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No particular order except this is first: Lowry has elevated his play over what we saw last year. A bit of a let down was feared, many expected him to continue at last years level, but few predicted he would actually elevate his game the way he has. Obviously he has had to with DeRozan down with injury, but does anyone expect him to relax when DeMar comes back?
The defensive play of DeMar DeRozan. I didn't notice it earlier in the season, maybe because it wasn't there. But it is almost as if someone reminded DD that that was supposed to be one of the things he worked on over the off-season, and a switch was turned. I thought the 3-4 games before he went down he was playing pretty good D...Of course, I am going from memory here, so maybe it was just my imagination. Another surprise with DD is that Casey has made a point of including him in the coaches meetings and strategy sessions apparently. Wouldn't have expected that to happen, but it can only have a net positive effect because I would expect DD to think about the coaches talking about lapses or weaknesses in game play of individual players and then turn that around with some self-examination.
The defensive play of Patterson. Patrick has improved on defense. Not just man to man, but help defense as well. One play stands out for me from last night. He played excellent help out at the three point line on one play and then, when the shot was taken and missed, he was the guy who corralled the rebound 3 feet from the basket, boxing out an Orlando player.
The defensive play of Williams. We knew he was a shooter coming into the season, but he get steals, takes charges, plays very good one on one D and is pretty good at getting around screens. In the last three weeks he has stepped up his rebounding as well.
James Johnson is not THAT James Johnson. We heard the pronouncements about improved maturity and staying in role etc. but I bet most people have been waiting for him to revert to the JJ of old. Hasn't happened. In addition he is a willing passer. His assist numbers would be higher, but he often seems to get the hockey assist or to pass to GV during one of Grevis' slumps.
Casey bringing out Fields and using him appropriately. Never would have expected this. It's like watching a leopard turn into a zebra, in terms of spot changing. Who would have guessed Casey would even think of it let alone do it. Fields is a joy for me to watch when he is on the floor. He has been a talented player wasted for much of the last 8 months. Glad to see that he is still goring hard despite the difficulties and I can only imagine how happy he is to be given a chance to contribute during meaningful minutes.
It's not all joy and laughter though.
I am surprised and disappointed that Amir hasn't improved over the summer, after deciding to not get surgery and simply use physio/exercise on his ankles. I don't know that surgery would have helped, and he sought expert medical opinion, but I think we were all hoping he would come back able to play uninjured, and at 100% this season. Clearly not happening.
Terence doesn't seem to have improved his D very much, if at all. He plays pretty good face up one on one, but still isn't very good at avoiding or slipping screens. He should watch Landry Fields videos and learn. He also seems to forget about or lose his defensive assignments too much...not because of helping, but because he is watching the play and doesn't notice his guy cutting under him on the baseline for an easy basket. He also isn't getting any free throws. How can that be possible? Does every defender run away when he takes it to the basket, or is it because he only takes it there when he has an unobstructed path. After all the talk about added muscle and strength, I expected more.
Jonas still brings the ball down to low and hesitates too long before making his move. He is also not taking the short jumpers when they are offered. He should be shooting more from 10-12 feet out and should never bring the ball down below his shoulders because he gets stripped so easily. I would have thought these issues would be corrected, at least somewhat, over the off season. Hasn't happened...in fact they have gotten worse as teams study tape of his game. His primary response has been to whine more and pout as if he is a star not getting the royal treatment from the refs.
Vasquez has not responded well to Lou Williams eating into his minutes. He seems desperate to get his shot off as soon as he brings the ball anywhere near the 3 pt line. Of course, this is made far worse by his poor shooting and bad defense that may be caused by him not focusing on his man and instead thinking about his next 3 pt attempt in transition.
What about you guys? What were your biggest surprises?
The defensive play of DeMar DeRozan. I didn't notice it earlier in the season, maybe because it wasn't there. But it is almost as if someone reminded DD that that was supposed to be one of the things he worked on over the off-season, and a switch was turned. I thought the 3-4 games before he went down he was playing pretty good D...Of course, I am going from memory here, so maybe it was just my imagination. Another surprise with DD is that Casey has made a point of including him in the coaches meetings and strategy sessions apparently. Wouldn't have expected that to happen, but it can only have a net positive effect because I would expect DD to think about the coaches talking about lapses or weaknesses in game play of individual players and then turn that around with some self-examination.
The defensive play of Patterson. Patrick has improved on defense. Not just man to man, but help defense as well. One play stands out for me from last night. He played excellent help out at the three point line on one play and then, when the shot was taken and missed, he was the guy who corralled the rebound 3 feet from the basket, boxing out an Orlando player.
The defensive play of Williams. We knew he was a shooter coming into the season, but he get steals, takes charges, plays very good one on one D and is pretty good at getting around screens. In the last three weeks he has stepped up his rebounding as well.
James Johnson is not THAT James Johnson. We heard the pronouncements about improved maturity and staying in role etc. but I bet most people have been waiting for him to revert to the JJ of old. Hasn't happened. In addition he is a willing passer. His assist numbers would be higher, but he often seems to get the hockey assist or to pass to GV during one of Grevis' slumps.
Casey bringing out Fields and using him appropriately. Never would have expected this. It's like watching a leopard turn into a zebra, in terms of spot changing. Who would have guessed Casey would even think of it let alone do it. Fields is a joy for me to watch when he is on the floor. He has been a talented player wasted for much of the last 8 months. Glad to see that he is still goring hard despite the difficulties and I can only imagine how happy he is to be given a chance to contribute during meaningful minutes.
It's not all joy and laughter though.
I am surprised and disappointed that Amir hasn't improved over the summer, after deciding to not get surgery and simply use physio/exercise on his ankles. I don't know that surgery would have helped, and he sought expert medical opinion, but I think we were all hoping he would come back able to play uninjured, and at 100% this season. Clearly not happening.
Terence doesn't seem to have improved his D very much, if at all. He plays pretty good face up one on one, but still isn't very good at avoiding or slipping screens. He should watch Landry Fields videos and learn. He also seems to forget about or lose his defensive assignments too much...not because of helping, but because he is watching the play and doesn't notice his guy cutting under him on the baseline for an easy basket. He also isn't getting any free throws. How can that be possible? Does every defender run away when he takes it to the basket, or is it because he only takes it there when he has an unobstructed path. After all the talk about added muscle and strength, I expected more.
Jonas still brings the ball down to low and hesitates too long before making his move. He is also not taking the short jumpers when they are offered. He should be shooting more from 10-12 feet out and should never bring the ball down below his shoulders because he gets stripped so easily. I would have thought these issues would be corrected, at least somewhat, over the off season. Hasn't happened...in fact they have gotten worse as teams study tape of his game. His primary response has been to whine more and pout as if he is a star not getting the royal treatment from the refs.
Vasquez has not responded well to Lou Williams eating into his minutes. He seems desperate to get his shot off as soon as he brings the ball anywhere near the 3 pt line. Of course, this is made far worse by his poor shooting and bad defense that may be caused by him not focusing on his man and instead thinking about his next 3 pt attempt in transition.
What about you guys? What were your biggest surprises?
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