Toronto Raptors’ defence will need to adjust with James Johnson out with an injury | National Post
“His ankle is tender,” Casey said on Monday. “I don’t know how long he’s going to be out. It’s a pretty good sprain on his ankle.” Casey would not give a timetable, and the Raptors do not have to say anything definitive regarding his health before Tuesday afternoon, the day before they play host to Memphis. However, nobody with the Raptors sounded particularly optimistic about his status. Johnson was on crutches after the game on Saturday night. It will be interesting, then, to see how Casey responds. The next-man-up philosophy would have Landry Fields in line to absorb most of Johnson’s 19 minutes per game. Casey has used a five-man bench unit a lot, to the frustration of some fans. Nonetheless, the group of five reserves — Johnson, Greivis Vasquez, Lou Williams, Patrick Patterson and Tyler Hansbrough — has outscored opponents by an average of 26 points per 100 possessions in their 49 minutes together.
James Johnson out with severe ankle sprain | Toronto Sun
Johnson had been playing extremely well in his second tenure with the Raptors. He leads the team in blocks per game, ranks fourth in steals and assists and first among regulars in field goal percentage (57%). Casey said replacing Johnson would be “a gang effort” and indicated that DeMar DeRozan might spend more time at small forward, or little-used Landry Fields might see some minutes. “Someone’s got to take up that slot. Next man up: just because a man is down, the next guy behind him has got to be ready to play, to perform. Whoever that is. “Injuries are part of the NBA. That’s why you have 15 men to a roster.”
Lewenberg: Raptors’ Johnson could miss time with ankle injury | TSN
While the same size is still unquestionably limited, in the 194 minutes that Johnson has played this year, the Raptors are holding opponents to 89.6 points per 100 possessions, the best mark of anyone on the team. They’re allowing nearly 19 points more (108.3) per 100 possessions in the 286 minutes he’s spent on the bench. Of course, so much of that is a testament to his versatility – his ability to switch off on almost any player, defending nearly every position on the floor and co-existing in whichever unit he’s out there with. Offensively, he’s been a pleasant surprise. “James has been playing very under control, within himself is what I like to call it,” Casey said ahead of Saturday’s game. “He watches film diligently and studies the film. He’s not trying to do too much. He’s cut down on a lot of those mistakes and playing within himself has really, really given him an opportunity to score more and have the ball in his hands and build the trust with him teammates.”
NBA Starting FIvess Showing Unity This Season # 4. Toronto Raptors, Plus-16.4 | Bleacher Report
What makes this group click is they work together to find the best shot. Much of that has to do with the backcourt creating opportunities and then making the right decisions about when to shoot and when to pass.
Armstrong: Thoughts on Vasquez, Butler, Favors and more | TSN
This is a bit of an adjustment period for Vasquez, as he deals with slightly reduced minutes (21.5 to 18.5) and he’s struggled with his shooting (.340 FG% and .250 3P%) and he’s only averaging 2.5 assists per game. He seems to be pressing a bit when he’s out there, because opportunities are tight with the addition of Lou Williams and James Johnson in the perimeter rotation. I look at it all as a positive problem team-wise, yet something to keep an eye on to see if Vasquez will earn a bigger role (he and Kyle Lowry were quite effective together last season) as the season progresses. I love his energy, guts and swagger, but this means there’s lots of internal competition, which is good. Terrence Ross must be feeling it, too – if he’s inconsistent, I have no doubt that Dwane Casey, with greater options now, won’t hesitate to play a Vasquez, Williams or Johnson in his place, with which I agree. Again, this is a nice issue to have.
Toronto Raptors’ Greivis Vásquez joins MoPals’ board of directors | BetaKit
While Vásquez’s international connections will be a benefit to MoPals, the young guard indicated that his decision was partially motivated by his newfound Canadian connection. “I am committed to Toronto and to Canada,” he said. “I want to win championships and would love to stay here for as long as possible. I think Toronto is one of the greatest cities and Canada is one of the greatest countries in the world. And this is my way of supporting my new home!”
Raptors Power Ranking Poll Week 3: Quick Change | Raptors HQ
Let’s be honest, outside of that seesaw opener against the Atlanta Hawks and the crushing of the Beal-less Washington Wizards, the Raptors opponents have been, ahem, lacking. Sure, they beat up on Orlando twice (and once, just barely), annihilated Utah in a fourth quarter assault, muscled their way past both Boston and Oklahoma City, and took a break playing that team from Philly (was that a regulation NBA game?) But they lost to Miami – a team they haven’t beaten since pre-Lebron 2010 (a team that “featured” Jermaine O’Neal). And they lost to Chicago – a team that will definitely be standing in their way in the playoffs.
Why is Bruno not in the D-league? | /r/torontoraptors
I don’t get why he is riding the pine for the Raptors this season where he could get a lot of playing time and develop in the D-league.
Williams a spark off the bench for Raptors | Hope Standard
“He’s cool under pressure,” Casey said recently. “He can get his own shot most times without screens, without help. . . He did that in Philly. He really didn’t have a chance to do that in Atlanta because of injuries. We have all of the confidence in the world that at the end of the quarter when the clock is winding down, that he’s going to get a good shot.” Williams — listed generously at 6-1 and 175 pounds — learned how to make up for his slight stature from another undersized player: NBA legend Allen Iverson. Williams played with Iverson in Philadelphia where the Sixers drafted him in the second round, 45th overall, right out of high school.
