Raptors Rapture » Amir Johnson http://raptorsrapture.com A Toronto Raptors Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More Sat, 18 May 2013 14:35:46 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 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.

 

 

]]> http://raptorsrapture.com/2013/05/08/time-to-award-the-oak-for-most-improved-player-to/feed/ 0 The Oak for the Raps’ best defensive player goes to… http://raptorsrapture.com/2013/05/05/the-oak-for-the-raps-best-defensive-player-goes-to/ http://raptorsrapture.com/2013/05/05/the-oak-for-the-raps-best-defensive-player-goes-to/#comments Sun, 05 May 2013 12:55:11 +0000 Brian Boake http://raptorsrapture.com/?p=3084 In many ways, choosing a DPoY (Defensive Player of the Year) is the most difficult selection of all. By definition, if you’re on defense, you don’t have the ball, so there are only a few statistics which are relevant, like blocked shots and defensive rebounds. There are “phantom” stats, like shots negatively affected by a block [...]

The Oak for the Raps’ best defensive player goes to… - Raptors Rapture - Raptors Rapture - A Toronto Raptors Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More

]]> In many ways, choosing a DPoY (Defensive Player of the Year) is the most difficult selection of all. By definition, if you’re on defense, you don’t have the ball, so there are only a few statistics which are relevant, like blocked shots and defensive rebounds. There are “phantom” stats, like shots negatively affected by a block attempt, or the number of times a defender kept his man in front of him, thereby denying him a drive to the basket, or a comfortable jump shot. “Had we but world enough, and time” [h/t, Andrew Marvell (1621–1678)]  I could research tipped and intercepted passes, the Rap who kept his opposite number to the biggest number of points below his season average, and on and on. But we don’t. Statistics can provide some backstopping, but I’m going to rely on my game scribblings and observations.

Mar 17, 2013; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors center-forward Amir Johnson (15) and center Jonas Valanciunas (17) come down with a rebound as Miami Heat forward Udonis Haslem (40) defends at the Air Canada Centre. Miami defeated Toronto 108-91. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

With all the mulling done, and notes accumulated, I’m nominating:

  • Amir Johnson
  • Jonas Valanciunas
  • Kyle Lowry
  • Rudy Gay (yes, I’m surprised too)

Amir’s candidacy emerges because of his stats leadership (#1 in blocks PG @ 1.4, #2 in D-rebounds @ 4.7) and consistent excellence. How often does Amir’s man beat him down the floor to score in transition following a Raps’ turnover? I’ll offer a hint: very seldom. Sure, he also “led” the team in Personal Fouls PG @ 3.7, but he was usually asked to guard the opponent’s toughest big man. Who else could do it – Andrea Bargnani?

Jonas Valanciunas improved defensively by leaps and bounds in his rookie season. I like his demeanor; he backs down to no one. His rebounding was not what it will be @ 4.0 PG, but 1.3 blocks is very solid. JV is still learning, and will be for years. He’s not a finished product in help defense situations, but he’s coachable and very young.

Kyle Lowry finished second in steals @ 1.4 PG, which you would expect from a speedy guard with quick hands. However,  grabbing 3.9 D-rebs (ahead of DeMar DeRozan and (sigh) AB, among others) is an unexpected bonus, and lifts his DPoY candidacy. Kyle struggled to defend taller elite point guards like Kyrie Irving, but who didn’t?

Apr 14, 2013; Toronto, ON, Canada; Brooklyn Nets guard Joe Johnson (7) scores against Toronto Raptors forward Rudy Gay (22) at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

Rudy Gay’s 7 years of NBA experience shows up in his surprisingly solid defensive stats. Did his name come to mind when you wondered who led the team in D-rebs PG? Me neither, yet there he is @ 5.1. His blocks are a so-so 0.7, but he led in steals @ 1.7. Rudy sometimes appears to be not trying, but he usually had his man locked down.

A tough decision, but it’s time for the envelope. And the winner is….RUDY GAY [much sharp intake of breath indicating disbelief, and here and there some hooting]

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.

Apr 12, 2013; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Chicago Bulls guard-forward Jimmy Butler (21) protects the ball against Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (3) at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated Chicago 97-88. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

 

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