Hey, Hot-lanta: Don’t start poppin’ champagne just yet!
If this game-of-the-year nominee is any indication, the East’s home-court advantage is still up for grabs. And if anybody has a problem with that notion, direct your concerns to the Raps’ resident Lithuanian lieutenant. Otherwise known as JV, the beast unleashed!
The Raps are seven games out of top spot with 30 to go. Is that a possibility or is it wishful thinking? Ok, deep breath…How about we begin with an even-keel approach and go from there.
It’s no secret that this team currently has on-court issues, but the Spurs held a perfect opportunity for a pop quiz. A test against elite fundamentals, superior ball movement, and the league’s 4th-ranked rating on defense. Oh, and just that minuscule intimidation factor of the defending champs stepping into the building.
If there’s one scenario the faithful should always be able to expect, it would be something resembling stability. But as we’ve all become accustomed to, on any given night you can flip a coin as to which version of the Raps will show up. Friday night’s battle with the Clippers reminded us all that this tends to transpire on a quarter-by-quarter basis.
However, kudos must be handed out. The last laugh on Blake Griffin’s blatant elbows-up mentality was accomplished and a disastrous 23-8 start morphed into a 115-84 celebration the rest of the way. Even though the relationship between Raptors and Zebras remains untrustworthy.
Let’s breakdown Sunday’s action into three sections. Leading off with the Lithuanian Lieutenant:
1. Valanciunas’ breakout performance:
The notion that JV needs to start demanding the ball, or as some have coined it: “The onus is on Jonas”, is only worth a 50 percent grade. The other half is hogwash.
Sure, every squad needs their most prominent big-man to make their presence felt. But last time I checked, traffic isn’t directed down on the blocks.
Even though 16 boards (a season high, with 9 in the third quarter) and four rejections are displayed in the boxscore, this night was not about statistics. The most impressive representation was JV seemingly breaking out of his shell. The at-times timid 22-year-old brought physicality and emotion throughout one of his best defensive showings of his young career.
If it takes non-call aggravation to awaken his progress, it was worth it. It may not be the vocal approach, but fourth-quarter minutes moving forward were earned on this night. Make it happen, D.C.
2. James Johnson to the rescue:
In a surprise move, JJ was inserted into the starting lineup at the three-spot. Which shifted DeRozan back to Shooting Guard and banished Vasquez back to the bench. Insert an entire city’s happy dance, here.
Casey: You’ve totally redeemed yourself! … Actually, that was 100 percent sarcastic! … Those recent DNP’s are unforgivable!
It didn’t take long for Johnson to pick up where he left off vs. the Clippers — causing havoc at both ends while dropping a season-high 20 points (8-10 from the field) in the process.
Pick your positive poison:
- Lane penetration: I could have sworn Sade’s “Smooth Operator” was playing in the background with every drive.
- Low-post moves: There’s no player on the roster that can match JJ at the moment, or own the versatility to guard a team’s 1 through 5. Whether straight-up or helping on a switch.
Too many variables open up when JJ is on the court to let him go astray once again. Now, Casey stated in his post-game presser that the insertion into the starting unit was for defensive purposes. But at this point, even D.C. must be seeing the light. If not, prepare for war, Coach. This city is not opposed to friendly fire.
3. Consistency:
A true offensive identity has yet to be formed. It makes one wonder if team practices are just exaggerated scrimmage sessions. Players have to execute, but that mentality can only be an extension of the Head Coach. When shots are dropping, inefficiencies can easily play the background. But therein lies the problem, fans have been spoiled by the outside shot. When clanks start to rear their ugly head, it’s almost as if the Raps have no fallback options.
Opportunities on the fast break should be taken whenever possible, and Pace is important, to a certain extent. But when it comes at the expense of pulling up behind the arc with nobody really in position to create a second-chance reset, what positive does that provide? Not to mention the caught-in-the-act openings it produces for the opposition.
The correlation between attempts from downtown and a team’s success in today’s NBA is not top secret intel. As it stands, nine out of the top 10 in three-point attempts and percentage are all playoff bound. But this is where it gets tricky for Toronto: They rank 5th in long-distance chucks, but also slot in at 15th in terms of productivity.
A balance needs to be struck. If the first pick-and-roll deems unsuccessful, swing that rock to opposite end and try again. Lowry and DeRozan must be able to penetrate but where’s that extra pass after the initial dime is made. This is not Rucker Park, too many freestyle isolations will come back to bite in the end. Though I’m sure even 155th Street and Frederick Douglass Boulevard involve the frontcourt more than the Raps do.
The defense, in rare occurrences, can be ferocious. Problem is, most of the time this unit simulates quicksand. Casey enjoys preaching the team concept but, screen recognition, lazy help, and getting caught watching the paint dry in transition have burned this club all season.
On to some quick hits:
Sunday’s fallout:
- Held the Spurs to their lowest shooting percentage (33.3) of the season. But 93 Field Goal attempts were also allowed. Raps: 74
- A 20-6 disparity in Offensive Rebounds, in favor of San Antonio.
- An even split in Points in the paint: 40/40.
- Fast break points: 14-5, with the Raps leading the way.
- As much as this matchup offered a playoff atmosphere, both squads committed 14 turnovers.
- Lowry is becoming increasingly careless with the basketball.
- Sweet Lou’s individual style of play is turning into a detriment.
- A welcomed ratio of 24 free-throws to 13 attempts from downtown.
- There was increased ball movement and an enhanced effort on defense.
Will the Raps’ upward trend continue? Well, let’s go best of seven – call it in the air.
Up next:
Wednesday’s tilt with the Bullets Wizards. A team that will out for 2-seed blood.
Which is followed up by a four-game road trip that’s headlined by a backbone check down South. Thoughts of James Harden’s step-back jumper are sure to cause chaos. And if recent debacles against Brooklyn and the Bucks are worrisome, an ATL film session is a recommended reminder.
In closing, a couple items:
Dean Smith: May you rest in peace. Basketball fans everywhere are in mourning.
Lastly, an episode in confusion. I know the Raps’ rise in popularity is more than just an influx of a new generation. But that must explain the crowd’s actions at halftime against the Clippers. One would think that when a legend such as Phife Dawg grabs the mic, a more enthusiastic reception would have taken place.
Do old-schoolers not attend games anymore?
A little Monday pick-me-up: Can the Raps kick it? Yes they can!”.
