Where is here?

by Newmarket Brian on Jan 6, 2012 7:39 AM EST

As I mull the Raps' season so far, I'm also trying to figure how right, or how wrong, I was with my earlier thoughts. For example, I proposed the Raps declare Andrea their starting SF. That didn't happen; Butler or Johnson are in that spot. As Dr. Phil might say, "How's that workin' out for ya?" Rasual and James managed a crisp 1-14 shooting line against the Cavs - thanks for showing up guys! And to those who shrug and say we won anyway, I say that's true, but it was painful to watch the overworked Jose on the floor for nearly 37 minutes in a game we should have put away after 3 Quarters. Anthony (not-Vince) Carter should have been directing the second unit a lot more, but Dwane had to keep Jose and Andrea in to ensure the W. I'm sticking to my guns; Andrea should be the SF. We need him bombing away from outside against smaller defenders.

However, I'm not thrilled with Ed Davis so far, and calling for him to start at Centre may have been premature. He doesn't look comfortable at either end of the floor. And does he not know what a jump shot is? I'm dismayed by his limited offensive repertoire.

My hope that Solomon Alabi might be a pleasant surprise appears to be without merit, as he's been demoted.

I think I underrated Calderon. He's been superb, and is my Team MVP to this early point. Had I suspected he would be this strong, I would not have been quite as pessimistic about our chances of being respectable. Can he maintain his level of play without Bayless as his erratic but talented backup? We can only hope.

I predicted a record of 22-44. We're a Calderon turned-ankle-injury away from a 10 game losing streak, so I'm sticking with that call.

P.S. No more "Let's amnesty Andrea" talk - please.

P.P.S. Similarly, I've seen posts advocating the trading of Jonas V's rights for DeMarcus Cousins. Do we really want a head case like that guy? I say No.

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Jonas for Cousins?

Madness!!!

Also, it may only take a couple of seasons for JV to be the superior player. What’s the hurry?

by siggian on Jan 6, 2012 10:17 AM EST reply actions

Exactly!

We’ve waited this long.

by Newmarket Brian on Jan 6, 2012 10:45 AM EST up reply actions

Cousins for Jonas

More interesting than you guys are admitting. Demarcus is a beast and the most talented big man in the game for his age. Dwight is king, Bynum looks great, but Demarcus also has huge upside. Right now his size and age make him a better player than JV. He’s a double double machine on a weak team.

Even with all that I say keep JV. My reason is simple. He’s shown better character and would be more level headed than Demarcus. He also has all the upside potential or close to it that Demarcus does, just a couple years behind. If we are trying to build a new team culture, I would rather have a guy like JV here through good times and bad over 15 years than roll the dice with Demarcus.

We want a Tim Duncan type of player/person and JV seems like he could be that type of player for us. Team first, defence first minded player. That’s what we need and hope to get from JV, our starting centre. From Demarcus you get a lot, but I don’t think team first is what we would get. I think he would announce himself has our premium player when he arrived and it would not fit into our new culture.

We only want players who want to be here, that’s part of our new culture too.

Pound the rock

by defensive rap on Jan 6, 2012 2:17 PM EST reply actions

Right now Jonas is an unknown quantity

Though I think there is good reason to get excited about his potential in the NBA. I don’t think it would be wise to trade a player we haven’t seen at the NBA level, so I think the argument for trading him for Cousins is bunk. Surely, even the guys who want this to happen, are intrigued to see Jonas play in the NBA first before advocating to ship him out.

I’m not immediately against making a move for Cousins (although I think the firing in Sactown shows he is staying), but I would rather we traded with players who we have seen in the NBA and whose skills and upside we have a better grip on.

Formerly known as timboslice85

by Rebrand_the_Raps on Jan 6, 2012 5:07 PM EST reply actions

I Like Andrea Where He Is...

He is being a lot more aggressive and starting come in the paint more. While rebounding is a problem, he is causing match up issues for the opposition. For example, his classic pump fake works great on the big men because they once they fall for it, their recovery is difficult. However, if I imagine an average SF, I would believe that their defense would be a lot better on Andrea because they are more nimble.

I do agree though that Butler and JJ aren’t getting it done on the SF position. Maybe once Kleiza comes back (he’s rumored to return soon), he can provide a better impact on the SF position.

Also, Andrea needs to assimilate to the PF position for the future. If the Raptors were to put Andrea as a SF, he would shift to a PF next season. I’m basing this reasoning on the fact we are looking for a SF in the lottery.

Bargs on the SF could benefit us in the short term. Though, I want to think long term with the Raptors and put Andrea on the PF position.

by keepit4real on Jan 6, 2012 11:18 PM EST reply actions