Game fours in the post-season are not usually the site of epiphanies. By this time, teams are likely well accustomed to each other. As such, major adjustments that change the trajectory of series are rare at this time. However, this did not appear to be the case in the 2015 finals.
Good Coaching is Pivotal, Albeit Often Ignored
Similarly, Toronto Raptors Head Coach Dwane Casey helped a lackadaisical squad bounce back with a bold move of his own. It once again demonstrated importance of having the courage to shake up your starting lineup in the postseason.
In game four, Casey tweaked his rotation by inserting sophomore Norman Powell to the staring lineup. Casey counteracted the size and length of the Bucks, by playing small ball. In turn, it allowed the Raptors to play with more energy, as they had quicker hands and feet.
They were able to control the tempo on offense and it seemed to benefit the defensive side of the ball as well. The Bucks had 21 turnovers compared to the Raptors who only had 13 turnovers. Taking care of the ball and forcing the opposition into turnovers is a recipe for success.
The move was encouraging for Raptors fans because Norman Powell is the x-factor that the Raptors require to win.
Powell plays with a ferocity and poise that is rare for young players. His performance only validated what many Raptor fans already knew. That is, Powell deserves more minutes because he makes winning plays, often those that do not show up on a box score.
However, I believe that game four did not only validate the importance of Norman Powell in determining how far this Raptors ball club can go. It also shone light on the pecking order in Toronto.
The Next Step for DeMar DeRozan
There has long been debate about who is the true leader and alpha of this Toronto Raptors team.
Some may feel it is DeRozan simply because he scores more points, gets to line at will and is unafraid of the big moment. Some feel it is Lowry because of his leadership, versatility and grit. Often, individuals feel it does not need to be one “single player’s team”.
Instead, stars can do what they do best without feeling hindered.
However, I believe that there has to be an explicit hierarchy. The win in game four showed us that this team fires on all cylinders when Derozan is the lead dog and others follow suit. DeRozan lead the Raps in scoring, rebounds and assists. In addition, he was relied upon to hit some big-time buckets when the game was close.
A explicit agreement seems necessary because it shows an unparalleled level of confidence in your running-mate, as well as selflessness that the other will appreciate.
Raptors – Imitating Championship Pedigree?
I believe that a similar act of selflessness on the part of Kyle Lowry would help the Raps reach their greatest ceiling as well. It would allow K-low to play a supporting role, picking and choosing when to attack.
It would in turn allow the offence to run through DeRozan. This would enable him to demand the ball more, be more confident in the clutch, and allow Deebo to hold the rest of the team accountable.
This move seems necessary because Kyle Lowry is aging, while Derozan is in the midst of entering his prime, if yet not already in it. Further, Lowry would be effective in an auxiliary “shotgun” type role because his greatest skills do not require the ball in his hands.
Conclusion
Good coaching is overlooked and underappreciated, in a league full of mega-stars. Unfortunately, coaches have one of the most difficult jobs. They are often invisible in wins and hyper-visible in losses.
Likely, this is because an elite player can disguise poor coaches, while the opposite is not frequently true. The move to insert Powell was undoubtedly a bold move. The criticism would have been endless if it had resulted in a loss.
Many might feel that DeRozan stepping up was the sole reason for the victory while overlooking Powell’s role in the W. However, the harmony of good coaching and elite players is necessary to reach new heights, which was very much on display in game four.
It also demonstrated that there is a hierarchy and pecking order in the NBA, similar to that of the real world.
Raptors are predators and Bucks are prey. Let’s keep it that way going forward.