Bargs' Blog

[Tim W.]

Yes, Bosh did average more because he was the 1st option, but he was also the first option because he was a much better player, in every aspect.

Read this in response to your assertions that Bargnani simply needs the chance to be the first option.

Needless to say, I disagree.

[Buddahfan]

Yes, Bosh did average more because he was the 1st option, but he was also the first option because he was a much better player, in every aspect.

Read this in response to your assertions that Bargnani simply needs the chance to be the first option.

Needless to say, I disagree.

If Bosh leaves he takes with him 16.5 field goal attempts per game and 8.5 free throws per game. That probably works out to about 20 actual field goal attempts per game give or take.

Whoever replaces him in the starting lineup unless it is someone like Dirk won't come close to taking 20 shots per game.

Will the Raptors slow their pace to account for Bosh being gone?

Probably not. In fact I would argue that without him they would probably play at a faster pace with the remainder of the squad that they had last season.

In any case those 20 field goal attempts that Bosh was taking have to go to some other Raptors player. Lets say that the Raptors would replace Bosh with a big who was more accomplished on the defensive side of the court. There is no way that that big would take 20 field goal attempts per game. Maybe 10 a game tops.

So that leaves 10 more of Bosh's field goal attempts to pass around among the other 4 starters. I find it hard to believe that Bargnani wouldn't get up to as many of 5 of those attempts even though as the #1 option he would now be double teamed more often. He averages 1.2 points per field goal attempt. So an extra five shots would lead to about 6 more points for him which would get him up to about 23 a game.

I think that number might be a bit high but I have very little doubt in my mind that if Bosh leaves and Bargnani becomes the #1 option on offense that he will score 20 plus a game.

[Tim W.]

You have to actually, you know, rebound the ball or play defense to play at a fast pace. And considering they were one of the highest scoring teams last year, it's doubtful they will play at a faster pace.

And, yes, Bargnani could very well take a lot more shots next year, but considering the fact that he simply isn't a very efficient scorer, maybe he shouldn't. And the big problem with Bargnani taking more field goals is that he doesn't create his own shot, so someone is going to have to create his shot for him. Without a player on the team who will generate a double team, how is Bargnani going to get open looks?

[Multipaul]

I think it's a losing argument with Tim W here, he has a serious hate-on for Bargs and a suspicious love-on for CB4. I guess everyone is entitled to their own opinions. We may need to revisit this post next year when CB4 walks and Bargs and Bynum are playing together....

[Marz]

I'm not sure why you think Bargs can't create his own shot. Just because a lot of his field goals are assisted? Bargs has the ability to blow by several of his defenders in this league. Whether that changes with Bosh gone is an unknown, but Bargs can create his own offense against most opposing centres. And he's also relatively decent in his short stints in the post - perhaps with Bosh gone he can have more post opportunities.

[insight_tor]

He's a little too rich to need to shop at Ikea.

Why? He needs to build custom bed

[insight_tor]

... And the big problem with Bargnani taking more field goals is that he doesn't create his own shot, so someone is going to have to create his shot for him. Without a player on the team who will generate a double team, how is Bargnani going to get open looks?

Actually, Andrea drove to the basket more than previous years. If he became the first option on our team, he may be forced to drive even more. It looks like you hate so much Andrea, that you are trying to find negative aspects were it doesn't exist or at least not at the level you describe.

[Tim W.]

I'm not sure why you think Bargs can't create his own shot. Just because a lot of his field goals are assisted? Bargs has the ability to blow by several of his defenders in this league. Whether that changes with Bosh gone is an unknown, but Bargs can create his own offense against most opposing centres. And he's also relatively decent in his short stints in the post - perhaps with Bosh gone he can have more post opportunities.

Bargnani has basically one move on the perimeter. A pump-fake and drive right. If the defender doesn't fall for it, then he's got nothing. His post skills are pretty rudimentary so inside or outside, he needs to rely on others to create his shot for him. Quite frankly, I can't believe that I have to explain this. This isn't a big secret.

[Tim W.]

Actually, Andrea drove to the basket more than previous years. If he became the first option on our team, he may be forced to drive even more. It looks like you hate so much Andrea, that you are trying to find negative aspects were it doesn't exist or at least not at the level you describe.

Yes, he drove more in previous years, but not that much more. And I don't hate-on Bargnani for no reason. I'm not searching for reasons to hate him or negative aspects of his game. I felt exactly the same way about Villanueva when he was with the Raptors. I saw people vastly overrating his talents, and I called them on it. If there were overwhelming reasons why I should overlook Bargnani's faults, then I would. I'm a constant defender (no pun intended) of Calderon because he IS so valuable to the team. That's not to say I wouldn't like to see a better defender at the PG position, but Calderon is one of a handful of PGs in the league that actually make those around them better. And Calderon only has one glaring weakness. Bargnani has several. He's a below average rebounder and team defender, which are things that are incredibly difficult to hide at the center (or PF) position.

The fact of the matter is that if you replace Bargnani with even an average defender and rebounder, no matter what they score like, then the Raptors would be a better team. THAT's why I don't like Bargnani.