The Myth of DeMar DeRozan’s Athleticism | Raptors HQ
Body control is an important aspect of athleticism. Finishing through contact, craftily knifing through the lane, using pockets of space most wouldn’t find are all rare athletic skills. Steve Nash and Stephen Curry aren’t prototypical athletic point guards, but in my opinion, they are/were adept at using a tight handle, keeping low, and having great balance in order to maintain effectiveness when probing the paint. DeMar DeRozan shows similar characteristics, albeit in a different fashion. His propensity to draw fouls is a testament to his ability to attack the rim. When DeRozan commits to getting all the way to the rim, he has a funky bag of tricks at his disposal.
Joseph has been pleasant surprise for Raptors | Toronto Sun
When Joseph signed a four-year deal for $30 million US after the San Antonio Spurs were reluctantly forced to let him go to make room for premier free agent LaMarcus Aldridge, a few eyebrows were raised. The critics pointed out that Joseph had either been the backup or third-string point guard while with the Spurs and now would be paid like a key player. Those who had been watching closely realized that Joseph had starred for a few summers as the Canadian national team’s most effective performer, lit up the NBA Development League and most importantly, subbed in admirably for Tony Parker in 43 career starts, posting 9.3 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game on 51% shooting, along with his typically solid defence. Joseph was asked after practice on Monday whether he paid any attention to the reaction to his contract and whether he felt any extra pressure to prove himself. “I don’t know how to answer that because I don’t really base my game on what people think,” Joseph said. “
Players Most Likely to Regress to the Mean | Today’s Fastbreak
Carroll attempted 0.5 threes per game last season when the defender was “very tight” (0-2 feet) or “tight” (2-4 feet) and shot 3.7 threes per game when he was “open” (4-6 feet) or “wide open” (more than 6 feet), per NBA.com. While his percentages remained largely the same, players generally shoot better the farther away the defender gets, and a larger sample size would likely show this. Last season, the Raptors’ offense was an isolation-heavy team that relies less on ball movement, thus getting fewer open shots for their players. Carroll will still be an upgrade over anything the Raptors had on the wing last season, but expecting him to shoot almost 40 percent on threes while averaging over four per game may be foolish.
Raptors eye tighter defense, with DeMarre Carroll assist | Yahoo!
Carroll, who averaged 12.6 points and 5.3 rebounds in 70 games with Atlanta, was touted as one of the top players available at his position. He signed a four-year deal worth $60 million. Carroll said his ”main objective” this season is to establish himself as one of the premier two-way players in the NBA, a goal he’s been inching toward after a difficult start to his professional life. ”I feel like I wasted four years of my career from when I got drafted, two years not playing and then getting waived two years (in a row),” Carroll said. ”The last two or three years I finally broke through that ice. I feel like this is a great opportunity for me to keep putting my career on the rise, a great opportunity for me to go out and show people who DeMarre Carroll really is.”
Eastern Conference: Six Preseason Studs | Basketball Insiders
Most people around the league know how talented Lowry is, so his great play during the preseason should not be a surprise to anyone. But the numbers have been terrific, averaging 24.3 points, 4.8 assists and 1.5 steals through four games. In one game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Lowry scored 40 points (shooting 13-18 from the field and hitting 6-9 threes) in just 28 minutes on the court. This 40-point outing from Lowry broke the Raptors’ preseason scoring record, breaking the mark previously held by former Toronto great Vince Carter. Lowry’s ability to do so much on the court is what makes him so lethal. You basically have to pick your poison when guarding Lowry. You can’t give him space, since he’ll knock down the jumper (as evidenced by his 57.7 percent shooting from the field and 57.1 percent shooting from long range in preseason). But you also can’t defend the shot, as he’ll use his deceiving quickness to go right around you for an easy finish.
Atlantic division preview: Can Celtics, Knicks unseat Raptors? | SI.com
The Raptors are unlikely to be challenged as they go for their third straight Atlantic Division crown—the question is what will they do after that? Toronto has set franchise records for wins in each of the past two seasons, but its playoff performance has been dismal, failing to advance out of the first round. Last season, the Raptors were embarrassingly swept by the Wizards despite holding home-court advantage. This year, there’s cause for optimism. The Raptors landed DeMarre Carroll this summer—the closest Toronto will come to reeling in a marquee free agent—and fortified its bench with the grab bag of Luis Scola, Bismack Biyombo and Anthony Bennett. Kyle Lowry is in the best shape of his career and DeMar DeRozan is in a contract year. Sometimes you need to suffer the lows in order to achieve the highs in the NBA. With All-Star Weekend also coming to Toronto this year, the table is set for the Raptors to steal the spotlight.
Win Or Go Home – Coaches on the Hot Seat | Today’s Fastbreak
Yes, Dwayne Casey has guided the Toronto Raptors to their best regular season record in the past two years with 48 and 49 victories respectively. Yes, Casey has brought Toronto back to back Atlantic Division Championships (which, unfortunately, isn’t saying much with the Celtics, Knicks, Nets and Sixers as your competition). However, both years the Raptors were bounced from the playoffs in the first round by Paul Pierce-led teams. Maybe now that Pierce is playing in the West, the opening is there for Toronto to advance and Casey to keep his job. While the team parted with key players Lou Williams and Amir Johnson in the offseason, adding DeMarre Carroll, Luis Scola, Norman Powell and Canadians Corey Joseph and Anthony Bennett, the Raptors look to have better depth and roster versatility this season. The Atlantic is still a weak division, which should lead the Raptors to their third straight banner, but if Casey wants to have his contract renewed next season, nothing less than a spot in the Eastern Conference championship series will suffice.
Know Your Raptors: Jonas Valanciunas doesn’t dance anymore | Sportsnet.ca
Valanciunas is a strong rebounder, too, and Raptors management believe he can become an elite centre in the East; if Dwayne Casey moves away from going small late in games Valanciunas will have every opportunity to do become just that. That’s a big “If” right now. Valanciunas was rarely used in the 4th quarter last season. It’ll be a two-way street in this situation: Casey will need to trust Valanciunas enough to put him in 4th quarters early in the season but the big man will also need to work to solidify that trust with a smarter approach. His defense underneath the basket has never been his issue, but an overall improvement from the high-post in remains necessary.
Know Your Raptors: Terrence Ross jams with Alice Cooper | Sportsnet.ca
There’s a lot to like about Ross and his potential to be used in different situations, not to mention his willingness to accept whatever job is asked of him speaks to his ability to grow and mature as a player. A reduced role could allow him to fine-tune elements of his game, particularly his defense and shooting consistency, that need improving. It’s a contract year for Ross, though, and if we’ve learned anything from watching the Raptors (ie. Kyle Lowry’s breakout 2013-14 campaign) it’s that these seasons can bring out the best in a player. If that’s the case, Ross could end up giving Carroll a bigger fight for the starter’s job than most of us ever expected.
Montreal Is Hosting An Official NBA After-Party On Saint-Laurent Street | MTL Blog
As part of their epic 6th anniversary celebrations, Montreal’s premier nightclub, Muzique, will be hosting the Toronto Raptors and Washington Wizards along with league executives this Friday, October 23! It’s pretty rare to see the NBA in town, so this is your chance to party with your favourite players in person.
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