Toronto Raptors: more imaginative tactics needed in crunch time

TORONTO, ON - NOVEMBER 14: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors dribbles the ball as Stanley Johnson #7 of the Detroit Pistons defends during the second half of an NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on November 14, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - NOVEMBER 14: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors dribbles the ball as Stanley Johnson #7 of the Detroit Pistons defends during the second half of an NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on November 14, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /
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The Toronto Raptors have compiled a 13-4 record, which is terrific but should be even better. Two of last week’s losses were avoidable had we not tried conventional stuff for our last shot.

The Toronto Raptors had a pair of wins solidly in their grasp last week, only to have them slip away late. In both cases, the team asked Kawhi Leonard to break a tie in regulation time, but he wasn’t successful.

I haven’t any intention of bashing Kawhi. The Raptors never should have been in a position to need a last-second basket. Instead I want to consider why the decision to take those shots was misguided.

What was the biggest criticism levelled at DeMar DeRozan during his Raptors years (apart from his defense, which I’m not getting into here)? That he was isolation-mad, which caused the Raptors offense to become both slow and predictable. Regardless, time and again at game’s end, Dwane Casey would draw up an iso play. DeMar would then be compelled to attempt a tightly contested deuce as the buzzer sounded. Quel surprise – he missed.

The Detroit Pistons had roared back to take the lead on a “What – we have to play the last quarter?” Toronto team on Wednesday. Kawhi had the ball in isolation with 10 seconds to play and the score knotted at 104. He dribbled the ball off his foot. Stuff happens. However, after that ultra-conventional gambit flopped, it was Dwane Casey’s turn. He drew up not one but two successful in-bounds plays with 2 seconds to play. The first was foiled by a brilliant Pascal Siakam blocked shot, but not the second.

Dwane Casey, last-play wizard – Nick Nurse, iso by our star. Who flipped the script?

Nick went back to the (dry) well on Friday night against the Celtics after another late lead was frittered away. Kawhi was isolated, missed under tight cover…and the Raptors lost in OT.

C’mon Raptors – you’ve made this work

I suspect we all remember when Jonas Valanciunas took an inbound pass against the Bucks last season, faked a pass, then drove for the tying dunk. No one was more surprised than Milwaukee – and that’s what is needed in those situations. Maybe your best shooter doesn’t have to get the ball; let him be a decoy. Or sure, pass him the ball, then ask him to find a mate, which defeats the double coverage he’s probably enduring.

I’ve already given Nick Nurse props for his strategic changes to the Raptors. I certainly don’t want to be spending this season worrying about his tactical skills. Use your imagination, Nick. It’s one of the reasons you got the top job.

Next. 3 takeaways from Raptors beatdown of Bulls. dark

And as for egos? I don’t think Kawhi would fuss for a second if he were asked to be the decoy in a last-shot opportunity. That guy is low-key and team-first. If Danny, or JV, or Kyle, were to be named as first option, you wouldn’t hear a peep from Leonard, then or afterwards.

We have to pull out some of these tight games. There’s lots of them now, and inevitably a bunch in the post-season. The other team shouldn’t be able to predict who’s taking the Raptors’ last shot, and how – but they can currently.