Raptors Rapture » Kyle Lowry 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 Bryan Colangelo’s future & the 2013 NCAA draft – the ultimate irony? http://raptorsrapture.com/2013/05/13/bryan-colangelos-future-the-2013-ncaa-draft-the-ultimate-irony/ http://raptorsrapture.com/2013/05/13/bryan-colangelos-future-the-2013-ncaa-draft-the-ultimate-irony/#comments Mon, 13 May 2013 15:00:45 +0000 Brian Boake http://raptorsrapture.com/?p=3103 All the local commentators are alleging that this week the decision will be finalized. Bryan Colangelo will either have his option year picked up by his new boss, Tim Lieweke, and granted an extension, or be kicked to the curb. No one’s talking about which way the wind is blowing, but I’ll take a chance [...]

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]]> All the local commentators are alleging that this week the decision will be finalized. Bryan Colangelo will either have his option year picked up by his new boss, Tim Lieweke, and granted an extension, or be kicked to the curb. No one’s talking about which way the wind is blowing, but I’ll take a chance and say BC’s gone.

This year’s collegiate draft will likely be a big yawn from a Raps’ fan’s perspective. The team has no picks in either the first or second rounds, and if ever there was a good year for such a situation, it’s this one. The draft crop appears to be as drab as this reporter can ever remember. BC almost certainly saw this down year coming, and dealt our first-rounder as the major portion of the Kyle Lowry trade. The second-rounder went to Phoenix as part of the Sebastian Telfair “rental”.

Apr 6, 2013; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Toronto Raptors guard Sebastian Telfair (13) drives for the basket around Milwaukee Bucks guard Brandon Jennings (3) during the first quarter at the BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Now let’s consider the timing of the potential dumping of Colangelo. There’s no worse time to hand your team’s GM a golden handshake than prior to the draft. The process of determining your pick is arduous, and takes months of film analysis, scouts’ reports, in-town workouts and interviews…it’s a huge task. To toss your main man aside with 45 days to go, then ask the new guy to make his own choice, is unthinkable. However, this year it’s not. The Raps don’t need to stress over the draft, so this is as good a time as any for Lieweke to hand over the reins to someone else.

Harken back to why we don’t have any picks – it’s because BC said to himself, in effect “I’ll cheerfully give up my first-rounder for an established point guard in Lowry”, and later “Getting insurance at the point for our playoff drive [which failed, but that's moot] in the form of Telfair is certainly worth my second-rounder”. Both of those were defendable decisions, in my view. However, by stripping the team of its picks, BC also removed the biggest inhibitor to his being replaced! Wouldn’t it be ironic if the lack of draft picks, which BC engineered, is the straw that breaks the camel’s back, and renders his dismissal easy for the team to undertake?

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/2013/05/13/bryan-colangelos-future-the-2013-ncaa-draft-the-ultimate-irony/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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