If Lou keeps this up, do you guys think he will win 6th MOTY?
Derozan, Lowry, Williams, Vasquez vs Bledsoe, Dragic, Green, Thomas
Hard to imagine a game with 8 better guards than this. Looking forward to tonight. Should be a shoot-out but I don't think we match up well with the Suns.
Yes. He's producing better then some starters. But realistically, his production will level out by the end of the season.
We don't play small ball overly well and the Suns love to run the floor. Controlling the pace and focusing on half court ball favours us. Their interior D isn't the best so it would be great if we could establish JV early on, and also crash the net looking for offensive boards (gotta be careful to not let them out in transition though). 2Pat is going to be key off the bench when we go to a small ball lineup. I really wouldn't expect to see Chuck Hayes at all tonight.
Clearly you underestimate Dwane Casey.
It is pretty clear that his ankles are becoming a bigger issue than they once were. His defense is still valuable but he hasn't provided as much offensive boards compared to previous years. Since last season he has made an effort to improve his perimeter shooting and it kinda costs the team some second chance points. On the bright side he is somehow better than DeRozan at shooting 3s now.
I'm sure there is young talent around the league that could blossom into a similar role that Johnson plays long term, but in terms of being a big positive plus minus player on the defensive end and altering shots at the rim (in the present) these are the only players in basketball with a similar impact, and remember that Amir played much of last season on bad ankles. Like I said above, Amir Johnson is really underrated defensively...Player | RealPlusMinus | Defensive RPM | Opp FG% at rim
Taj Gibson | 4.20 | 3.64 | 44.9%
LaMarcus Aldridge | 4.46 | 3.23 | 49.3%
Serge Ibaka | 4.46 | 3.23 | 45.0%
Amir Johnson | 4.61 | 3.14 | 47.9%
Based on last year's full numbers:
I'm sure there is young talent around the league that could blossom into a similar role that Johnson plays long term, but in terms of being a big positive plus minus player on the defensive end and altering shots at the rim (in the present) these are the only players in basketball with a similar impact, and remember that Amir played much of last season on bad ankles. Like I said above, Amir Johnson is really underrated defensively...
If I were the Raptors I would use Johnson's ankles as leverage in negotiations, and try to keep him on a bargain contract moving forward. I also imagine that he will finally have surgery on his ankles following a contract extension that gives him some security moving forward.
Based on last year's full numbers:
I'm sure there is young talent around the league that could blossom into a similar role that Johnson plays long term, but in terms of being a big positive plus minus player on the defensive end and altering shots at the rim (in the present) these are the only players in basketball with a similar impact, and remember that Amir played much of last season on bad ankles. Like I said above, Amir Johnson is really underrated defensively...
If I were the Raptors I would use Johnson's ankles as leverage in negotiations, and try to keep him on a bargain contract moving forward. I also imagine that he will finally have surgery on his ankles following a contract extension that gives him some security moving forward.
He should have had surgery two seasons ago. Regardless of his reasons he's put the team in the position they are in with his unwillingness to have the surgery done in the first place. It really doesn't make sense that these guys elect not to have the problem fixed and instead elect to try and treat it through other means while the problem gets worse.
As for Amir's contract I wouldn't extend him a new contract, use the money you save in offering him an extension and the money saved from Fields and Hayes and go out and get a legit starting PF.
Love will probably go to LA, maybe stay in Cleavland but the chances of him in a raptors jersey next season is slim to none imo.
Aldridge will most likely stay in Portland. They have a pretty good situation in Portland and I don't see him turning his back on that.
Millsap is probably the guy the Raps will be targeting imo, he's pretty good all round player.
Tristan Thompson even though a rfa I would take a look at. He's young still has big upside and he's athletic. IMO would fit right into Toronto's playing style but maybe not as well as a guy like Millsap would.
Problem with Amir is that he just fouls so much. All these little ticky tack fouls are called against him. But yea I would be worried without him there as he is easily our best post defender
The NBA announced that Toronto Raptors guard Lou Williams has been named Eastern Conference Player of the Week (November 17-23).
Williams is the sixth Raptors player to ever win the award, joining Vince Carter (seven times), Chris Bosh (seven times), Mike James, Jalen Rose and Kyle Lowry.
This was Williams' first time winning the award.
Game on tsn2, thus i wont be able to watch on tv.
anybody know a website where you can watch the game in hd?
Millsap is a downgrade defensively, and entering his ago 30 season. No thanks. I'd rather re-sign Amir Johnson, and load up for the 2016 class when the cap rises.
Millsap is an upgrade everywhere else and he isn't a liability on defense. Amir is just as old and has played in the league longer.
I would rather have a healthy PF who can play over 30 minutes a night and help on the offensive end besides put backs and Summer 3's.