11 Down, 4 to Go - An Early Look at Free Agency for the Toronto Raptors
by Adam Francis on Jun 28, 2011 1:01 PM EDT
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The HQ takes a first stab at the upcoming free-agency period and what challenges lay ahead for the Raps...
Is it just me, or does this feel like a very weird time to be a fan of the Toronto Raptors.
First, the NBA draft crashes down and the team selects arguably the most controversial prospect possible.
Then, the dust settles, and the team needs to address free agency, however the whole situation may be a moot point once the NBA's collective bargaining agreement expires this Friday and the lock-out begins.
Yep, the lock-out.
There's no question this is going down, the only question I believe will be how long this thing lasts.
(RapsRepub did a good breakdown of the situation this morning, based on an ESPN podcast on the subject, worth a listen to if you get the chance.)
So while ordinarily we'd be gearing up for the free-agent period, and breaking down all the top options for the Raptors, now, we've got this weird situation where teams have to act like it's "business as usual," even though that couldn't be further from the truth.
But here are the basics.
Assuming Sonny Weems accepts the contract extension offered qualifying offer extended yesterday by the Raptors, that gives the team 11 players in tow for the 2011-12 season, and a depth chart that looks like:
PG: Jose Calderon, Jerryd Bayless
SG: DeMar DeRozan, Leandro Barbosa, Sonny Weems
SF: James Johnson, Linas Kleiza
PF: Andrea Bargnani, Amir Johnson, Ed Davis,
It doesn't take a rocket scientist therefore to determine where the biggest hole is in this line-up that needs to be filled during the free agent period.
It's the 5 spot, especially since it sounds like the team is going to try and use Andrea at the 4 (hence his spot on the depth chart above.)
The top options at center?
We'll take an in-depth look at the top suspects tomorrow morning but options range from top dogs like Tyson Chandler, Marc Gasol and Nene, to possible value choices like Nazr Mohammed, Joel Przybilla and Greg Oden.
The small forward position though could probably use a boost too, and in that category, names like Shane Battier, Grant Hill, Andrei Kirilenko and Tayshaun Prince jump out.
However there's one major problem I keep running into when going through free agent options for the Raps.
It's the current line-up.
No matter you how slice it, Toronto already has commitments in place to 11 of 15 possible roster spots, and the bulk of these commitments are not great.
Players like Jose Calderon, Andrea Bargnani and Leandro Barbosa are overpaid for the production they bring to the table, and yet will likely again be counted on as top options.
And then on the flip side, the team has indeed a number of lesser financial commitments, but they're to players who have major question marks regarding their futures.
Will Jerryd Bayless be able to take the reigns as the team's top PG?
Can Solomon Alabi take another step forward and at least provide back-up minutes at the 5?
Is James Johnson ready to lock-down the team's small forward position?
We're talking about a major list of queries up and down the roster and really, the only position that I view as one of strength is the 4 spot. Ed Davis and Amir Johnson were both spectacular last year given the rest of their teammates, and the position produced an average PER of 17.0 last year, tied for tops on the team with that of PG.
However going back to my initial comment, the problem is, even Toronto's positions of strength are still under-achievers league-wide.
According to 82games.com, last year opponent PER by position versus Toronto was:
PG: 17.6
SG: 16.5
SF: 15.0
PF: 19.1
C: 21.0
The Raptors trotted out the following PER's by position:
PG: 17.0 (-0.6)
SG: 14.6 (-1.9)
SF: 12.2 (-2.8)
PF: 17.0 (-2.1)
C: 16.1 (-4.9)
As you can see, I've put the difference between league average and Toronto's PER score in brackets and essentially, the Raps employed on average, players at every position that were less productive than the rest of the league. were "out-performed" at every position by their opponents last season.
So while netting a Marc Gasol in free agency will do wonders possibly for the center position, the reality is that this entire club needs upgrades, and while free agency might help a bit, a lot of the team's "upgrading" is going to have to come organically via the club's youngsters.
This is something we're going to be keeping in mind as we go through the free agent list, position by position.
The other thing to keep in mind?
Until a new CBA is reached, we have no idea how much money the team will have to work with both in terms of the overall salary cap, and even things like the mid-level exception.
Good times.
So while we'll begin arguing why Toronto should be taking a shot at Josh Howard and Chuck Hayes tomorrow, there's not a lot of certainty in the air right now.
And for a club that's attempting to get back on the right track, that makes a tough stretch that much tougher.
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Not to mention the fact that if the lock-out kicks in before we can even finalize a free agent’s contract, it is a moot point. My take is we should just fill in the gaps for now with cheap free agents and let the chips fall where they may next year. Who knows which draft spot we will get in next years draft and who will realistically be available. No need to make a long term commitment to a marginal talent or one who doesn’t really fit here just for the sake of making a splash. That is how we got into this situation in the first place.
That’s a huge piece isn’t it?
Do you really want to risk locking up a player who is already on the downswing of his career, just because he’s a “name?”
The Raptors need to make some sort of splash free-agent wise for marketing purposes, so that factors in too.
Adam Francis - Publisher - RaptorsHQ.com
by Adam Francis on Jun 28, 2011 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions
I am partway between McGateway and Franchise on this. I do acknowledge that there needs to be some sort of move to…offset the fact that the draft pick won’t pay dividends right away, for the fan.
I was watching the fan590 roundtable on sportsnet the other day. Dave Perkins went on a mini-rant against the draft pick since it wouldn’t help a team that was awful, right away. He also wanted Calderon replaced because he can’t stay in front of anyone. While Perkins made his bones as a baseball columnist, I can see how not having some sort of tangible improvement coming out of the lockout could have people seeing the upcoming season as a waste.
Just not sure how you balanced the two goals, at least not without making a move that goes beyond free agency into the realm of multi-player trade.
Not taking a shot at Dave Perkins as not knowing what he’s talking about. I’m sure he’s a fan. However, baseball is a different beast when it comes to team building. Due to the larger roster size, and larger talent pool, a team can just go out and add a flashy fielding shortstop or homerun hitting first basemen. We lost 7-3, but Frank Thomas got a homer, and Jonny Mac made some highlight worthy defensive plays! The types of players that would placate a casual baseball fan like myself.
In the NBA, everything is much more complicated, and you need to weigh the future impacts of moves in terms of the salary cap, and what you plan to accomplish in future off-seasons. Think of all the moves, preparation, and sheer luck required to assemble the Celtics and Miami Heat.
Yeah, I wouldn’t put a lot of stock in what a Dave Perkins or Bob McCown or anyone like that has to say about the Raptors. If you’re going to put together a roundtable to talk basketball, perhaps you should invite guys that actually know the sport. Just a suggestion.
Geoff Rahal
Author, RaptorsHQ.com
by RaptorsHQ - Defensive Stance on Jun 28, 2011 8:41 PM EDT up reply actions
'Young' Free Agents...
No Doubting what the Raps have to do. We need young players, or players that can be projected to be valuable in three years time (to sign now for five).
Either that, or we do nothing.
Wilson Chandler, Azzaboogie, Rodney Stuckey, Carl Landry, Marc Gasol and Juwan Howard should be top of our list!
OK one of those names is a dream, and another is a nightmare…
Oh … and don’t forget Brian Cardinall… must sign Brian Cardinal…lol
'....as a child, I dreamt of being a baseball.'
and that picture of those memphis grizzlies - is absolutely ridiculous....
'....as a child, I dreamt of being a baseball.'
I disagree, going after any of those players other than Stuckey (who might be had cheap) is going to cost us too much money and not provide enough back to make it worth our while (i.e. none of them are franchise players) and I think we have enough issues with combo guards (bayless) to go after Stuckey.
Comment on the PER of the Raptors PFs – as they were basically playing 1 against 2 in the paint (1 Raptor PF having to fend off the PF and C of the opponent) it’s no surprise that the PF PER rating was a -2.1. I argue that if say Marc Gasol was added to the team in place of Bargnani, you would see corresponding rises in the PER of both the C and the PF positions.
Can’t disagree with you there.
Adam Francis - Publisher - RaptorsHQ.com
by Adam Francis on Jun 28, 2011 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Couple of things:
- Sonny Weems was not offered a contract extension. He was extended a qualifying offer, making him a restricted free agent. He is by no means a lock to return (although he probably will). Although who knows what that will mean whenever the new CBA is in place.
- Your ‘delta’ PER values are not versus the league average, but versus the Raptors’ average opponent – so we see how our team has fared directly in comparison to their opponents at each position. Although, as MAS points out, there is certainly a level of cross-over in terms of team defense that isn’t taken into account. It’s actually funny that at 3 of the 5 positions, the Raps posted a PER over the league average, yet still managed to yield a net negative versus their opponents. Talk about a terrible defense.
- Finally, I expect the Raps to employ only 13 players next year, to maximize cap space use on free agents or in trades. We’ll obviously see at least one C signed, maybe a 3rd string PG, and a 3rd string big man (C/PF). With Sonny and Demar filling in at the 3 sometimes until Kleiza returns. Of course, any trades made could alter all of this, as out-going or in-coming players will drastically alter the depth chart.
I really hope your final point is the case as I truly believe we need to take on a few bad contracts and the draft picks that go with them (a la Cleveland) in order to make the correct steps in the right direction.
Lots of corrections, thanks dhack, just re-read and realized the mixed messages, especially in regards to average PER vs average opponent PER.
Adam Francis - Publisher - RaptorsHQ.com
by Adam Francis on Jun 28, 2011 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions
QO in $1.1 Million Range
Weems made US$854,389 last year. As such, a qualifying offer would be worth just more than US$1.067-million. However, the Raptors are not tied to the offer. This just allows the Raptors to keep their options open, whether they want to re-sign Weems or trade his rights. They also could rescind the offer.
http://sports.nationalpost.com/2011/06/27/raptors-extend-qualifying-offer-to-sonny-weems/
His QO is valued at $1.0911 million. Koreen doesn’t seem to fully grasp the rules about restricted free agency.
Also, the Raptors are not tied to the offer, unless Weems signs it. Then they are stuck with it.
They also cannot trade Weems’ rights straight up – it would have to be a sign and trade.
by dhackett1565 on Jun 28, 2011 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Battier
Is without a doubt the number one guy the Raps should target. He’s a true professional, a guy who can preach defense, show the youngsters how to defend and would essentially be a second coach on the court.
Would other guys need to be moved to make this happen? (ahem – Kleiza) No doubt, but it doesn’t change the fact that he would be a perfect addition.
Dave "Howland" Randell
Co-Creator of RaptorsHQ.com
by RaptorsHQ - Howland on Jun 28, 2011 1:47 PM EDT reply actions
I would absolutely love this move. I’d overpay for a guy like Battier because the knowledge he can pass along to the kids we have would be invaluable.
We’d have to really overpay though, because there’s no way he’d want to come to a bad team otherwise.
Not that I disagree completely but it kind of bothers me that we might overpay a player just to pass on knowledge. Isn’t that what assistant coaches are for?
There is nothing like leadership on the floor. Assistant coaches can teach all they want, but a guy like Battier actually shows guys what they need to do in real game situations. I don’t know if you would even really call it “overpaying” in this case.
I think it would be overpaying as I cannot imagine him staying happy playing for a perennial lottery team and would probably demand a trade by the end of the 1st year. No one wants to go to a bad situation so they can teach people, you have to over pay them for them to even consider it.
I am not in any hurry to necessarily bring Battier to Toronto, but I think it is beneficial for young teams to have a couple of vets around to counsel the young guys and reinforce the coaches’ message. Darrick Martin was good in this role when he was with the Raps, so it doesn’t have to be a guy who plays big minutes. You are probably right about Battier’s price tag being too high, but I wouldn’t under-rate the value that he or a guy like him could provide to the young Raps.
Offense vs. Defense
When it is said “especially since it sounds like the team is going to try and use Andrea at the 4”, does that mean on both Offense and Defense?
Even last season, you could argue that Bargnani did not play the 5 on offense — I don’t consider someone sitting out at the 3-point line as “playing the 5”.
That’s a good question as we’ve yet to hear what Casey’s plans entail for Andrea. I think though that if he’s at the 4 on O, he’ll be there on D too.
Adam Francis - Publisher - RaptorsHQ.com
by Adam Francis on Jun 28, 2011 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Great point...
Great example of how all this ’playing the PF" is BS. Bargnani usually guarded the worst offensive player between the PF and C on D anyways (doubt that would change) and was guarded by the PF on offense. So the thought that changing his position will equate to an improvement in play is smoke and mirrors.
I agree – position wise there is little difference. If Bargnani is still here, I’ll be more interested in the impact of a new system – potentially both on offense and defense.
by dhackett1565 on Jun 28, 2011 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions
It might have to do with the ideology of putting someone BIGGER than Bargs beside him in the front court to mask his deficiencies, and make the team less dependent on him in the team concept of defence. Not saying I agree with it, but BC clearly has a hard-on for Bargnani (even though he claims to have an understanding for advanced metrics). What a load of BS.
While Bargs is no Dirk, I think your idea HDave speaks to what Dallas did, flanking Nowitzki with guys like Haywood and Chandler. I’d be all for this too, and wouldn’t it be a bonus if James Johnson could even be a Shawn Marion 1.0? He’s at least got some of the physical tools…
Adam Francis - Publisher - RaptorsHQ.com
by Adam Francis on Jun 28, 2011 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions
They Did Squat With Dirk
I already showed that that meme if a bunch of baloney.
What changed since 2006 was Dallas really wanted to beat the Heat after what the Heat did to them in 2006.
Chandler made a big difference.
But I don’t see any improvement in Dirk’s game over the last years other then what comes from more experience and more time in the gym and weight room.
I agree
It makes it a bit misleading to list him as a PF because it suggests that Davis will not get much playing time, which I don’t expect to be true. I just don’t see Bargnani at the 4 to be any more successful than Bargnani at the 5.
IMO - Bargnani Will Start Next Season At Least In The Beginning
unless he is traded.
JV is going to start playing for the Raptors in 2012-13, ISTM that he will be starting in 2013-14 at the latest.
So the Raptors need a bridge player at Center for the next two – three seasons at the most. I doubt that they will invest heavily in a FA Center. For this reason I still like Dalembert as FA Center backup if the Raptors can sign him for 2-3 seasons at about $5 million a season.
PF vs Center is A Bunch of Bull Crap
It will still be all about matchups which will be determined by who is playing and not some numbering scheme.
Bargnani now guards the Center because he is usually the least productive Big in the opponent’s offense not because he is bigger or smaller.
If he has to defend the opponents best scoring Big how effective will he be on defense?
If the Raptors get a so called True Center he will be even worse on defense because a so called True Center is not going to be able to Guard a quicker and more mobile PF. So then Bargnani will be forced to guard the opponents best scoring Big most games.
How do you think that will work out for the Raptors?
I am going to capitalize so there can be no mistaken what i am about to say.
While I totally agree that Bargnani WILL NOT IMPROVE DEFENSIVELY just because he moves to PF there could be a DEVILS ADVOCATE argument that says he struggled defensively last year because his strengths defensively (moving his feet etc) are more suited to defending a PF than a NBA center most of whom rely purely on brute strength to get their points. Now I realise that is stretching things a little but I can certainly see how this argument could apply if Barney actually tried on D but I am definitely NOT ADVOCATING that this line of reasoning is CORRECT.
I don’t think that moving his feet is a strength of Bargnani’s on defense. He might be have the capacity to move well for his size, but on defense he doesn’t actually do it (bad anticipation?). At the so-called “PF” position he will just foul more.
I meant in relation to other centers defensively. I was actually trying to think of any positive for him defensively and I remember when he actually played semi-okay d it was man to man and he kept his man in front of him (hence the foot work).
You Missed The Main Point of What Casey Was Saying
Casey said and I am paraphrasing that he thinks moving Bargnani to PF might work if he played next to Amir in the defensive system that Casey plans to install.
So ISTM since Casey also said that Amir can be an “above average defender” presumably at Center based upon the context in which Casey said it, that between Amir and Casey’s system Casey will be able to cover up a bunch of Bargnani’s deficiencies on defense.
Can the combination of Amir playing at Center and Casey’s system in fact cover up enough of Bargnani’s sins on defense?
When I see it, I will believe it. LOL
I disagree
Bargnani is most successful as a defender when he is up against big slow guys. His 1on1 defense becomes adequate because these types of guys generally stay in one spot.
As DW19 points out above, it’s not that he has bad foot speed because he’s actually quite nimble for his size. The problem is that he doesn’t anticipate where the ball will be and position himself accordingly. He has to react after the fact, which makes him look slow.
MAS, thank jeebuz you have your head on straight...
My head literally wants to explode every fricken time I read some crap about “what position we play Bargs at on offense” ….
ARE YOU PEOPLE SLOW OR WHAT?
When was the last time Triano got to go to the opponents bench and tell them who to guard Bargs with, therefore defining what position he was playing on offense?
I can’t believe the number of somewhat educated basketball minds here that fail to grasp this most basic of concept!
Call Bargnani a Point Guard for the whole season if you want (on OFFENSE of course)… Do you really think he’ll be posting up Steve Nash and Chris Paul whenever we play them?
Man some smart people can be dumb sometimes…
"the Truth"
Actually, that was and is not an uncommon tactic to use against Dirk. Have him guarded by guards cuts his game down to a glorified jump shooter. Doesn’t always work of course but teams do roll it out from time to time.
I agree with MAS that so-called position is irrelevant. The only change that will make any difference in Bargnani’s performance would be for him to consistently apply himself at the defensive end.
Unfortunately, I don’t think it is a matter of effort, application or dedication. It is a matter of DNA, personality and mental make-up. The fans, media, coaches and teammates have been harping on Bargnani’s defense for 5 years now. I think it’s past the “he needs to try” stage and well into the “he is incapable” stage.
I disagree. We have seen Bargnani have big rebounding games, games with several blocks, games where he makes a key defensive play down the stretch. It’s just that these things only happen once in a blue moon. He probably can never become an all-world defender, but nothing beyond lack of commitment is standing between his current level of performance and the league average.
sure
but anyone can do that once in a blue moon for a variety of reasons. Jose for instance has come close to a few triple doubles…. but he is never going to be considered or able to be a rebounding PG.
Its about consistency… and while I don’t doubt Bargnani CAN improve on his weaknesses I highly doubt he can do that consistently.
by Not so Friendly Stranger on Jun 29, 2011 9:11 AM EDT up reply actions
edit
I highly doubt he can do that and maintain it consistently
by Not so Friendly Stranger on Jun 29, 2011 9:11 AM EDT up reply actions
sure
that I don’t disagree with… but like MAS said, it could be that that is simply the way he is.
Some people work hard no matter what they do… some people only work hard at certain things or in certain situations…. some just never seem to ever work hard.
by Not so Friendly Stranger on Jun 29, 2011 10:02 AM EDT up reply actions
Maybe my confusion comes from MAS’s quoted assertion “he is incapable”.
Does MAS mean that “he is incapable…of playing defense”? In that case, I disagree because there is evidence of him occasionally playing decent defense.
If he means “he is incapable…of trying”, then maybe I agree as there is no evidence that he can consistently doing that.
If he means “he is incapable….of playing defense on a consistent basis”. then I am inclined to heartily agree, since he has never demonstrated defensive commitment even as little as two games in a row(at least not in my foggy recollection).
My point is that he is incapable of putting forth the sustained effort required to be a good defender. He just simply isn’t wired that way, it’s not in his DNA. However, he is also incapable of other things outside of simply effort. Such as attention to detail, grasping defensive concepts and applying them in the heat of battle and ergo being in the right place at the right time. He just can’t get it. I’m one that believes defence is 50% will and 50% skill and ability. Bargs fails in both departments.
JV Finished with 23 - 11 and 1 Block in 25 Minutes
See fan post for details and link to box score.
Caught a bit of the game
Definitely see a bit of Tyson Chandler in his game
Well, I'd be delighted
but still too early to say, imo
He certainly has more offensive game than Chandler, even at this point. However, it would be a godsend if he were able to bring the same defensive impact to the Raptors that Chandler brings to the floor.
by dhackett1565 on Jun 28, 2011 3:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Got some tweets on this too, great to see and hoping to catch the action via replay tonight.
Adam Francis - Publisher - RaptorsHQ.com
by Adam Francis on Jun 28, 2011 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions
I Turned The Game Off about Mid-Way Through the 3rd Qtr
when the game became a meaningless blowout.
But I have seen enough of him to know that he is a force in the middle on defense and showed it again today during the time I watched him play.
Players are reluctant to take it into the paint against him and he alters a lot of shots.
Having said that he still needs to get a lot stronger and add more weight but ISTM that he has the physic to do it and it will just be a matter of time in the weight room and getting older.
I can see him eventually playing at 265 maybe 270.
I don’t think he will get as broad as Bynum or Howard but he should be plenty big enough given his activity, height and length.
Ed, Amir and Andrea
3 of our best players at the same position? You know BC is looking to move one of these three and I fear it is not Andrea. Ed is too young and unproven to get much in return or to give up on, so he will be tough to move. Amir has proven himself to be a solid effort guy. He would be perfect as a 3rd big man on a championship level team. Kinda like a much younger Haslem (who almost helped Miami get a title).
I would hate to see Amir go but it sure looks like it’s either him or Andrea and the comments from BC seem to indicate they want to move Andrea to the four and see if they can duplicate Dallas’ formula.
They cannot with this current roster.
Andrea worse than Dirk on O and D
JJ worse than Marion on O and D plus they had Butler, who is coming back
Demar worse on D than Deshawn but better on O
Jose worse than Kidd on O and D (O is close, Jose is very good on O)
Chandler is better than anyone we have at 5.
So up and down the lineup, on O and D, we only have an advantage of Demar vs. Stevenson, and that’s a false stat because it’s really Jason Terry versus Demar and we would lose on that one as well on O. Plus they have Haywood and Barrea, it’s just not close at any position.
our hopes and dreams
Demar could be as good or better than Terry
Bayless could be an explosive young PG and furious defender
JJ could become an all star player if he adds a bit of polish to his offence
JV could be an incredible player
Ed could be an NBA starters for the next ten years and get 15 and 10
Amir could be a solid big off the bench for a championship team.
Andrea could be used more effectively and play better or be traded for a good asset
IMO Amir Will Start Next To JV When JV Begins To Start For The Raptors
IMO Davis is a “One and Done” guy. I don’t see him remaining with the Raptors
Davis will be gone by 2013-2014 at the latest when the Raptors can extend a QO
I Don't See Davis Starting Ahead of Amir
Davis will want to start which is only natural. So he will bolt at the first opportunity. I also don’t see him and the city of Toronto being a good match.
Remember all the BS that Davis said about the D-League. Most of it may have been true but he came across as “I am too good to play here”. I sense that same attitude in him about Toronto what with the cold winters and the general demographics.
I could of course be wrong. I would say the odds are 50-50. LOL
Look Up The Meaning of Demographics and The the Demographics of T-Dot
IMO it is just not a city that Davis wants to stay in as a NBA player.
Amir loves T-Dot because Amir has a very international outlook. Can anyone say China next season if there is an extended lockout? ISTM that he would love to return there and play there while the NBA is shut down. JMO
I know what the word demographics means. Simply asking why/how you think Toronto’s “general demographics” will play into Ed Davis’ decision to leave Toronto. Not too tricky I would think… Care to elaborate?
I Posted It
Look at the Demographics of Toronto.
Look at Ed Davis background
I just don’t see the two as a long term match.
I am not going to paint you a picture at this time. It is JMO and nothing more and not worth a continued discussion at this time. Lets talk about it in June 2014 if we are both still posting here and Davis is still with the Raptors at that time.
No buddah, I find this interesting. Do you mean his ethnicity when you mention Ed’s “background”? Because I believe Amir Davis shares the same ethnicity. So why is this a factor for Ed and not Amir? Or do I have it wrong? If i do have it wrong it is because you are being needlessly cryptic. Spit it out!
I hate to wade into this discussion, but I think Buddahfan means that Amir is from a big cosmopolitan city (LA) and Davis is more a “southern down-home” kind of guy from Carolina. The implication would be that Amir is more adventurous while Ed might feel comfortable in an environment that he found more familiar. I don’t know if I agree or disagree with this characterization, but I didn’t get the impression that Ed had any issues living in Toronto last season.
Davis vs Amir
Buddha, you have such an affection for Amir.
We have no way of knowing what will happen with Ed Davis. Hopefully the raptors will start to win soon, he will enjoy the people here and winning and choose to stay.
It looks like BC may move Amir to free up space to have Andrea be the starting 4 and Ed to back him up. I don’t agree with that trade, but you may have to get Amir’s new team jersey come winter.
by defensive rap on Jun 28, 2011 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions
It looks like BC may move Amir to free up space to have Andrea be the starting 4
Sounds good to me
What I have an affection for a nice down to earth honest people with a sense of humor and talent regardless of what their avocation is.
Amir also happens to be a Raptors player and I am following the Raptors because of him, DeMar and now JV
Most Raptors bloggers and writers as I have posted are “Amir doubters”. So when the mood strikes me I defend him because very few others do though it is becoming more PC to defend him. LOL Little bit of defense attorney in me I guess.
I guarantee you that if the comments about him and his potential as a player were 50 – 50 I would rarely post anything about him except for news about him that I have seen that I think is relative to Raptors fans and has not been posted here. I would do the same about any other Raptors player.
However, I will admit that it goes a little deeper than that.
1. He is from So. CA – I love L.A. LOL
2. He played for the Pistons which was my favorite NBA team for decades.
Personally, if I had to chance to meet him, I would pass on it since culturally and politically we are worlds apart. I only hang with those who have similar Political beliefs since I am so passionate about political ideas, but not necessarily politicians. LOL
Please no more Dallas comparisons
Defensive rap – not your fault at all. It’s the Raptors’ GM/Coach talking points that have driven this nonsense. The two teams are just so far appart in every way imaginable, that it isn’t worth discussing.
One day it's the Suns...
the next day it’s the Mavs.
How about being the “Raptors” and finding a formula for success? Original thinking I know….
Dave "Howland" Randell
Co-Creator of RaptorsHQ.com
by RaptorsHQ - Howland on Jun 28, 2011 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions
re: the need for comparisons
The organization has never had an extended period of sustainable success. Trying to sell jaded fans on the credentials of the new hires (and resultant fountain of hope) is probably one of the main reasons that they hit the Suns and Mavs angles so hard. When a team has been this bad, its the hiring of coaches and GMs that takes the kind of attention that should be reserved for the players. Shiny new GM, success can’t be far now.
+1
Exactly, play our game.
Walker McKenna
by Robert Archibald on Jun 29, 2011 5:17 PM EDT up reply actions
I could not agree with you more
The only reason I bring it up is in terms of how it affects BC’s decision on who to trade and to get an idea of what he is planning. I would rather follow our own model, make the best of our own situation and do it our way so people are talking about our franchise and how we achieved success instead of trying to mimic everyone else.
But what do you think is BCs next move is? Don’t you think the Dirk/Casey/ Andrea comparison is in BC’s mind? Therefore he won’t do what is most needed for the franchise and trade Andrea. So now we have to hope that Andrea can develop and become a better player…so who’s up for a couple more years of that project? Anyone, anyone….Bueller, Bueller, anyone, anyone…
by defensive rap on Jun 28, 2011 5:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Hopefully it's the Nuggets next...
I think if Casey wants to get buy in from his players he needs to use the Nuggets model. A model of no super stars, no ego’s, hard work, defensive minded, get after it, team basketball. Guys like Afflalo and Lawson have really bought in and you can see how it’s affected the whole team. Even when a whole bunch of new players needed to be integrated, they all understood the way to get playing time – hard working team basketball.
Casey would be well served to call up his old mentor and discuss.
For all the positive moves the Raps have made lately, I love how they’re probably going to piss it all away by starting Bargnani ahead of two players who are far more productive… all because they are deluded into believing Bargnani can be a homeless man’s Dirk Nowitzki. It’s just insane.
Bargs is what he is – the most harmful player in the league. Keep up the charade and continue to handicap the franchise moving forward.
Geoff Rahal
Author, RaptorsHQ.com
by RaptorsHQ - Defensive Stance on Jun 28, 2011 5:07 PM EDT reply actions
Please HQ. This line of questioning needs to be pointedly asked to BC at the earliest oportunity.
Someone in the media needs to challange him on this, let him know the fans aren’t buying this horse sh!t. Before it’s to late..
This would the logical time to move Andrea. The Raptors drafted their “PF of the future” last season, they drafted their “C of the future” this season and they have a great third big in Amir who can either start or come off the bench effectively. There is just no room in that equation for Bargnani.
Moving Bargnani now would also throw a bone to fans who are pissed that JV won’t be in the line-up next season. It show them some tangible change and give them something to talk about. Move Bargnani for say an SF and a draft pick and sign a journeyman centre for the next 2 or 3 seasons.
Fans who were hoping to get something that would help right away
are idiots. There is nothing in this draft that would have made enough of a difference to warrant getting pissed about waiting a year on a player. If anyone truly believes that Walker or Knight make this team a 40 win team they are sadly deluding themselves.
no doubt
that the chances of anyone helping this season (assuming there is one ofcourse) would be slim… but any player who could potentially help would be able to help one year sooner.
Not to mention they’d get an idea sooner of what type of player said person can become.
I hardly think its idiotic… or anymore idiotic than not wanting someone playing in the NBA sooner rather than later.
by Not so Friendly Stranger on Jun 29, 2011 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions
Perhaps I am being strong with my wording but I am getting worn out with people who are so upset with this pick. Personally, i was fine with almost any pick as they all seemed pretty much the same to me, at least JV has some potential to be a true starter one day (if not an all-star) and I am not convinced that even Irving is good enough to log starter minutes on a championship team.
Year One to observe, Year Two to take action. Or is faster action is required?
IMHO
The longer the roster stays in flux, with constant turnover the harder it will be to have the team pickup the defense and play as a whole. We already know that two rookies (Jonas V and the 2012 pick) will be coming in 2012-2013. If we will have upheaval for sure in 2012-2013, I would rather not make it worse by making the changes that Casey wants during that offseason as well.
1) Coming out of the lockout, ship out the poor fits that are easier to move. Move them for players that the braintrust has experience with, and has confidence will be able to fill desired roles. Don’t waste training camps on players you have little faith in.
2) Give people that show potential to be keepers, but you have mixed feelings about, until the All Star Break to perform, not just just show flashes of something.
3) Bring in better options in the offseason, for players that were hard to move midseason.
4) Bring a more roster that has more of Casey’s fingerprints on it into 2012-2013. Because the draft picks will be enough of a headache to integrate.
5) Now a better evaluation can be made as to progress made from year one to year two. And whether coach and GM should have their options exercised. If we’re just going to churn everything up constantly, there is less basis for evaluation, and the default option would be giving them one more year.
Thus, if they decide to return the roster mostly the same after the trading deadline, let it be because they want to move forward with them for the following season. I acknowledge that we are rebuilding, but I’d like to see some clarity, which will make it easier to recruit, and help us identify which direction to go with 2012 pick. I don’t want to see a repeat of the Joey Graham situation where we hung on to him hoping we’d see the “light” click for him. Let’s be decisive like we were with Charlie V. Make a stone cold evaluation, and make a proactive decision (stay/go) instead of waiting for outside pressures to make that decision for you.
Brendan Haywood as an option
He might have a big ugly contract through to 2015 having signed for 6years/$55m but he could be on the market if the Mavericks are determined to keep Chandler.
We might be able to get something extra to take him off their hands and its not as if he is a bad player but with $62m committed to 10players, they are struggling to get under the cap if there is one next year.
The Mavericks might be prepared to add a first rounder just to have us trade them a Wright or a Dorsey.
I actually had that exact thought yesterday. When taking into consideration Casey’s familiarity with the Dallas roster, and the scarcity of bigs in general. The contract is a killer though, even worse then I had thought. And Haywood has had some serious bouts of unproductivity in the past, in addition to chemistry issues when he was with Washington.
I have no doubt he’s on the market. But that contract is too rich for most teams, both in term and years. Would probably have better luck with free agent center signed outright.
6 years/$55 million (shakes head) what were they thinking?
I Would Take Kwame Brown Before Hayward
because of the contract amount and Brown is a free agent
Brown actually had a pretty good season with Charlotte in 2010-11
Age 29
2010 – 11 Salary $1.3 million 201-11 Salary ?
Games 66
MPG 26
PPG 8
RPG 7
FG% .517
WS/48 .097
Rebounds per 36 Min 9.5
Hayward
Age 29
2010 – 11 Salary 7.0 million – 2011 – 12 Salary $7.6 million
Games 72
MPG 19
PPG 4
RPG 5
FG% .574
WS/48 .104
Rebounds per 36 Min 9.5
Hayward is better not not $5 million or so a year better.
Then we should trade for Darko, Thabeet, and Oden
We’d have the entire market of 7-ft top 2 picks that turned out to be busts!
Maybe we could ever sign Eddy Curry as a free agent, just in case any of the first 4 seven-footers gets hurt (or needs directions to the buffet).
Yes - so was Kwame
And all have failed to reach the potential of a top-2 pick, along with Andrea.
Not only would we have a reputation for “euros” on the team, but also for 7-ft underachievers.
Oden isn’t a true bust, YET! If you could roll dice on him for a cheap contract (say something similar to Amir’s for less years) it might be worth the gamble because talent wise he is definitely good enough to be a starting center in the NBA. Of course that isn’t saying much.
Actually, I believe when he saw the court, his production was very good. He posted PERs of 18 and 23 in his first two years (in 61 and 21 games respectively). His career WS/48 is 0.180, with last year’s (in a small sample size of a 1/4 season) hitting 0.214. His total rebounding percentage is 20.5, and his ORB% is 15.6. Compare to Dwight Howard with equivalent career PER (22.3), WS/48 last year (0.236), and ORB% (12.6). Oden’s block percentage last year went from 4.2 to 7.7, compared to Howard’s rookie number (3.6) and career high (6.0).
Small sample size, but if he can get on the floor, he is a franchise changing center. That’s a very big if, but I think one worth exploring.
by dhackett1565 on Jun 29, 2011 8:10 AM EDT up reply actions
When Oden Is Heathy He Is Very Good
The guy is big and strong and has talent.
Trolling Again
I had to say it and I am not sorry that I did. LOL
Kwame Brown
I actually would not mind signing Kwame as long as he had his head on straight. He is decent defensive big man. On a 2 or 3 year deal he would be a fine option for the Raptors. Too bad about the draft stigma.
id go for battier because the raps need a strong vetern presence on this team to lead the youngsters and battier is as wise as the come
by raptors_run_the_show on Jun 28, 2011 6:58 PM EDT reply actions
Battier Is 33 and Can't Shoot
I would take James Jones over him.
At least Jone can shoot and make the three ball. Battier can’t shoot anymore. His age is definitely starting to show.
hes a good defender , he would help us defend the perimeter better
by raptors_run_the_show on Jun 28, 2011 9:55 PM EDT up reply actions
also im taking him more for his veteran presence
by raptors_run_the_show on Jun 28, 2011 9:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Veteran Presence?
What are the coaches? Rookies
Veteran presence is over stated when the guy can’t play anymore.
Battiier is a decent minimum salary player for a playoff team.
IMO the Raptors don’t need someone who really can’t play that effectively anymore. I don’t care how much experience he has. All Battier would do is sit on the bench and create a barrier between the young players and the coaches.
When he was five years younger and would get minutes I could see it but I just don’t see it at this time.
JMO
Buddah, did you watch any of Memphis’ playoff run this past season? Battier was an integral part of that team and playoff run. In fact, I would argue that the Grizz played better wtih Battier than they did with Gay in the line-up.
Am I advocating the Raps attempting to sign him? No. But he’s not all washed up by any stretch and I doubt he signs for only the minimum.
I Would Prefer James Jones To Battier
Jones will be a lot cheaper and is a better three point shooter which the Raptors need. Battier is a better defender and rebounder.
Battier is two years older than Jones; i.e., 33 vs 31.
Battier made $7.3 million last season compared to Jones $1 million.
I don’t see Battier starting ahead of J. Johnson if the Raptors were sign Battier.
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/battish01.html
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jonesja02.html
When you acquire assets in any business you want to get value for your investment in that asset. IMO Battier is not worth more than $3 to $4 million a year as a bench player. If the Raptors could sign him for say $3.5 million a year for two seasons then I would be okay with that though I would prefer Jones.
Not earth-shattering news here. Veterans Eddie House and James Jones would not necessarily be in high-demand elsewhere and by picking up their options, they will be a part of a Heat team favored to win it all next year.
According to ESPN.com:
Riley also said that he expects Eddie House, 33, and James Jones, 30, to opt in for the 2011-12 season with the Heat
plus 1 to Mas11 s comment on Battier
James Jones gets 5.9 pts and 2 reb and shoots 43% from three
Battier gets 5 pts and 4 rebs. and shoots 33.3% from three. He defends better and when he came in to replace Gay the team played better.
Battier has leadership qualities that he has earned through hard work and he would be a great influence on the team culture. Jones would help space the floor with his three point shooting, but je would not be half the veteran leader that Battier is and that is why Shane is far more valuable to Toronto than Jones.
by defensive rap on Jun 29, 2011 1:57 AM EDT up reply actions
+1 to Mas
Battier also holds more credibility than Jones.
As pointed out above if you saw Memphis in the playoffs you realize how valuable he is.
Dave "Howland" Randell
Co-Creator of RaptorsHQ.com
by RaptorsHQ - Howland on Jun 29, 2011 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions
Way Too Expensive For A Guy Who Would Be Coming Off The Bench
Like I have posted. If BC could snag him for about $3 million for two years I would be okay with him backing up James Johnson. However, not at or near at what Battier made in 2010-11.
There is no way that Battier would start ahead of James Johnson not at Battier’s current age and with what the Raptors are trying to do right now.
Agreed. Why bother overpaying these guys to come here? What message does that really send about winning? What it says to me is that he cares more about money than winning as there is no way a winner comes here with the roster set up the way it is currently.
These guys will never win...
if they don’t have solid vets teaching them what it takes to win. A team needs a blend of youth and experience.
Dave "Howland" Randell
Co-Creator of RaptorsHQ.com
by RaptorsHQ - Howland on Jun 29, 2011 4:53 PM EDT up reply actions
ok late to the party
but am I the only one that noticed Battier pointing to his crotch while flexing?
by Not so Friendly Stranger on Jun 28, 2011 8:36 PM EDT reply actions
Nothing weird about that
I do that all the time…
Geoff Rahal
Author, RaptorsHQ.com
by RaptorsHQ - Defensive Stance on Jun 28, 2011 8:45 PM EDT up reply actions
daldridgetnt David Aldridge
Dwane Casey finishes Raps staff, hiring Grizzlies’ Johnny Davis (lead assistant.) Holdovers Scott Roth, Eric Hughes, Micah Nori will remain.
Johnny Davis - Wiki Bio
Johnny Reginald Davis (born October 21, 1955, in Detroit, Michigan) is a retired American professional basketball player, and currently an assistant coach for the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies. He played in the league with four teams in ten years from 1976-1986, winning an NBA championship in his rookie season (1976-1977) with the Portland Trail Blazers. He also played for the Indiana Pacers, the Atlanta Hawks, and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
In 1996-1997 Davis coached the Philadelphia 76ers, and he coached the Orlando Magic for nearly two seasons from 2003 to 2005. On June 21, 2007, he was named assistant coach by new Grizzlies head coach Marc Iavaroni. Davis had previously served as an assistant coach with the Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Clippers, Portland Trail Blazers, New Jersey Nets, Orlando Magic, and Minnesota Timberwolves.
On January 22, 2009, Iavaroni was fired by Memphis GM Chris Wallace, and Davis was named interim head coach of the Grizzlies. On January 25, Lionel Hollins — Davis’ teammate on the 1977 Portland team — was named Memphis’ head coach, with Davis going back to his old job as an assistant coach.
https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Johnny_Davis_%28basketball%29
Davis NBA Head Coaching Record 73-146 and Memphis Comment
http://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/davisjo01c.html
Davis was the lead assistant at Memphis and was entrusted with the offense.
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/may/28/grizzlies-may-lose-assistant/
how about jamal crawford?
could provide a scoring punch of the bench
by raptors_run_the_show on Jun 28, 2011 9:58 PM EDT reply actions
I Don't Know What To Make of This?
Amir and Bargnani coming off the bench?
Interview with Casey
SI.com: So you probably know about Basketball Value, the Web site that lists numbers for every five-man lineup. When you look at Toronto’s lineups, you see immediately that almost every one that played a lot struggled on defense. And when you dig deeper, you see that nearly every lineup that included Andrea Bargnani was awful defensively. This is my way of asking:
Can you build a good defensive team with Bargnani on the back line? Is it possible? How do you do it?
Casey: Well, he’s not going to be our starting center, really [because he’s more of a power forward].
He’s in a similar situation with Dirk Nowitzki at this point in his career. I’d have to check their numbers, but I’d venture to say at this point in his career, he’s probably somewhere in the same area where Dirk was, where both have had to live down the reputation of being soft. And by the way, Dirk has never been anywhere near soft. Don’t ever use that word with him.
SI.com: I won’t! Believe me!
Casey: Because he’s one of the toughest, hardest-working guys in the league. I don’t know Andrea. All I know is what I’ve read and seen. I am excited to get to know him. He’s going to get better defensively, and he’s a great offensive player.
But we have to work with him, coach him up and put him in the right situations so he is not exposed as much. I think Amir Johnson can be an above-average defender in the same position, and that we can put someone like Amir in a system so that Andrea is not exposed as much.
Look, our challenge is to find a five-man unit that is above-average defensively. Who that five will be, I just don’t know at this point. But when you win 22 games, you’ve got to change things. You can’t come back with the status quo.
complete article on link
http://nba-point-forward.si.com/2011/06/28/qa-with-new-raptors-coach-dwane-casey/
Casey said
1. Bargnani will not start at center
2. Amir can be an above average defender in the same position. Is Casey talking about at Center or at PF?
3. Put someone like Amir in the system to cut down on Bargnani’s exposure.
So the questions are
1. What position is Casey thinking of putting Amir at? Center?
2. Or is he saying that the Raptors will find a Center like Amir to play next to Bargnani in the starting lineup and Amir and Ed will come off the bench
Ed Davis is not like Amir. No mention made of Davis in the article.
What I care about is...
How much Dwayne Casey relies on Advanced Stats… Cause it seems like (as I’ve said before in some comments) that he does.
So if he does, I don’t think we have to worry much. What the lineup looks like at the beginning of the year and at the trade deadline will probably be completely different
Kinnon "Vicious D" Yee
Author - RaptorsHQ.com Twitter @RapHQVicious
by Raptors HQ - Vicious D on Jun 28, 2011 11:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Realy?
Anyone who “relies on Advanced Stats” would not say “…and he’s a great offensive player” in referance to Andrea Bargnani.
I read the article
and he talks about advanced stats… but if a player is making a big salary and either needs to be useful or tradeworthy, I imagine those stats hold less value
by Not so Friendly Stranger on Jun 29, 2011 12:16 AM EDT up reply actions
hate hate hate
Bargnani sucks
Walker McKenna
by Robert Archibald on Jun 29, 2011 8:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Instead of being childish...
… why don’t you tell me how I’m wrong? Point me in the direction of the advanced stats that suggest that Bargnani is efficient or a “great offensive player”. You won’t because you can’t and you resort to acting like a four year old because you’re sad that you can’t dispute scientific/statistical facts. Pretty pathetic…
show me where I disagreed.
I hope Bargs does well (as he is our starting center),but I see all the short comings that you rant about everyday. I just hate reading the same boring pile, served everyday with my Raptors read. I am sorry for my childish reaction, but the constance of your message has worn me thin. We get it, you hate him. Stop attacking everyone that doesn’t. Stop attacking people that don’t hate him enough. Talk about childish, your like a kid that hates his Christmas present. All the adults in the room understand you don’t like your new sweater, we just wish you parents would make you shut up about it.
Walker McKenna
by Robert Archibald on Jun 29, 2011 9:28 PM EDT up reply actions
lol
Just saying that we’ll have a coach that will dump out the best lineup. And that also means, hopefully, no more 2-point guard bull. That was fine when it was Alvin Williams and Chris Childs. Not so much when it’s the current PGs.
Kinnon "Vicious D" Yee
Author - RaptorsHQ.com Twitter @RapHQVicious
by Raptors HQ - Vicious D on Jun 29, 2011 10:39 PM EDT up reply actions
To answer your question, I believe he is intimating that Barney will be the starting PF and Amir will be the starting center (at least as the team is set up now). I think BC is now trying to go the “Barney is actually a PF route” even though we all know what a crock that is.
Yeah, I know that’s what he’s saying now.
Just also saying that if he looks at advanced stats like we all do, I think we’ll be fine. Remember that Dallas had no qualms about dumping JJ Barrea into the starting lineup in a deciding game of the NBA Finals. Going by that track record, I don’t think we have a lot to worry about.
Kinnon "Vicious D" Yee
Author - RaptorsHQ.com Twitter @RapHQVicious
by Raptors HQ - Vicious D on Jun 29, 2011 10:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Casey and Andrea
If people believe so strongly in the flaws of Andrea, as I do, Casey will see those flaws very quickly. He will try to address them and if Andrea does not correct them, he won’t be able to live with him as a starter for too long.
Don’t be so upset he said Andrea was a great player offensively, what else is he going to say at this point? It’s his “Fran ugh, cough, ugh, chise player” on a team that lacks talent. He just said he needs to work on his D, what else was he going to say, our leading scorer sucks on offensive efficiency too. How would he look then to the general media?
Maybe Andrea could move to Russia for the Summer, watch Rocky a thousand times and put on 15 lbs of muscle, and 100% of hustle and come back and shock us all….oh no, wait, last time he commented on it he was working on his jumper and his long two. Oh well.
Amir cannot play centre btw. Ed Davis has a better chance if he puts on the 25 lbs his dad has promised. Of the three PFs we have, I like Ed’s upside the most. Amir has a lot of upside too. If Andrea could play D like KG, he’d be good too. hehe
Andrea needs to grow a beard..
Guys with beards always seems to hustle and show heart. Grow the beard Andrea, grow the damn beard!
by Earl Sinclair on Jun 29, 2011 7:16 AM EDT up reply actions
I Wouldn't Say Can't Play Center
It all depends on:
1. How much more muscle he can add
2. What kind of defensive scheme Casey puts in
I have reservations about it but with Amir I have learned never to say never when it comes to what he can do on a basketball court if requested to and with the proper coaching.
He’s effectively been playing C for over a year now, playing beside Bargnani. So if he can bulk up, I think both he and Davis have what it takes to do well at the 5 spot. Between them and Val, we could have a very versatile big man rotation for the next few years in terms of flexibility of coverage.
by dhackett1565 on Jun 29, 2011 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions
“…he’s effectively been playing C for over a year now” and not entirely coincidentally the Raptors have been the worst defensive team for over a year now. Amir is a PF, Davis is a PF and Bargnani is a doughnut hole. The Raps need a starting quality C to match with Amir, Ed and Val going forward if they wish to have a chance at being competitive down the road.
You yourself said that he has been playing both C and PF on defense, so I don’t think its fair to say that with a little more weight he couldn’t hold his own at C. Mind you, I think Ed and Amir are better suited for PF, but can both be effective (in the long term) at C (Ed more so than Amir, admittedly).
by dhackett1565 on Jun 29, 2011 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions
They’ve been playing out of position simply to hide Bargnani’s terrible play and protect him from having to excert any effort on the defensive end, at the direction of the empty suit, yes man coach Triangelo. They have been the worst defensive team in the league for two years straight. While I like Ed and Amir and think they are a dynamic duo at the PF position, I don’t think either has the size to play the C position in a day to day starting role. Could they be a stop gap solution for a few games in the case injury? Sure.
They’ve been playing out of position simply to hide Bargnani’s terrible play and protect him from having to excert any effort on the defensive end, at the direction of the empty suit, yes man coach Triangelo. They have been the worst defensive team in the league for two years straight.
I agree with these statements – but don’t agree that this has any impact on Ed or Amir’s chances of playing C.
I don’t think either has the size to play the C position in a day to day starting role.
Here’s where I disagree with you. I think Amir could put on enough weight to play back-up C and PF, as the third big for the team, or possibly starting at PF and backing up C. I also think Ed can put on even more weight, allowing him to potentially get big enough to play at C. His playing style already fits nicely, just has to bulk up.
by dhackett1565 on Jun 29, 2011 3:50 PM EDT up reply actions
Um, I agree with MAS
As much as I want Bargnani to find his game again, I don’t want to do it at the expense of either Amir or Davis. I want those two playing PF here for a while, who cares who starts (I prefer Ed’s ceiling). I don’t want to weigh in too much on this talk of Bargs as PF, because I just can’t see it happening. We can’t tell Amir to put on 30lbs and play a different position, just so we can experiment with Bargs. Casey has to have balls, he plays Bargs at C. Right now he’ll do it for the same reason Triano gave Bargs heavy minutes – we have no other C’s. We’ll see if BC is able to add something to fill in until big Jonas is here. End of the day, Bargnani is our crappy C-I hope he can turn it around, but we don’t have anyone better. Davis and Johnson are solid at PF, why mess that up by forcing two overachievers to sit behind the team’s biggest underachiever.
Walker McKenna
by Robert Archibald on Jun 29, 2011 5:43 PM EDT up reply actions
I don’t know how useful it is to stick strictly to the PF and C nomenclature for this discussion. The best description of what Casey will probably try with Andrea and Amir would be to call Andrea the “post player defender” and Amir the “post help defender”. Rather clumsy terminology, I admit, but the idea would be for Andrea to guard the opposition’s man in the post (hopefully boxing him out in the event of a rebound), while Amir would help on plays when opponents drive to the basket and would be the main rebounder. Personally, I am skeptical about this plan, but I guess it is better than some alternatives. In this scenario, Amir is not necessarily going to be asked to put on a bunch of weight and guard huge centres. Amir (or Ed) will merely be asked to assume certain defensive responsibilities(basically guarding the basket) that are traditionally handled by the centre.
Casey Hypes Amir In SI Interview - NBA.com and CBS Sports Go With It
The Amir – Chandler comparisons – LOL
=====
Casey’s Greatest Challenge Awaits – with Video of Bargnani
June 29, 2011 · 9:36AM
HANG TIME HEADQUARTERS – Watching Dwane Casey work his defensive magic with the Dallas Mavericks from the start all the way until their championship finish during the playoffs provided us with a renewed appreciation for importance of having assistant coaches that are basically coordinators.
As Rick Carlisle‘s defensive coordinator, Casey helped transform a team that was considered anything but defensive-minded into a cohesive unit capable of dealing with anything thrown their way — they did run through the Blazers, Lakers, Thunder and Heat on their way to the crown. There were obviously some good tools to work with, namely Tyson Chandler. The Mavericks finally found the right defensive anchor to help them mask some of their glaring deficiencies. Having Chandler watch Finals MVP Dirk Nowitzki‘s back on defense was a definite masterstroke.
But Casey, now the coach in Toronto, will have to work some serious magic to do the same things for the Raptors, a notoriously bad defensive team whose best offensive player, Andrea Bargnani, is the runaway winner of the worst defensive player tag on the team.
Coming up with a scheme that fortifies the Raptors’ defensive prowess must be built on the premise of keeping teams from exploiting Bargnani on that end of the floor. And that’s exactly what Casey, blueprints from Dallas under his arm, has in mind. He made that clear in this interesting Q&A with Zach Lowe of The Point Forward on SI.com:
Casey: Because he’s one of the toughest, hardest-working guys in the league. I don’t know Andrea. All I know is what I’ve read and seen. I am excited to get to know him. He’s going to get better defensively, and he’s a great offensive player. But we have to work with him, coach him up and put him in the right situations so he is not exposed as much. I think Amir Johnson can be an above-average defender in the same position, and that we can put someone like Amir in a system so that Andrea is not exposed as much.
Look, our challenge is to find a five-man unit that is above-average defensively. Who that five will be, I just don’t know at this point. But when you win 22 games, you’ve got to change things. You can’t come back with the status quo.
In addition to Johnson, the Raptors also have a potentially high-impact young defender in Ed Davis to work with. Casey clearly has a plan, though. And that has to make Raptors fans, who are tired of watching their team get trampled defensively, feel a little better about the future.
Casey comparing Bargnani to Dirk will probably raise a few eyebrows, but it shouldn’t when you factor in the context in which the comparison was made. In fact, there probably isn’t a better frame of reference, or role model, for Bargnani at this stage of his career.
Now if Casey can just identify his Chandler-clone …
complete article here
CBS Sports
Dwane Casey says the Raptors will defend
Posted on: June 28, 2011 3:17 pm
Edited on: June 28, 2011 3:38 pm
Posted by Royce Young
Picturing the Toronto Raptors as a team that’s going to stop people is hard. Kind of like picturing the Toronto Raptors as a good team, I guess.
But new coach Dwane Casey is committed to the defensive end. And he should be. He just saw how that kind of philosophy worked in Dallas leading to a championship.
In an interview with SI.com’s The Point Forward, Casey preached a defensive approach, along with a solid use of advanced metrics.
Amir Johnson could be Tyson Chandler-ish,
complete article here
I still have my doubts about Amir being able to play Center effectively in the NBA unless he finds a way to add some more muscle and keep it on during the season.
Patric Young USA U19 - Says JV Is Really Good and "A Really Good Guy"
FIBA: You had a really tough battle going on against Valanciunas. Could you talk about that a little bit?
Young: He’s a really good both offensive and defensive rebounder, so I had to really be physical with him. He’s a really good guy. We were talking a little bit on the court as well and he told me that out here you have to be really physical, because there’s no over-the-back calls. I had to do what I had to do, hold my own ground. He still had 23 points, but I did my best out there.
I Was Just Thinking About the 2012 Summer Olympics in London
I would expect JV to make the Lituanian team and hopefully LTV will face the USA.
I'm catching the last 3 days of this:
http://www.londonpreparesseries.com/
I so wish Lithuania was invited, could have seen JV on my door step!
Hey, Ajinca would be worth every penny ;)
Adam Francis - Publisher - RaptorsHQ.com
by Adam Francis on Jun 29, 2011 5:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Keep an eye out for these Raptors alumni
http://www.londonpreparesseries.com/basketball/whos-competing/index.html
Australia
- David Anderson, Nathan Jawai
China
- Mengke Bateer
Croatia
- Zan Tabak, Roko Ukic
France
- Alexis Ajinca, Jerome Moiso
Great Britain
- Pops Mensah-Bonsu
Serbia
- Peja Stojakovic, Aleksander Radojevic
Yes, we are the Ash Ketchum of the NBA.
Holy cow – that is an awesome list ha ha.
Adam Francis - Publisher - RaptorsHQ.com
by Adam Francis on Jun 30, 2011 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions
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