The players spoke about a few things today ahead of Game 2 tomorrow, let’s see what they had to say (and what I have to say about what they have to say, because that’s how you win Pultizer Prizes).
First, we got James Johnson acknowledging that he heard the fans, was humbled, but pleads the fifth in that he’s not really calling the shots and is but a small piece of Dwane Casey’s jigsaw puzzle.
JJ heard the fans chanting for him, was humbled but does't want it to be a distraction. "I really appreciate it. But, cheer for the Raptors”
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) April 20, 2015
James Johnson: "When Kyle got hurt or DeMar got hurt those were when I had opportunities to play a lot. Im the fill-in. And Im OK with that”
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) April 20, 2015
JJ on chants for him: "I got the chills a little bit. At the same time, I don’t want that to affect guys on our bench.”
— (((Eric Koreen))) (@ekoreen) April 20, 2015
Poor guy, he’s been stifled and nobody can explain why. The issue now becomes Casey’s stubbornness, because I totally see him not playing Johnson only to be consistent. Consistently wrong, but consistent. Casey did make a ridiculous comparison of the “We Want Bruno” chants to “We Want JJ” chants, as if they were made in the same context.
Casey: "I remember one game, it was a 5-point game and everybody was (yelling) 'get Bruno in the game' and Bruno was in street clothes"
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) April 20, 2015
Wow, is he out of touch or what? The Bruno chants were made in a 42-point blowout with the fans having a joke. The JJ chants were made in the face of Paul Pierce tearing us a new one. And this guy things they have the same context? *shudder*
Furthermore, Casey said that his options when covering Pierce were as follows:
Casey said Patterson was their first option when Pierce went to the 4, Amir was 2nd, James Johnson 3rd. Reiterated his time will come
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) April 20, 2015
Hmm….so this guy has Patterson (who Pierce killed last season) as #1, the immobile Amir Johnson as #2, and the ideal candidate, James Johnson as #3. Honestly, Casey needs to stop talking because every time he opens his mouth, something sillier comes out.
Casey also commented on Greivis Vasquez and his ability to fulfil his role and do what’s asked:
Casey: "He’ll run through a wall for you. Greivis will run through the wall, he won’t turn back and say, ‘What do you want me to do?’"
— Holly MacKenzie (@stackmack) April 20, 2015
Absolutely, he’ll run through a wall. Unless that wall happens to be a screen, in which case he’ll go under and concede an open jumper. Seriously, though, Vasquez was one of the few players that did anything noteworthy in Game 1. If there’s one thing we know that works in the Raptors offense it’s Vasquez using his size to run high screen ‘n rolls, protect the ball, and deliver a good pass. Maybe the first four plays of the second unit should be him and Johnson just two-manning Seraphin to death.
There was some reaction to Masai Ujiri’s fine, with Casey stating it was surprising and DeRozan avoiding comment altogether in fear of a fine:
Casey said he was surprised by the league's decision to fine Masai, didn't think his comments were that bad. Loves his passion
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) April 20, 2015
DeRozan prodded for his thoughts on Masai's comments/fine: "I ain't trying to get fined"
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) April 20, 2015
Some reaction to Lou Williams winning the sixth man award:
DeMar on Lou: Lou Will is the coolest dude in the world. #rtz
— Holly MacKenzie (@stackmack) April 20, 2015
2Pat on Lou: “Drake got it right. He made the song for a reason. He predicted the future." #DrakeGotItRight
— (((Eric Koreen))) (@ekoreen) April 20, 2015
Patrick: Drake got it right. He made the song for a reason. He predicted the future. It’s a huge accomplishment for Lou. #6manlikelouwill
— Holly MacKenzie (@stackmack) April 20, 2015
6MOY pic.twitter.com/tU84TvLKZ7
— James Herbert (@outsidethenba) April 20, 2015
