Raptors Rapture » DeMar DeRozan http://raptorsrapture.com A Toronto Raptors Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More Mon, 20 May 2013 02:18:27 +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 Most Valuable Player of 2012-2013: The Nominees http://raptorsrapture.com/2013/05/01/the-oak-for-most-valuable-player-of-2012-2013-the-nominees/ http://raptorsrapture.com/2013/05/01/the-oak-for-most-valuable-player-of-2012-2013-the-nominees/#comments Wed, 01 May 2013 17:31:14 +0000 Brian Boake http://raptorsrapture.com/?p=3072 Which Toronto Raptor has been judged the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the past season? To answer that, we need to examine the body of work of our nominees, who are: Amir Johnson DeMar DeRozan I wish this list were longer It’s a sad reflection of the Raps’ profoundly disappointing season that there are only [...]

The Oak for Most Valuable Player of 2012-2013: The Nominees - Raptors Rapture - Raptors Rapture - A Toronto Raptors Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More

]]> Which Toronto Raptor has been judged the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the past season? To answer that, we need to examine the body of work of our nominees, who are:

  • Amir Johnson
  • DeMar DeRozan
  • I wish this list were longer

Apr 19, 2013; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors center/forward Amir Johnson throws out the first pitch before a game between the New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

It’s a sad reflection of the Raps’ profoundly disappointing season that there are only two viable MVP candidates. Andrea Bargnani, who was a pre-season favourite for this award, didn’t have a breakout season – more like a break down one. None of the Rookie of the Year candidates, Jonas Valanciunas, Quincy Acy and Terrence Ross, is in the MVP conversation. Rudy Gay played half a season and didn’t put the team on his shoulders, or into the playoffs. Kyle Lowry started brilliantly, but injuries and spotty play sidelined his chances. So Amir and DD it is.

Amir’s stats are certainly more than respectable, and are a hefty leap from last year’s.  Here’s the comparison: 

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P%  FT% OFFr DEFr RPG APG SPG BPG TO PF PPG
11-12 TOR 64 43 24.3 0.576 0.400 0.690 2.3 4.0 6.4 1.2 0.5 1.1 1.47 3.27 7.1
12-13 TOR 81 38 28.7 0.554 0.385 0.727 2.8 4.7 7.5 1.5 1.0 1.4 1.44 3.72 10.0

Those of you who are good enough to read often know that I’m highly skeptical of deciding much of anything based on statistics. Of course, it’s equally brain-dead to ignore stats, but they are a starting point, not the destination. In every category (except Games Started, which is not in his control),  Amir’s numbers are strong, and his value truly extends beyond numbers. If coach Casey needs AJ to cover the opponent’s toughest big man, he’ll do it. If coach wants to start a player just returning from injury, and someone needs to come off the bench, AJ never kicks up a fuss at being pushed out of the starting lineup. Who plays hurt, or dives after for loose balls, more than anyone? You know the answer. Amir developed a respectable 15-foot set shot (sorry, it’s not a jumper) to add to his limited offensive repertoire. Can you imagine where the Raps would have ended up this season without Amir’s contributions, game in and game out?

Let’s examine DD’s stats, compared to the previous season:

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% OFFr DEFr RPG APG SPG BPG TO PF  PPG
11-12 TOR 63 63 35.0 0.422 0.261 0.810 0.6 2.7 3.3 2.0 0.8 0.3 1.95 2.57 16.7
12-13 TOR 82 82 36.7 0.445 0.283 0.831 0.6 3.3 3.9 2.5 0.9 0.3 1.84 2.11 18.1

 

Apr 14, 2013; Toronto, ON, Canada; Toronto Raptors forward DeMar DeRozan (10) scores a basket against Brooklyn Nets forward Reggie Evans (30) at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports


Improvement all around. Like Amir, DD shows up for work, come hell or high water.

His 3-point shooting is still unacceptable, both in percentage and quantity. DD did make 10 more than the previous season, but won’t be ready for entry into a discussion of the NBA’s top shooting guards until he averages at least one made 3-ball per game played. In short, 34 makes on 120 tries comes up well shy of what’s needed.

That said, DD’s game is gaining strength on the offensive side of the ball. He gets thumped in the press for inefficiency, and that’s a valid gripe. However, he’s learned to hit jump shots from 20 feet, and has gained the confidence to step back beyond the arc. I’d argue that DD doesn’t learn how to make the long ones without hitting the shorter ones first. He gets to the free throw line a ton, and is effective when he does.

Defensively, DD is adequate, and I doubt he’ll ever be more than that – but I hope I’m wrong.

OK, you’re read my analysis, and agree it’s a close battle. Time to open the envelope…..and the winner is…..

AMIR JOHNSON! [cue music and golden-throated voiceover man] accepting on behalf of Amir Johnson is Newmarket Brian.

 

 

 

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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