The Raptors concede 114 points to the Nets after talking about defense all week long.
 | Amir Johnson, PF 16 MIN | 5-6 FG | 1-1 FT | 3 REB | 0 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 1 TO | 11 PTS | -1 +/-Be a little concerned that he wasn’t able to handle Brook Lopez or Thaddeus Young in any sort of way on D. Be happy that he looked sharp on offense, cut to the rim and showed good interplay with the guards for solid-looking scores. Left the game because his Play-Doh ankles collapsed. |  |
 | Terrence Ross, SF 21 MIN | 2-6 FG | 0-0 FT | 0 REB | 2 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 3 TO | 4 PTS | -8 +/-He’s the master of dribbling a crossover off his foot. I remember I used to be excited when he drove the ball and invited contact, but now when he even touches the ball, all I’m thinking is ‘oh shit, oh shit’. He followed up his recent positive performances with a stinker where he couldn’t hit a shot, couldn’t defend Deron Williams, and figured it would be a good idea to pick up a blatant charge and argue with the refs, as if they know his name. |  |
 | Jonas Valanciunas, C 36 MIN | 9-12 FG | 3-5 FT | 8 REB | 0 AST | 1 STL | 1 BLK | 1 TO | 21 PTS | -5 +/-Burned by Lopez often, and that didn’t stop him from being the most successful Raptor to guard Lopez. On offense, the Nets didn’t actively double-team him and he was very quick in making moves towards the rim after a catch, which resulted in a stellar offensive game. Sign him to an extension ASAP. You know that, like DeRozan, he’ll work harder after the contract. |  |
 | Greivis Vasquez, PG 33 MIN | 3-10 FG | 0-0 FT | 4 REB | 4 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 1 TO | 7 PTS | 0 +/-A three-legged yak carrying a piano uphill could play better perimeter defense than #TeamVasquez. He was blown-by about 15 times tonight, and each time it got progressively worse. His offensive contributions are irrelevant given that he plays defense with same enthusiasm as me when I’m changing a poop diaper. | |
 | DeMar DeRozan, SG 41 MIN | 10-20 FG | 7-8 FT | 8 REB | 8 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK | 5 TO | 27 PTS | -3 +/-He’s put on his playmaker hat of late and tonight was no different, with him dishing out some pretty assists as the Nets tried to trap and test his handles. It’s positive play from DeRozan, who would vastly benefit from having a three-point shot in his arsenal. He’s constantly offered that shot, and if he’s able to make defenses pay, it’ll double his effectiveness. Defensively, he was below par like pretty much everyone else. A few times he drove the ball and looked for a pass, only to find the rest of the offense completely static, resulting in a reset or timeout. Missed the potentially game-tying step-back jumper, but you know what, it’s up to the coach to design a play in those situations and not have everything run off the cuff. | |
 | Tyler Hansbrough, PF 12 MIN | 1-3 FG | 0-0 FT | 3 REB | 0 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK | 0 TO | 2 PTS | +3 +/-Poor soul was asked to defend Lopez and got crushed every time. Got called for the worst loose-ball foul of all time, which was entirely based on his reputation rather than the actual play. |  |
 | James Johnson, PF 19 MIN | 1-4 FG | 0-0 FT | 2 REB | 1 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 0 TO | 2 PTS | +2 +/-Not a great showing. Looked nervous and second-guessed every action, which is not his style. He needs to have that recklessness in his game to be effective, and I felt like he’s now looking over his shoulder a little bit. |  |
 | Patrick Patterson, PF 29 MIN | 3-6 FG | 4-5 FT | 9 REB | 6 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK | 2 TO | 12 PTS | 0 +/-Easily the hardest working Raptor on the night, who fought on the glass and worked his ass off to make rotations on just about everyone. The problem is that, 1) he doesn’t have any set plays called for him, 2) his role in the offense is confusing, because his mid-range game is never utilized, 3) the Raptors ridiculously organized defense sees him guard Deron Williams for some reason. I’m not saying this guy’s an All-Star, or even starting caliber, just that his strengths as a player aren’t being leveraged. |  |
 | Louis Williams, SG 33 MIN | 8-14 FG | 2-4 FT | 2 REB | 3 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK | 1 TO | 23 PTS | +2 +/-Notice that since he broke up with girlfriend 1 of 2 he’s thinking a lot clearly? Played a lot of PG tonight and played it well. Getting to the paint wasn’t a problem, it was picking the pass out as his kick-outs were deflected and always happening in tight spaces. That’s a product of a poorly designed offensive structure and poor floor spacing more than William’s passing ability. Hit a few big shots in the fourth quarter, and with the playoffs approaching, I might even flirt with giving him some more burn at the one. Also, like everyone else, played bad D. | |
 | Dwane Casey Even I could see that Hansbrough v Lopez was a bad idea, so I can’t figure out why we tested that in the third quarter again. Good call on benching Vasquez in favor of Lou Williams. He tried to throw different looks at Deron Williams, including James Johnson and Terrence Ross, so he didn’t sit idle and responded to the game. Chose not to call a timeout to setup the game-tying play (correction: apparently, he ran out of timeouts but it’s not like he would’ve called one anyway) which resulted in a missed DeRozan jumper. My theory is that he doesn’t have any confidence in his own plays, and is too scared to own up and take responsibility in those situations. | |
Five Things We Saw
- If this is the Raptors offense that’s going to rear it’s head in the playoffs, we are in trouble. Relying on Lou Williams and DeMar DeRozan to create everything is not sustainable, because the way DeRozan plays takes a toll. He takes so much contact, is bodied up all game long, that by the time the fourth comes he’ll naturally be exhausted. And in those times, there needs to be something other than ‘more of the same’.
- If we’re going to have a difficult time with Deron Williams, imagine what John Wall could do? I don’t have any faith in Dwane Casey to come up with as scheme to stop a particular team, or an individual player. He doesn’t seem to have the capacity nor the personnel to do so, since the horses he’s relying on are inconsistent and unpredictable.
- The Nets kept running actions which resulted in Lopez cutting to the rim, and quick passes hitting him. The Raptors didn’t respond to this, and killed them for the duration of the game.
- The positive for me here was Lou Williams’ PG play. Ignoring that it’s awfully late in the season to make a dramatic shift, if the floor is adequately spaced and there’s enough movement, Williams at the PG is able to find people much better than Vasquez.
- Seven spots left in the RR’s Summer Smackdown – our annual 3-on-3 tournament. It’s on June 21. Sign-up now.
