Status quo suits Triano – Toronto Sun
While he admits Jose Calderon and Jarrett Jack have to do a better job of fighting through and cutting off penetration, it's also up to the bigs to provide help in that case.In any event, the approach is not going to change.
"I don't want to abandon what we are doing," he said. "In years past, we have had a defensive philosophy and we would get to this point and decide: 'This is hurting us. Let's abandon it and do something different.'
"We're not going to do that. We just have to it better and that's part of what (yesterday's practice) was."
Calderon, a guy who gets plenty of the blame for opposing point guards preying on the Raptors — not all of it deserved, according to both Triano and Chris Bosh — came into this season intent on being a better defender.
While the early results don't appear to be attractive — both Memphis' Mike Conley and Orlando's Jameer Nelson got into the lane at will in the past two games — Calderon feels his defence has improved.
Inconsistent Raptors desperate for consistency – thestar.com
Chris Bosh alluded to it in the aftermath of Sunday's 125-116 loss to Orlando, a passivity to start the game that got Toronto in a hole too deep to get out of.It was part lack of effort, which was particularly galling to many because effort should be constant. But it was also, according to coach Jay Triano, a mental timidity that doesn't allow them to play freely.
"I think at the start of the game, we're so concerned about trying to do the right thing," he said. "We're not reacting, we're thinking our way through it. It's paralysis by analysis. We just thinking about everything. Finally when we started to play and we started to attack the basket, we became much better basketball team."
Feschuk: Solution to Raptors’ weak defence? Start Jack – thestar.com
Calderon, to this eye, has been getting beat for lay-ins too often, although he says his defence has been "better than (his) offence" this season, which gives you an idea of what he thinks about his shooting stroke.So what are the Raptors to do? Junking it up might be an option. Jack Armstrong, the high-energy broadcaster, was on the radio show he co-hosts with Eric Smith on The Fan 590 on Monday making an argument for Toronto's occasional playing of multi-look zone defence. If you've got a glaring weakness, it makes some sense to be at least a little bit deceptive about where it is. But don't expect changes. The Raptors coaching staff, particularly Jay Triano and lead assistant Marc Iavaroni, has invested a lot of time and effort into developing its current system.
The winds of change blow hard; and the Best of Oak
This guy sucks? Make a change.Team loses game? Make a change.
They’re pretty much exactly where a lot of people thought they’d be after three games? Make a change anyway dammit.
Trouble is, it’s never black and white, it’s always grey.
Take the whole “Jose can’t defend a lick, why is he playing, how in the world can they ever win a game with him out there?” stuff I’m getting floods of in the mail.
No, he’s not a great defender but the notion than anyone can defend anyone one-on-one is, as perhaps we’ve mentioned before, silly.
Yes, he will give up blow-bys just like every other point guard or wing man in the NBA.
Passing It Around : The Picket Fence
Now, I will admit that Calderon has not looked good so far this year. He’s only slightly better on defense than last season, and he’s shooting from the field, the 3 point line and the free throw line like Dick Cheaney shoots a shotgun (too dated?). Of course, since he’s missed more free throws in 3 games this year than he did ALL of last season, I think it’s safe to say that Calderon is not quite himself. Any bets on whether he regrets taking the entire summer off from basketball? Anyone think he’s not going to do the same thing next summer? Still, while it’s disturbing to watch, it’s also reassuring, because you know he’s going to come around sooner or later. He’s too good a player to continue playing the way he has.
Three Games In And We Should…… | The AltRaps Blog
Personally I’ve always hated the “it’s just preseason” excuse. This year we had a full roster. Nobody was in camp that was trying to make the team. From the get-go, what you saw is what we had. Sure, we were missing Hedo and Chris and the deeper bench players were playing more minutes than usual, but after seeing lethargic effort after lethargic effort, did you really expect that they would kick it up a notch on opening night and keep it going for a few weeks? If you are a Raptors follower, you can’t honestly tell me you did especially when looking at past history.
For those who have watched Raptors’ head coach Jay Triano in the recent Raptors TV programming and in post game interviews it should have become clear that the team’s defensive game plan is to protect the paint first. And for the most part, the Raptors are doing that.
There is no such thing as a must-win in the first week of November. But this is a game that will hurt the Raptors dearly if they don’t get it. A key to any Raptors success this season has to be protecting home court. The loss to Orlando is in the past, and if they can knock off the Pistons, a team expected to be in the bottom half of the Eastern playoff race with the Raptors, they can continue to build confidence at home. A sound defensive performance would assure fans that the Orlando game, not the Cleveland game, was an early blip on the radar. The key matchup will be the Raptors’ bench versus the Pistons’ bench. Detroit is not a deep team and may be without Richard Hamilton. It’s time for the revamped Raptors’ bench to make a statement.
Foul Ball: The Toronto Raptors’ Love Affair With The Whistle | Bleacher Report
In three games Toronto has averaged 29 fouls a game. Last season the Raps were only caught with their hands in the cookie jar 19.3 times a game. Toronto also held their opponents last season to only 21.5 free throw attempts, the third-least in the NBA. In any case, the '09-'10 Raptors have checked their inhibitions at the door. Due to their high volume of whistles, Toronto is paying for it at the charity stripe.
V.C. Mulling plan to be feted at ACC – Toronto Sun
"The thing about the free throws, that's a normal thing," Calderon said. "I'm going finish the year at 90%, but 98% is impossible. It happened once, forget about it, everyone has to be calm. It doesn't matter. If I miss, it's not the end of the world. We have to keep winning and working and making shots."
At this point, it's got to be about more than just making it to the playoffs. I think they've got to at least win a round for the year to be considered a true success. Although, retaining Chris Bosh – whether they win or lose in the playoffs – could make up for any other letdowns they may encounter.
Vince Carter to be honoured at the ACC on Nov 22nd? – Orlando Sentinel
Raptors fans with long memories didn't get the chance to boo Magic SG Vince Carter, who was scratched with an injury on Sunday.But that opportunity might come Nov. 22 at Air Canada Centre when the player who demanded out of Toronto after six-plus seasons will be … honored by the franchise as part of their 15th anniversary celebration.
The Raptors say they will first ask Carter if he wants to go through with a ceremony, realizing the back-story.
"Everybody wants to know how we can do it, but Vince is part of the history here," Raptors General Manager Bryan Colangelo told the Sentinel. "Most of the people that he had problems with here are gone."
A Trade That Would Make the Denver Nuggets Champions – Bleacher Report
It would be a three team deal involving the Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, and the Toronto Raptors. In addition to simply making the Nuggets better, the moves would address concerns for both the Warriors and the Raptors as well.In this deal, Golden State would receive Kenyon Martin, J.R. Smith, and Malik Allen from the Nuggets and would ship Stephen Jackson and Anthony Morrow to Denver and Monta Ellis and Andris Biedrins to Toronto.
This would allow the Warriors to grant Jackson his trade demand and eliminate the possibility of that situation getting out of control.
Raptors need to be passionate about defence – Vancouver Sun
Three games into the season, all of that talk has yielded decidedly mixed results. The good: holding the discombobulated Cleveland Cavaliers to 35 per cent shooting on opening night. The bad: allowing the Memphis Grizzlies to shoot 51 per cent last Friday. The in-between: keeping the Orlando Magic to a reasonable 44 per cent clip on Sunday, but allowing 17 three-pointers on the way to a loss.The common theme between the latter two was dribble penetration, perhaps the Raptors’ single biggest problem a year ago. Head coach Jay Triano called it the worst part of the loss to the Magic, and unproven Memphis guard Mike Conley beat point guard Jose Calderon often the game before.
Defensive breakdowns already costly for Raptors – The Globe and Mail
Jack said defensive breakdowns happen when a team is just getting to know each other.“It’s kind of like you’re the new kid in a new school, and you know the answer to the question but you’re hesitant to raise your hand, that’s kind of like how we are,” said Jack, who was signed to a five year, $20-million (U.S.) free-agent contract. “We need to relax a bit and do what we’re all capable of doing.”
Jack said the Raptors are slowly adopting a defensive mind-set in practice – no mean feat considering the team is largely comprised of offensive-minded players. Much of yesterday’s practice was spent fine-tuning the adjustments needed to be made when the ball handler does gain an advantage at the point of attack.
Triano won’t hit the panic button – CANOE — SLAM! Sports
Triano was asked specifically yesterday if he had entertained any thoughts about getting Antoine Wright, who couldn’t practise because of a minor ankle sprain, into the starting lineup.
On Di Fence Over the Raps Defense. – Raptors Digest
The Raptors rank bottom 3 in the league in opponent 3PT% at a whopping 46%, this however should comes as no surprise as perimeter D, or the lack thereof, has been a problem for this basketball team for years. We are -2.4 threes a game.The Raptors rank in the bottom 10 in opponents FT%; now while shots from the charity stripe cannot be defended, sending opponents to the line a league worst 37.7 times per game, can, and must be rectified (-4.4 a game).
The Raptors rank in the bottom 8 in opponent rebounding with 43.7 a game, interestingly however the Raptors are a top 6 in limiting opponents defensive rebounding (28.7), however they are the worst in the league at giving up offensive rebounds (15) and second chance points (-4.7 offensive rebounds a game).
Audio Blog – Raps D – Eric Smith
Alright … I planned on writing today … but life got busy. Then, before I knew it, show-time was approaching for “The Game Plan” and I didn’t have a chance to get the blog done.But what better way to ‘make up’ for missing my written word … then chatting with THE COACH, Jack Armstrong.
Listen in on our 10-minute chat RE: the Raptors defensive deficiencies over the past two games — both losses (to Memphis and Orlando).
Dino Nation Blog: This Week In DNB Episode 1
I am going to do a podcast called This Week in the DNB every Monday that the Raptors are not in action. It will allow me to talk about it instead of write about for a day. Hope you enjoy it and if you have suggestions of what you would like to hear feel free to let me know. Even a portion of it where I answer your questions would be cool. But no questions today just my thoughts on the first week of the NBA season for the Raptors and a look ahead to a tough week for the Raps starting with Detroit on Wednesday.
Jose Calderon makes bold free-throw related prediction – Posted Sports
Last year, Calderon would have been the obvious choice, having hit 151 of his 154 free-throws, an NBA record for efficiency in a season. But at that point, he had already surpassed his total of misses from last year, having hit just eight of his first 12 free throws."I'm going to finish the season at 90%; 98% is impossible. It happened once. Forget about it," Calderon said Monday in mock seriousness. "Everybody has to be calm.
"Over 90, for sure. That's how I'll finish."
For the record, Calderon hit that free throw.
Got a question for former Raptors forward Charles Oakley? Submit it to raptorspace.com and we'll forward it to Oak this week!
Armstrong: Raptors need to focus on improving defence: TSN.ca
2. PICK & ROLL/SCREEN SEQUENCES: Need to communicate better and be more aggressive stringing out the coverage. The man guarding the ball is not getting enough talk or help behind him allowing the opposition to exploit the situation. Settle into how you're going to play it and get better at it.As far as other screen scenarios go — have to do a better job of communication and being fundamentally sound on how to play each type of screen in an opponent's offensive arsenal. With nine new faces on the team and only three players (Bosh/Bargnani/Jose Calderon) that started last season with the team, it will take time to get everyone 'on a string' and function as ONE as a defensive team. Have to help each other and trust each other to help when needed.
29 Raps
“did you really expect that they would kick it up a notch on opening night and keep it going for a few weeks? If you are a Raptors follower, you can’t honestly tell me you did especially when looking at past history.”
This point would be moot had we picked a coach other than Jay Triano leading the helm. With 9 new players, ‘history’ should not be repeating itself. However when you have a coach using a mish-mash of several of the philosophies of previous coaches in the Raptors History, then this point is perfectly valid.
I’m not trying to say Triano is a bad coach. What I am saying is that in his tenure with the Raptors, he hasn’t really seen how a “winning team” gets things done (or even a “winning coach”… lolWilkins) in the NBA. He’s going to have the same growing pains in his job that DeRozan is having in his rookie year, and Raptors fans have to learn to deal with that. This is not a 50 win season. We’re a hopefully .500 team just trying to find ourselves. Hopefully that’s sooner rather than later.
The Raptors start has nothing to do with their history, or or with coach. It has to do with the fact they have 9 new players, most of whom are young and inexperienced, and all of them are still learning a new system they’ve never played in before. That, plus the fact that the starting five has weaknesses in the rebounding and defense departments.
As for Triano, you don’t need to learn under a winning coach to understand how to win. And what he learns under his former head coaches in the NBA is not the sum of his knowledge.
I get what your saying Marz. But I do think Triano’s resources go deeper than the coaches he’s been an assistant under. It comes down to the players “maning up” and other than Bosh I haven’t really seen any of the players show much passion other than the opener. Not every night is going to be in front of 18,000 screaming fans and if they need that to get motivated we’ve got a problem.
I think they all are trying to hard to fit in other than Bosh who is a machine. I recall him starting out last year like this too before he wore down. Hopefully the new bulk will help with that.
We need Reggie Bad. I mean really bad!!!
If Jack and Calderon don’t pick it up then we need to find a replacement. Calderon took the summer off to get healthy but now he and the team are using that as an excuse. I don’t get it. It seems to me that LeBron, Kobe, Dwight etc. don’t need to recoup after a long season. Maybe becasue they stay in shape and work hard? I think a lot of the Raptors need to take a look in the mirror as they certainly aren’t leaving it on the floor like a pro is supposed to…..
PG can’t go under screens unless your playing Rondo or Rose! Jameer Nelson killed both of them! Sorry you can also apparently go under the screen against CALDERON AND JACK!
I wouldn’t worry about Bosh. Last season Smitch played the guy close to 45 minutes a game at the beginning. Triano will start reducing his minutes soon enough (he’s at 39 mpg right now), especially when Reggie comes back and we don’t have to rely on Amir Johnson’s 6 mpg.
And you’re right, the games would have gone a lot differently if Jack and Calderon weren’t shooting bricks for the first 3 games. Regardless, one has to question Triano for using them so consistently given their lackluster play, especially together.
The post about Bosh going to Denver in a three way trade with Golden State and getting Beidrens and Monta Ellis in return. You never know whether this is fantasy or a real possibility – if Monta Ellis still has the lightening quickness and slashing ability he had before his motorcycle accident, I think this is a trade worth considering. I haven’t really paid attention to Golden State – anyone know what Ellis’ physical status is?
Ellis is doing great in terms of playing ability… but where does he fit on the Raptors?
Anyway, this trade doesn’t work at all. Toronto can’t take back that much salary so they’d need to ship someone else out, but that’s not what doesn’t work. The fact that Golden State are only getting Kmart + JR Smith for Monta Ellis AND Biedrins? Please. Also note that this is coming from Bleacher Report… not exactly a source renowned for their NBA know-how.
And according to that trade scenario, the Warriors would be giving up Morrow too! Never gonna happen. There is no way the Raptors trade Bosh this season. BC would never do that he is way too stubborn. He will cling to the hope that Bosh re-signs. And if he doesnt, then BC will sign and trade him.
Marz – thanks for the clarification about the website with the trade rumour.
I would see Ellis as the quick, highly skilled slashing guard who can guard the perimeter that we desperately need. All our other guards seem to have huge holes in their game – Calderon while a good shooter and playmaker struggles defensively; Jack is an inconsistent shooter, DeRozan is inexperienced, Wright and Weems are athletic and seem strong defensively however are limited offensively. Douby and Banks are marginal players at best.
You raise a very good point – it is extremely difficult to make trades in the NBA given the salary cap constraints.
To many cries for change too early in the season.
Triano has said his defense is protect the paint and as they get better at it improve the run outs to the perimeter. He also said they are still implementing defensive sets.
This team will need a month to “gel” and determine effective player rotations. November isn’t going to be a month to remember!
This is going to be a long month. I have a feeling that we might become “that” Raptors team again that is going to show up against good teams, even beating teams that are better on paper.
You’re right though, we can’t really expect it all to click when even the coach is asking/saying that it will take some time for everything to fall into place.
I love the Bosh for Ellis Trade! We really need another small gaurd who can’t play defense. If we can package some players to send to Memphis for Iverson we would be amazing!!!! The only issue then becomes who starts at SF? Calderon, Ellis, Bargnani and Iverson would look good with maybe Maggette instead of Beidrens! Any time you can get a bunch of scorers who don’t guard anyone big or small it has championship written all over it. Ask Don Nelson…..
If you didn’t pick up on the sarcasm read it again…its there :)
I see the sarcasm but let’s top pretending like the current group of Raptors play better defense than any of the players you mentioned.
I agree that’s my point. We don’t play defense so to bring in a bunch of guys who also don’t play defense doesn’t make sense. We need to realize that you have to balance your team and if you want to win. FOr example…If you have 2 not very physical guys playing PF and C then you better have a big size SF (Marion or Wallace?) and your guards better not let guys get to the net. (I won’t go there).
No 1 player is the issue in Toronto. We have good players. The problem is we spend so much time finding guys who fit on offense we forget that there are 2 ends to the court. I have often said Bargs and Bosh don’t fit well together. THEY DON’T! However, is it impossible to win with them YES! But you need Rondo, Raja Bell and Gerald Wallace guarding the perimeter to make sure they aren’t required to block shots or help while guarding Dwight Howard.
The farmer doen’t protect his daughter by leaving the barn door open with her legs tied up in the air! Our personal will never be good on defense…..EVER!!!!
Either Bosh or Bargnani need to go OR Calderon needs to go because the combination doesn’t work, shouldn’t work and never should have been considered.
Tell me I’m wrong. Show me a team with poor interior defense and no perimeter defense that has one any games. Don’t say Pheonix! Because they had perimeter defense out the ying yang with Bell, Joe Johnson and Marion who is also that big 3 that plays like a 4 which is crucial to having 2 finesse bigs.
I’m done….
I agree!
Rap of the Day!
This trade may happen only if Bosh want to leave (because he is disappointed the way the season is going and it is way too early for that) or they cannot agree on a contract renewal. But if it happen Biedrins will be the key acquisition not Ellis.
Trade Bosh now? For Ellis and Biedrins?
B**** Please.
The guy is averaging 29 and 14 why would we want to trade the only “consistent” player on the team?
Neither is an All-Star and the move is garbage.
Let’s chill on defensive talk, because the reality is this team is never going to be great defensively with its current roster. We really only have 3 or 4 guys that can play D. Don’t expect the team to become defensive specialists. Triano keeps talking about improving it because thats the reason they will lose this season. So they have to get better to win.
To me it really looks the effort is just not there.
We need Evans back give him shots and get him in the damn game.
I think people need to realize that its only 3 games into the season, but I think there are Arse has made some very excellent points, coupled with a few very questionable ones.
Arse, your take on Bargnani in that Orlando game was spot on, but I think you need to recognize that Andrea is nor will he ever by even adequate guarding players like Ryan Anderson. Like you pointed out, he is an adequate low post defender, which is all the Raps should ask him to do. His offense is too valuable to leave off the floor, the guy is averaging 22 pts a game!
The entire Raptors offense should be side pick and roll with Hedo and Bosh and high pick and pop with Hedo and Bargnani. Jose is frustrating me to no end. His ridiculous need for the ball is imploding the Raptor offense. Bosh, Hedo, Bargnani is giving this Raptors squad 65 pts a night, that should be good enough, yet its not even close. I am perplexed.
Young Money,
The problem is that Bargnani hasn’t been very good at guarding the low post, either. Just about every time Howard posted him up, he scored (Bosh did a fantastic job on Howard, on the other hand). Plus, his rotations on defense are late, his play defending the pick and roll is horrible, and while he’s certainly not adequate guarding perimeter players like Anderson, what really bugged me was that he wouldn’t even get his hands up when trying to close out. You’re seven-frickin’ feet tall, get your hands up at the very least!!!!! This bugs me when I’m playing pickup ball, I can’t imagine a pro doing it. It’s basic fundamental basketball.
You’re right, Calderon is the problem…I was listening to the Orlando broadcast and the announcers said it well: “The raptors look like they just don’t know what to do with Turk…they need to put the ball in his hands as often as they can”.
Calderon needs to be that secondary ball handler, and hit open shots…and if you do that, then why bother with him on the floor? Use Jack for his defense.
Frustrating.
Memo to all you complaining about the defense/Triano/Calderon/Wright not starting blah blah…..
IT’S ONLY BEEN THREE GAMES!!!!!!
There’s nine new players, a tough schedule….this was expected!!! I suspect some of you are leafs fans and are bringing the same sense of urgency/worry to basketball….please keep that stuff away from the raps. Thanks!
Whatever Vijay!
it’s not all that hard to tell who obtains their raptor-related info directly from the source…
Bargs isn’t a bad imdividual defender. Dwight is a beast. He can guard most centers in the NBA straight up which I’m not sure is a complement to his D or a shot at the centers in the League but whatever. The issue isn’t Bosh and Bargs individual D it’s their team D as it relates to the wings. If you have turnstyles on the perimeter then you better have guys inside who challenge shots. Nobody would complain about Bosh and Bargs D if the perimeter guys could keep people in front of them. On the other hand, Nobody would complain about the guards letting guys penetrate if they had Mutombo in the middle.
It’s a sum of the peices and our peices don’t work! I’m not trying to say they are awful. The Raptors could very well win 45 games with this line up but I will say it one more time. NO TEAM WITH BARGS at Center, Bosh at PF and Calderon at PG will ever be a title contender. EVER! It doesn’t matter who the other 2 players are. They could get LeBron and Wade and it won’t matter. If you can’t guard the point and the interior your never going to be elite.
So why do we keep going in this direction? Brian Colangelo isn’t aware that the basketball court has 2 ends!
He envisioned this team with Calderon and Bosh running screen roll with Parker, Bargnani and Kapono around the perimeter and everybody giggled in excitement!!!!
BC after the first game of the season… Oh no! They have to play the other end too! I though if you scored you kept the ball? No! This is a mess! Maybe if we just keep playing Bargnani at Center and then give him 50 million the fans won’t realize I’m a fraud? Oh no…Mark is on to us!
Example of how clueless NBA writers are when talking about teams they don’t follow.
http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=14224
Who the hell is blaming DeMar DeRozan for anything in Toronto?
How is 7.3 ppg a bad number? I guess they figured he is playing 35 mins like regular starters…
same dudes lauding bargnani for ‘breaking out’?
no hamilton and no prince if we dont beat detriot someone has to get fired or traded
Triano stated in his Tuesday post-practice video that “we’ve had trouble” against beefy front courts like what Detroit has. He cited Brown and Wilcox specifically… wtf?! Bosh and Bargs better DESTROY the Detroit frontcourt or I’ll be pissed.
“no hamilton and no prince if we dont beat detriot someone has to get fired or traded”
Yes, because four game in is the time to panic.