Did we invest too much in Chemistry and Growth.

[big boi]

Bah!

We've been through the shit times, we've had 4 months of good ball with a first round knockout, and now hopefully they get their act together and give us a series win.

They are sucking rigt now but every team has ups and downs.

This season, like casey, is a stepping stone to bigger and better things.

Agreed. Good post.

[iblastoff]

Can't agree more with this bold. Casey thinks he's beating the analytics by using iso to draw fouls, which is all well and good... for the regular season. Against teams that have a reputation as a "physical defensive team" as well as in the playoffs the refs swallow their whistles and the Raptors can't score and get frustrated. Butler ate DeRozan's lunch that first game against the Bulls. The reason why so many game winners you see in highlights and over history are jumpers are because of two things:
1) Teams don't let you get to the rim, they'll live with a jumper
2) No ref is going to blow the whistle with a playoff series on the line on a layup with just a couple of seconds left.

As far as the OP, I think growth was the way to go this year, but if we see another early playoff exit with little improvement we need to make some moves. Casey's system doesn't fit our personnel, so we either need new players or a new coach.

Also, if I'm Masai I'm throwing boatloads of money at Draymond Green this summer. He is exactly what the Raps need.

just to reiterate a point i made some time earlier, but we actually got to the line a TON in the playoffs vs brooklyn. more so than in the regular season.

[raptors999]

Can't agree more with this bold. Casey thinks he's beating the analytics by using iso to draw fouls, which is all well and good... for the regular season. Against teams that have a reputation as a "physical defensive team" as well as in the playoffs the refs swallow their whistles and the Raptors can't score and get frustrated. Butler ate DeRozan's lunch that first game against the Bulls. The reason why so many game winners you see in highlights and over history are jumpers are because of two things:
1) Teams don't let you get to the rim, they'll live with a jumper
2) No ref is going to blow the whistle with a playoff series on the line on a layup with just a couple of seconds left.

As far as the OP, I think growth was the way to go this year, but if we see another early playoff exit with little improvement we need to make some moves. Casey's system doesn't fit our personnel, so we either need new players or a new coach.

Also, if I'm Masai I'm throwing boatloads of money at Draymond Green this summer. He is exactly what the Raps need.

Toronto's strength is continuity and depth in lieu of a superstar. Without a coach to practice set plays that the players can go to on offense, continuity is wasted, Spurs look great because of go to plays they can pull out after years together. An unworkable defensive scheme means they are learning to defend poorly together. With the hockey lineups the depth is a wasted. Hawks and GSW will only improve if they can keep the core together.

[BrydenB]

Toronto as an offensive powerhouse is wrong. Offense can be padded by bench scoring but defense can't. Stats show a high scoring offense but in reality Toronto lacks true effective scoring options. They don't have go to plays that result in easy buckets which most elite teams have.

Can't agree more with this bold. Casey thinks he's beating the analytics by using iso to draw fouls, which is all well and good... for the regular season. Against teams that have a reputation as a "physical defensive team" as well as in the playoffs the refs swallow their whistles and the Raptors can't score and get frustrated. Butler ate DeRozan's lunch that first game against the Bulls. The reason why so many game winners you see in highlights and over history are jumpers are because of two things:
1) Teams don't let you get to the rim, they'll live with a jumper
2) No ref is going to blow the whistle with a playoff series on the line on a layup with just a couple of seconds left.

As far as the OP, I think growth was the way to go this year, but if we see another early playoff exit with little improvement we need to make some moves. Casey's system doesn't fit our personnel, so we either need new players or a new coach.

Also, if I'm Masai I'm throwing boatloads of money at Draymond Green this summer. He is exactly what the Raps need.

[raptors999]

"The Raptors are an offensive powerhouse with a leaky defense in the weaker conference. They have to decide what that means — how far they could go, whether they would be anything more than sacrificial roadkill in the Finals, and how much they might pay to find out. " Zach Lowe http://grantland.com/the-triangle/th...s-master-plan/

Toronto as an offensive powerhouse is wrong. Offense can be padded by bench scoring but defense can't. Stats show a high scoring offense but in reality Toronto lacks true effective scoring options. They don't have go to plays that result in easy buckets which most elite teams have.

[godkingleonidas]

"The Raptors are an offensive powerhouse with a leaky defense in the weaker conference. They have to decide what that means — how far they could go, whether they would be anything more than sacrificial roadkill in the Finals, and how much they might pay to find out. " Zach Lowe http://grantland.com/the-triangle/th...s-master-plan/

[Miekenstien]

Chemistry depends on winning. When the lakers were winning Kobe was intense and competitive, when they lose he's a selfish chucking asshole

he was always a selfish chucking asshole but winning makes that ok. same as he is still intense and competitive but losing makes that useless

[raptors999]

Chemistry depends on winning. When the lakers were winning Kobe was intense and competitive, when they lose he's a selfish chucking asshole

[bryan colangelo]

To answer the OP:

It depends on how you define chemistry. To me, it's more than just guys liking each other. Chemistry is every player, coach, and manager buying into a system and accepting there roles on the team. One bad player that doesn't buy into their role can really junk up a team and make everyone else's job's harder. It doesn't matter how talented the team is. The Lakers, last year's Timberwolves, the Piston's with Josh Smith, and the Cavs are perfect examples of this.

So if you define chemistry like this, the answer is no. Chemistry isn't optional, it's a prerequisite for a good team. I'm not saying the roster (or coaching) couldn't use some serious upgrades, but I wouldn't under-value it, either.

I think we have all been in situations in our lives, whether at work, playing sports, or even with family, where even one sourpuss, jackass, or incompetent boob kills the efficiency or effectiveness of what everyone else is trying to do.

[raptors999]

true, but when you have a guy like JJ on your roster, you'd think he'd start against the best SF's in the league. he's getting paid to match up against those types of guys.

Golden was being sarcastic

[tDotted]

Can't upset that bench chemistry. It's not about playing your 7-8 best players as much as possible and figuring out a rotation that works. It's all about keeping that 5-man hockey style 2nd line together. This factors into Casey's rationale, I'm guessing, sadly.

true, but when you have a guy like JJ on your roster, you'd think he'd start against the best SF's in the league. he's getting paid to match up against those types of guys.

[golden]

how he didn't start those games against the cavs and knicks is beyond me.

Can't upset that bench chemistry. It's not about playing your 7-8 best players as much as possible and figuring out a rotation that works. It's all about keeping that 5-man hockey style 2nd line together. This factors into Casey's rationale, I'm guessing, sadly.

[tDotted]

It's a fine line. I think someone said it here, but would you rather win games or "progress" the core players? JV has been a disappointment this year. For the most part I think the benching has been justified. Same with Ross. Yeah Lou has been shooting a lot and sure he's probably not going to be here next year, but straight up, dudes won some games for us.

I do agree JJ should be playing more though.

how he didn't start those games against the cavs and knicks is beyond me.

[Employee]

I'm seeing a lot of baby steps posts, but I think we need to actually evaluate what those baby steps are.

To me, baby steps should involve a progression of our core players.

Val is STILL not playing fourth quarters. Ross's TS% is down and he doesn't seem to be advancing. Our defense has seriously regressed.

Lou Williams is taking the third most shots on the team, and he's an expiring. Is his contribution a baby step, or is it relatively unimportant in the larger scheme of things? Are we willing to re-sign him to another deal? Or will that end up like Greivis's deal, a short-term deal for someone who helped with recent success but is not a fundamental game-changer?

James Johnson has played very well but even he seems frustrated at getting passed over for the likes of Vasquez and Fields.

The issue with re-signing Casey is that time is passing and we aren't learning anything new about this team and its ceiling. Kyle is slightly better but he and DeMar (and Amir) are essentially at their ceiling.

I like Masai and his argument for patience but there is also a fine line between patience and wasting time. If we have another early playoff exit, what will we point to as our baby steps that we accomplished?

It's a fine line. I think someone said it here, but would you rather win games or "progress" the core players? JV has been a disappointment this year. For the most part I think the benching has been justified. Same with Ross. Yeah Lou has been shooting a lot and sure he's probably not going to be here next year, but straight up, dudes won some games for us.

I do agree JJ should be playing more though.

[mcHAPPY]

Haha I find this incredibly funny. I suggested we needed more 3 point shooting in the form of Anthony Morrow in the "Sleeper Targets" thread and got absolutely flamed. Was told we were a lead leader in makes, 1st in the east, winning anyways...etc etc.

But it is true. The only two true three point threats we have on the roster are Ross and Patterson, and they are delegated to at most a minimalistic role in the offense. yay

But but but.....

Casey said that is ok.

The offense is geared around the referees sending the raptors to the ft line.

That is what the analytics geeks fail to grasp.

So every game Raps are guaranteed to be 8on5 vs opponent.

Nothing to see here. Move along folks.