Picture it. A big name free agent signs with the Raps because he likes where the franchise is going, he loves the diversity of the city, and knows how to play with a solid big man. He is gonna lead us back to the playoffs with Bosh. Fairytale situation right? That is how it was looking early on with Hedo and the Raps. Flash forward a couple years and now there is a lot of anger towards Hedo Turkoglu from Raptor fans. Whether it was his poor play or how he generally acted with the franchise (Pizza Pizza), he is not liked (possibly an understatement). He probably is the second most hated player as of now for Rap fans.
Ever since he has left, the Raptors have had a hole at the SF position. At the start of this season, it looked like the trend would continue. With LK injured, Rasual Butler(who himself is climbing on the "most hated" list) started the first game of the season against the Cavs. Looked like it was going to be a tough year for Raptor SF's (who combined for 8 points total in the first game of the year).
Slowly, as the season progressed, James Johnson developed. He started out as an energy player who just made bad decision after bad decision. He had no jumpshot and forced his shots time and time again. Over the past month and a half all of those problems have not been so evident. He has worked hard with his shot, he has been making excellent decisions with the ball (and is passing the ball very well), he is keeping his turnovers down, and he is scoring the ball (not to mention he leads the team in steals and blocks).
Now I am not sold on James Johnson yet, and I do not think he is the answer at SF, but he has been playing rather well as of late imo.
With the Orlando game tonight I felt a fun little comparison would be interesting.
Who is having the better season? With all past drama aside, which player would you want starting at SF for your club?
Hedo:
ppg 11.6 | apg 4.6 | rpg 3.9 | bpg 0.3 | spg 0.8 | tov 2.7 | fg% .417 | 3p% .364 | mpg 31.1 |
JJ:
ppg 8.4 | apg 1.8 | rpg 4.9 | bpg 1.4 | spg 1.3 | tov 1.3 | fg% .433 | 3p% .300 | mpg 25.6 |
Looking at the stats, it looks to me like JJ is playing like the superior player.
Ever since he has left, the Raptors have had a hole at the SF position. At the start of this season, it looked like the trend would continue. With LK injured, Rasual Butler(who himself is climbing on the "most hated" list) started the first game of the season against the Cavs. Looked like it was going to be a tough year for Raptor SF's (who combined for 8 points total in the first game of the year).
Slowly, as the season progressed, James Johnson developed. He started out as an energy player who just made bad decision after bad decision. He had no jumpshot and forced his shots time and time again. Over the past month and a half all of those problems have not been so evident. He has worked hard with his shot, he has been making excellent decisions with the ball (and is passing the ball very well), he is keeping his turnovers down, and he is scoring the ball (not to mention he leads the team in steals and blocks).
Now I am not sold on James Johnson yet, and I do not think he is the answer at SF, but he has been playing rather well as of late imo.
With the Orlando game tonight I felt a fun little comparison would be interesting.
Who is having the better season? With all past drama aside, which player would you want starting at SF for your club?
Hedo:
ppg 11.6 | apg 4.6 | rpg 3.9 | bpg 0.3 | spg 0.8 | tov 2.7 | fg% .417 | 3p% .364 | mpg 31.1 |
JJ:
ppg 8.4 | apg 1.8 | rpg 4.9 | bpg 1.4 | spg 1.3 | tov 1.3 | fg% .433 | 3p% .300 | mpg 25.6 |
Looking at the stats, it looks to me like JJ is playing like the superior player.
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