Game 55 - Toronto Raptors 122 - New York Knickerbockers 95

[Axel]

Because if we only complain after losses we get asked where those complaints were when the team was winning.

That, and more importantly, because the same issues persist, even in wins.

It was Casey's comments about Scola's struggles that really set this off for this thread.

[DanH]

It was Casey's comments about Scola's struggles that really set this off for this thread.

To be fair, that was before LAST game.

Mainly, the rotations are still broken so I'm going to keep talking about the broken rotations. Simple as that.

[Chr1s1anL]

FIT.

FIT.

FIT.

Say it with me. F - I - T. FIT. Pretty sure you think Bismack is better than both 2Pat and Scola combined, yet even you know it would be a bad idea to start him beside JV. Why? Because it's a bad FIT.

It's not about who's the better player, it's about who FITS

2pat and BB are specialist. Scola is the more rounded and experienced player out of the there. More to the game of basketball than just hitting 3s and spacing. Scola does all the little things

Intangibles

Intangibles

Intangibles...

[CalgaryRapsFan]

My only complaint about the game is with regards to minutes played. Why did Lowry play 35 and DeRozan 32, in a game that was never really in doubt?

It was great seeing Lowry get the triple-double, in a game that he absolutely controlled, but 35 minutes? I know they have an off day today, but it was the second game of a back-to-back, and it just seemed completely unnecessary.

The Raptors were up by 14 at the half, and up 18 after 3 quarters. Surely there was more than 3 minutes of garbage time

[Chr1s1anL]

Why are we complaining? We just beat a team by 27 points.

Lol exactly....

[Axel]

To be fair, that was before LAST game.

Mainly, the rotations are still broken so I'm going to keep talking about the broken rotations. Simple as that.

yes, but the comment's smell is still lingering.....

But I agree, only Casey can stop us from complaining now!

[Chr1s1anL]

Yes, teams will absolutely just leave him open. They do all the time.

Well I guess that why he hits them at a 40+ clip. Pick your poison.

[DanH]

My only complaint about the game is with regards to minutes played. Why did Lowry play 35 and DeRozan 32, in a game that was never really in doubt?

It was great seeing Lowry get the triple-double, in a game that he absolutely controlled, but 35 minutes? I know they have an off day today, but it was the second game of a back-to-back, and it just seemed completely unnecessary.

The Raptors were up by 14 at the half, and up 18 after 3 quarters. Surely there was more than 3 minutes of garbage time

I thought it was odd when Casey brought Lowry back in in the 4th, rather than seeing if the bench could close it out, but this horse is as dead as the Scola one. I was pretty pleased with Lowry having only 35 minutes, considering the baseline assumption is 40 MP even in a blowout.

[DanH]

Well I guess that why he hits them at a 40+ clip. Pick your poison.

I think teams will pick letting Scola hit 0.7 three pointers a game. Oh, dear, the poison...

[Chr1s1anL]

I think teams will pick letting Scola hit 0.7 three pointers a game. Oh, dear, the poison...

How many 3s does 2pat hit a game? We've seen Scola get hot if left open before. That's why his has multiple 20 point games this year. Has 2pat even had one?

[tDotted]

2pat and BB are specialist. Scola is the more rounded and experienced player out of the there. More to the game of basketball than just hitting 3s and spacing. Scola does all the little things

Intangibles

Intangibles

Intangibles...

Being 35 years old, having great hair... ah the little things. Don't know about you, but I prefer production.

[CalgaryRapsFan]

2pat and BB are specialist. Scola is the more rounded and experienced player out of the there. More to the game of basketball than just hitting 3s and spacing. Scola does all the little things

Intangibles

Intangibles

Intangibles...

Nothing he does is necessary with the starting unit, especially when Carroll/JJ is the starting SF, besides 3pt shooting and defense.

His best, natural skillset (remember, he has never been a volume 3pt shooter before this season) is far better suited with the 2nd unit, where he could play a more prominent role. With the starters, he should be a 5th option (maybe 4th without Carroll), yet he's taking a ton of shots lately and struggling to convert baskets.

On the other hand, Patterson naturally offers the exact skills and role that is needed in the starting lineup; off-ball play and 3pt shooting. The fact that he has such good chemistry and advanced stats with that unit is just icing on the cake.

---

Having said all that, the only reason I can understand Casey sticking with the lineups as is, is because the net impact is working. Maybe he knows that swapping Patterson/Scola would theoretically improve the +/- of the starters, but he's afraid that doing so could have a detrimental impact on the second unit, which has been blowing the opposition out of the water.

It reminds me of the 2007 season, when the starters just needed to keep the game close, to allow the second unit to get them the lead against the inferior second units of the other teams. Just like 2007, the crunch-time lineup is a mix of guys from both units, which does seem to indicate that Casey knows how to take advantage of a more balanced lineup down the stretch.

If the team went on a losing streak, or the second unit stopped being an advantage for the Raptors, perhaps we'd see a swap at the PF position. Until then, I can understand why Casey might be hesitant to make a change, even though it has seemed pretty obvious since the preseason.

[Axel]

It reminds me of the 2007 season, when the starters just needed to keep the game close, to allow the second unit to get them the lead against the inferior second units of the other teams. Just like 2007, the crunch-time lineup is a mix of guys from both units, which does seem to indicate that Casey knows how to take advantage of a more balanced lineup down the stretch.

The problem of that is the 37 MPG that Lowry needs to log for that strategy.

[tDotted]

It's a bad message to send too. You can shit the bed for 2 straight months on both ends and still keep the starting job? Where's the accountability? How do you get the bench guys motivated to play harder in hopes of earning a spot in the first line?

[A.I]

It's a bad message to send too. You can shit the bed for 2 straight months on both ends and still keep the starting job? Where's the accountability? How do you get the bench guys motivated to play harder in hopes of earning a spot in the first line?

That only applies to our young guys. Our 2 star players and any veterans don't get held accountable. John Salmons was terrible and still got consistent minutes.