khandor’s sports blog

When yours truly sees this type of observation being made repeatedly in on-line articles and commentary by traditional media sources, bloggers, and members of the Raptors’ fanbase …

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Reasons for concern in Raptorville
The defenceless point guard

In his first year as starting point guard, Jose Calderon has kept up his efficient offensive ways, with a league-leading 4.18 assists for every turnover.

But on the other end of the floor, opposing point guards routinely light up Calderon. Tony Parker had 24 points and 10 assists against him. Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook had 19 points and eight assists. Devin Harris has torched Calderon in two decisive fourth quarters.

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it indicates that there is still a significant level of basketball sophistication that has yet to be reached by many of the followers of this team.

The average Raptors fan has seen Jose Calderon play each and every game of his NBA career to-date; but this does NOT mean that said fan has a sound/accurate understanding of the game, in general, and how it should be played properly, concerning a player like the Raptors’ starting PG.

In reality … while Jose Calderon will never be confused for a top notch defensive player … he is far from being an atrocious defender at the PG position in the NBA.

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Specific Defensive Responsibilities of a PG for a team in the NBA

Situation #1. In a half-court situation when there is no Pick being set on him. Pressure/contain the opposition’s PG, 1-on-1.

Situation #2. In a half-court situation when there is a Pick being set on him. Direct the opposition’s PG toward the Picker - in conjunction with the Picker’s defender - and then recover [by going either under or over, depending on the specific defensive tactic being used] to defend the PG on the dribble.

Situation #3. In a transition situation when there is no Pick being set on him. To contain the opposition’s PG on the dribble, 1-on-1.

Situation #4. In a transition situation when there is a Pick being set on him. To contain the opposition’s PG on the dribble, in conjunction with the Picker’s defender.

Situation #5. In a half-court situation when there is no Pick being set on him. To switch defensive responsibilities with a teammate who has the task of defending against an opposition player who plays a different position and is, therefore, usually a bigger player. 

Situation #6. In a half-court situation when there is no Pick being set on him. To initiate defensive double-teams and traps against opponent players who are very skilful at scoring either in the Low Post or on drives from the perimeter into the lane.

Situation #7. In a half-court situation when there is no Pick being set on him.  To rotate appropriately in order to provide the necessary help for a teammate who has been beaten on a dribble penetration move by an opponent.

Situation #8. In a half-court situation when there is no Pick being set on him. To rotate appropriately in order to provide the necessary help for a teammate who has had to rotate to assist a teammate that has been beaten on a dribble penetration move by an opponent, i.e. Help-the-helper.

Situation #9. In a half-court situation when there is no Pick being set on him. To close-out appropriately versus an opponent shooter, contesting the shot and containing that player on the dribble.

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When Jose Calderon is injury-free, the vast majority of his individual defensive breakdowns occur in Situation #2, as a result of a Big-on-Little Pick, where the main culprit isn’t actually Calderon at all but the Raptors’ Big involved in defending this specific action.

If Andrea Bargnani [who is the worst offender], Jermaine O’Neal [who is the 2nd worst offender], Chris Bosh [who is fairly good at this] and Kris Humphries [who is the most proficient at this], as a group, do a poor job defensively when:

i. Switching
ii. Showing & Recovering, or
iii. Trapping

in a 5/4-on-1 Pick scenario … and the opponent’s PG is able to dribble penetrate into the heart of the Raptor’s defense on a consistent basis, primarily, this is not the fault of the Dino’s PG.

When assessing Jose Calderon’s individual defense … encompassing those Nine Situational Categories … versus that provided by the other starting PGs across the League, this is what you should be able to see:

Defensive Rankings for Starting Point Guards in the NBA [Tue Dec 30 2008]
No.	EASTERN CONF.	No.	WESTERN CONF.
1	Rajon Rondo/Celtics	1	Deron Williams/Jazz
2	Devin Harris/Nets	2	Chauncey Billups/Nuggets
3	Rodney Stuckey/Pistons	3	Derek Fisher/Lakers
4	Chris Duhon/Knicks	4	Chris Paul/Hornets
5	Andre Miller/Miller	5	Jason Kidd/Mavericks
6	Derrick Rose/Bulls	6	Russell Westbrook/Thunder
7	Jose Calderon/Raptors	7	Tony Parker/Spurs
8	Mike James/Wizards	8	Kyle Lowry/Grizzlies
9	Jameer Nelson/Magic	9	CJ Watson/Warriors
10	Mario Chalmers/Heat	10	Rafer Alston/Rockets
11	TJ Ford/Pacers	11	Baron Davis/Clippers
12	Raymond Felton/Bobcats	12	Steve Nash/Suns
13	Mike Bibby/Hawks	13	Steve Blake/Blazers
14	Luc Ridnour/Bucks	14	Randy Foye/Timberwolves
15	Mo Williams/Cavaliers	15	Beno Udrih/Kings

which would place him in the middle-of-the-pack, approximately, not towards the bottom. 

Raptors fans …

Coming down the stretch of last night’s game versus Sacramento …

What did you learn about your favourite NBA team?

Player Alignment

PG - Jose Calderon vs Beno Udrih
OG - Anthony Parker vs Bobby Jackson
SF - Joey Graham vs John Salmons
2B - Chris Bosh vs Spencer Hawes
1B - Jermaine O’Neal vs Brad Miller

With 56.9 left in the 4th quarter, Brad Miller made 2 free throws.

Raptors 103, Kings 99.

Possession #1

The Raptors then advanced the ball into the front-court without the benefit of a Time-out and attempted to execute a set play in their half-court offense, i.e. PG dribble to the Right Wing; Right Wing cross-screen for 1st Big, Flash High off the clean-up screen from the 2nd Big. When Hawes successfully denied the entry pass to O’Neal [1B], Bosh went to set a pick on the Wing for Calderon. Calderon used the pick to drive to the middle of the court. O’Neal executed a Duck-in, and moved across the lane and into the Left Low Post position. Udrih was picked off. Hawes jumped out to Show/Help vs Calderon. Udrih recovered to Calderon. Calderon passed the ball to Bosh who had begun his roll to the basket and was stopped just outside the lane when Miller positioned himself to middle the Raptors’s two Bigs. Hawes recovered to Bosh. Miller re-positioned vs O’Neal. Bosh executed a shot-fake and drove baseline vs Hawes for a layup attempt. Salmons helped off Graham and was able to knock the ball free from Bosh’s hands as the drive unfolded. The loose ball was recovered by Jackson. Jackson advanced the ball into the front-court and Sacramento called a Time-out.

Possession #2

With 29.2 seconds left the Kings inbounded the ball with the following player alignment:

1 Beno Udrih vs Anthony Parker
2 Bobby Jackson vs Joey Graham
3 John Salmons [Inbounder] vs Jamario Moon [replaced Calderon]
4 Brad Miller vs Jermaine O’Neal
5 Spencer Hawes vs Chris Bosh

Sacramento then had difficulty completing their inbounds pass, after which Salmons had the ball returned to him, drove the Right Baseline vs Moon, and beside Graham, and was smothered under the basket by Moon & Bosh. Salmons’ attempted pass out from there was then intercepted by O’Neal [who had rotated down to the opposite baseline [in support of Bosh's rotation]. Toronto called a Time-out with 21.9 seconds left.

Possession #3

When play resumed the two teams were aligned in the following way:

1 Beno Udrih vs Jose Calderon [Inbounder, Right Sideline]
2 Bobby Jackson vs Anthony Parker [outside Left Elbow]
3 John Salmons vs Jason Kapono [Left Corner]
4 Brad Miller vs Jermaine O’Neal [Right Elbow]
5 Spencer Hawes vs Chris Bosh [Left Elbow]

at which point the Raptors then ran the same Sideline Inbounds play they attempted several weeks ago vs Portland but had failed to execute properly, which eventually contributed to one of their most dis-heartening losses this season.

The OG cuts over the top of stationary screens by 2B & 1B into the near Corner. The 1B pops out towards the Centerline, as a Pressure Release, to receive a pass from the PG. The PG cuts to receive a quick return pass from the 1B. The SF remains still in the Weak Side Corner.

The difference was … last time Kapono [Inbounder] and Calderon [Opposite Corner] were in the opposite roles.

After the Raptors successfully inbounded the ball, Sacramento then fouled Calderon with 18.3 seconds remaining.

Calderon stepped to the FT Line, in an effort to keep alive his league-leading consecutive FT’s Made streak … and to preserve a much-needed road W for the Raptors.

Calderon made both FT’s.

Raptors 105, Kings 99

At which point, Sacramento then called a Time-out and moved the ball into the front-court inbound position.

Possession #4

When play resumed the teams were aligned in this way:

1 Beno Udrih vs Anthony Parker
2 Bobby Jackson vs Joey Graham
3 John Salmons vs Jamario Moon [replaced Calderon]
4 Franscisco Garcia [Inbounder] vs Chris Bosh
5 Spencer Hawes vs Jermaine O’Neal

The Kings then had a difficult time making a successful inbounds pass and eventually took and missed a contested 3PT-shot [Garcia vs Graham, on a defensive Switch] that was rebounded by O’Neal, who was then fouled.

O’Neal made 2 more FT’s.

Raptors 107, Kings 99

At which point, Sacramento called a Time-out and moved the ball to the front-court inbounding position.

When play resumed, the Raptors used the same 5 players on defense.

Sacramento made a final driving layup [Salmons].

FINAL SCORE: Raptors 107, Kings 101
Game Info

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On Offense

1. When the game was on the line, the Raptors best match-up advantage was with Chris Bosh, facing up versus the Opponent’s Big, 12-15 feet from the basket, initiating a drive to the rim. 

On Defense

2. When the game was on the line, the Raptors best defensive match-ups were:

vs PG - Anthony Parker

vs OG/SF - Jamario Moon

vs SF/OG - Joey Graham

If these 4 Possessions in last night’s game actually did signal a New Awareness of these perceptions/FACTS? by the Raptors’ coaching staff then another corner may have been turned for this team.

Time will tell.