Tip-In: "Ugly" - Celts End Losing Streak, Extend Raptors’ in a Laugher

Demar Derozan
I have always thought that assist:turnover ratio is a strong indicator of basketball IQ. While assists or turnovers alone can be misleading because it is effected by how the offence is run and scoring opportunities, assist:turnver ratio is related to a players ability to read the defence and find open teammates, while taking care of the ball. For example, Deron Williams leads the NBA in turnovers, however he has the ball in his hands all the time, so his turnvoers should be higher. This is also reflected in his assists where he is near the to in the NBA and he is in the top 50 in NBA a:to ratio. Right now Demar has a 0.56:1 ratio, or almost 2 turnovers for every assist, and only has 2 assists in his last 6 games, and is shooting 40% for the season. While he may have improved his talent, his IQ is not at a level that is allowing him to use his skills, and he is forcing his game. I still think he can be good but right now he is just a step behind everyone.

Talent
or lack there of, while we were all enjoying the early ride, this is what the season is going to be. We simply do not have enough talent to compete for a playoff spot this year; Amir, Andrea and Jose have been good this year and we are still losing; the injuries have been crippling to a thin team but even healthy this was what we projected the season to be.

Last year we scored over 100 ppg and we were awful, this year we are top 10 in ppg allowed and we are still losing. At some point it becomes not about the coaching but that the fact that when NBA games tighten up, talent takes over and we do not have enough.

Casey

hopefully get some practice time in. Especially on offense. While the real story to this game was that again, the Raptors simply didn’t have near the talent of their opponent to make a game of it, you have to ask some serious questions about coach Dwane Casey’s offensive sets. Yes, there hasn’t been much time at all to ingrain said sets into the team’s offensive thinking, but game after game of perimeter jump shots must have some fans wondering if Bryan Colangelo essentially hired Jay Triano’s opposite.

That was from last nights rapid recap, and while their is truth in the Raptors reliance on jumpshots this year, how can Casey be responsible when the team is lacking talent? We have all complained about Butler, all watch Johnson shoot (or try to shoot), seen Demar and Ed struggles, Bayless and Bargnani hurt. The only player who even remotely demands a double team is out, and its no wonder the team has faltered. The reason there is no democracy on offense is beacuse Bargnani is simply more talented than the rest of the team offensively.

So before we attack Casey with pitchforks and torches lets remember what he has to work with, and if we want a culture change there is going to be growing pains.

one name….CHAUNCEY!

I had no sense of angst or tension. Why? Because I knew they were going to lose. In past years, I never had that feeling; I’d get angry or frustrated, but there was always an emotion of some sort. Last night, and for most of this season? Nothing.

Alot of times that would translate to a sense of apathy and therefore a bad thing. But I don’t think this is the case here. I think this is more of a acceptance that things are moving in the right direction and this is an inevitable and necessary part of that process. I believe in the coach, I believe in his system, it’s just that the players aren’t good enough, simple as that. It’s not lack of effort, just talent. Part of the solution of that problem will come over from Lithuania next year, and the rest of the solution will have to come from the draft and/or free agency. We’re going to be bad this year, but we’ll be better next year and better the year after that. I can live with that.

With that said, there’s still some small picture things that could help the Raptors out moving forward…

Trade Barbosa now! His value isn’t going to get much higher, he won’t be back next year, and his ball-hoggedness is limiting the opportunities of other’s that need the reps. There are several teams that can use him so moving him shouldn’t be overly difficult. Don’t take anything long-term back for him, but move him…now.

After the Barbosa trade, I’d try a second-unit backcourt of Bayless and Forbes. I’ve been mildly impressed with Forbes as a PG, and that would be a quick pairing.

Release Rasual Butler! I’ve gone from defending his presence in the starting lineup to wanting him released, all in a week. He’s terrible. Any D-leaguer could give you the same production. Kleiza is back so his minutes will drop anyway, but I’d rather have the open roster spot than watch him clank three’s.

Finally, yesterday’s terrible game allowed me to watch some NCAA ball. Having now seen Andre Drummond, I’d be nervous about using a top pick on him. He’s a great athlete for a 7-footer, but man, his offensive game is atrocious! He won’t do it, but he needs another year of school to work on him post game. I also got to see Myck Kabongo for the first time in a while, and I actually hope he declares. He’s could use another year as well, but I have zero confidence in Rick Barnes’ ability to coach and run any sort of coherent offense. Myck is clearly their best player, but I have to watch J’Covan Brown toss up 28 shots to score 22 points? Ridiculous!

what about am offert sheet for Brook Lopez (for the backup C position)?

I’ve seen quite a few posts on here that talk about how Barney has improved this year on D, or at least seems to be trying a lot more.

Pretty much all of those posts credit Casey for his turn around.

However, if you go back to the end of last season, when BC had his end of season press conference, didn’t he call AB out (and didn’t AB say something in an Italian paper about it)?

I think this (plus Casey) is a big reason for the difference in Barney this year.

is the best combination of a pure PG who can score when/if necessary and that’s why I like him more than Myck. Teague is all about running the team first and passing first but can quietly put 10 – 14pts on the board without any fuss. Myck is a nice pure PG but he seems to struggle to score against good teams which scares me when I picture him in the NBA.

Teague also has a better NBA body and style IMO. Myck is still easily my 2nd favourite point guard this year tho.

Myck played well last night tho I have to say.

As much as I like MKG, I think Barnes is the better fit.