As of this article’s publishing, the countdown sits at 32 days, 10 hours, and 30 minutes. Regular season action is finally within sight. Not to mention the Raptors’ renewed opportunity to rediscover their former selves. A time where intriguing subplots quickly transform from offseason appetizers to the main course of discussion.
Today’s mission: Round out the Republic’s position previews and dive in at the Power Forward spot. But in case you missed them, you can get straight to the Point, here, examine the Shooting Guard and Small Forward situations while you’re at it, and feel free to then follow up at the Five.
We all should prepare for a chaotic scene, overall and at the Four, at least initially. Combining new faces with a refreshed philosophy on defense (hopefully) and an increased allocation of minutes to players who are now being counted on to step into more prominent roles could lead to mixed results in the beginning.
But that’s not necessarily a negative. I think I can safely assume we’d all happily trade a few early growing pains for a second half of this squad getting its act together. The opposite of last season’s lasting impression.
An essential part of the process will be how Casey implements his troops. Unlike the way he’s handled Jonas Valanciunas’ role to date at the Center position, there’s enough options available to eventually employ a successful rotation. Casey’s past does warrant some slack, however. Wait, did I just say that? Well, the balancing act any Head Coach encounters when deploying an offensive lineup that doesn’t come back to haunt on the defensive end is a dangerous proposition. Still, this is likely his last shot at a long-term future in Toronto.
The majority of that rotation will run through Patrick Patterson and Louis Scola. And depending on matchups and gameflow, James Johnson and DeMarre Carroll will also contribute to the cause. To a much lesser extent, rookie Ronald Roberts could have his name called as well. Or maybe, just maybe, JV’s game takes such a leap it spills over into minutes at the Four. Hey, stranger things have happened. Just take one look at the Republican Nomination race.
Alright, wishful thinking tends to lead to disappointment. So back to the matter at hand. Actually, hold up a sec. You can now add a wildcard to the picture.
Former No. 1 overall pick Anthony Bennett is expected to clear waivers and sign with Toronto, source close to situation told ESPN.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) September 25, 2015
Barring some unexpected snag, Toronto is well-placed to sign Anthony Bennett to one-year minimum deal — all it can offer — early next week
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) September 25, 2015
More on Bennett in a bit. For now let’s start with the one who was once brought up in the same talent-level discussion as his Kentucky teammates. John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, and Eric Bledsoe have since soared well above PP, and the same goes for Paul George, the player Patterson was mock drafted ahead of by numerous outlets back in 2010. A chance to reclaim some of that high praise is now at his doorstep.
Patman Begins
The odds-on favourite to crack the starting lineup? While filling the shoes of the beloved, Amir Johnson?
On the surface, the fact that Patterson might receive the gig is a positive sign, though it’s not an imperative component. As Zarar pointed out in his think-piece over the Summer, contributions don’t need a label attached to them.
My only devil’s advocate attempt would come in the form of the first unit boosting a player’s confidence. Or a bump in notoriety that can lead to higher contract demands. But by all accounts, PP is the quintessential team player.
It’s a shame that despite placing third on the roster in overall Minutes Per Game (26.6 last season), PP is still not seen as a primary contributor to the masses.
Can he ascend to the next level?
Stability in the halfcourt set will have to be realized in due course, while balancing his catch-and-shoot from downtown personality. Concerns over increased minutes resulting in a misuse of his strengths are valid, yet when one surveys his production in the Per 100 Possessions department, questions quickly turn into excitement over what Patterson can become.
Highlighted by the uptick to 2.5 threes and 10.4 boards. As opposed to his 1.8 and 5.3 averages per game. Considering Toronto finished a below average 18th with 97.2 possessions per game last season, those numbers are just a reference point to assess what Patterson has to offer. But those possessions also marked a climb in the category for the 4th straight year.
Even when the Raps want to go small for extended stretches, Patterson’s multifaceted game owns enough elements to be able to man the five spot.
A storm is brewing. It’s a not-so perfect one, but a storm nonetheless.
Now, on to the old-timer.
Veteran Influence
We shouldn’t be surprised if Casey decides to buck the trending notion of PP suiting up with the starters and go with the 35-year-old Scola. A move that would undoubtedly gain its fair share of scrutiny. As noted, whoever starts doesn’t truly matter. But if it does come to pass, questions of its validity should be answered in short order.
The basketball world’s initial reaction to signing Scola – 1-year, $3 Million – was an overwhelming display of indifference. As if the Argentinian had little left in the tank. Sure, the talking heads would have showered Toronto with praise if the calendar read 2010, yet what do the Raps really need to get out of Scola?
Nobody is asking the the wily vet to reincarnate his upper-echelon status. Nor is anyone demanding his recent standout performance at the FIBA Americas translate once the season starts. Fundamentals, setting picks, help on the glass, and a shooting touch around the rim and from outside is all that’s requested. And Scola is more than capable of delivering.
Then comes the underrated mentoring process. The Raps can rival almost any squad in the league when it comes to losing focus, and with eight years of service time mixed with tons of international success, there really is no downside.
When most think of Scola, a declining image usually comes to mind. Well, his three-year increase in boards Per-36 (7.5 – 8.9 – 10.1 – 11.4) suggests there’s plenty left. A strength sorely needed to help out this team’s achilles heel.
Speaking of strengths:
Versatile Resources
With the way the NBA is trending, seemingly for good, it’s not that much of a stretch to think an official reclassification will take place in the future. The “Power” and “Small” positions could eventually be scratched in favour of a simple “Forward” designation. Interchangeable pieces are growing league wide, and hey, a European team joining the Association is not that far off. A new landscape is forming and the Forward spot is just a cog in the machine.
Good news for the Raps, though, as they just so happen to employ quite a few new-school performers. Patterson can slide into this dimension as well. Versatility is owned in abundance moving forward.
One does get the feeling that Casey’s mindset is already set in stone. The structured environment attached to DeMarre’s past makes you think he can already do no wrong in Casey’s eyes, while Johnson is seemingly set up to fail with every misstep. Carroll and JJ are just as similar as they are opposites. Comparable skillsets (minus the outside shooting) mixed with different backgrounds.
Early rumblings of Johnson being the dark horse to start at PF is all but an afterthought at this point. But make no mistake, JJ will see time at almost everywhere but the point. And when the aforementioned switch to small ball occurs, that’s when the options really open up.
Pick your positive lineup poison.
- PG-Lowry, SG-DeRozan, SF-Johnson, PF-Carroll, C-Patterson
- PG-Joseph, SG-Lowry, SF-DeRozan, PF-Carroll, C-Patterson
- PG-Lowry, SG-DeRozan, SF-Carroll, PF-Johnson, C-Patterson, or to show how diverse this really is:
- PG-Lowry, SG-DeRozan, SF-Patterson, PF-Carroll, C-Johnson
The key ingredient in every one is Carroll. Who comes in with an already unblemished aura for a reason. A defensive catalyst that is the hopeful infectious spark that will spread across this entire team. Especially when he’s checking the opposition’s best swingman. Everyone will be put on notice soon after.
There is a problem with this picture, however. The positives are too spread out. A good problem to have in most cases.
The attributes needed are present, but not enough players are equipped to stand alone. Opportunity should and will then be up for grabs. And that’s where T-Ross will get his chance. Who knows, T-Ross could end up having the last laugh.
Which leads us to a player who’s searching for much of the same. Though coming from much deeper depths of ineptitude.
Home Sweet Home?
Anthony Bennett has come home. That in itself is worthy of peaking one’s rooting interest. Unfortunately, the uphill battle starts immediately. Draft day in 2013 was a proud moment for Canadian basketball, only for that pride to turn into a massive disappointment.
The big dog at UNLV wasn’t ready for the rigors of the pros. Poor shot selection, decision making, and court awareness has turned the former No.1 overall pick into a player that the Timberwolves couldn’t even find a willing trading partner for. Which then concluded with Bennett clearing waivers.
Still only 22-years young, AB has a chance to flip the script. And the Raps could have just scored light at the end of the tunnel at an extremely low cost. His one-year, minimum deal should register under the $1 Million mark. It’s a big “could”, but the price tag screams why the hell not.
How does he factor into the Power Forward equation? There most likely won’t be any real impact off the hop, though another positive spin resides in having another body down low in case of injury.
And as stated in the breaking news piece, Raptors 905 might have a new project on their hands in the days to come.
The fact that Bennett hails for T.O. can work in two ways. The makings of a story worth following (while potentially increasing jersey sales in the long run), and the fact that talent lies somewhere within this kid. A humbling low point of his career has just taken place, perhaps his hometown surroundings can light a fire.
Future star? Not likely. Future serviceable role player? We’ll take it.
Some quick and not-so quick hits to round-off the discussion:
Biggest Strength: Flexibility. As much as Amir is owed a debt of gratitude for laying it on line on a nightly basis, one could argue he limited a needed shift in identity. His departure not only allowed funds to be spread elsewhere, but it also opened up numerous possibilities on the court. Even with the timeframe of an adjustment period bordering on the unknown, situational basketball now has a better chance to flourish.
They’ll miss AJ’s pick-and-roll presence, but options to get more creative can now be focused on.
Biggest Weakness: Too many variables hinge on the big picture. In order for the new-look Raps to take flight, all hands on deck have to be willing to buy in. Lowry and DeRozan can aid the process immensely. The usual frustrating suspects of isolations when the moment doesn’t call for it, sporadic ball movement, and failing to make feeding the post a priority all must come clean.
But just like Casey, it takes two to tango when placing blame. The frontcourt of years past somewhat forced their hand. Plotting in the lane mixed with minimal activity on the glass made late-in-the-shot-clock desperation understandable half the time. A consistent connection between the two camps might be too much to ask for.
What I like: Whether it was management’s faith in what they already had or simply a lack of acquisitions available to make, it’s going to be enjoyable to watch PP and JJ enter the spotlight. It’s about time.
What I don’t like: An overall lack of rebounding prowess still remains. This is where the loss of Amir comes back to bite. An annual downfall, and a potential deja-vu for the upcoming season.
Unfortunate prediction: There will be so much emphasis on the Forward spots and how they’re rotated that the growth of JV will remain stunted.
Bold prediction: Scola not only becomes a consistent contributor, but plays a vital role down the stretch and into the playoffs. Where the Raps advance past the first round. Bad habits don’t sit well with grizzled vets. This is a perfect match.
X-factor: Defense/Coach Casey. The positive vibes will come to a screeching halt if the assumed defensive mandate fails to come to fruition. There’s a reason why “Defense Wins Championships” is a much ballyhooed cliche. Though a simple statement doesn’t do it justice. Championships are won because defense opens up everything else.
If we get the same old sagging-off-the-ball story that just invites way-too-easy lane penetration while showing a lethargic fight to work through screens and forgetting box-out fundamentals at a moments notice, well, let’s just say I’ll meet you back here around the All-Star break venting about a stagnant offense. The players have to execute, but Casey has to enforce the rule. The ax can only fall in so many places.
Enjoy the Jays’ game!
