Raptors Rapture » Alan Anderson http://raptorsrapture.com A Toronto Raptors Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More Thu, 23 May 2013 22:53:03 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 Who is the winner of the Oak as the Sixth Man of the Year? http://raptorsrapture.com/2013/05/09/who-is-the-winner-of-the-oak-as-the-sixth-man-of-the-year/ http://raptorsrapture.com/2013/05/09/who-is-the-winner-of-the-oak-as-the-sixth-man-of-the-year/#comments Thu, 09 May 2013 09:15:21 +0000 Brian Boake http://raptorsrapture.com/?p=3094 Our final award is meant to show some love to the best player off the bench. Which Rap was best at coming in cold to relieve a flagging starter, resuscitate a sputtering offense, throw a blanket over a hot-shooting opponent, or grab some rebounds? A list of the great Sixth Men of the NBA would include such [...]

Who is the winner of the Oak as the Sixth Man of the Year? - Raptors Rapture - Raptors Rapture - A Toronto Raptors Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More

]]> Our final award is meant to show some love to the best player off the bench. Which Rap was best at coming in cold to relieve a flagging starter, resuscitate a sputtering offense, throw a blanket over a hot-shooting opponent, or grab some rebounds?

A list of the great Sixth Men of the NBA would include such award-winning luminaries as Manu Ginobli, James Harden (not a Sixth Man anymore!), and this year’s winner, scoring machine J.R. Smith.

Mar 22, 2013; Toronto, ON, Canada; Toronto Raptors forward Alan Anderson (6) goes to the basket as New York Knicks center Marcus Camby (23) defends at the Air Canada Centre. The Knicks beat the Raptors 99-94. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

With reluctance, I’ve decided that the winner of the Oak must be on the roster at season’s end. Therefore two of the best candidates, Jose Calderon and Ed Davis, are ineligible. Amir Johnson started 38 of 81 games, which puts him on the bubble as a Sixth Man; I’m going to rule he’s ineligible. In theory, anyone on the bench is a candidate, but players who piled up DNP-CDs [Did Not Play - Coach's Decision] can’t be considered. The Sixth Man must have consistent, positive impact on almost every game. That leaves:

  • Alan Anderson
  • John Lucas III

Alan’s season was a roller-coaster. His personal highlight was torching the surprised Knicks for 35 points in New York in March, after burning them for 26 in Toronto the previous month. Averaging over 10 PPG for the season was a career high, and the number would have been even more impressive but for an end of season shooting slump. Alan’s defense was very solid, and he appears to be a well-liked teammate.

Apr 17, 2013; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors point guard John Lucas (5) takes the ball bt Boston Celtics shooting guard Terrence Williams (55) during the fourth quarter at the Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Celtics 114-90. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

John Lucas did not have the season he, or we as fans, was hoping for. While the offensive numbers are in the range of his historical norms, he had the opportunity to have a breakout year and it just didn’t happen.

The envelope please…the winner of the Oak for Sixth Man of the Year is….Alan Anderson!

Brian Boake is Senior Editor for Raptors Rapture. “Like” Raptors Rapture on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @RaptorsRapture for all the latest news and updates about the best damn NBA team from Canada.

]]> http://raptorsrapture.com/2013/05/09/who-is-the-winner-of-the-oak-as-the-sixth-man-of-the-year/feed/ 0 Time to award the Oak for Most Improved Player to…. http://raptorsrapture.com/2013/05/08/time-to-award-the-oak-for-most-improved-player-to/ http://raptorsrapture.com/2013/05/08/time-to-award-the-oak-for-most-improved-player-to/#comments Wed, 08 May 2013 09:11:14 +0000 Brian Boake http://raptorsrapture.com/?p=3089 The Toronto Raptors didn’t show the Great Leap Forward which was anticipated this past season. In fact, it’s hard to find even baby steps from a season of huge disappointment. That’s the team I’m referring to – let’s take a look at some individual players to see which one did advance the furthest over the [...]

Time to award the Oak for Most Improved Player to…. - Raptors Rapture - Raptors Rapture - A Toronto Raptors Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More

]]> The Toronto Raptors didn’t show the Great Leap Forward which was anticipated this past season. In fact, it’s hard to find even baby steps from a season of huge disappointment. That’s the team I’m referring to – let’s take a look at some individual players to see which one did advance the furthest over the ’11-’12 season.

Apr 14, 2013; Toronto, ON, Canada; Toronto Raptors forward Alan Anderson (6) scores over Brooklyn Nets guard MarShon Brooks (9) at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

There aren’t many nominees. Rookies are excluded, of course, and as I make the rules, I’m going to eliminate from consideration players in their first season as Raps. So Kyle Lowry and Landry Fields can’t make the ballot. Obviously neither can players who regressed (Andrea Bargnani is the glaring example; Aaron Gray slipped in all categories), or who were injury-riddled, like Linas Kleiza.

That leaves us to consider:

  • DeMar DeRozan
  • Amir Johnson
  • Alan Anderson

I think we’ll need to eliminate Alan from the discussion. His 3-point percentage dropped from almost 40 to 33, dragging down his overall FG% slightly. While his PPG average climbed to 10.7, it took him a lot more shots for that 1.1 extra points. He barely held serve, let alone improve. I still like him, but he’s going to have a serious position battle at training camp to stay with the big club.

DeMar achieved career highs in PPG (18.1), Free Throw Attempts & Makes, Rebounds, and 3-point percentage (still an unacceptable 28.3, but trending the right way, particularly late in the year). I was impressed by his fearless drives to the basket, which didn’t result in injury, or deter him from ranking #4 in the NBA in Minutes Played. While his game has weaknesses, he’s only 23 years old, and further improvement is not out of the question. DD meshed nicely with Rudy Gay upon the latter’s arrival, despite initial skepticism from the pundit community.

Apr 12, 2013; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors center-forward Amir Johnson (15) dunks against Chicago Bulls center Nazr Mohammed (48) at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated Chicago 97-88. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Amir’s number took a significant leap from ’11-’12, which isn’t hard, given how disappointing that season was for him. His critical Power Forward-type numbers were solid, like 1.4 Blocks and 7.5 Rebounds PG. Fun stat: Amir’s 5 made 3-balls was more than his entire career’s prior total. A new offensive weapon is unveiled – Amir from outside the stripe!

Apr 17, 2013; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors shooting guard DeMar DeRozan (10) shoots over Boston Celtics center Fab Melo (13) during the fourth quarter at the Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Celtics 114-90. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

OK, roll those tympani – it’s time for the envelope. The winner of the Oak for Most Improved Player is [pregnant pause]…

DeMar DeRozan!!

Brian Boake is Senior Editor for Raptors Rapture. “Like” Raptors Rapture on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @RaptorsRapture for all the latest news and updates about the best damn NBA team from Canada.

 

 

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