NBA Thread

[Dylan]

Reminds me of the 7 K Pizza Pizza promotion. That was stupid.

 

I dont know... it gave me something to cheer for in many blowout games I've watched over the years lol

[SpeedyGose]

Wow Casey plays Val 35 minutes and he has his best game of the season. Go figure.

 

Another great 4th quarter, gives me some optimism for the playoffs. 10 games over .500 baby!

 

Again Casey's rotations...why did Novak steal 13 minutes from Ross when he took ZERO shots? What is his purpose if he is contributing nothing on the offensive end?

[John_Havok]

Maybe trying to save some of the regulars for what's sure to be a playoff-type end of the season?

 

Casey has boggled my mind pretty much every game with his rotations so I'm just grasping at straws

[John_Havok]

ECJF should be posting any minute now...

[eastcoastjaysfan]

Great win! ACC was bumping tonight. Vasquez stepped up early when the offense went cold.

 

If Casey cuts down to an 8 man rotation we have a chance in the playoffs. Again we stalled a bit tonight when he went with 4 subs on thw floor at one time but then dominated when the starters actually got minutes.

 

Player of the game: Lowry and JV

[Caper]

Great win! ACC was bumping tonight. Vasquez stepped up early when the offense went cold.

 

If Casey cuts down to an 8 man rotation we have a chance in the playoffs. Again we stalled a bit tonight when he went with 4 subs on thw floor at one time but then dominated when the starters actually got minutes.

 

Player of the game: Lowry and JV

 

I don't think you are making the connection at all about playing subs and sustained successes. The deep bench is the teams greatest asset.

[eastcoastjaysfan]

I don't think you are making the connection at all about playing subs and sustained successes. The deep bench is the teams greatest asset.

 

There is a difference between rotating guys in and then going 4-5 subs on the floor at the same time.

 

I don't think anyone is overly upset that the bench is getting minutes. It's just ridiculous to see our starters constantly build up leads only to see Casey go with a 5 consisting of Hansborough, Salmons, Hayes, Vasquez, and maybe one starter. It's much more efficient to just keep rotating guys in every few minutes.

[Grant77]

There is a difference between rotating guys in and then going 4-5 subs on the floor at the same time.

 

I don't think anyone is overly upset that the bench is getting minutes. It's just ridiculous to see our starters constantly build up leads only to see Casey go with a 5 consisting of Hansborough, Salmons, Hayes, Vasquez, and maybe one starter. It's much more efficient to just keep rotating guys in every few minutes.

 

I'm not necessarily disagreeing with you, but having a separate bench unit works just fine for the Spurs so it's not a universally bad strategy. The starters all leave in the second quarter and the Ginobili/Diaw unit comes out.The difference is that the starting Duncan/Parker unit is the best in the NBA on a per minute basis and usually exits with a 15+ point lead. Often times they don't even have to come back out.

[jaysblue]

The Raptors need to get rid of the moronic pizza promotion. Another embarrassment by Toronto fans booing their team off the court because they don't get a slice of pizza.

 

Gibbers would be pissed.

[jaysblue]

I dont know... it gave me something to cheer for in many blowout games I've watched over the years lol

 

Casual fan

[eastcoastjaysfan]

I'm not necessarily disagreeing with you, but having a separate bench unit works just fine for the Spurs so it's not a universally bad strategy. The starters all leave in the second quarter and the Ginobili/Diaw unit comes out.The difference is that the starting Duncan/Parker unit is the best in the NBA on a per minute basis and usually exits with a 15+ point lead. Often times they don't even have to come back out.

 

The Spurs core is super old though. They basically need to do that because they'll completely gas out before the playoffs begin if they don't.

 

DeRozan, JV, and Ross are at average age of like 23. Lowry is getting up there a bit but is still only 27 and has shown no signs of wearing down. These guys are young and have great gas tanks.

 

We still have like 20 games left in the season. Rest these guys closer to the actual playoffs (the schedule is hilariously weak in the last few games too so we shouldn't get hurt). It's too soon to take the foot off the gas.

 

I'm not saying that they shouldn't go 8-10 deep. I'm just saying that Casey needs to be smarter about it. Nobody on our 2nd unit is as good as Ginobili. The offense completely disappears when they take all of DD, Lowry, and JV off the floor.

[eastcoastjaysfan]

Cool thoughts. But Casey pulled this team out of gutter relatively quick so unless you plan on taking over for him this year you should probably zip it.

 

So Casey just magically became a great coach this year? He's a defensive coach. I give him full credit for his defensive schemes and getting everyone to buy in on the defensive end. But he's not a good offensive coach. This team has succeeded this year because Lowry decided to play like an MVP candidate and Ujiri brought in some great depth players. Casey's play calling late in games or coming out of time outs has always been questionable.

 

I'm assuming you don't actually watch the games and just read the box scores. Almost every single fan that watches the games gripes about his rotations. Stuff like that won't fly in the playoffs.

[eastcoastjaysfan]

Man, I loved Antonio Davis, that guy was a boss.

 

Davis was solid but when you look back at his stats he might've been a bit overrated. 42% shooter as a Rap. That's pretty bad for a C/PF. Good rebounder though.

[Grant77]

So Casey just magically became a great coach this year? He's a defensive coach. I give him full credit for his defensive schemes and getting everyone to buy in on the defensive end. But he's not a good offensive coach. This team has succeeded this year because Lowry decided to play like an MVP candidate and Ujiri brought in some great depth players. Casey's play calling late in games or coming out of time outs has always been questionable.

 

I'm assuming you don't actually watch the games and just read the box scores. Almost every single fan that watches the games gripes about his rotations. Stuff like that won't fly in the playoffs.

 

The question I always ask myself when looking at a coaches flaws is, are you going to get someone better? I think he's done an above average job on the whole and still has some room to grow. It's probably not worth the risk of getting rid of him. Too many good coaches have been run out of town, only to be succeeded by an inept replacement that sets the team back.

[Boxcar]

Davis was solid but when you look back at his stats he might've been a bit overrated. 42% shooter as a Rap. That's pretty bad for a C/PF. Good rebounder though.

 

I was still in elementary school at the time so I didn't really pay attention to that stuff.

[SpeedyGose]

Troll comment. Obviously I watch the games. So magically Lowry has transformed into an offensive powerhouse to carry this team because Casey has no idea how to coach offense? Also I may remind you that this is NOT the playoffs and save the comments about the playoffs for the playoffs. If he runs strange units on the floor for unexplainable amounts of times in the playoffs then you have a valid argument. Its frustrating to hear people bitching when this team has never done so well in a regular season as far as standings go. Seriously man? your going to bitch about a 20 point victory because 4 of the 5 players on the floor are bench players?

 

I think assistant coach Nurse has a huge impact on the offense. He was brought in this year after having a top 3 ranked offense in the dleague for the last 2 seasons (I think it was two)

[Cooler Heads Prevail]

The question I always ask myself when looking at a coaches flaws is, are you going to get someone better? I think he's done an above average job on the whole and still has some room to grow. It's probably not worth the risk of getting rid of him. Too many good coaches have been run out of town, only to be succeeded by an inept replacement that sets the team back.

 

He's been more then above average, he's been steller. People keep griping on here and I see other people afraid to speak the truth because they'll be flamed by some of the idiots like BTS and Havok on here. Toronto has been gifted by a great season by the Raptors and a good season by the Leafs, two franchises that were bottom of the league in the near past. Casey is in the running for NBA Coach of the Year, Havok is in the running for grabbing another beer before he posts another idiotic complaint about something on a baseball site. BTS is clearly delusional at times.

Edited March 15, 2014 by Cooler Heads Prevail

[Caper]

There is a difference between rotating guys in and then going 4-5 subs on the floor at the same time.

 

I don't think anyone is overly upset that the bench is getting minutes. It's just ridiculous to see our starters constantly build up leads only to see Casey go with a 5 consisting of Hansborough, Salmons, Hayes, Vasquez, and maybe one starter. It's much more efficient to just keep rotating guys in every few minutes.

 

What do you suppose their record would be right now, since the Gay trade, if Casey wasn't coaching? All I see is W's... and the few L's I have seen were almost all right down to the wire.

[eastcoastjaysfan]

What do you suppose their record would be right now, since the Gay trade, if Casey wasn't coaching? All I see is W's... and the few L's I have seen were almost all right down to the wire.

 

I'm not throwing Casey under the bus. He's had a positive contribution. I just think that this team could be even better than they have been.

 

For example, last night he had Steve Novak playing the 4 at one point and Memphis ended up going on a big run during that period. You cannot get away with that in the playoffs against top notch competition. Our starters are just playing SO well right now and they got us back into the game and eventually took it over in the 4th.

 

I'm am not advocating that Casey gets fired. He's a fantastic defensive coach and I would re-sign him for sure. I give him tons of credit. Everyone has bought in to his defensive schemes and they work hard for him. But he's still fairly green and I just hope that his rotations don't hurt us in the playoffs. Another thing that is irritating to me is how quickly he goes away from Ross and JV in favor guys who provide marginal value. Say if we had a really solid defensive centre who can change a game with his rebounding/shot blocking..... I could justify taking some minutes away from JV. But Hayes provides almost no value. He's a decent defender who can disrupt some shots but he doesn't have much tread left in the tires. He's a huge offensive liability as well. We can win games and continue to help our young guys get valuable minutes at the same time. John Salmons and Chuck Hayes do not need to play 20 minutes a night.

 

Terrence Ross does absolutely everything better than John Salmons but Salmons continues to get equal/better minutes. That makes no sense at all and hurts us long term. He seems to have a bit of a veteran bias and that's not really a good thing.

[SpeedyGose]

Goin' to the game tomorrow! Anyone else gonna be there?

[Caper]

For example, last night he had Steve Novak playing the 4 at one point and Memphis ended up going on a big run during that period. You cannot get away with that in the playoffs against top notch competition. Our starters are just playing SO well right now and they got us back into the game and eventually took it over in the 4th.

 

Is your opinion Novak was played because Casey is dumb? Or no idea what he is doing on the offensive end? You say this won't fly in the playoffs.... but could it be that Novak getting minutes now will help leave the starters more prepared for the playoffs themselves?.... Novak will never play big minutes, but his 3 pt skill is needed... I have no problem getting some minutes so he at least stays somewhat sharp.... Especially since Patterson is gone.

[Dylan]

Lets go Raps!

[eastcoastjaysfan]

JV on fire

[John_Havok]

Trying to listen to the Jays game while streaming the raps without audio. Hard to keep up with either or them lol

[eastcoastjaysfan]

Killing it!!!

[eastcoastjaysfan]

Trying to listen to the Jays game while streaming the raps without audio. Hard to keep up with either or them lol

 

Raps game is a no brainer. They're on fire today

[Dylan]

JV with 11 already!

[Dylan]

Wow!

[eastcoastjaysfan]

JV and Ross on fire! Amazing... Two second year players showing incredible growth.

[Dylan]

D needs to be much better