How I handle the Raptors losing streak right now | /r/torontoraptors
Raptors really miss John Salmons on the defensive end | Toronto Sun
Offensively this team is going to score. If it’s not Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan carrying the load in the starting five there’s always Williams and Greivis Vasquez in the second unit to pick up the scoring not to mention Patterson. But defensively this team is lacking. Casey had been preaching a need for more desire on that end, but more recently his pleas seem to be centred more on a desire for some defensive intellect on his team. At this stage the only answers have to come from within that 15-man roster. And a Salmons-like presence among that 15 does not exist.
What happened to Kyle Lowry? | RealGM
I really don’t understand what happened to this guy. It’s almost like he achieved his goal with the all-star team selection, and he decided to take the rest of the season off. Not only is he being extremely timid on offence, but he is also playing terrible D. wth happened to him?
How Much Will Terrence Ross Get Paid? | RealGM
Whether it’s by Toronto or somebody else, what kind of deal do you see him getting? Keep in mind the cap is changing.
Toronto has shot less accurately, turned the ball over more frequently, and allowed more second-chance and fast-break points in the first quarter than any other frame during its slide. The biggest drop-off has been on the offensive side of the ball, where the Raptors are generating buckets at a rate (93.7 points-per-100) that would top only the dead-last, league-worst Philadelphia 76ers (92 points-per-100) over the course of the full season. Digging into that a bit, it seems like the biggest issue is a steady diet of early midrange jumpers. One-third of Toronto’s first-quarter shots over the last 16 games have come between the paint and the 3-point arc, with stars Lowry (44.2 percent of his first-quarter looks from midrange) and DeMar DeRozan (a whopping 56.7 percent of his opening-frame shots) standing as the largest culprits. The backcourt leaders have combined for just about half of Toronto’s first-quarter field-goal attempts (10.1 of 20.4) during this stretch, and both are shooting less than 37 percent in opening frames since the start of February as the Raptors have flagged. Sluggishness, settling, low-value contested shots … it’s all a recipe for slow starts, putting the Raptors behind the eight-ball more often than not over the last five weeks.
Toronto Raptors: The Road Back to Contention | Raptors Rapture
March 15 vs. the Portland Trail Blazers: This will be a tough one, but the Raptors have to start winning tough ones if they want to climb back up the East. The Trail Blazers are 41-20, putting them right near the top of the dominant Western Conference. The Blazers will be missing Wes Matthews, who has probably been the team’s third best player this season. The Raps will have to capitalize on the 3-point shooting the Blazers will lack without Matthews. DeMar DeRozan should have the chance to step up and show why he was made an All-Star last season. As always, the team will rely on his offensive production, including his ability to ignite the Raptors with a powerful dunk.
Raptors Top Five: Fan Favourites | TSN
Williams couldn’t wait to become a Raptor. Acquired from the Pistons at the trade deadline in 2001, the veteran forward immediately jumped in his car and drove to Toronto so he could be at practice the following day. That was just the beginning. Self proclaimed the Junkyard Dog, his energy and love for the game was contagious, not just on the court but throughout the arena, where fans frequently chanted for JYD. His style of play was easy to appreciate and identify with. Williams made the most of his ability through tenacious effort, particularly on the defensive end and on the boards. He filled a crucial role off the bench as the Raps won their first and only postseason series and helped them make an unexpected playoff push in Carter’s absence the following year. To this day, his bark still resonates with Raptors fans.
Pictures by Gunshow
I can haz yo linkz??! rapsfan@raptorsrepublic.com
