The Long Game

[Mediumcore]

JV played for the Lithuanian under 18 team, national team, Olympic team and has been with the Raptors for 3 seasons. He's played more high level, competetive ball than most people his age. This idea that we should drop games so he can play through his mistakes makes no sense because there is no way to quantify how many games he needs to play before he learns the game. Will he be ready for playoffs, or maybe next season? There is no way to tell. If someone is having difficulty grasping something then over loading them isn't going to help. He will get it when he gets it and it not dependent on minutes played.

[Miekenstien]

the idea of not playing the absolute best we can at all times when we are only 15-5 on the first winning season in years is ridiculous. god, new money much here people. and later in the season if we did this, it would still be casey's fault for throwing the easy games away and dropping our spot in the playoff picture.

every win above another team gives advantage in the playoffs. if possible we should be shooting for the warriors and guaranteeing ourselves home throughout the playoffs. even our "vets" need to learn how to be on a winning team.

[slaw]

the idea of not playing the absolute best we can at all times when we are only 15-5 on the first winning season in years is ridiculous. god, new money much here people. and later in the season if we did this, it would still be casey's fault for throwing the easy games away and dropping our spot in the playoff picture.

every win above another team gives advantage in the playoffs. if possible we should be shooting for the warriors and guaranteeing ourselves home throughout the playoffs. even our "vets" need to learn how to be on a winning team.

Can the Raps beat an elite Eastern conference team in the playoffs featuring Amir, Hayes and PP late in the game? Can that group stop Noah and Gasol? Can they control the Cavs bigs? Can they contain Gortat and Nene?

That's the game now. Not beating Milwaukee by 59. If the belief is that JV is largely immaterial to playoff success then, by all means, sit him down in crunch time. But I think we all know that isn't the case.

It's a fine line for Casey to walk but it isnt impossible.

[Miekenstien]

Can the Raps beat an elite Eastern conference team in the playoffs featuring Amir, Hayes and PP late in the game? Can that group stop Noah and Gasol? Can they control the Cavs bigs? Can they contain Gortat and Nene?

That's the game now. Not beating Milwaukee by 59. If the belief is that JV is largely immaterial to playoff success then, by all means, sit him down in crunch time. But I think we all know that isn't the case.

It's a fine line for Casey to walk but it isnt impossible.

can't tell the future

[Miekenstien]

http://espn.go.com/nba/player/stats/...as-valanciunas

full stats for jv. looks like he is playing about 2.5 minutes less per game than last years average, but the year is still early that will probably even out. but he is shooting better, on less shots and getting to the line more, again in less minutes.

this is where the argument heats up for us here. one side says this shows that how he is being handled is best for the team and his long term growth as he clearly is showing improvement in almost all stats. where the other side says this is the proof we are stunting him because he clearly can handle more.

one side can show stats, that can't be disputed because numbers are numbers. one side can show results of team which is being shut down because it doesn't fit narrative on the off chance that if he were to play more we would naturally be better.

one side is completely certain that what they say is right and can't be argued against, again because of the numbers and when one side mentions how the people in JVs professional life all have their own livelihoods and family's security also involved in his future and are professionals in their chosen field in the best league with the best everything money can buy to assure his growth/health/development they are attacked for using an argument as simple as "head coaches in the nba know more than people on a forum". the same people who constantly tell us that "they know more than coaches in the nba because they can read stats."

and that is the only place this is ever going to go.

i like winning basketball games

[Raptor Jesus]

http://espn.go.com/nba/player/stats/...as-valanciunas

full stats for jv. looks like he is playing about 2.5 minutes less per game than last years average, but the year is still early that will probably even out. but he is shooting better, on less shots and getting to the line more, again in less minutes.

this is where the argument heats up for us here. one side says this shows that how he is being handled is best for the team and his long term growth as he clearly is showing improvement in almost all stats. where the other side says this is the proof we are stunting him because he clearly can handle more.

one side can show stats, that can't be disputed because numbers are numbers. one side can show results of team which is being shut down because it doesn't fit narrative on the off chance that if he were to play more we would naturally be better.

one side is completely certain that what they say is right and can't be argued against, again because of the numbers and when one side mentions how the people in JVs professional life all have their own livelihoods and family's security also involved in his future and are professionals in their chosen field in the best league with the best everything money can buy to assure his growth/health/development they are attacked for using an argument as simple as "head coaches in the nba know more than people on a forum". the same people who constantly tell us that "they know more than coaches in the nba because they can read stats."

and that is the only place this is ever going to go.

i like winning basketball games

Say word.

As much as JV needs to understand the pressure of the last 4 minutes and final push against an elite team. The pressure of every rotation, every hedge, every non whistle. That every player on this team needs to feel it.

As the EC leader, as a team losing that lead in the standings, as a team watching while teams with games in hand, shed the pressure and close out tough games and gain or put distance in the standings.

Like Casey says this team hasn't done anything yet.

[Nilanka]

Of Hayes' 12 games, he has played in 9 4th Q's (75%), for an average of 5.6 minutes.

Of JV's 19 games, he has played in 12 4th Q's (63%), for an average of 5.0 minutes.

For all of Hayes being used situationally, he sees 4th Q minutes more regularly, and more of them, than Jonas does.

I've been losing my patience with Jonas' play this year, but these numbers are pretty crazy

[raptors999]

If Alvin Roberston has time between court dates MLSE should throw him a parade. Keon Clarke can join in a work release program.

[Nilanka]

Percy Miller, guys.

Percy fuckin' Miller.