Raptors 2014-2015 season

[Antithesis]

Is their game rounding back into form? They really took over in the final three quarters.

[Hockey Fan #751]

Nothing like a 20-0 run to help you get back into the game.

[octothorp]

I think Tim Chisholm had a really good point the other day on a blog I read: while the Raptors offense is a decent screen and pass scheme, Casey allows his ball-handlers to turn it into an iso any time they feel they have the advantage. Which was good as a change-of-pace option, but over the last month, the ball-handlers, whether Lowry, Vasquez, or Williams, have called those audibles disproportionately more. The last couple games since Casey went off on the team (I think after the Pelicans game), they've gone back to running the playbook a little more consistently, and have looked far better doing so.

A few writers are pegging Valanciunas as a potential all-star reserve this year. I hadn't really thought about it, but both Chad Ford and Jeff Van Gundy have listed him as a potential reserve.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Last couple games they've looked great for the first 3 quarters. Need to close tonight with an easy win, would be a big road win. No OT like last night.

[Antithesis]

10 point game now, with 7:50 left. Wouldn't have thought this would turn into a 'just hold on' kind of game.

[Antithesis]

Oops, make that a 5 point game.

[Senator Clay Davis]

They deserve to lose with this non-stop iso ball. Horrible offense right now.

[Antithesis]

Embarrassing play in this quarter. Barf.

[octothorp]

Four games in 5 nights all in different cities, back-to-back OT games, I'll take that win, despite the blown lead. I thought they had a very impressive third quarter where they pushed back every time Washington looked like they were going to pull close; they did a good job of getting into the paint and kicking it out. But then in the fourth all of that fell apart. Need to get these next two games against Milwaukee (who's destroying Portland right now) and Brooklyn, before the schedule turns tough.

[octothorp]

Last night's game was awful, one of the most frustrating I've watched this season, and Casey's decisions down the stretch were deplorable. Ride the overperforming bench too long, then put Lowry in cold with less than two minutes remaining in a small-ball lineup that's hardly ever played together this year, against a team who's main weakness all night was on the interior. As much as I think that Casey should ultimately be judged on the team's playoff performance this year, I'm really doubting his decisions lately. He should have switched in the starters as soon as the score got close, and let them grind out the victory inside, rather than hoping a bunch of cold shooters manufacture enough offense to put them over the top.

[killer_carlson]

At the start of the year I said that I am not convinced Casey knows how to coach interior players. I remain unconvinced.

His entire offensive scheme is about letting perimeter players jack up long 2s down the stretch.

[St. Pats]

The telling stat is that they are basically only beating bottom dwellers. Approx. 23 of their wins against those teams. Under .500 against teams with winning records. The types of teams they will meet in the playoffs. They have an offense that isn't setup to perform will in those playoffs. They rely way too heavily on the outside shot.

They don't really possess any weapons on the interior either. JV is alright and they get some from DD but they lack a real interior presence.

So they continue along racking up wins against inferior teams and losing to the good teams. They don't have the right personnel.

[octothorp]

Originally Posted by St. Pats

The telling stat is that they are basically only beating bottom dwellers. Approx. 23 of their wins against those teams. Under .500 against teams with winning records. The types of teams they will meet in the playoffs. They have an offense that isn't setup to perform will in those playoffs. They rely way too heavily on the outside shot.

They don't really possess any weapons on the interior either. JV is alright and they get some from DD but they lack a real interior presence.

So they continue along racking up wins against inferior teams and losing to the good teams. They don't have the right personnel.

I compiled this a couple days ago (before the Milwaukee loss), but for comparison, here's how some other teams are doing against +.500 teams:

Memphis is 13-10.
Chicago is 13-10.
San Antonio is 13-12.
Clippers are 11-12.
Toronto is 10-11.
Cleveland is 11-12.
Phoenix is 11-12.
Washington is 10-12.
Houston is 10-12.
Dallas is 11-13.
Portland is 10-13.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Brooklyn is such a terrible matchup for Toronto. Could be one and done again if they matchup in the playoffs. Now with Cleveland starting to put it together the Raps could end up with the 4 or 5 seed.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Wild turnaround in this game against the Clips, from down 19-4 and 31-13, now up 76-65.

[octothorp]

I can't believe that Casey still hasn't given a Lowry/DeRozan/James Johnson/Patterson/Valanciunas lineup a chance yet. It makes so much sense: Lowry and DeRozan primary scoring and playmaking, J.J. for all-round defense, Patterson for floor-spacing, and JV for posting-up, rebounding, interior defense. I think that's the single best hypothetical unit that the Raptors could put out with players that compliment each other extremely well. I've read lots of other Raptors fans suggest the same thing, and I can't recall that unit playing together all season in the games I've watched... from what I can tell from 82games.com, if they have played together it's been for less than 7 minutes total.

Edit: and the Lowry/Williams/J.J./Patterson/Valanciunas unit did really well when DeRozan was out, the best of any unit that contained James Johnson. Playing that unit again but with DeRozan in place of Williams, again, just makes so much sense.

[puffnstuff]

Win against SA nice to see

[octothorp]

Originally Posted by octothorp

I can't believe that Casey still hasn't given a Lowry/DeRozan/James Johnson/Patterson/Valanciunas lineup a chance yet. It makes so much sense: Lowry and DeRozan primary scoring and playmaking, J.J. for all-round defense, Patterson for floor-spacing, and JV for posting-up, rebounding, interior defense. I think that's the single best hypothetical unit that the Raptors could put out with players that compliment each other extremely well. I've read lots of other Raptors fans suggest the same thing, and I can't recall that unit playing together all season in the games I've watched... from what I can tell from 82games.com, if they have played together it's been for less than 7 minutes total.

Did y'all see this unit get some burn against SA? They looked great together, outscoring the Spurs starters 14-7 during their time on the court.

[St. Pats]

Originally Posted by octothorp

Did y'all see this unit get some burn against SA? They looked great together, outscoring the Spurs starters 14-7 during their time on the court.

One of the reasons I've been wanting MU to make a trade all season is the lack of toughness/defense on the starting unit. Patterson spreads the floor but never goes to the basket. JV's offensive game is limited but efficient. DD goes to the hoop but plays very mediocre defense. Lowry is a great player though he gambles to much on defense.

IF they have Ross out there it adds not much. He is streaky on his 3pt shot. His defense is up and down as well depending on the matchup. He never goes to the hoop other than alley oops on fast breaks. Could add a whole lot more but has the IQ of a piece of cement.

So yeah you bring in JJ. Gives you character and goes to the hoop. Plays good defense. Yes he can't shoot the 3 but if Lowry is hitting them they have at least two guys on the floor that can. I still wish they could add a 4 who would push Amir to the bench. Love Amir but would rather have a more dynamic player at that position.

[St. Pats]

Larry Sanders getting bought out by the Bucks. Guy is a stud on defense and would be a perfect fit for the Raptors. Yes he is a headcase but he just likes his weed. MU should be all over this guy.