The Value of Patience – Raptors Republic: ESPN TrueHoop Network Blog
The trajectory that DeMar DeRozan followed to get where he is today should be encouraging because it suggests that there is still quite a bit of time for Valanciunas to develop. A lot of it is on him – like DeRozan he probably needs to rework his body and needs to develop his playmaking and the finer details of his game – but he does need to be given the opportunity to play through mistakes like DeRozan did.
His inconsistency can be frustrating for a team trying to win games in the present but when he is struggling it’s important to remember the way he saved the Raptors in the playoffs last year and that he has outplayed the likes of DeMarcus Cousins, Rudy Gobert, Andre Drummond and Anthony Davis head to head in recent games. The point isn’t to hide him when he isn’t that player, it’s to find ways to bring that player out with greater regularity because it’s what the team needs to take that next step. It’s not unreasonable to think that if DeRozan were kept on a short leash like this he wouldn’t be the player he is now and the Raptors were absolutely right to build him up and let him play through his rough patches, they need to do the same with Valanciunas.
Cory Joseph stepping up in Kyle Lowry’s absence – Raptors Republic: ESPN TrueHoop Network Blog
In 2015-16, Joseph played a career high in minutes and then faded in the playoffs. He was great against Indiana, but struggled in the following two series. Joseph then played in the Olympic qualifying tournament in early July 2016. That tournament, although brief, was in the Philippines.
Joseph has played a ton of minutes, racking up miles in travel and has not had the extended rest period that many players enjoy in the offseason. It is easy to dismiss these things when we know that athletes are earning millions of dollars, but we have to separate the paycheque from the physical toll. Cash can’t compensate for tired legs or a lack of sleep. That’s just not how it works.
Dwane Casey benched Joseph in early February, and he’s been solid since that. Originally, the coach wanted to give Joseph a “mental blow” but he may have just given him the time off he really needed. Or, being forced into the spotlight made him step up his game. Having Ibaka doesn’t hurt either. Whatever the reason, Joseph has proven to be a more-than-capable replacement while Lowry gets right
The ingredients of a title contender – Raptors Republic: ESPN TrueHoop Network Blog
Raptors 905 have the best record in the NBA D-League. They stand at 32-11, 2.5 games ahead of both the Los Angeles D-Fenders and Oklahoma City Blue. They’ve won the way contenders do, from blowouts and buzzer-beaters to second-half rallies and ugly grind-it-outs. They’ve won 16 games at home, and 16 on the road. They are in the top five for both offensive and defensive efficiency, and have a net rating of +8.0, 3.2 points higher than the second-best team.
This past Saturday, they clinched the first of what they hope will be many playoff berths.
For those of you wondering, the four division winners of each conference, along with the two best remaining records (wildcards) in each conference advance to the playoffs. The 905 are on the verge of clinching their first Central Division title (I know, why not the Atlantic?), and must win three best-of-three series to win the title. The D-League favours upsets (and wants to limit travel), so they grant the wildcard home-court advantage for the first game, before the division winner hosts the second, and third if necessary. That means just six wins is all it takes, but as few as two losses could end a storybook season.
Sneakerheads: How the Raptors choose, change and get comfortable in their shoes – The Athletic
“I don’t change them that often, maybe once, twice a year,” Joseph said, as he was walking off the main court at American Airlines Arena as Powell started to eavesdrop. “They’re crazy, man. These guys are crazy. I don’t know why they change their shoes so much. It don’t make any sense to me.”
“You gotta change shoes man,” Powell countered. “Some of them be too slippery sometimes depending on the court — how it is”
“No. The shoes don’t lose nothing,” Joseph said. “You know when you first get shoes, they’re a little bit stiff? They don’t loosen up. My shoes have to be formed to my feet.”
Then it got personal.
“Cory is a pretty boy. He can’t just go out there and hoop,” Powell said. “Everything’s got to be perfect. The hair’s got to be perfect. You’ve got to have the shoes perfect.”
“Pretty boys change their shoes every game,” Joseph said. “Pretty boys care more about looks more than being comfortable. I’m about comfort.”
Point, Joseph.
Raptors rookies Wright, VanVleet taking advantage of opportunity | RAPTORS | Rap
The Raptors, needless to say, are better and more dangerous when Lowry is running the show, forcing teams to extend their defence when he’s making three-pointers and his presence on the floor can’t be measured in any statistical number.
Wright and VanVleet aren’t in Lowry’s category, but they don’t have to be at the moment given their secondary role. They energize the team, make the right play by finding the right guy, play off each other and compete at a high level.
Wright had the luxury of watching Lowry and Joseph play together last season, Wright’s first in the NBA, and now VanVleet understands how the two can impact games when both are on the floor.
“I definitely take notice on how they (Lowry and Joseph) attack or where the spacing is,’’ VanVleet said.
As young players, VanVleet is well aware how every opportunity must be embraced, every second a chance to improve and make an impression.
“We’re figuring it out and trying to improve each game,’’ he added.
Tucker gets nod as Raps near playoffs | Raptors | Sports | Toronto Sun
Dwane Casey is trying to get more minutes, not less, for P.J. Tucker, the tough forward acquired on trade deadline day from Phoenix.
Tucker has never appeared in a post-season game, but his role will expand.
“He’s going to be important for us,’’ said Casey, who used Tucker as his fourth reserve off the bench Monday night against Dallas, playing just north of 13 minutes. “His physicality, his experience, we have to make sure we keep his minutes up.”
Matchups are critical in the post-season and Casey wants to get Tucker playing with as many combinations as possible.
“Our defence is one of the tops in the league with P.J. on the floor,’’ said Casey, who did not want to throw Tucker into the fire in Miami Saturday night as the Heat was in the midst of laying a beatdown on the visitors.
Monday rolled around and Casey’s focus was on getting his young kids involved as the Raptors were rolling against the Mavs.
“But we got to make sure he (Tucker) gets his minutes where he gets his rhythm, is in game condition. He’s getting his work in off the court, but we have to make sure he has game time, “ Casey said.
Ideally, Casey wants to see Tucker play 25 to 28 minutes.
Raptors’ Delon Wright getting himself noticed around NBA | Toronto Star
Of the many attributes Wright has put on display in what’s now a 10-game run as the team’s primary backup point guard, one of the most impressive is his ability to block shots.
He is deceptively quick and undeniably long and has a knack for catching shooters off guard. In just 202 minutes this season, he’s had seven blocked shots. That may not sound like an extraordinary number, but it’s by far a greater ratio of blocks-to-minutes-played than any other guard on the team. He had a four-block game in Washington 10 days ago and got another one in a win over Dallas in Toronto on Monday night.
Wright gets near the rim defending a penetrating guard and can catch them off-guard by knocking away a field goal attempt.
“His timing is pretty good in those situations,” coach Dwane Casey said. “He surprises people with his length and timing more than anything else.”
Numbers Game: Time for Some Optimism? – Raptors HQ
But here’s the good news. The other change that happened over the break, is not only did Lowry go out, but the Raptors also swapped Ross and Sullinger for Tucker and Ibaka, two dramatic defensive improvements. And although Lowry has also been key defensively for the Raptors (105.1 DRTG with him on the court, 108.8 DRTG without him), they’ve made up enough ground to actually stay afloat over this stretch.
They are sporting a 102.8 DRTG since the break, good for 7th in the league in that time. That puts them at a surprising slight positive net rating (+2.7, 9th) without Lowry, which usually translates to roughly .500 basketball. And they’ve exceeded that expectation as well, with a 6-4 record since the break.
Recent ugly losses to teams below them in the standings like the Bucks, Hawks and Heat have coloured the perception of the team’s play of late. In reality, they’ve grabbed quality wins as well against Boston and Washington, and overall have treaded water nicely without Lowry.
And if Lowry can come back and re-ignite that offense, and the defense can maintain its new form, watch out. This team could get fun to watch again — very, very quickly.
