Wolstat: JJ not likely to return

[ceez]

JJ can certainly go. Kleiza probably plays more at the 4 than 3 anyways.

[Nilanka]

As for Ross / DD - there should be enough minutes to go aruond between the 2/3 positions that they get time along with Fields, JJ and Kleiza.

A 5-man wing rotation? Too much for my liking.

Whether it's Johnson or not, somebody needs to go. Otherwise we're simple wasting trade-able assets.

[ceez]

Funny that you said that. I read a speculation on Bleacherreport (probably mean that it's false) that said that the Raptors should trade JJ for Ridnour...

Bleacher report is garbage bro

[mountio]

Regardless of the credibility of Wolstat, I was under the impression that Johnson is a goner anyway. Looks like Fields is here to stay, and Kleiza seems more valuable as a welcoming committee for Jonas than a basketball player. There's no point holding onto Johnson as a 3rd SF, especially with Ross being able to play that position in spurts also.

Johnson is the opposite of Bargnani, but just as troublesome. All defense, no offense.

JJ is under contract .. $2.8 mm for this year. I cant imagine he will be gone. I think hes a push vs Landry Fields (better D, worse O). THey should be making roughly the same money, not the ridiculus offer we have Fields.

As for Ross / DD - there should be enough minutes to go aruond between the 2/3 positions that they get time along with Fields, JJ and Kleiza.

JJ is the most versatile guy that we have and I hope we keep him for a long time. Im sure this rumour is mostly BS .. if its not, Id be dissapointed.

[Blacklash2k4]

The Raptors no longer need JJ. If they could move him for a good backup PG like Ridnour or someone like that it would be great.

Funny that you said that. I read a speculation on Bleacherreport (probably mean that it's false) that said that the Raptors should trade JJ for Ridnour...

[Bendit]

Re the differences between the "incidents" per JJ & Lowry....JJ is a relative rookie still on his first contract while Lowry has been in the L 5 seasons and on his second contract. All young players have an inflated view of their talents as well are looking towards their second deal. In order to gain a lucrative one they also need the pt to show their stuff. Lowry now considers himself the established starter and got pissed at a new coach who would not give him his position back after returning from an injury. In Lowry's case it started during a game when McHale physically pulled him into the huddle possibly because of a pout and play. JJ's I believe was locker room.

The above of course does not absolve both players from reacting the way they did. These issues have to be handled internally. McHale also has a history of being abrasive/stubborn with players (including more on the Rockets). Havent most of us had similar incidents based on work as well as pay levels/promotions? We of course can choose to leave...the players cannot...they get traded or let go...and this is how they make the "leaving" happen.

[jbml]

I think there is a difference between the two.

From all accounts Johnsons wanted a bigger role on the team. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing and probably isn't punishable. How he approached it ofcourse is another story, and it must have been boneheaded enough to land in the dog house. He took his disagreement with the coach standing up, admitted he made the mistake, kept it private and kept playing.

Lowry on the other butted heads with McHale, took it public and then made a demand of either the coach goes or he goes.

Excellent points.

The fact that this was dealt with in house is nothing but a positive. I have read nothing as to what actually happened another plus, but the timing certainly coincided with the emerging playing time of Anderson.

Pretty much everybody here expects something else to happen, someone will be gone. JJ may very well be one of them. DC's comments about shooters being born leads me to believe the coach has confidence in being able to teach defense and not so much shooting. I like what JJ brings, perhaps it is his shooting ability more than anything that will lead him out of Toronto.

[camanda]

I think there is a difference between the two.

From all accounts Johnsons wanted a bigger role on the team. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing and probably isn't punishable. How he approached it ofcourse is another story, and it must have been boneheaded enough to land in the dog house. He took his disagreement with the coach standing up, admitted he made the mistake, kept it private and kept playing.

Lowry on the other butted heads with McHale, took it public and then made a demand of either the coach goes or he goes.

This is the important distinction between the Lowry/JJ parallel. If JJ wanted his role increased then he should push for that, within the context of Casey's team management. Sounds like he may have had a hissy about it but he kept it within the locker room, realized he made a mistake and it passed. He has shown a willingness to work and improve, and that's what you look for in a player. He's young, has a role as a defender and facilitator (good assist average for a SF) that he provides at a reasonable price. Keep him, let him grow and let's see where we are by the trade deadline.

[Apollo]

The Raptors no longer need JJ. If they could move him for a good backup PG like Ridnour or someone like that it would be great.

[jimmie]

Isn't James Johnson "Incident" everyone is referring to basically the same thing Kyle Lowry went through in Houston? Doesn't make sense that JJ would be on the outs because of this when we just acquired a point guard with the exact same type of problem(s).

If that's actually what the problem was with JJ last year, then maybe. But I don't think it was about playing time/role. I have a feeling there's more to it than that, despite what was said publicly.

[Craiger]

Isn't James Johnson "Incident" everyone is referring to basically the same thing Kyle Lowry went through in Houston? Doesn't make sense that JJ would be on the outs because of this when we just acquired a point guard with the exact same type of problem(s).

I think there is a difference between the two.

From all accounts Johnsons wanted a bigger role on the team. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing and probably isn't punishable. How he approached it ofcourse is another story, and it must have been boneheaded enough to land in the dog house. He took his disagreement with the coach standing up, admitted he made the mistake, kept it private and kept playing.

Lowry on the other butted heads with McHale, took it public and then made a demand of either the coach goes or he goes.

[Nilanka]

Isn't James Johnson "Incident" everyone is referring to basically the same thing Kyle Lowry went through in Houston? Doesn't make sense that JJ would be on the outs because of this when we just acquired a point guard with the exact same type of problem(s).

The difference is that Lowry is actually skilled enough to backup his claims. Johnson, not so much...

[ebrian]

Isn't James Johnson "Incident" everyone is referring to basically the same thing Kyle Lowry went through in Houston? Doesn't make sense that JJ would be on the outs because of this when we just acquired a point guard with the exact same type of problem(s).

[Nilanka]

Regardless of the credibility of Wolstat, I was under the impression that Johnson is a goner anyway. Looks like Fields is here to stay, and Kleiza seems more valuable as a welcoming committee for Jonas than a basketball player. There's no point holding onto Johnson as a 3rd SF, especially with Ross being able to play that position in spurts also.

Johnson is the opposite of Bargnani, but just as troublesome. All defense, no offense.

[Eric Akshinthala]

JJ is obviously very popular. Big fan of JJ myself. Solid defensive player. Something happened during the season which relegated him to the bench. BC and Co. did not give specifics but whatever happened has made him fall out of their favor. I hope they work things out. I'd love to see him stay.