Rushing to judgement is a character flaw in all of us, some are just better at hiding it than others. But these days I’m striving to buck that trend, particularly when it comes to possibly jumping the gun on a player who still has room to grow. I’m sure most can relate, as often times our fandom gets the best of us only to come back and haunt in some form or fashion.
A caveat counteracts that notion, however, as one investing their emotions is half the fun. I guess the constant tug-of-war will always exist, but as we continue to evolve as fans, letting a scenario play out to its fullest potential is almost always the best course of action. Fighting through the frustration endured over a player not reaching the level their skill-set was pegged for fast enough is not easy, but it is recommended.
This way of thinking certainly applies when you survey the Raps’ roster. A squad that owns plenty of talent trending upward with the best yet to come. Yes, even Bruno.
If the current “core” ultimately fails to become anything more than simply “being in the conversation” of the league’s elite, names like Co-jo, Powell, Delon, DeMarre, and Valanciunas offer optimism that the Raptors’ reinvigorated movement of recent years will remain afloat. The backcourt trio is just getting started, while Carroll, who turns 30-years-old next summer is set to embark on the most prominent role he’s ever received. Rumblings of an overpay were and are inevitable, but late bloomers are always welcome. Opportunity to prove himself just had to meet his talent halfway.
To a lesser extent, PP and JJ own that same opportunity. It would be wishful thinking to believe either can catapult themselves into a higher class of player, but handing out concrete minutes can work wonders, of which both are about to receive.
With what could be a future of guard-heavy assets (much like the present), the JV extension not only makes sense but may very well turn out to be a godsend down the line. At times, his play can be puzzling, that’s not a top secret evaluation but he comes with more pros than cons. Which results in a landslide victory considering the lack of depth up front. Besides, even with the questions that cloud his progress, there are too many other what-ifs surrounding this franchise to not solidify a part of the future at a much-needed position.
And let’s not underestimate the positive impact Louis Scola can have on JV’s development. A complimentary piece when on the court together and a possible mentor off of it. Scola’s skill-set represents the parts of JV’s game he needs to work on, no matter how deteriorated it may now be. You can get a taste of what Louis has left in the tank, here. It may have been the FIBA Americas, but quality competition nonetheless.
Now, if there’s any credibility to the Tristan Thompson rumours, the roster moving forward will need to be reconstructed. And the same goes for the club’s finances.
As for K-Low and T-Ross, well, one gets put into a category all his own while the other borders on being the exception to the rule. Have we already seen Lowry at his optimum level? In order for the masses to hold complete faith that whatever untapped upside remains can be reached he must first find his former self.
When it comes to the once most polarizing player on this team, Ross has perhaps the steepest climb ahead of him. It’s most likely time to enter the mindset of we’ll take what we can get. A selfish deviation from my own mission statement but I’m in the process of a learning curve myself.
Which brings us to the headlining act.
Boom or Bust?
Over the course of DeMar DeRozan’s six seasons, we’ve witnessed moments of stardom mixed with ugly spurts of inconsistency. Carrying this team over extended stretches has not gone unnoticed, but neither has his inevitable shooting inefficiencies.
Still, DeMar also represents the perfect combination when looking at the big picture. There’s no other player in the lineup that can match his set of tools, or own the potential to make such a sizeable leap in contributions. Lowry can make a push to be in the same sentence, but with his wear and tear, he gets pushed down a notch.
When one looks back at the mistakes made in the 2009 draft, where Hasheem Thabeet was selected one pick before James Harden, Johnny Flynn before Steph Curry, and Jeff Teague sliding all the way to 19th overall, it’s safe to say DeRozan has been a great investment.
But now is the time for that investment to reach a higher profit margin. If a next-level jump is realized, the progress of his supporting cast moves that much quicker along with it. That’s a two-way street, however, but if not, this franchise will remain in status-quo limbo.
Let’s take a look at what DeRozan has working for and against him heading into the season.
Positives:
- Pieces in place: Masai did an admirable job adding to the puzzle, an encouraging sign moving forward. Most of whom are capable of helping to boost DeRozan’s production. I’ve said it before but it’s worth repeating, a lineup consisting of DeRozan, Lowry and Joseph on the floor at the same time can be highly beneficial. DeMar can utilize his strengths more when he doesn’t have to worry about directing traffic by default, or at inopportune times.
- Contract status: I don’t think there’s any doubt his player option will be exercised, adding to the notion that we’ll get to see DeRozan at peak levels. As of this moment, I would push all-in on the Raps offering a max-type deal, but the onus still would reside on the player to earn that “slam-dunk” decision. With an effort to stay fully healthy to boot.
- All-Star Game / 3-point improvement: One would think a second All-Star nod is high on his to-do list, especially when it’s being played on his home court. Word has it that DeRozan has been sharpening his skills from downtown throughout the offseason, don’t we hear that every year? Well, with an entire career that has never seen his threes per game register over the 0.8 mark, and a percentage that has hit over 30% just once, we shouldn’t hold our breath.
Negatives:
- Shot selection: His propensity for long twos and mid-range work has been well documented, so has his dip in FG% over the last three seasons, as well as his chaotic swings in the True Shooting department. This is where his supporting cast hopefully steps in. There doesn’t have to be a monumental shift, as even incremental improvement on pick-and-rolls, fighting through screens, interior presence, and shot clock awareness can allow DD to take charge in other areas, while not overcompensating for others. Slashing to the basket while being hit in stride can benefit almost every facet on the offensive side. Keeping his free-throw rate in tact is imperative, but offering others better position for offensive rebounding can be a tremendous added bonus. But of course, DeRozan must aid the process with a little more unselfishness.
- Contract status: His impending situation also comes with a downside. A new crew, with a new mentality (especially on defense), may take time to reach an all-systems-go personality, perhaps not even until the following season. His probable payday suggests the Raptors’ brass and fans alike might not have the luxury of witnessing that full effect until after the loot is handed over. He’ll either get paid as a justifiable franchise player or still exist as the type best suited to be a secondary option.
The upcoming season holds as much potential as it does questions. But now with the logistics out of the way, let’s move in a different direction.
Comin’ Full Circle
Sports commentary and analysis has undoubtedly shifted towards treating players more or less like analytical robots, and the movement is here to stay. It acts as a truth serum of sorts when it comes to an individual player’s value. It also lends itself to evolving, which is always a good thing. Furthermore, it has now created a space where the human element has been pushed into a subsidiary role.
How about a compromise?
As long as we’re still keeping an open mind, let’s implement an outside-the-box connection. When you mix the fact that we’re still in the midst of the offseason with the long weekend fast approaching, it’s a perfect time to contemplate and reflect. Not to worry, though, there’s plenty of time to dive deeper into True Shooting Percentages, Win Shares, VORP, PER, and how many times Terrence Ross turns the ball over Per 100 Possessions once the season starts.
Still with me? Just checking.
I’ll save some of you the trouble of pointing out that the angle of DeRozan hailing from Compton has been used before by other outlets, I fully acknowledge that, but that’s not going to stop me from moving forward with a narrative that’s been brewing for quite some time. There’s always room for hitting a topic another way, as the similarities go well beyond growing up in the same hometown. And as N.W.A.’s 1988 hit single encourages us all to do: “Express Yourself.”
Give it a spin to set the backdrop, and feel free to bust out the Running Man.
The new N.W.A. movie, Straight Outta Compton, will be our reference point. A story that represents an entire generation whether you were a fan of the legendary group or not. You would have found yours truly walking to school as a youngster sporting my gigantic yellow Sony Sports Walkman (remember those?) popping in cassette after cassette.
I’ve yet to watch the film, though, as I fear the outcome. I fear a glossy hollywood take on something with such raw roots. I’m optimistic yet skeptical. Much like the way I’m preparing for such an important Raptors’ campaign.
A strong musical influence is not unlike a sports team one grows up with. You can critique both, take issue with a new album or team direction, but in the end, one craves the best out of each.
Rushing to judgement is the same in any arena, so I’m trying my damnedest to stay neutral when it comes to the movie. I recently caved by seeking out a review, though. An enjoyable piece written by Wesley Morris at Grantland. Though the positive reinforcements I was looking for weren’t exactly present.
While reading the piece, a few quotes made me think of the Raptors. What can I say, it’s only the offseason in theory.
” In the end, Straight Outta Compton seems almost terrified of the power it has.”
How many times have the Raps failed to impose their will on an opponent? Only to “take” what’s given to them. The pieces are arguably in place to achieve much more, they’re just not buying in to what they can accomplish. Or better yet, not getting out of their own way.
“It seems terrified to more directly connect that music to both its human and societal sources. It’s easier to make the hip-hop Avengers. Something that group did struck a raw nerve. But now everybody responsible for that moment seems content to remind us that they also struck it rich.”
Last season was supposed to be about building on success, whether it was warranted or not. A movement took place two seasons ago that lit this city on fire, but the way the second half of last year and first round of the playoffs went, contentedness was seemingly in the air.
To represent that previously stated limbo this franchise is in, with DeRozan at the forefront, I’ll finish off with with another classic record, and the reason why I chose my headline. This track was released after N.W.A.’s strongest vocal member Ice Cube left the group, with the crew slowly starting its downward trend soon after. Let’s hope DeMar’s game dictates a better situation, and we get to see this thing to the end.
100 Miles And Runnin’: Here’s to that headline being spun in a more positive light. I’m thinking the morning after the Raps advance to round two.
But they really are Straight Outta Excuses.
