Breaking it Down: A closer look at Casey’s post-game comments – Raptors Republic
Like Casey says, it’s perhaps better that he’s helping too much rather than not enough, from a team perspective. From a personal preference standpoint, I’d also much rather work with a player who is capable of trying to do too much and get them to settle a bit or choose their spots more carefully rather than the opposite, trying to get a player not recognizing instances where plays can be made to recognize them.
There were a few instances Monday where Siakam may have been a little too eager.
Look at how aggressively he closes out in each of those instances, though. As a shooter, that must be terrifying. Sure, you’d rather Siakam be in position to make a more controlled close-out, especially if his man is a threat to pump-fake and drive, but Siakam’s close-out speed will be a major asset. You don’t want to discourage him from trying to make plays, because he can absolutely make them.
Anyone expecting a rookie to start from Day One and play flawless defense was kidding themselves. I can’t imagine there’s anyone left who isn’t really encouraged by Siakam’s defensive potential a quarter of the way into the season. He’s already showing a lot, and he has the potential to be very, very good at that end of the floor thanks in part to the underlying root of some of these “over-help” instances – his ability to help aggressively and trust he’ll recover.
Raptors’ Casey: Terrence Ross shedding ‘inconsistent’ label – Sportsnet.ca
Despite the defensive strides, what stands out above all is Ross’ shooting, which is currently in fairly elite company.
On the season he is currently shooting 50.8 per cent from the floor, 44.8 per cent from deep, and 94.7 per cent from the free throw line, making him a member of the prestigious 50/40/90 club.
Only seven players in the modern era have finished the regular season as a bona fide club member, and it’s pretty lofty company: Larry Bird, Mark Price, Reggie Miller, Steve Nash, Dirk Nowitzki, Kevin Durant, and Steph Curry.
Now, it’s extremely premature to suggest Ross will wind up with those percentages by the time the season ends, or for that matter if he’ll even take enough shots to qualify given his current status as a scoring option off the bench, but it speaks to what he’s been able to contribute on a fairly regular basis this season.
Raptors won’t settle for status quo on defence | Toronto Sun
Regardless of the three-game winning streak, Casey isn’t seeing that and, possibly because the team is winning, the film sessions have been purposefully harsh to ensure no one gets too comfortable with the status quo.
“We’re consistent, we’re going to be consistent defensively,” Casey said of the film sessions. “That’s the only way you learn, that’s the only way you get better — practice time. Physical energy is limited for practice. You can practice and leave your energy on the court or use it tomorrow night in the game. We do what we can on the court and in the film room. We put the films together and what we try to do is, from a coaching staff, (ask) what is a trend? Is our transition defence a trend? Lack of communication, pick and roll defence, is that a trend?
“So we’ve got to show it and whoever’s feelings it hurts, we can’t worry about that. The old saying is the films don’t lie. Now you may debate whether it’s a grey area here, grey area there — and there’s a lot of that going on — but the bottom line is the film doesn’t lie.”
Lowry, for his part, believes the film sessions are not just beneficial but necessary.
“I think they just want us to be better defensively, that’s the biggest key now is they want us to be better defensively and they’re going to nitpick on everything,” Lowry said. “I’m not mad at them, we’re not mad, we’re just trying to get better as a team so we understand where they’re coming from.”
Film don’t lie: Raptors still have plenty to work on – Article – TSN
While they haven’t been perfect defensively, Lowry was pretty close to it on the offensive end Monday. The all-star point guard scored 24 points on 7-for-9 shooting and became the first player in franchise history to hit all six of his attempts from three-point range. Lowry, who’s been on fire of late, is shooting a ridiculous 10-for-12 from long distance over the last two games, including five from beyond 26 feet, two of them from 29 feet out. “I’ve always been confident,” he said. “I’ve just been watching a lot of [Damian] Lillard and Steph [Curry], just trying to keep up with them and their range. I’m just going to keep shooting long threes until I miss, and I ain’t going to miss.”
Lowry’s leadership makes a difference for Raptors’ Nogueira | Toronto Star
“I think Kyle’s a leader by example when people see him bust his butt, go down there and dig out a loose ball, take a charge, run back and block a shot in transition,” Raptors coach Dwane Casey said. “Then the other night, I think in the Milwaukee game, Lucas was struggling a little bit and then he came up and got two big blocks and Kyle said ‘Hey, that’s the Lucas we need.’
“So those words of encouragement from Kyle and DeMar (DeRozan) are huge, especially from Kyle. Both of those guys are our leaders and that’s what they’ve got to do. They’ve got to be the coaches on the floor, give them encouragement, get on guys when they don’t do their jobs, as (the coaching staff) will. Our team is going to go . . . the way they go.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/BNapsw7lw45/
Raptors’ Nogueira opens up about ties to plane crash victims – Sportsnet.ca
Raptors centre Lucas Nogueira discusses ties to fallen Brazililan soccer players from the Colombian plane crash, saying he likes to live his life with intensity, because you never know when such tragedies can happen.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BNalG-fAjlo/
Kyle Lowry might see Spurs as an alternative option, would that make sense for him? – RealGM
Kyle could fit into Popovichs system, he is like Manu Ginobili, one of the most clever PGs in the league. Moreover, you gotta take into account that Kyle already has playoffs experience and a gold medal with team USA. What else? Just imagine this core:
Kyle Lowry, Kawhi Leonard and LMA.Would this make sense for Lowry? Yes, does not only he receives his money but also a more stacked team like the spurs. Does this make sense for SA? Yes, remember that Popovich, apart from talent, looks for smart guys.
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Game Preview: Raptors vs. Grizzlies | Toronto Raptors
Toronto enters Wednesday’s game having won three straight. In each of those games, the opponent point total has gone down. Still, head coach Dwane Casey wants to see more improvement defensively.
“We had a lot of defensive mistakes,” Casey said. “Our fundamentals, we’ve got to continue to work on it. I’m going to keep harping on it, keep preaching it. We were in the same situation last year where we had to do a huge turnaround defensively. Whether we get there or not is going to be up to us. Whether [we’re facing] Philadelphia, Memphis, the Lakers, whoever it is, we have to have a core belief and commitment and be connected together to get it done defensively.”
After the 122-95 victory over the Sixers, Toronto’s coaching staff had game tape ready on Tuesday morning to show the team all of the mistakes made on the defensive end of the floor.
“Our communication, our transition defence was not there [at this point] last year and it’s not there now,” Casey explained. “Our pick-and-roll defence, our guards need to get into the ball and contain the ball. There’s too many blow bys, getting from Point A to the basket too easily. The bigs have to do their job, but our perimeter players need to make sure they contain the ball one on one. There are too many blow bys. Those two areas are key areas we have to get better at.”
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