnon Yee is conflicted, and probably will remain so for the rest of this year. Here's why.
Well, this is going to be a difficult season for me.
On one hand, yes, I want to see the Raptors improve and show that they have a defensive system in place that they can use for years to come. I mean, Dwayne Casey has essentially the same roster as last year and managed to get them to work hard and be aggressive in the season opener and the preseason.
On the other, that's just that much further away we are from the better ping pong balls of the upcoming draft.
It's a topic we'll need to revisit later, but there were a couple thoughts that we talked about the other night that are reasons why I love to liveblog.
For example, despite contrary to what a lot of Toronto Fans have been clamouring for, there's only one real point guard and his name isn't Bayless. What we saw last year and continue to see this year is that Jose Calderon still manages to be the one guy who makes this team purr like a kitten.
Which got us thinking. I know everyone wants Jose Calderon out of town on the next GO Train, but I think a lot of people have a problem with Calderon being our starting point guard and being paid like one as well.
Fact of the matter is though, the Raptors run well with him. So being a functional part of the squad who can possibly tutor your next generation of point guard, how much would that be worth to you? In my mind, 4-5 million with a player option for a 3rd year is not something I'd be against. But that's going by the previous CBA. In this environment, Calderon may only be able to fetch 3-4 million on his next contract and at that price, I sure as heck would sign him up..
However before all of that can be discussed, we've got the Raptors home opener at the ACC to get through. The Raptors will be facing off against a newly minted Pacers team which now includes David West. In a matchup like today's, I believe that the Raptors will get some good tests on their new defensive philosophy. Luckily, they'll have the home town cheer them on.
1) Bigs showdown - Tyler Hansbrough, Roy Hibbert, David West, and Jeff Foster will undoubtedly look to out rebound and out hustle our home court advantage. No offense to Cleveland but this is where real tests can be done.
You've gotta have guys like Ed Davis and Jamaal Magloire bring a much smarter game to the table today as they're going to be playing against a significantly more powerful opponent. Heck, having Andrea Bargnani vs David West should make for some interesting overall +/- measurements.
2) James Johnson Proves his Worth - Today, he's gotta be crafty and take on the likes of Danny Granger. Johnson wants to prove he belongs on that starting position, and being the answer to the league's stars is going to make him either very popular, or very over his head.
3) Defensive Identity - Well, maybe the Raptors can show that they can play defense for one game. Heck, maybe even two. But playing it while winning and losing is going to establish that identity. You know, that same one we've talked about for 3 years now.
64 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
James Johnson
one thing we need to remember about guarding the talented players in the leauge is its not necessarily about stopping them, but rather making their opportunities as difficult as possible.
If Granger is driving to the net and scoring inside today thats a bad sign. If Granger goes off for 30 because he is nailing jumpshots thats something I can live with.
by Not so Friendly Stranger on Dec 28, 2011 8:55 AM EST reply actions
Completely agree. Granger presents an interesting match-up (and Paul George for that matter) because of their similar sizes, something Johnson doesn’t always have to contend with.
Adam Francis - Publisher - RaptorsHQ.com
by Adam Francis on Dec 28, 2011 9:44 AM EST up reply actions
I voted 4-5mil,
but would really prefer between 3 and 4. I think both Calderon and Bargnani WANT to be here, and would take discounts to stay here. I think those are the kind of guys we keep around, I’m not saying they need to be paid as much as they are now or given the starter roles (though this year it seems appropriate that they do).
Really though, Jose and Bargs get a lot of flak through no fault of their own, what makes us mad is the money they are paid and that is down to management, not the players. If either of them comes to free agency, the market will dictate how much they are truly worth and I think Toronto will do well to bring them back at that sensible rate, or perhaps a little less based on how convenient and seemingly enjoyable it would be for both of them to stay in this city.
Formerly known as timboslice85
by Rebrand_the_Raps on Dec 28, 2011 9:18 AM EST reply actions
+1
It’s too bad there aren’t a crop of stud PG’s in the upcoming draft, because a great scenario would be for Toronto to nab one, have Jose help his development, and then play the mentor/back-up role.
I couldn’t help during Monday’s game but to have visions of Jose coming off the pine in a few years and hit some huge 3’s in a playoff game, helping the Raps advance…
Adam Francis - Publisher - RaptorsHQ.com
by Adam Francis on Dec 28, 2011 9:43 AM EST up reply actions
Stud PG In The Draft
There doesn’t appear to be but how did Norris Cole slip through the cracks?
The big three in Miami is now Lebron, D-Wade and Cole. LOL
drafting a PG
Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. We could still finish low enough to get a good shot at a top pick next year or we could shock the world and contend for 8th spot in the east. Who knows. Today will tell us a bit more, but right now we still don’t know much. Cleveland is that bad.
Barnes seems like the best fit but may not be available. We should be wary of focusing our high picks on a PG. I can’t remember the last time a PG was the top star on a championship team. Actually I can remember, it was Magic Johnson but he “Kinda” stood out in college. It would be great to get Barnes, but it would also be great for the current players to win if they can. In a way it’s kinda fun, if we lose we get ping pong balls and if we win it’s good for our guys confidence which should not be underestimated.
by defensive rap on Dec 28, 2011 12:45 PM EST up reply actions
I’m hopeful, but increasingly I don’t think he’s the answer.
And yes, a stud PG isn’t a must, solid point, but I do think the club needs a major upgrade defensively at the 1 if they can’t get guys like DeMar and Bargnani to do better jobs this season.
Adam Francis - Publisher - RaptorsHQ.com
by Adam Francis on Dec 28, 2011 2:09 PM EST up reply actions
He Hasn't Looked Like It So Far In The Games Played Since The Lockout Ended
ISTM that this season will be his keep or get rid of season with Raptors management. He is not part of the “click” that includes both Johnsons, Andrea, DeMara, Jose and possibly Ed. Though I have my doubts about Ed whether or not he is part of the “click”.
Linas most likely stays for at least next season in order to help Jonas with the transition to living in North America and the NBA.
I guess he'll be 32 when his contract is up
barring some exceptional performances or averages this or next season, he is not going to get more than that.
Hi can see Vicious' dilemma:
Less is more or… more is less?
Right Now
I would say the Raptors are better than
1. Detroit
2. Cleveland
3. Washington
4. New Jersey
5. Charlotte
6. Minnesota
However, ISTM that the Raptors will have to improve a good deal to get into the high tier of the lottery group.
So unless the Raptors get a lucky bounce of the ping-pong balls I would guess we could be looking at the 7th or 8th pick come next June. Right now the group of players expected to be drafted from about 8 to about 13 consist mostly of shooting guards and small forwards. Players like Kid-Gilchrist, Quincy Miller Terrance Jones, Terrance Ross, Jeremy Lamb, Bradley Beal. The top 7 are all Bigs with the exception of Harrison Barnes.
Kendall Marshall is currently the top rated PG. He can definitely pass and get assists but the rest of his game leaves a bit to be desired.
The Point
1. Right now IMO the Raptors most likely will get a pick around 7th or 8th pick. That was clear in my post above.
2. Currently there are no stud PG’s or potentially stud PG’s in that range like Brandon Knight and even Kemba according to some were in June 2011.
3. Raptors HQ wrote about the need for the Raptors to get a “stud” PG.
4. So unless the Raptors can trade their pick most likely they will draft a SG or SF/SG combo player.
5. That means that they will most likely not draft a PG to eventually replace Jose.
6. That means that Jose will not be leaving town for a while unless BC can arrange a favorable trade for the Raptors involving Jose.
- was the point of the my post. Numbers #1 – #5 were listed so that you could follow the dots.
I think you are crazy. I can buy Cleveland and Charlotte, and I might even agree that we are about equal to Detroit but there is no way you can say Toronto is better than Washington, New Jersey and Minnesota. All three of those teams have some excellent pieces while we have okay or maybe good (jury is still out) pieces. Not to mention that 2 of the three have elite (in Washingtons case still potential) PGS as their starters.
Think Away My Good Person
Tis a good day for thinking. One of the great benefits of being retired is that you can just decide one morning to do nothing exerting except think. LOL
+1
Way too early to say that Toronto is better than Washington, Jersey or Minny…
Adam Francis - Publisher - RaptorsHQ.com
by Adam Francis on Dec 28, 2011 2:10 PM EST up reply actions
My thoughts exactly. Even without Brook Lopez, New Jersey should still finish well ahead of Toronto just because they have Deron Williams. And if Okur can stay healthy, he should be an adequate replacement for Lopez.
Washington is a strangely constructed team, but if Wall develops how he should, he should make the players around him better.
Minnesota might not scare anyone defensively, but should be much better this year with the additions of Rubio, Williams and Adleman.
Tim W.
The Picket Fence
forget deron williams-is there anyone on the raps that’s better then lopez?
by Justin Azevedo on Dec 28, 2011 2:33 PM EST up reply actions
Lopez Could Miss Up To Half The Season
I don’t like the current Nets active roster. A roster that at best they will have to live with for maybe half the season.
It will be very hard for them to make up lost ground in half a season, since even with Lopez they are not that good.
D. Williams is an above average talent but he is is no CP3 and even with Lopez the Nets are not a playoff team.
Saw What?
I know everyone wants Jose Calderon out of town on the next GO Train
I for one have never wanted him out of town on any mode of transportation including by foot. If BC can trade him or anyone including even Ed and make the team better I am all for it. But wanting Jose out of town. No way Jose. LOL
I would prefer he get a Horse & Buggy ride to the Buffalo airport... all those extra taxes at YYZ are killer....
Up in the skyscrape, me and my apes, bake cakes.
There was quite a lot of venom in his direction last year, and even the year before. So Buddah you might not have wanted him out, but many others did.
Adam Francis - Publisher - RaptorsHQ.com
by Adam Francis on Dec 28, 2011 2:11 PM EST up reply actions
I remember personally getting internet lynched for suggesting Jose was a top-ten PG in the league...
I was terrified and had to quickly slam shut my laptop before they got me…
"the Truth"
Jamaal Should Start Tonight
This is a game in which the Raptors could have used Gray.
I watched the "behind the draft"
Definitely JV is another of those “I really have nor clue what to say and neither an idea on how to say it” kind of guys TO love to Draft. JC seems to be the exception, although he does it in Spanglish most of the times :)
Re-sign Jose?
I think it mostly comes down to the state of his body when his contract expires. He has a great attitude and good skills. He just lacks the athleticism.
If Jose is healthy, I would be strongly in favour of re-signing him to back-up whatever “PG of the future” Toronto manages to acquire or develop (ie, if Bayless improves drastically). As a back-up PG, I would expect him to check in somewhere below the MLE (4-5M, maybe).
Interesting Match-Up Tonight
I will be interested in the defensive play of both DeMar and JJ on the wings and of Bargnani up front.
Pacers are currently listed at around -4 on the NBA betting wire
If I were to bet the game I would take the Pacers and give the four points.
I think the Pacers are a sleeper team this year and could provide some shocks.
I am staying away from betting on this game though – I tend to not bet on the Raps or Jays, because my internal bias screws up my capping abilities.
Formerly known as timboslice85
by Rebrand_the_Raps on Dec 28, 2011 11:28 AM EST up reply actions
That's why I am most successful on betting on sports leagues which I have zero emotional attachment too.
I bet a lot of football (soccer to y’all), and have been killing the Turkish Superleague this year.
Is there enough betting people on here to justify some sort of weekly fanpost with basketball picks? Maybe even a betting league? Not sure if there is something in the SBnation code of ethics which prevents this, consider this point moot if there is.
Formerly known as timboslice85
by Rebrand_the_Raps on Dec 28, 2011 12:44 PM EST up reply actions
Jose is not hated
Toronto fans do not hate Jose and need to see him gone. He is good for all the reasons mentioned and would be a solid backup/mentor to a young PG and could be an important piece of a title run in the next five years.
Jose
and he has always shown passion and effort. I thought Jose was one of the most beloved Raptors.
Can You Love Someone and Want To See Them Gone?
other than maybe your children I think it would be pretty rare
I'll tell you what
The amount of people calling for his head and wanting him traded thanks to his lackluster defense is where I’m coming from. There’s still a nice big segment who still believe (rightly or wrongly) that Jose Calderon is the biggest downfall and joke on this team. It’s why his jersey (not swingman, but the official one) can be found at SVP for like $20. I think amongst us more enthusiastic fans (rather than casual) we see Jose for who he is.
Kinnon "Vicious D" Yee
Author - RaptorsHQ.com Twitter @RapHQVicious
by Raptors HQ - Vicious D on Dec 28, 2011 1:58 PM EST up reply actions
It seems Love4Jose>>>>>>>HisDefenciveWoes>>>>>>The$$$PriceofRaptorsJerseyNumeroOcho
Up in the skyscrape, me and my apes, bake cakes.
Be in Atendence for this one
Hoping things go better against the Pacers this time…..I recall some pretty horrible games against them the last few years….not looking for a win just an entertaining game
Going to be interesting to see if they sell out. Cavs’ didn’t…albeit it was against the Dinos.
Adam Francis - Publisher - RaptorsHQ.com
by Adam Francis on Dec 28, 2011 2:12 PM EST up reply actions
I voted nothing and let me explain why
I really like Jose, but he’s not the future for this team. If the Raptors can get anything for him, they need to move him. As we’ve seen for a while now, Bayless can’t seem to consistently run the team, but for the sake of lottery balls, I’m OK with giving him the reigns for this year if Calderon goes.
Jose might be the best pure point guard the team has ever had. I’ve enjoyed watching him run the offense. I think that with Casey improving the overall team defense, Jose’s problems on defense will be minimized. I think that Casey will be able to hide him on defense in a similar way that he hid Kidd’s slowness in Dallas and Jose is a smart enough player to know what he needs to do.
But Jose needs to go, and I shall be sad when he does. He’s a warrior and there’s never been a lack of effort from him. His body betrayed him many times but never his heart.
I disagree
Sorry, but it sounds to me like your argument is that Jose is the best PG we have ever had and Bayless is bad, but we should trade Jose to make sure we lose a lot and get lots of ping pong balls. While I love the idea of ping pong balls I hate the idea of tanking.
Jose would be a good asset for the team to keep at 4 million for 2 years, or maybe 9.5 million for three years. he’s a solid player and has a very good ball IQ. he could be the veteran leader of this young squad moving forward. And if we get a good PG in the draft, he could be a great mentor and eventually backup. Then Bayless can move to his SG backup role to provide scoring of the bench (no more Leandro) and defensive intensity.
I'm assuming that this is a response to mine
In terms of pure point guards, I’m struggling to name a better one. Stoudamire is the only other contender and I really didn’t see him as a pure point guard.
I don’t want the team to tank. I want the team to try as hard as possible to win. However, management should be trying to acquire assets for the future and if that means giving up Calderon, I think you have to do it. I’ve seen enough of the Bayless show to be convinced that he’s not the long term answer at PG either. So yes, I think the Raptors will need to get a good point guard if they trade Calderon, but they don’t have to get one right away. They can limp through the rest of the season with what they have and any scrubs and cast-offs they happen to pick up.
I’m also not saying that they have to draft a PG. I’m 100% in favour of drafting the best player in the draft. If that duplicates a position of strength in your roster, that means you have excess you can use in a deal.
RaptorLand 'the Movie' vs 'NewYearsEve' the movie
Keeping with the theme of casting actors for the upcoming Raptor movie (a la MONEYBALL), I have casted the following actors in the following roles:
NICOLAS CAGE as ‘GM Bryan Colangelo’
The enigmatic PAUL GIAMATTI will play the ‘enigmatic Maurizio Gheradini’
More to Follow….
Up in the skyscrape, me and my apes, bake cakes.
James Earl Jones as Wayne Embry
Formerly known as timboslice85
by Rebrand_the_Raps on Dec 28, 2011 2:36 PM EST up reply actions
BREAKING NEWS (AP): GAEL GARCIA BERNAL CAST AS JOSE CALDERON
Rumored to have already been in talks have the leading role as Ricky Rubio in the planned ‘Ricky Rubio Trilogy’, it seems that he will instead play the much loved ‘other’ Spanish Point Guard – Jose Calderon.
Bernal said he couldn’t refuse when Jose called him personally to ask him to take the role. ‘He is such a nice guy, I want to tell the world his story’ he said bearly holding back his tears. ‘But most of all, I want to shoot the three-pointer and then make those funny shapes with my hands in the air’.
Up in the skyscrape, me and my apes, bake cakes.
LMAO! OK this is the thread of the year so far!!
You guys have nailed it! Nick Cage as Colangelo, Paul Giomati as the ‘enigmatic Maurizio Gheradini’, James Earl Jones as Wayne Embry and Bernal as Calderone are all SPOT ON! Hilarious!
Samuel L. Jackson as Coach Dwayne Casey and Zack Effron as Andrea Bargnani! LOL
http://www.1designer-clothing.com/wp-content/uploads/zac-efron-no-bangs.jpg
Duane Martin of “Above the Rim” fame plays Jerryd Bayless: http://images.wikia.com/scream/images/9/93/Duane_Martin-14.jpg
I also think Danny DeVito should play Gheradhini, but that’s just me…
Lietuvos Rytas claimed the tenth victory in this season’s Lithuanian League (LKL) by trashing Naglis Palanga 107-55 (22-15, 27-15, 36-11, 22-14).
Jonas Valanciunas led Rytas with a double-double of 22 points and 11 boards,
re: Calderon
I agree that he has done the best he can with the tools at his disposal. With his contract coming to an end I have two considerations
1) Let’s not make his next contract (if there is a next one) some kind of golden parachute deal inflated as a reward for services rendered. His current contract has justly awarded him (and then some) for his contributions in a Toronto uniform. He does have the advantage of being a calming presence among a sea of shifting faces at other positions. How much more effective would Jose Calderon be as a mentor then say…Anthony Carter? Carter is playing for the veteran minimum this year, same as Derrick Martin did when he mentored a young Calderon and TJ Ford. Something to keep in mind.
2) Projecting his performance past the age of 32 is dicey. Especially considering the fact that, unlike Steve Nash, he seems fully committed to spending his summers with the Spanish National team.
Jose would be better served to take his talents to the Spanish League. He wouldn’t have to put up with the freakish athleticism of folks like Rajon Rondo and Derrick Rose among others. Less games, and less taxing travel. Would also have the chance to make a meaningful contribution to a team like Real Madrid or Barcelona, who are frequently Euroleague Final Four participants. I don’t say this out of malice, just think that Jose should try to make the shift to the Spanish League while he’s still playing at a relatively high level. It’s unfortunate that he wasn’t able to find success during his tenure with the Raptors. Given where the team is in its development, he will not be around when we’re a legitimate playoff threat again.
Jose part of our championship run?
In three to four years he could be the backup PG on our championship team.
by defensive rap on Dec 28, 2011 6:02 PM EST up reply actions
League pass Android app?
is there one? can’t find it
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
NBA Playoffs Content Module
Related FanPosts on Raptors HQ
Related FanShots on Raptors HQ
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Ball Don't Lie - NBA - Yahoo! Sport
- Shaquille O’Neal is in a Chinese beer commercial, too (VIDEO)
- ‘Deep Thoughts’ and Cheap Thoughts: San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
- C-a-C: This is probably as close to LeBron James working with John Waters as we’ll ever get
- Dwyane Wade’s hot pink pants: The kind of thing you can get away with when you drop 41
- Lamar Odom to New York? Dwight Howard on the move? For now, it’s all talk
