khandor’s sports blog

As was mentioned in this space on Monday …

Toronto Raptors, Game 3

Sacramento was likely going to get off to a slow start against Toronto having just returned from the Eastern Time Zone to begin the regular season. Once this occurred, however, what was also likely to happen was a gradual closing of the initial deficit with the balance of the game to be played in way that was probably going to result in a tight finish decided during the final minute of the game.

Toronto Raptors 108
SACRAMENTO KINGS 111
Complete Game Info

If you take a closer look at the Play-By-Play, however, what you should also be able to see is that the Kings actually dominated the Raptors for the final 3 quarters of this game with an ever-increasing degree of Possession Efficiency:

Specifically, as the game progressed:

1. The Kings were gradually able to find their rhythm – i.e. offensively, defensively and in terms of rebounding – and, then, assert their collective will over the Raptors.

2. Omri Casspi [SF] was gradually able to dominate his individual match-up with Linas Kleiza [SF], primarily, because he is a better player, overall, with a more diverse skill-set and superior NBA-level athleticism. 

3. The Kings’ quartet of talented Big Men – i.e. DeMarcus Cousins [C], Carl Landry [PF], Samuel Dalembert [C] and Jason Thompson [PF] – was gradually able to off-set the initial offensive thrust of Andrea Bargnani [C] and Reggie Evans [PF], and then dominate the final 6 minutes of the 4th quarter with multiple scores [i.e. FGs & FTs], rebounds and blocked [or affected] shots.

4. The Raptors’ 3 principal Off Guards – i.e. DeMar DeRozan, Sonny Weems and Leandro Barbosa – were not able to effectively contain Tyreke Evans [OG/PG] … working off the dribble in transition situations … who repeatedly shredded Toronto’s defense to create high percentage shots for, both, himself and his teammates. 

Once the Kings picked up their overall level of intensity during the 2nd and 3rd quarters, it was only a matter of time before they were eventually going to wear the Raptors down.

———————————–

Unfortunately, as the Raptors now move on to Game 2 of their road trip, it will become increasingly difficult for them to compete effectively against their next 3 opponents … i.e. Utah Jazz, LA Lakers and the Portland Trail Blazers … each with significantly more NBA-calibre talent on their current roster than Toronto. 

Friday night’s first W of the season was important – and fortuitous – for the Raptors, as they now embark on their first west coast road trip with this evening’s tilt against the Kings [in Sacramento].

Q. Is Game One of this 4-game road trip one which the Raptors can steal?

A. If they get a well-coached game from Jay Triano and can win the rebounding battle.

With the recent return to the line-up of Samuel Dalembert [C] and Tyreke Evans [OG/PG], Sacramento is now a deeper – and more talented – team, overall, than Toronto. 

However, since the Kings have also just returned from the Eastern Time Zone, where they were for their first 3 games of the season, this will probably be a close match-up through all four quarters, and will most likely be decided in the final minute of play … which should then make the currently published wagering line, i.e. Toronto +4.5/-110, an attractive proposition for supporters of the road team. 

Philadelphia 76ers 79 [2-0]
TORONTO RAPTORS 84 [0-2]
Game Scoreboard

What exactly do you need to know about this specific game?

… as Part II to the back-2-back affairs which these teams played Tuesday [in London ON] and Wednesday [in Toronto ON]

1. Bosh, Turkoglu and Wright were out, once again, for the Raptors; while Rodney Carney was absent again for the 76ers.

2. The back-up players for each of these two teams are just THAT … i.e. ”Back-up quality” players, in the NBA, as opposed to being “Starter quality” players who “just happen to be coming off the bench”.

3. At the 10:23 mark of the 4th quarter, the score was tied 64-64, with the following line-ups on the court:

Philadelphia
PG/Sean Singletary,  OG/Royal Ivey, SF/Brandon Bowman, PF/Jason Smith and C/Marreese Speights

Toronto
PG/Jarrett Jack, OG/Quincy Douby, SF/Sonny Weems, PF/Amir Johnson and C/Patrick O’Bryant

from which point, each team made the following substitutions during the final stages of the game:

Philadelphia
PG/Jrue Holiday [for Sean Singletary]
SF/Thaddeus Young [for Brandon Bowman]
PF/Brandon Bowman [for Jason Smith]

Toronto
PG/Marcus Banks [for Jarrett Jack]
OG/DeMar DeRozan [for Sonny Weems]
OG/Sonny Weems [for DeMar DeRozan]

as the 76ers proceeded to outscore the Raptors 20-15 the rest of the way … while playing on the road.

4. Philadelphia and Toronto are each going to have their hands full this season qualifying for the playoffs in the EC with [at least] the likes of Boston, Orlando, Cleveland, Atlanta, Washington, Miami, Chicago, Charlotte and Detroit all appearing to superior personnel, from top-to-bottom, on their roster. 

A video recap of last night’s action …

Toronto Raptors 98
PHILADELPHIA 76ERS 107
Game Scoreboard

Game 1 of the pre-season schedule is now in the books for the Raptors and the 76ers. 

Initial observations from last night:

Both of these squads have a long way to go if they are going to contend for a playoff spot in the EC this season.

PS. Pre-season Game 1, video recap …

Earlier this summer, this was Philadelphia’s projected roster:

Tier 2B – Questionable Playoff Contenders

With this news today, however …

76ers agree to terms with Carney

… there is now, at least, a good possibility that Philadelphia might actually choose to field a line-up with a different configuration, when the regular season starts, which looks like this:

Key Differences

• Shifting Andre Iguodala to the Starting OG position.
• Shifting Thaddeus Young to the Starting SF postion.
• Shifting Elton Brand into the Starting PF position.
• Shifting Willie Green into the Back-up OG position.
• Shifting Jason Kapono into an Extra OG position.
• Inserting Rodney Carney into the Back-up SF position.

… in which case, the 76ers would warrant proper re-classification into the slightly higher category of Tier 2A – Possible Playoff Contenders, i.e. along with Atlanta, Miami, Chicago, Detroit, Charlotte, Toronto and Washington.

The moves which Ed Stefanski has made, thus far, this summer, in an effort to continue the gradual development of the 76ers have all been solid:

1. Hiring a sound, experienced NBA head coach [i.e. Eddie Jordan].

2. Trading Reggie Evans [an excess Back-up PF/Rebounder] for Jason Kapono [a Back-up SF-OG/Spot-up Shooter].

3. Drafting a young athletic PG-of-the-future with good size.

4. Allowing Andre Miller [veteran PG] to leave, via UFA.

5. Re-signing Royal Ivey [still youngish veteran 3rd-string PG] to a cost-effective contract, via UFA.

6. Re-signing Rodney Carney [still youngish veteran Back-up SF-OG/Defender-Rebounder-3PT-Shooter] to a cost-effective contract, via UFA.

This is now [I] a VERY athletic group of players, with [II] good size [especially, at the PG, OG, SF and C positions], [III] an elevated FG shooting percentage [on the whole], [IV] a solid core of returnees, and [V] a significant number of highly serviceable new additions that were not part of last year’s squad, including:

#1/Elton Brand/returning from an injury
#2/Jason Smith/returning from an injury
#3/Jrue Holiday/2009 1st Round Draft Pick [No. 17]
#4/Jason Kapono/via trade
#5/Primoz Brezec/via UFA; and,
#6/Rodney Carney/via UFA.

The group of players and coaches now on Philly’s roster should be able to compete night-in and night-out for a 3rd consecutive berth in the Eastern Conference Playoffs.  

As different NBA off-season previews begin to surface in the blogosphere …

Bleacher Report
Pro Basketball Fans
Sports Alchemist

it can be very interesting to see which specific teams are perceived by different NBA observers to be head and shoulders above their immediate competition.

————————————————————-

 Loading ...

————————————————————-

Despite what some observers may perceive to be a heightened level of NBA  ”talent” on the Raptors’ roster this season, at this point, at least, this corner would suggest treading softly, instead, if your plan involves jumping on the Dino’s mounting bandwagon, as a former lower-echelon team with a legit chance to make major W-L gains in the standings.  

Last year the Raptors started their season 8-9, fired their head coach [Sam Mitchell], and proceeded to lose 40 of their remaining 65 games [.385], to miss the playoffs completely; while, the 76ers began their campaign 9-14, fired their coach [Maurice Cheeks], and then went on to win 32 of their remaining 59 games [.542], to make the playoffs as the 6th seed.

Debate in the Paint: Fear the Raptors
Debate in the Paint: Raptors just can’t escape mediocrity

Hmmmmmm …

———-

“The proof of the pudding is in the eating.” – Anonymous

Mason Won’t Return to Thunder
Mason’s agent, Roger Montgomery, confirmed to The Associated Press on Wednesday that talks between the nine-year NBA veteran and the Thunder had broken down and the two sides wouldn’t be agreeing on a new contract.

Mason had expressed his desire to return to Oklahoma City after a knee injury forced him to miss the second half of last season. Montgomery says the two sides weren’t able to agree on a role for Mason, who still wants to make significant contributions instead of simply being a mentor for younger players.

———————————————

At the moment, Philadelphia is one of several teams that has yet to use its MLE this off-season. The 76ers’ roster looks like this:

If he’s 100% healthy, adding a veteran Wing, with the athleticism, skill-set and coachability of Desmond Mason, who can still contribute in a significant way, as a competent role player … like he did last year for the Thunder, prior to sustaining his season-ending injury … might be a solid fit for the 76ers, working under Eddie Jordan’s system, if they intend to legitimately compete hard for an EC playoff spot.

… given the specifics of this trade

and,

* Knowing who the Raptors’ FOUNDATION player is [Jun 04, 2009]

* Five off-season moves for the Raptors which would have helped to address their Treadmill status [May 29, 2009]

———-

1. Now is not the time to rejoice, in Raptorville; as,

2. Reggie Evans might not prove to be the “best fit” for their team; and, 

3. According to Bryan Colangelo [GM], “We’re not done yet.”

The 76ers are one of three teams in the Atlantic Division that finished with a better Won-Lost Record than the Raptors [33-49/.402] this past season:

1. Boston Celtics, 62-20/.756
2. Philadelphia 76ers, 41-41/.500
3. New Jersey Nets, 34-48/.415

and, for all intents and purposes, give up nothing of value in this deal … given the list of Bigs which they have on their current roster; while adding a spot-up 3PT-shooter who they can use in limited minutes to stretch the defense and augment their more athletic slashing players.

On the other hand, the Raptors now have a glut of players at their Big spots … including Bosh & Bargnani, their two most talented players … and remain relatively “unathletic” at the Wing position without a dynamic scorer who can consistently create his own shot:

Depending on the OTHER moves which the Raptors decide to make this off-season, including who they select in the upcoming NBA Draft, time will tell if this trade is the first phase of an actual resurgence for their team, relative to the other squads in the Atlantic Division [and the Eastern Conference, in general], or not.

At this point, however, at least it’s a start down a better path.

It seems as though a certain segment within Raptorville is, once again, suffering from grotesque “delusions of grandeur”, regarding the actual ability and hoped for improvement of Andrea Bargnani [C, 7-0, 250, 2006 No. 1 Overall Selection] this off-season.

i.e. According to Doug Smith, in a segment on PrimeTime Sports [FAN590] yesterday, a legitimate case can be made that Bargnani might qualify as the 2nd Best Center in the Eastern Conference [EC] over the course of the 2009-2010 season.

The following list contains the names of the 15 Centers expected to play this position for their current teams, in the EC next season:

Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Cleveland Cavaliers [1]
Kendric Perkins, Boston Celtics [2]
Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic [3]
Al Horford, Atlanta Hawks [4]
Jermaine O’Neal, Miami Heat [5]
Samuel Dalembert, Philadelphia 76ers [6]
Joakim Noah, Chicago Bulls [7]
Rasheed Wallace, Detroit Pistons [8]
Jeff Foster, Indiana Pacers [9]
Emeka Okafor, Charlotte Bobcats [10]
Brook Lopez, New Jersey Nets [11]
Andrew Bogut, Milwaukee Bucks [12]
Andrea Bargnani, Toronto Raptors [13]
David Lee, New York Knicks [14]
Brendan Haywood, Washington [15]

————————————————————-

 Loading ...

————————————————————-

Although yours truly usually finds very little to agree upon with host Bob McCown that is not the case in this instance.

According to these eyes, whoever happens to agree with Doug Smith, in this regard, is quite likely to be suffering from a form of Post-Concussion Syndrome … as there are, at least, 7 players who should be listed ahead of Il Mago on a depth chart of this sort looking forward just 1 season.

Coming out of the annual All-Star Break and heading toward this week’s Trade Deadline  [Feb 19, 3:00 PM] … as different trade rumours swirl about the NBA [on-line & elsewhere] … it can be instructive to assess where certain marquee players rank amongst their brethren, at the specific position[s] they play the best.

When considering Big Men [i.e. Centers/C and Power Forwards/PF], it is also imperative to understand what their fundamental role is within the NBA game and what qualities are the most important for them to exhibit on a consistent basis, if their respective team’s are going to have a legitimate chance to win a League Championship, now or in the not-too-distant future.

Big Man Ranking Criteria

* Leadership
* Rebounding [which includes: i. Defensive; ii. Offense]
* Team Defense [which includes: i. Interior Rotations; ii. Perimeter Rotations; iii. Execution of Pick & Roll Techniques; iv. Transition Effectiveness; v. Shot blocking off the ball; Switching off the ball]
* Low-Mid Post Scoring
* Passing Effectiveness
* Individual Low-Mid Post Defense [which includes Shot blocking on the ball]
* Individual Perimeter Defense
* Screening Effectiveness
* Picking Effectiveness
* Perimeter Scoring
* Offensive Transition
* Physical Traits: i. Quickness; ii. Agility; iii. Explosive Power; iv. Size & Strength
* Psycho-Emotional Traits: i. Stability; ii. Intelligence; iii. Intensity; iv. Toughness 

These are the current rankings, according to this corner:

Use the “comments” section to provide your feedback.