I don't think Jonas coming off the bench is a bad thing. (I was actually quite suprised he started the year and not Gray.) As long as he is getting good minutes is the important part. He'll still get an opportunity to learn, and playing against 'back ups' more often may lead to him being on the court for more total minutes if it reduces his foul rate.
That said, this entire idea - that the Raps need a change and we'll change everything other than the root problem - is a systemic issue with this team.
I agree with this, but why is it so important that the teams gets so much better help defense from their C right now? Because the C is the only big man on the floor doing it (JV is and was constantly paired with Bargnani)
grumble grumble grumble
The mistake is to view this as anything other than letting Bargnani off the hook yet again.
That said, this entire idea - that the Raps need a change and we'll change everything other than the root problem - is a systemic issue with this team.
the one part of his game that has been slower to come is the ability to anticipate when he needs to make the move from his own man and slide over and help on the attacking guard or forward coming down the lane.
He's got to get there quicker to help. Reading what's coming, anticipating is the word I want to use, because right now he's so in tune with being physical with his guy, making sure he's not letting him duck in that in that one split second he's got to be ready. Amir does a good job of it, Eddie does a good job, Aaron Gray does a good job, bounce and go.
"You have to go protect the paint and he's about a half second off of that, being where he has to be," Casey said. "It's experience and being there numerous times, he's getting better at it but he's still not there yet. Recognizing that situation and it's a split moment."
"You have to go protect the paint and he's about a half second off of that, being where he has to be," Casey said. "It's experience and being there numerous times, he's getting better at it but he's still not there yet. Recognizing that situation and it's a split moment."
The mistake would be to view this as a critique of Valanciunas and his progress.
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