RaptorsHQ Rapid Recap - Boston Celtics 100 - Toronto Raptors 64

I actually found a couple of deals that would make sense for both teams and would work financially as well (for Jose)
Indiana has enough room under the cap we could trade him for absolutely nothing but a late 1st round pick (assuming they finish around the 20 mark draft wise). Just for pity’s sake we could take AJ Price back and rotate him with Forbes and Bayless.
Houston – We send them Derozan and Calderon for Courtney Lee, Johny Flynn and Jordan Hill. Lee and Hill could both be servicable going forward. Houston has a very nice backup PG for Lowry.
Milwaukee – Caderon for Udrih and Delfino plus their pick.

Something I’ve come to figure (and not really much of a revelation) is the typical North American player does not want to play here and so we’ll always get stuck with the dregs.

Obviously there are exceptions, but the same goes for Milwaukee, Minnesota, and pretty much any northern team outside of the Knicks, Celtics and Bulls – they struggle to attract talent. No one wants to head North – especially not the all the effing way up here.

And with salary rules, we can’t just go and overpay for someone to come up. So we’re pretty much effed. I have to assume it’s an NBA culture thing – but maybe I’m wrong.

too soon?

we asked for the long term solution and knew we would have to take our medicine……take it

Actually, McGrady was drafted first. Carter was just “better” first and McGrady didn’t get really good until after he left here (although he was very solid in his final year here).

Ed Davis is playinig 32mpg as a starter.

James Johnson is palying 27mpg as a starter, and that is low because of a few blow outs, alot of his games have been upwards of 33minutes.

Amir Johnson avgs over 7fouls per game, and is injured right now, how do you play him more? When he is hurt and in foul trouble.

I noticed you forgot Derozan who is playing over 33mpg, and I would consider him young.

Bayless maybe the exception, but I don’t think Casey can stand to watch him try to run an offence for more than 22mpg.

The fact is while they may not be getting more minute they are getting a good chunk of minutes with Bargnani out, are they producing? Well that is a different story but when you give guys close to 30mpg that is a chance. What have they shown with this chance? Everyone has been watching the games, which is why we are losing so badly and there is so much disappointment around our young guys.

The two players you mentioned previously, Carter and McGrady were both high draft picks, Carter 5th and McGrady 9th. Derozan is the highest pick of our young crop at 9.

The fact is these guys are getting a chance, they just aren’t producing. So if you are looking for someone to blame, don’t just pass the buck to the coaching staff for not playing them, they are. They are just playing poorly.

Hes still reeling from the Wesley Johnson bust.

last year’s draft class was supposed to be one of the worst in a decade, but was it better than the 2010 draft?

Wall vs Irving winner Irving
Turner vs Williams winner Turner
Favors vs Kanter winner Favors
Johnson vs Thompson winner Thompson
Cousins vs J. Val. winner (unknown)
Udoh vs Vesley draw (both looking like busts)
Monroe vs Biyombo winner Monroe
Aminu vs Knight winner Knight
Hayward vs Walker winner Walker (some may disagree but I think Hayward sucks)
George vs Jimmer winner George

+ some potential ‘late®’ picks in 2011 that are showing promise that you don’t get in 2010

2011 – Leonard, Vucevic, Shrumpet, Brooks, Isaiah Thomas

2010 – Fields, Ed

note: obviously all young and alot can change one way or another. Could also be that alot of teams are giving their rookies alot of (starter) minutes because they are in tank mode for the 2012 draft.

Anyone thinking something similar?

the problem is talent. Both talent in general and talent that fits Casey’s plan.

Any team can run a slow paced half court game and improve defensively. A slow pace usually means more time to set up your defense. Guys are in better position to defend, scores are lower, less fast break points and therefore less easy buckets.

However it means the same thing for the opposing team. So for a half court game to be effective, as a whole, the team need an efficient offense. Guys who can handle the ball, pass, and shoot. Players who can take others one on one when the shot clock runs down. It needs experienced players who can make good decisions and keeping turnovers low.

In a most basic sense basic basketball skill + mismatch opportunites + experience vs athleticism + youth + speed.

However, when we look at that and then look at the Raps roster which is half young guys based on potential that aren’t particularily skilled or mismatchs and another half experienced (old) players that have little to no use anymore. Its not suprising things aren’t working out for them.

The half court, slow pace has fit Bargnani brilliantly. It works for Jose. But the rest of the roster? They simply aren’t skilled or efficient enough to be used effectively in it. (Barbossa has his moments, but he’ll disappear as often as he’ll go off)

If the Raps are going to run with a half court game effectively (and not turn into a Charlotte Bobcats circa 2009-2011), they absolutely NEED better talent and diverse talent. Ofcourse the irony here is to get that talent they need to draft it, and ofcourse experience fits better than youth in a half court game. So we should fully a few more years of sucking balls.

If you can watch the Raps basketball…we have a job in the CIA for you.
YOU can withstand any torture!

do not know for sure the details…even if there are any options to anybody.
But he should be given an upgrade so the raps can keep as the backup they will certainly need next year and as a mentor to the new boy.
He will need this…they all do.