Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images
Big Read: Is the Raptors’ Kyle Lowry worth $200 million? – Sportsnet.ca
Could Lowry conceivably be worth nearly $200 million? Only four other guards have matched his total of 30.4 Win Shares over the past three seasons, and all of them have max deals or—in the case of Steph Curry—are clearly headed for one. And Billups’s experience suggests Lowry isn’t likely to fall off anytime soon. Billups argues that when point guards can extend their physical prime even a little bit, their ability to think the game and lead on and off the floor makes for a potent combination. “I share that with Kyle,” he says. “It’s more than being this big, strong point guard. When you can start thinking the game, studying your opponent, you can have such an advantage for such a long time—not just a year or two. You’re going to be able to play, and play well, at an advanced age.”
There’s little doubt Lowry’s hoops acumen is peaking. In a pre-season poll of NBA GMs on NBA.com, Lowry finished fourth on a list ranking the league’s smartest players, behind LeBron James, Chris Paul and Steph Curry. “It’s all the little things he does,” says Patrick Patterson, a teammate of Lowry’s in both Houston and Toronto. “Knowing every single play, knowing where everyone should be on every play—one through five. Time, score and momentum. Game clock, shot clock. When to go fast, when to slow down. Him instilling confidence in all of us. He’s got the freedom to take the reins, free flow, do whatever on the court and do it with confidence. He pushes himself and pushes us along with him all the time.”
Raptors head coach Dwane Casey lets Lowry call almost all his own plays—a privilege earned over time—and counts on him to know all the other team’s play calls too, giving the Raptors defence a crucial head start several possessions a game. Lowry has mastered the art of figuring out what his team needs, when they need it and how to deliver it. “It’s a feel you get,” he says.
Why the Raptors will go as JV will go – Raptors Republic
While usage statistics may be a better measure of how often we opted for JV in those games, the overall correlation between JV’s inside presence and resulting Raptors success can’t be denied. And remember, these were the just regular season numbers – the Raptors were significantly more powerful when JV asserted himself in the playoffs. In fact, the way Lowry and DeMar were shooting in that first series against the Pacers, JV may have very well been the only reason the Raptors escaped that series.
Jonas’ production in the playoffs went up mostly as a result of his increased usage in offensive schemes, as his field goal efficiency practically remained the same, but overall production increased. He was more active on the glass, and was a beast on the offensive boards specifically, averaging 4 offensive rebounds a game. One offensive rebound that still sticks out to me was the timely tip-in after a DeMar missed free-throw late in Game 2 against the Pacers to seal that potentially franchise-defining game.
So what does all of this mean for Dwane Casey and the Raptors? Well, after losing Bismack Biyombo in the offseason and now suffering a huge blow to the front court with injuries to the starting power-forward and to the planned second-string centre, Coach Casey’s hand has been forced. And while you’re probably thinking that means more playing time and opportunities for Jakob Poeltl or others, it really means that Jonas’ production becomes that much more important. We’ve seen how imposing he can be when he’s healthy, and with another year under his belt since then, the time is now to reap the benefits of the long-term draft choice made by Bryan Colangelo back in 2011. In other words, given their current situation, it’s probably better for the Raps to utilize JV more, and opt for Lowry and DeRozan somewhat less, rather than letting those 2 guys carry the offensive load while balancing minutes at the centre spot.
Jonas’ usage percentage has increased every year in the league, but has remained just around 20% for the past 3 seasons. You may recall, it was only last season where we saw we saw Dwane Casey play Jonas down the stretch and late in games; something we had never really seen before that. The question then becomes: can JV’s usage continue at its current pace of 25% or so for the remainder of the season? Given his efficiency and increased offensive prowess, increasing usage of JV is a logical conclusion, though it has some obvious negatives as well.
Big Read: Valanciunas’s development key to Raptors’ success – Sportsnet.ca
If you look at the numbers, it’s clear that Valanciunas took his game to another level: Across a dozen playoff games, he posted six double-doubles and pulled down 14.5 rebounds per 36 minutes—which would be good for league-wide top-five if he could stretch that average over a full regular season. For his part, though, Valanciunas refuses to take credit for any of the Raptors’ highs. “We just played, as a team, together, so that brought us to the level we played,” he says. “We all stepped up a little bit, and we still getting better.”
For all his disappointment at missing out on much of the most important run in the team’s history, Valanciunas seems to have a Zen-like acceptance of what happened. Sitting out during the playoffs was far more gut-wrenching than sitting out when he was injured during the regular season, he says, but it wasn’t without value. “We learn from everything,” he says.
In fact, Valanciunas sometimes displays an odd mixture of defiance—never pleased with himself, always trying to improve—and fatalism. “We can’t be happy every time,” he says of his disappointment at this summer’s Olympics in Rio, when Lithuania failed to medal.
Still, it seems clear that he isn’t satisfied. “We can show them,” he says of what’s ahead in the new season—“them” being everyone and no one in particular. “Sky’s the limit.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/BMMMq1og6SC/
https://www.instagram.com/p/BMNNKFfgO3h/
https://www.instagram.com/p/BMMiQb1F5Cr/
Toronto Raptors Need To Get Norman Powell Going | Hoops Habit
Powell established himself as a fan favorite last year, and it seems as though he has fallen into the same spot in the rotation as former fan favorite, James Johnson. Unlike Johnson, Powell doesn’t have a broken jump shot or the same tendency to go rogue on the court.
Failing to utilize him would be a grave mistake for the Raptors, who require a breakout from within their current roster to take the next step as a team.
We know what DeRozan and Lowry can bring to the table. Reducing the load they shoulder and getting meaningful touches to young players like Valanciunas, Powell, Joseph and their rookies could lead to a fresher and more balanced team for playoffs.
If you don’t establish players now, you won’t be able to rely on them earlier. You also won’t help foster confidence if you scratch a healthy productive player. If you want to develop someone, they require consistent minutes, a defined role, and the breathing room to make mistakes.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BMNFrsFgtT6/
Raptors will have their hands full against Nuggets’ Nurkic, Jokic | Toronto Sun
“Jokic has probably done one of the best jobs with his body of any big guy in the league. They just try to physically come and knock you on your keester. It’s gonna be a physical, inside game. They run the floor, they’re active, they’re very skilled. They have a nice young team, very talented team. I think by the end of the year, they’ll be one of the top teams in the West.”
And Denver’s big front court made up of one Serb (Jokic), a Bosnian (Nurkic) and an Italian (Danilo Gallinari) is going to be a big reason why they move up the ranks.
Valanciunas hasn’t faced either internationally but got an introduction last year in the regular season and again during that game in Calgary. He came away impressed.
“They are powerful big guys because they have size,” Valanciunas said of the 6-foot-11 Jokic and 7-footer Nurkic. “It’s hard because they have size and they power inside so it will be a tough matchup for us.”
Nurkic had a career-high 23 points in the Nuggets season-opener win in New Orleans. Jokic had 23 and 17 rebounds in the loss to Portland on Saturday. Both are capable of stopping opponents and scoring on them.
The fact that Toronto lost both regular season games to Denver last season may have surprised some from the outside but not Casey.
“People looked at them last year and said ‘How’d you lose to them twice?’” Casey said, “but they’re a very talented, skilled team that I think is underrated just because they’re so young.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/BMNWZnVDPr_/
Nuggets begin long road trip against the Toronto Raptors – Denver Stiffs
Key Matchup: Will Barton vs. DeMar DeRozan
Through two games, the Nuggets defensive strategy has seemed to be to allow the opposing team’s best player to get his points while disrupting the rest of the offensive flow. Anthony Davis put up 50 in the first game while Damian Lillard dropped 37 in game two. For the Raptors, that player looks to be DeMar DeRozan. DeRozan has scored 40 and 32 in his first two games this season and will look to continue his hot shooting streak. Assuming Gary Harris doesn’t play, Will Barton will have his hands full against the dynamic Raptors shooting guard.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BMNc96Dgshe/
Denver Nuggets at Toronto Raptors: Monday preview | Toronto Star
KEY MATCHUP
Valanciunas/Jokic
Two games into their respective seasons, both big men are off to exceptional starts. Valanciunas is averaging 21 points and 14 rebounds, while Jokic is averaging 14 points and 12 rebounds in the early days of the season. Valanciunas’ speed and comfort zone will be tested, as Jokic has no problem putting up three-pointers (making them is another story; he’s 2-7 from deep). Jokic had 27 points and 14 rebounds against the Raptors on Feb. 1 in Denver, where the Nuggets snapped the Raptors’ 11-game win streak.
Toronto Raptors Weekly Awards – Week 1 (October 23-30, 1-1)
Most Valuable Player – DeMar DeRozan
The newly minted $139 million man stormed out of the gates, determined to prove his critics wrong (looking at you, SI), and justify the monstrosity of a new contract. Through two games, DeMar is averaging 36 points on 52.7% shooting without making a single three pointer, carrying the Raptors’ offensive load.With the exception of a few shaky moments against the reigning champions Friday, DeRozan’s moves looked as smooth as dolphin’s skin, with opposing defenders mostly unable to slow him down. He sunk mid range shots when given space, and slashed craftily when crowded. His finest moment came as he posterized Tristan Thompson in the 4th quarter against Cleveland.
Did I miss anything? Send me any Raptors-related article/video/social to rapsfan@raptorsrepublic.com
