Comfort killed the Raptors on trip | Toronto Sun
“We build up strong leads and I think we’re just getting too lackadaisical, getting too comfortable, getting a lot of iso situations rather than keep moving the ball, sharing the ball, keep executing our offence,” Patterson said. “I think we rely too much on just one, two passes and go straight into an iso. And whenever the opposing team makes a run than I think people try to pick up the slack and put everything on their back. And it’s hit or miss, it’s 50/50, it either goes in or it doesn’t go in and when it’s not going in they come back and I think that’s what’s happened the last couple games.” Of the three consecutive losses to close out the trip, the middle one in New Orleans was clearly the worst. The Pellies were without their go-to guy in Anthony Davis and also without starting point guard Jrue Holiday and sharpshooter Ryan Anderson. The trio of Alexis Ajinca, Norris Cole and Luke Babbitt put a stake in the Raptors, probably the first time that trio has knocked off anyone. The iso situations Patterson speaks of are definitely there, but that’s not always the plan.
Raptors’ Terrence Ross at first real crossroads | Sportsnet.ca
Ross’s game has regressed so far over the past few weeks that the recent franchise building block not only became the leading name in trade rumours around last week’s deadline, but saw his trade value plummet to an all-time low. So where does that leave Ross in the franchise’s plans? Having this conversation after last season—when Ross’s efforts almost singlehandedly brought his team back in the final minute of game seven against the Brooklyn Nets—would have seemed insane. Even a scant few months ago, when this season was just getting started and Ross appeared to be picking up where he’d left off, it was idiotic to openly wonder if the third year swingman would have a role on this team going forward. But here we are. Ross is in a truly tough spot. At a pivotal time in his development, he’s now playing for a team that can’t afford to be patient and simply let that process play out. Which wasn’t the plan, of course. The Raptors’ rebuild and subsequent turnaround wasn’t supposed to be quite so abrupt. It wasn’t supposed to happen with one trade (and, more importantly, one non-trade). But the Raptors—last three games notwithstanding—are rightfully in win-now mode, and that’s not always a healthy environment for young players to improve.
Five thoughts on Rose, Raptors and more | TSN
Last two nights in New Orleans and Dallas had consistent issues that will need to be cleaned up to avoid frustrating collapses. Offensively, turnovers and shot selection are problems which have derailed them while defensively screen and roll coverages and controlling dribble penetration are paramount. The good news is that they’re all correctable errors. The concerning news is that these issues have popped up on and off during the season. Gotta get to the point where they are steady and consistent with these areas. If they get it fixed, they will be fine but it has to get better.
Raptors are good, but not great | SBNation.com
Here we find the crux of the issue. Not too long ago, the Raptors were an offensive juggernaut, overwhelming opponents by limiting turnovers, spacing the floor and drawing fouls. A large part of that stretch came without shooting guard DeMar DeRozan, who missed 18 games with a groin injury. However, with DeRozan back in the lineup since Jan. 5, the offense has lost its mojo. Since he returned, the team’s three-point percentage has dropped from 36 percent to 33 percent and the team’s overall shooting percentage has seen a similar decline. The return of DeRozan and his dribble-happy ways has also led to an increase in turnovers. Before the new year, the Raptors had the lowest turnover rate in the league, failing to get up a shot just 11.9 percent of the time. Since then, they’re No. 22 with a 15.5 percent rate, and in February that number jumps up to 15.9 percent. For a team that doesn’t have elite shooters or scorers, not wasting possessions was a big part of their success. These days, the team is turning the ball over like any other offense and it’s led to some unfortunate consequences.
Why The Raptors Need Their Own D-League Team | Raptors HQ
Let’s take a look at an example of a team that boasts its own D-League team. The San Antonio Spurs have been able to use the Austin Spurs (formerly the Austin Toros) to breed players since 2005. On a perennial contender like the Spurs, Canadian guard Cory Joseph was not going to get much run. Recognizing this fact, San Antonio sent him to Austin for two seasons to sharpen his skills. Over his D-League career, Joseph averaged 17.4 points and 5.4 assists and earned an all-star berth in the 2012-13 campaign. The 23-year-old is now on Greg Popovich’s roster and is averaging 13.6 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.4 assists per 36 minutes. He filled in admirably in the Spurs’ starting lineup when Tony Parker went down with an injury. Joseph has now cemented himself as a rotation player on one of the most heralded teams in the league. This example demonstrates the value of having your own D-League franchise at your disposal. Wolstat reports that Raptors executives had productive talks over the all-star break about obtaining an affiliate as soon as next season. While the location will not be in Canada, we could see a team somewhere in New York State. The close proximity would allow for a similar partnership to what the Toronto Blue Jays have with the triple-A Buffalo Bisons.
Toronto Raptors regression and the beautiful Atlanta Hawks: The Post-Up podcast | National Post
Join Eric Koreen, the National Post’s basketball writer, and Holly MacKenzie, who writes for Raptors.com and chronicles the NBA for various sites and publications, for The Post-Up — the National Post’s weekly(ish) basketball podcast. In our sixth episode, Koreen and MacKenzie discuss the Toronto Raptors’ offensive struggles, the importance of Lou Williams and Russell Westbrook’s incredible month.
The NBA’s Most Improved Players According to Advanced Statistics | numberFire
The NBA is just like anything in life –- things recycle, players get older, and new players replace them. Our favorite players growing up — like Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, Larry Bird — all eventually retire and make way for the new generations. I know some people get sad or nostalgic about that cycle, but I personally find it exciting. Who knows what’s out there –- until last year, we thought LeBron James will easily be the best player of our generation. Then comes Anthony Davis barging onto the scene. Who knows anymore what could happen? That’s the beauty of the NBA –- there’s always something different and something new. We constantly have players changing the “prototype” of what a player or position should be. Both Russell Westbrook and Stephen Curry are superduperduperstars, yet they play completely different brands of basketball. Is one way “correct”? No, of course not. There is always space in the NBA for all types of players.
Enes Kanter vs. Jonas Valanciunas | RealGM
Two center prospects taken in the same draft who both have similar capabilities as scorers, but JV is clearly significantly superior defensively and on the glass. Yet… Enes Kanter plays with Westbrook, Ibaka and Kevin Durant, yet somehow has averaged about 11 FGA per game since going to OKC. Valanciunas plays with DeRozan and Kyle Lowry… yet he averages 8 shots per game with the Raptors. Somebody please explain to me how the **** that’s acceptable. Casey needs to go.
Raptors Top Five: Best draft picks | TSN
In 1999, Toronto acquired a future first-round pick from Minnesota as part of the three-team trade that put an end to Chauncey Billups’ brief tenure as a Raptor. That pick, 21st in 2000, was and still is the lowest they have ever selected in the first round. It also turned into one of the franchise’s most important players. Coming off a national title at Michigan State, Peterson was already experienced beyond his years and made an immediate impact on a team that was trending upwards at the time of his arrival. The swingman played meaningful minutes (just over 23 a night) in 80 games as a rookie, starting more than half of them and contributing to the Raptors’ first and only playoff series victory that season. He still leads the franchise in games played.
2015 NBA Trade Value, Part 2: The Temple of Doom | Grantland
Turns 29 in March; bargain contract (four years, $48 million); elite defender; above-average creator and rebounder; slumping on 3s this season (32.1 percent); has a slightly higher game-to-game ceiling; the second-most intimidating on-the-court point guard after CP3; formerly moody/abrasive/brooding, now mostly cheery/supportive/intense; helping to carry the torch for the Tougher-Than-Tough Philly Basketball Legacy; beloved in T-Dot.
Checklist for Toronto Raptors During Season’s Home Stretch | Bleacher Report
There’s very little consistency. Playing that many games in such a short period of time is obviously a burden, but excuses only run so far. Their 37-20 record is second-best in the Eastern Conference and seventh in the NBA, yet no one talks about the team as a force to be reckoned with. It’s been a never-ending struggle for respect. As solid as they’ve been been for the majority of the year, they haven’t made the transition from good to great in the eyes of many. With 25 games remaining, the Raptors will need to focus on fixing some of their glaring issues if they want to get out of the first round of the NBA playoffs.
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