The “phew, that was close” edition.
Banks – tell me you weren’t shocked when he hit those 3s early. For a guy who takes a lot of stick in these parts, it was satisfying to see him have a good game.
Bargnani – good game from the pasta pusher. Did a great job in making Lopez think and, in turn, foul.
Belinelli – first, the good: active hands on defense and some great hustle. Now, the bad: the rest of his game. Plain and simple, the guy sucks. Just a brutal trade. He has brought next to nothing and has watched guys with household names like Weems zoom by him in the rotation. Suckage.
Bosh – Boone and Najera kept you off the boards, Chris. Think about that. The pep in his step has disappeared and this team will have little hope unless he finds it again.
Calderon – nice shirt/tie combo. Very……umm………festive?
DeRozan – looks like he enjoys playing young teams. Granted he was taking on the Nets, but he looked so much more relaxed and engaged tonight. The whole team needed a game that they could use to build confidence, but DeMar needed one more than most, just to snap him out of his recent funk.
Evans – my Christmas wish? I want to see Reggie walk to the bench with his pimp walk, big rimmed hat, cane, and snakeskin boots. He’ll then blow kisses to the crowd, point at Nav the Super Fan and bellow “you work for ME now, bitch”.
Jack – superb game. He started fast on the gas and never let up. Faced with one of the better PGs in the league, he crushed his spirit early. I think nobody missed Jose tonight.
Johnson – Amir bestowed his best game of the year upon his ever-growing fanbase. He was hitting shots like he was Kareem, but with an attitude. Pulling down boards like he was Barkley without that extra weight. How long until there is an Amir section at the ACC?
Mensah-Bonsu – meh.
Nesterovic – gift list: slippers, pipe, heating pad, smoking jacket, goat.
O’Bryant – let me tell you what I like about his game.
Turkoglu- brilliant. Used early and often in the offensive sets, took smart shots, looked to distribute, made the Nets look like a junior high team, and did everything he should have been doing for the past month.
Weems – 10, 4, and 4. A nice game for him on any night. However, how the heck do you foul out in a game like this? Seriously! Anywhooo……he did play well and seemed to be on a pogo stick at times. Solid.
Wright – how deep is this dog house? Alex English needs to work with this kid and bring him along. Show him how to come into a game and take advantage of what is given to him. Without that guidance, he’ll be a greeter at WalMart in 4 years.
Driving The Bus: Hedo Turkoglu
Under The Bus: Marco Belinelli
Game Theme:
91 Raps
Prediction: Antoine Wright demands in a trade in the next two weeks.
that has been visible for a while. might not need to demand though.
He can have it.
Will anyone have a problem with that?
Wright for a second round draft pick maybe ??!!!
That would be a great trade!
But who is going to hand over the pick?
Has he been that bad or is he in the dog house for critisizing the coach? I hope it is not the later.
BOTH
This is the coach’s fault.
If Wright had started instead of Derozan.
Wright would have understood his role as defense.
Derozan coming off the bench, he would become
one of the offensive weapons.
Instead Triano puts Wright in an offensive role and Derozan
in an defensive role.
Both Wright and Derozan underachieve.
What kind of coach asks a rookie to guard the opposing teams
better players when the rookie is know for his offense skills
not his defensive skills. Plain stupidity.
What’s the result. One of our better defenders sitting on the bench
and our rookie losing confidence.
Holy shit, I’ve never thought of it that way, but your assessment really makes a lot of sense.
Yet another strike against Triano. The guy is BRUTAL.
Load of crap. He was told his role: Namely to play defense, contribute on offense, pass the ball – all the things all the players are told. I can’t even recall ONE game where he did well – and making three-pointer near the end of a game doesnt count for “overall” play.
He has underperformed dramatically and therefore has no credibility.
Bullshit. Everything David said is right on the money. DD is basically invisible in the starting rotation. The starting position was handed to him right after he was drafted. If he had to earn like other rooks he would have been coming off the bench from the get go…and he would probably be playing better against other teams second units and getting with more touches. Wright could be invisible on the starting unit because he would be used as a defensive stopper only. It’s not rocket science…get a grip.
Telling someone something means nothing.
It’s the actions that speak. When one of your better
defensive players isn’t ask to guard the opposing
starters. Your actions are telling him something.
When this same player is on the floor with little offensive options
your actions are telling him something.
Triano’s actions speak louder than his words.
He has put two players in positions where they underachieve.
Good point, I just get pissed off why Triano doesn’t let DD play with the 2nd unit when we are up big, let him get touches, try some stuff, get his confidence up. He sits him on the bench. I understand Turk Bosh Jack on the bench, but not this kid, he’s 21 and wants to play. Put him on the floor and let him get 20 points, as he could have easily done that last night.
I like DD in the starting rotation where he’s the 5th option. All Wright has to do is play good D and hit open 3’s against the opposing team’s bench. I dont think that’s asking too much.
yeah totally! DD is growing with the starters and giving us glimpses of the greatness to come and a below average offensive player is sinking with the second unit because he can’t grasp his role, agreed!
Wright for Devean George? lol
Is Antoine Wright good enough to demand a trade?
Well, He played as a starter for Dallas and he was guarding the likes of Carmelo in Playoffs and his coach was very happy with him.I am sure he does have takers in teams like Boston, Dallas, San antonio and …
Great game to watch!!! Filled with some amazing fastbreak plays. Amir had his best game and hope to see a consistent effort in the 10 & 6 range down the stretch. Raptors should capitalize on the next 4 games and should go 3-1, possibly 4-0. Love the Reggie comment, lmao.
Raptors would tear up the D-League .. Boshless … believe it …!!!
Switched over to the Cavs-Bucks to watch some real basketball….
Who are you again?
Who asked you to watch it in the first place?
fucking guy i hope u get hit by a car u fucking puck head go watch ur ugly leafs
Over react much?
The “Just a brutal trade” remark is the funniest thing I’ve ever read on this site considering what we gave up for Marco, which is nothing. And by the way, Weems has zoomed by Wright in the rotation, not Marco, who still comes in at the point in the game.
Yeah, I agree, brutal trade. I guess Devon George was a great player, don’t you cry to yourself at night thinking how much better this team would be with him? It truly is a shame that we got rid of such a tremendous talent. Maybe you should write an article on the guy, letting us know exactly how much we lost in that brutal trade.
character of the team would have been different though. wright might be playing better.
Yeah I thought that assessment of Belinelli was a bit harsh. Sure he’s in a brutal shooting slump but the guy has skill and at this point it’s all mental for him. He’ll shoot his way out of it eventually (right?).
And the “brutal trade” comment was plainly idiotic. Tonight’s roll call made me feel for the first time ever that I might be getting a bit tired of the content on this site.
+1
I couldn’t agree more. I have heard some ridiculous things on this site, but this takes the cake. I enjoy this site for the most part 90% of the time. But it’s that uneducated 10% of the comments, ie trading Belinelli for nothing and calling it a brutal trade, that really makes this site look bush league.
George is averaging 8 minutes a game with 3 points, 1.3 rebounds and 0.7 assists…wonder what altraps is smoking.
George is average 8 mins a game.. BUT HAS ONLY PLAYED IN 3 GAMES!!! 3 GAMES…
George’s value to the Raptor’s = AltRaps’ value to a woman – the cash in AltRaps’ extended hand…
you give up a thirty something has-been for a twenty three year old prospect with a ton of up side, terrible trade, did i mention he can play point and does for the italian national team every so often? what where we thinking? George was much more valuable to us then marco is!
It’s amazing how good the Raps look playing against a team that’s mostly 2nd & 3rd stringers.
Wright has an expiring contract – trades are possible!!
Banks hitting shots has not been his problem. Turnovers, inability to run an offensive, mental lapses, etc. Shooting the ball has been his strength.
Belinelli has been as advertised. He is either Hot or Cold. If the team wanted consistent, they got the wrong guy! Still a very young player with lots of room to develop.
1 down 4 to go.
brothersteve says: “1 down 4 to go.”
What happens after that …. uphill .. downhill .. or steady as she flies ??!!!!
February 15th(?) is the trade deadline date … Will BC pull the trigger on a Bosh/GSW trade … or is he waiting for a NYK/Bosh trade …???!!!!
Don’t look at the starting sched in Jan – its just a little tougher than this.
Re-read your CBA – trades with NYK don’t make any sense during the season!
I’ve always been uber-critical of marco’s game, it’s not just about being hot/cold, streaky etc which is kinda to be expected from a (volume) shooter. My compatriot probably needs an harsh, vocal coach that makes him play for the team, in a system, and forget his own glory. He took the same absurd contested fadeaway 3s in italy/euroleague/international competitions and people even praised him because he was the main man, sometimes the hero in bad teams, I suspect nobody really tried to correct these tendencies and now the raps gotta deal with this mess. At the moment there’s no way he can be a solid nba player, from the bench or otherwise, and maybe triano is not the ideal coach for him. If this keeps going on I suspect Marco will be back in europe in a couple of years or so.
bellinelli is just another jason kapon, minus the backstep travel. he lacks the strength and killer instinct of a ginobili-type of player. i would trade bellinelli to the knicks for nate robinson. o wait colangelo locked marco up for a couple of years, which north york would not take since they plan to take lebron, bosh, and wade this summer. chyeah!
trade calderon. jack is the point guard that we need. trade caldy for a player like jordan farmer or
yeah Farmar…what a difference maker he is.
Bullshit.
#1. Farmer? Really? If you were GM you’d be fired in a day.
#2. Oh wait, Colangelo did *not* lock up Marco for a couple of years. He exercised next year’s option. The year after is the qualifying offer.
#3. None of your numbers work, nor does NY taking LBJ, CB4 and Wade. They’ll be lucky if they get 2 of the 3.
Don’t get the comment on Bosh. Bosh woulda gotten his usual 12 rebounds had he played more…
There were only 37 boards to go around. Everyone got 1 except Rasho!
Johnson scored well when he played in the D-League.
Its nice to see that he can still score against D-League competition.
3 fowls in 7 minutes in the second half in a blow out?
Antoine was werse than Marco, that’s why they still need Marco. But is that 3 in a row suckage for him. Nice if they could afford to DNP him too. How low are these guys.
Bargnani had 1 rebound against (possibly) the worst shooting team in NBA history. On a cold night.
It’s time to admit the team’s defensive problems begin, and end with Bargs. He gets an F, and should be a back-up. Amir should start. Colangelo should suck it up and let it happen.
This is correct, and really is so obvious. Watch Bosh really come to play if they ever make the right move here.
Apparently you haven’t watched Amir play against a real team?
Great guy – not anywhere near ready to start or even close to Bargs ability.
agreed.
Ditto
On offense Johnson is not close.
On defense Bargnani is not close.
If Johnson could play without fouling then I would start him because there is already enough scoring on the first unit and it could use some defense.
But since Johnson is still a foul machine keep him coming off the bench.
bargs isn’t a bad one on one defender, he’s exposed and looks terrible and lazy whenever he is asked to rotate. he’s late getting out on shooters and takes himself out of rebounding position so his rebounding suffers and he doesn’t ever contest shots. when he learns to rotate like he means it, it will do the raptors a world of good, they just need to find a way to instill that in him
Please explain what you mean by ‘Bargs ability’ because I believe the comment was referring to rebounding and defense.
Johnson destroys Bargnani on defense and rebounding. That’s two thirds of the game. With a starting lineup over saturated with offense, it makes perfect sense to start Amir over Bargnani.
lets not get carried away here. amir is a great spark plug type who knows his role. this was the nets. bargs defense is underrated in here very badly by people who play way too much xbox and dont understand the game. bargnani problem is what ails this whole team. trust. man d is good whereas help d is poor. 9 new players takes time and like the game, the season doesnt start till 2nd half after the all star break. bosh n bargs are very young hopefully bosh doesnt quit if things dont work out this season cuz they still kids and future gonna be bright with dem two.
“bargs defense is underraterd in here very badly by people who play way too much xbox and don’t understand the game … “.
now, that’s an insightful comment.
smithereens…I wish I could say your comment was equally insightful…did you not read the rest or did you go back to your xbox.
lamond has summarized Bargs and this team perfectly…Bargs help D is not good but his man is amongst the best in the conference. When it comes to help D and pick and roll, the Raptors are amongst the worst in the whole league.
There are nuances and subtleties to this that go beyond foot speed and effort.
Johnson is a team guy and great foot soldier.
He always tries to do what the coach wants and to be a positive force in the locker room.
That is the only reason that Johnson is scoring more.
Yes he is still raw on offense but so far in his career he has been designated as a rebounder, defender and screen setter so that is what he tries to do, hence a big reason for his high foul rate.
No one should make any mistake about it.
If Johnson was told to go out and score ant the team ran plays for him he could put up 15 – 20 a night in his sleep provided he could stay on the court and not get into foul trouble.
People don’t remember that Rodman had some good offensive skills when he first came up to the Pistons. In fact in his two first seasons the second one in which he played over 2,000 minutes he averaged over 15 points per 36 minutes and this was on a Pistons team loaded with scorers.
His defense and rebounding however was so good that that is what he focused on the rest of his career and let his offense atrophy away.
Only time will tell if Johnson will ever get the opportunity to score in the NBA. My guess is that it will happen if he ever can solve the foul problem that he has.
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/rodmade01.html
P.S. Of course Johnson is no where near the defender or rebounder that Rodman was.
Amir is great but the reality is he’s an above-average Backup big-man…. he would never average 15ppg even if EVERY play was called for him… He might average 10/10 in 35mpg if he worked his ass off, but I believe we’ve all witnessed Amir play games “in his sleep” – and it’s hardly awe inspiring haha…. Also everyone has to remember that guys like Amir have such a high foul rate in large part BECAUSE of the aggressiveness and defensive effort – Bosh, Bargs and other bigman who plays big minutes realize early that they must pick their spots as far as when to gamble on a big steal or block since they too only have 6 fouls to work with and their team needs them on the floor for 30+ mpg every night…
Now Bargs is a good Man Defender because he doesnt gamble – he mostly stays on his feet and keeps them moving to maintain position… BUT the exact same tendencies cause him to be a VERY poor help defender – the unwillingness to gamble causes him to simply watch the layup/dunk and get ready to inbound the ball.
My theory is that Bargs slowly created these tendencies out of a fear of fouling! If you recall his early years he was a more foul prone player than Amir and he would constantly get sat due to foul trouble. Now no doubt his coaches made him adjust so that he could be on the floor more and produce and develop offensively, but the remnants of such fears/tendencies could be heavily influencing his defensive tendencies and causing in part his lack of willingness to “show” in a help scenario which from a fan’s perspective seems to simply be a lack of effort/footspeed/courtvision/defensive pride etc…
totally agree, as soon as our guards stop getting beat like red headed step children off the dribble from everywhere, our post defense will look two hundred times better and we wont force guys to rotate as much and we wont expose how terrible our interior shot blocking is
brutal trade, Devean george for MVP!!
Poor Bellinelli … played 24 minutes and went 2-9 and only 4 pts … or as Armstrong called it, he’s suffering from “the shnide” …
Meanwhile Banks played 23 minutes and went 6-7 including 2-2 from the arc and 14 points.
Even DeRozan who only played 24 minutes scored 14 points.
Maybe Belli should get some of that Pasta Fazool from Bargs … the pre-game meal that supercharges his game … ya think …???!!!!
DeRozan should get 30mins at least in blowouts and consistently doesn’t
Ummm … does that apply both ways … when the Raps are the blowers and the blowee’s …???
sure why not…
the kids got a full season and career ahead of him… why would you chance a burn out or injury just so he could get a few more minutes against scrubs?
B/C those scrubs are better basketball players than him…
TS%
True Shooting Percentage; the formula is PTS / (2 * (FGA + 0.44 * FTA)). True shooting percentage is a measure of shooting efficiency that takes into account field goals, 3-point field goals, and free throws.
Note that True Shooting Percentage takes into account the number of shot attempts missed including shots taken and blocked along with the number of Free Throws Attempted. Johnson has the highest ratio of Free Throws taken per Field Goal Taken on the Raptors and Johnson isn’t even a guy that gets the calls. Johnson FTA/FGA = 71% vs Bosh 59%.
True Shooting Percentage
============================
Johnson – .642
Calderon – .602
Bosh – .586
Turkoglu .571
Bargnani – .559
Belinelli – .530
DeRozan – .513
Weems – .480
So Johnson has the highest True Shooting Percentage on the Raptors
The point is that when he shoots he either makes a field goal or gets to the free throw line almost 2/3 of the time. Yes that ratio would probably drop somewhat if the Raptors ran plays for him but most likely it would still be over 60%.
Your formula seems to be adjusted for the 3pt shots, the coefficient 2 does not catch that. so the modified formula should be as follows:
PTS / (2 * (FGA + 0.44 * FTA) + 3*TPA)
where FGA does not include TPA(Three point attempts)
Could you please use the above formula instead in your excel sheet and present the results — I am curious.
Thanx
TS% forumula is straight from Basketballreference.com. It is not my stat.
Three pointers are accounted by the points … by having total points divided by attempts + FTs
A player takes 10 shots. He makes five two point shots. He has 10 points and shoots 50%.
A player takes 10 shots. Makes five of them. 2 of the makes were three pointers. He has 12 points. He shoots 60%.
The “total points” number accounts for three pointers (whereas field goals made wouldn’t).
Your stat isn’t surprising considering virtually all of AJ shots are close to the hoop. Not sure why The Raptors would run plays for him – he doesn’t have refined offensive skills – if he sticks to doing the things he does well (offensive rebounding, rolling to the hoop off pick and rolls) he will be an effective role player.
I would be wary of giving playinghim too many minutes however – in limited minutes he can be effective – the marginal utility of playing beyond a certain amount of time is probably negative
he doesn’t have refined offensive skills>>
==============================
Of course he doesn’t have the “refined” offensive skills, whatever that means. The point is, is that he is effective and efficient when he shoots and not all of his shots are put backs.
I have thought through the arguments for and against running plays for Johnson. I will put “doesn’t have refined offensive skills” under the last point in the argument against.
Arguments against running offensive plays
—————————————-
1. He gets in foul trouble so his minutes can’t be counted on so why go to the trouble of having the team learn offensive sets where he is the primary option. Ans: There are a number of plays run for the other guys already of which Johnson could run several effectively, like the back door alley-oop to DeRozan. So no knew plays would have to be learned by the team.
2. He is limited to scoring from close to the basket. Ans. There is not true. He has shown in the past that he can effectively make the 15 – 20 shot from both the top of the key and the right elbow. Even if he was there are several plays that are currently run for the other players that are designed for them to shoot close to the basket. No reason the Raptors couldn’t run those plays for Johnson.
3. The Raptors have enough scorers already they don’t need to add another. This actually is one of my main arguments for running some plays for him. Johnson substitutes for both Bosh and BArgnani, the Raptors to leading scorers. So right now when Johnson substitutes for either one of them the Raptors lose a significant amount of offense and suffer accordingly. By running a few plays for Johnson the Raptors will not lose as much offense when he comes in and will still gain his defense.
4. The Triano argument – Johnson has a very high turnover percentage. This is true. His TOT% is 17.3% compared to say Bosh 8.0% and Bargnani 9.1%. Ans.
These are the numbers from Andre Igoudala
Year-Minutes-FGA–PPG—TO%
———————————-
1—-2,686—546—9.0–17.9%
2—-3,086—688–12.3–15.4%
3—-3,062—991–18.2–17.5%
6—-1,035—179–19.6–14.2%
So in AI’s first three years he played approximately 8,800 minutes, took 2,225 shots averaged 13.1 PPG with a TO% of around 17% which is about what Johnson’s is this year.
The issue of having a not refined offense and high TO% has to do with a number of things, but primarily lack of experience. The more plays that are run for a player in the NBA up of course to a point the more the game will slow down for him on offense and the better the will be able to read the defenses.
Finally Johnson has shown that he can pass so the fact a few plays would be run for him as the in each half as the primary scorer does not mean that he will necessarily shoot if the odds are not good that he will make a FG or get fouled while shooting. His play on the court has shown this.
Finally I will make one argument for running several plays for him in each half. That is based on the truism that all basketball players like to score even the best point guards. From the truism comes the following statement which is held by most basketball experts. “You have to feed the big dog once and a while if you want to keep him happy”. In other words, since all basketball players love to score even a “big” who does not have refined offensive skills, it is beneficial to his team to run a few plays for him because it energizes his game even more than what it would be without getting fed the ball now and again.
——————————–
Not reviewed for typos
Buddafan… you got get over this Amir thing. Last night is a great example of how Amir helps this team. Run the floor, hustle for the ball, rebound, defense and grabage buckets.
He has little offensive skill. But he knows that and doesn’t try to much. When he gets the ball near the net he tries to put the ball in the net. That is PERFECT role for him. Perfect for this team. Perfect for his career.
He actually has reminded me of a quiet JYD. Wouldn’t and shouldn’t ask for more out of Amir than his lunchbox.
That is your opinion. I don’t agree at all.
I think my posts about Johnson have been fair and balanced.
Yes, most of my posts here are about Johnson, but he does play for the Raptors as a regular rotation player. He is the Raptor player that I choose to follow, so I post about him.
If you would like me to not post about him on this forum, even though I have been fair and balanced in my posts, then I won’t post about him.
However, I will not be limited to X number of posts about him or anyone else that plays in the rotation for the Raptors.
no no I’m not trying to stop you from posting about him…. I don’t think anyone wants that. I find it hard to imagine that anyone wouldn’t like Amir with what he brings to each game (especailly in Toronto). If he keeps doing what he is doing he’ll have a long career in the NBA.
But I just don’t see him ever as an offensive threat, or atleast any more than a Kendrick Perkins or Tyson Chandler are. And there is nothing wrong with that. Different players fit different needs… Amir has found his and if he sticks with it he’s set.
This is getting to be a joke….
“He has shown in the past that he can effectively make the 15 – 20 shot from both the top of the key and the right elbow.”
——————————-
Shot Att. eFG% Ast’d Blk’d PPG
Jump 19%(!).133(!)100% 20% 0.1
Close 58% .689 71% 11% 2.3
Dunk 10% 1.000 63% 0% 0.6
Tips 13% .600 0% 0% 0.4
Inside 81% .714 60% 8% 3.3
——————————-
Also worth mentioning is that his defensive presence is noticeable at as opponents score 1.8 less points per 100 poss. – Unfortunately….. his lack of offensive prowess is also VERY well known as we score a whopping -8.4 points per 100 poss. less when he’s on the floor (and he gets 35% of the minutes available – enough minutes to make these stats applicable).
REF: http://www.82games.com/0910/09TOR9.HTM.
You’re completely right – how are we not running plays for this guy!
I think Amir’s scoring efficiency + FTA/FGM ratio would both drop hugely + his turnovers would increase hugely if he was asked to be a go-to scorer.
His offensive game isn’t developed enough to handle larger offensive responsibilities.
I’d much rather see Amir stay focused on developing his defense further. That’s where he’s going to make his career. Trying to develop his offense now will only stall his defensive progress (which has been stagnant for some time now).
————————————————
That’s no problem, Amir already adds positive value to the team offensively through his efficient garbage man scoring.
Having a finisher like Amir out there is far more beneficial to a team’s offense than being stuck with someone like Reggie Evans. Two similar styles of offensive play only Amir is a far more effective scorer in the opportunities he receives. Also, a good portion of Amir’s baskets are hustle baskets (offensive rebounds, running the floor) which a team may not get otherwise which also adds value offensively. The rest of his baskets are mostly off cuts to the rim against a collapsing defense which he also does at an above average level for a big.
So, while Amir is limited in may ways offensively he still manages to have a positive effect on a team’s offense by his efficiency offensively (plays within himself, doesn’t do stupid things that detract from the few positive offensive plays he makes).
(1) Post game — Amir doesn’t have a post game. Lacks moves, doesn’t finish well.
(2) Face up + drive game — Amir doesn’t have (a) a good enough handle (b) good enough footwork + body control (c) doesn’t have a good enough face up jumper. Amir’s jump shot declines considerably if he has to move his feet before he shoots the ball. He’s strictly a stand still shooter. This is where you’d see a large increase in the number of turnovers.
(3) Jump shot — Amir has a decent developing jump shot so long as he has time to get his feet set and shoot directly after the catch. He doesn’t have enough confidence in the shot yet but he’s shown some ability with it for well over a year now (training camp last year, practices, shootarounds before games, odd shot here and there during games). It’s likely only a matter of time before this shot becomes more automatic for him.
His inability to shoot after/while moving limits his face up game and his pick and pop game. He’s strictly someone who should be kept off the ball and away from the action prior to shooting. Stand still shooter. Feet set.
——————————————————
Anyway, those are the reasons why I don’t think Amir could (1) be someone you give offensive opportunities too due to his limited repertoire (2) that Amir wouldn’t be able to maintain his scoring efficiency, or his FTA/FGA ratio (easier to defend), and that he would increase his number of turnovers by a large amount.
Dave:
Regarding those two posts of yours arguing against running some plays for him,
1. See my post above detailing the my arguments list against running some plays for him including my comment on his TO% or the Triano argument.
2. You argue that running plays for him will increase his TO% fair enough that is your opinion. My opinion is that it will over time lower it. I have listed the reasons in my post above. To Say that he doesn’t have good handles relates shows in the TO%. However, in addition to my argument that his handles will get better as the game slows down for him on offense and he is better able to read NBA defenses I will argue that right now when he does drive to the basket he has shown he can score or get fouled. Again improvement here is a matter of more experience.
3. You are saying because Johnson doesn’t have the same moves that Bosh, Bargnani, Kobe etc etc have that therefore he has not offensive moves that are effective. My counter argument is that of course what you say is true but the majority of players in the league don’t have their moves and they get plays fun for them. In addition Johnson can do things on offense better than other players like finish at the basket or get fouled. His TS% proves that given that almost all of his shots are near the basket.
Running several plays for him on offense each half especially when he is on the court without either Bosh and Bargnani will only help the Raptors offense.
Amir’s scoring/shooting by location on the court
Year — field goals at rim — inside of 10 feet — 10-15 feet — 15+ feet
2007 — 17-22 (73%) — 1-7 — 0-0 — 0-0
2008 — 79-117 (68%) — 10-28 — 3-11 — 0-9
2009 — 75-112 (68%) — 10-21 (48%) — 2-6 — 9-24 (37.5%)
2010 — 48-66 (73%) — 7-18 — 1-3 — 0-4
Overall:
* At rim = 219-317 for a FG% of 69%
* Inside 10 feet — 28-74 for a FG% of 38%
* 10-15 feet — 6-20 for a FG% of 30%
* 15-23 feet — 9-37 for a FG% of 24%
* Total shots not at rim — 43-131 for a FG% of 33%
I’m not sure how easy to read those numbers/columns will turn out to be but that was the best I could do.
That’s how well Amir Johnson has scored away from the rim and from different locations on the court in the past.
i love amir, but lets be real. he scores most of his points off of offensive rebounds, lay-ups and put backs, you’re gonna shoot a high percentage. i love him and what he brings to the team, we need it and lack it, but you aren’t asking him to do anything difficult on offense. his time will come, sooner if bosh is gone, and he has a lot of upside, but his time isn’t just yet. he was a great high school player and he’s a versatile defender but let’s call a spade a spade right now. he’s what 23? give him two more years, if he keeps growing like he has been we’ll, have a good headache on our hands and a decision will have to be made then.
Wrt Bellinelli – while we didn’t get up anything of value to get him, the expectation was that he would be a consistent performer off the bench. the fact that he hasn’t been is one of the reasons we haven’t been competitive against the good teams . Perhaps he shouldn’t have been counted on to the extent that he has been however if they are going to be anything other than a 0.500 team he needs to play much better (along with Hedo)
Right now they appear to be a 0.500 team (which is what was generally expected)
If you look at the Raps record they are terrible against the real good teams, dominate the real poor teams, and are about 0.500 against the middle teams. They just have played more games against the real good team than the real bad teams.
HAHAH if anyone had the expectation that Bellinelli would be “a consistant performer off the bench” they have no prior history on him as a player. Much like Delfino before him, Bellinelli at his best is a versatile player with many skills (including decent defense) but at his worse he is a 15th man… His whole career previous to the trade showed that he was a notoriously streaky player who game to game played like a bipolar… If you werent aware of that you need to open your eyes a wee bit to why the Warriors/Nelson didnt want to pay him anymore…
Most of us probably didn’t follow the ups and downs of the GS Warriors – you may be right – all I am saying is that the master Raptor plan seems to have been based on the assumption that he would be a consistent scorer off the bench – clearly it hasn’t happened and that is hugely problamatic given that Wright has been a bust, , Hedo has been below expectations, and DeRozan has had his ups and downs as a rookie. Our 2’s and 3’s have to be amongst the least productive in the league – no wonder this team struggles.
given the state of our 2 and 3’s, and our options at those positions, i’m really surprised that triano hasn’t ridden the hot hand more often. wether it’s DD, marco, weems or wright. or for that matter jose or jack at the one. you have guys playing great minutes in the first half and then never seeing the floor in the second. i realize there are egos you need to pacify but go with the hot hand until it cools off
George for Beli was a great trade. Seriously. George wouldn’t even have had a shot at the rotation. George would never have any games where he can light it up or contribute anything.
The mistake was extending Beli, which would not have been given to George.
It was a rookie contract extention guys – and from a value aspect it’s a no-brainer…
They extended Beli? And he shoots like this? Ya, that was a good move.
Marco really sucks. It’s frustrating watching him shoot. I can’t think of any unproven player that is allowed to shoot his way out of a slump. The staff has got to address this problem, there’s no points for level of difficulty.