Open thread: Fixing the Raptors

Going to keep this open all day, so let's meet up in the comments. Meantime, here's some observations, links and suggestions to put in the stew, with the Raptors carrying a 2-5 (going on 2-8 at this rate, with LeBron coming into the ACC after the road swing is over) record:

1. Defensive FG percentage. Where all the problems start. They defend with all the passion and commitment of a frog on the dissection table. A little chart, noting their opponents' overall FG percentage, and what they shot against the Raptors (for the first five games, I've used 05-06 final percentages because of lack of data):

AP FILE PHOTO

Mr. Parker, you got next.

Game......Opp FG%..Game %
at NJ..........44.0........51.3
v Mil...........45.3........44.2
v SA...........47.2........50.0
v Phil..........45.8........49.4
v Atl...........45.4........50.0
at Sac........39.9........48.7
at GS..........47.5........43.3

That's but one team they've held significantly under their established norm (that was last night, when the headache du jour showed up at the other end. They were flat outcoached by Warriors' Don Nelson, using a sagging zone to cover up his team's interior problems, and the Raptors took the bait and turned into a bunch of chuckers - not to pick on Fred Jones, because there's plenty of trouble to go around, but isn't this guy's game supposed to be all about slash 'n burn?).

But getting back to the original point, isn't team defence all about coaching?

2. Andrea Bargnani. Surely there's some out-of-work former top-drawer NBA interior defender who wants to coach in this league and has shown a lot of promise (hello, is Mr. Laimbeer in?) they can bring in to school the kid. Bargnani can shoot - we know that - and he's going to be fine, I reckon. But he's clueless defensively and that's one reason why he's not getting more minutes.

3. The 12-man rotation. We've seen this too many times already. Coaching by guesswork.

4. A snapshot. End of first half in Sacramento, inbounds play out of a timeout, shot clock off. Result: No movement, one weak, did-nothing screen (Peterson on Shareef; Garbajosa wasn't on the floor, would've been a perfect time to pick him up by putting him in and do something simple like set a good pick) and after 13 1/2 seconds, a 27-footer from Morris Peterson. No ideas = no execution = toss pen up in the air.

5. Over/under on Kobe. Friday's next, in L.A. First time to see Mamba since 81 last January. Paging Anthony Parker . . .

6. It's not all bad. The numbers guys at 82games.com confirm what the eyeballing suggests: Bosh, Parker and Calderon are playing positively - Bosh, in particular, evolving from best player to heart 'n soul, Parker showing a little more each night out and Calderon making a strong case for more p.t.

Comments

[Tim]

Is anybody else WAY more comfortable when Calderon's running things? Last night I found myself cringing in both the second and fourth quarter when Calderon left and Ford returned.

Another thought: Remember when Matt Bonner first started with the Raps, and his bread and butter was a 19-foot jumper (ie, the college three) because that's what he was used to? With time, he got more comfortable and extended his range to the three point line.

Perhaps Garbajosa (who is used to the international three) should do the same...

[Ollie]

The way to fix the Raps right now... New Coach. The team has more talent both offensively and defensively this year vs last, but still has the same problems... They look confused all the time... who to defend, who should take the shot, etc..

Unfortunately when 12 guys play badly, you can't fire them all, so Sam's got to go.

[Spencer]

It's getting ugly. Fast.
All summer I said keep Sam, he's okay. Now, I've got this "fire the coach" feeling in my soul. I think the parts are there, they just aren't put together properly.

I've missed last couple of games but is Bosh getting enough touches? Especially at end of games?

[Robert Krizman]

Chris, great analysis. This is the precise type of insight that Raptors fans hope to receive from the media but too often we hear media reports which simply quote the head coach's statement that "we just didn't execute well" or "we had open shots but we couldn't score".

It is abundantly clear that while Sam Mitchell seems to be a good motivator his inability to: (1) teach and implement an effective offensive and defensive system, (2) manage his rotation, and (3)call offensive and defensive plays coming out of timeouts; are all simply to significant to ignore. Mitchell would make a great assistant coach but I don't see him becoming an effective head coach for this team.

[cy]

Still way too early for that Ollie. But the rumbles are there.
Fourth quarter offence last night went completely dry. It was 92-90 GS after a Bosh spin move inside, then they went without a FG for over five minutes when pretty much all they were doing was hoisting up threes. (wasn't much better to begin either, it took them 7 1/2 minutes to get a bucket - was all FTs till then).
I had Calderon even in +/- when he was in; TJ was -13 by my count.

[Spencer]

I'm sick of jumpers already. 100 shots a game doesn't mean quickly jack it up. It means quick transition and put pressure on the defence. We have the guards AND the shooters to pull this off, it's just execution.
As for the (no) D, I have no idea. Effort=Defence. Why no effort?

[Sean]

I agree on Calderon - so far this year I have had the feeling that Calderon has been more effective than TJ. I cannot stand watching TJ fly to the basket another time without shooting or dishing it off. It is a work in progress but Calderon definitely is a better player than last year.

[papa]

I'm no expert, I can't say I know everything about set plays and the different zone defences out there, but I know what an organized team looks like - and this is definitely not one of them. everything just looks forced and out of control.

[Priyan Thas]

I know it is early in the season, but I don’t see a lot of difference between last year’s team and the current one we have. They seem to be making the same mistakes on Offense and of course I can’t see any proper defense. May be we do need a new coach and a new system sooner than later.

[Brian]

I've not been comfortable judging Sam based on a slacking star player, and later a dearth of talent, but it's clear to me now that every incarnation of this team has looked the same (and not good).

This team's main problems are coaching problems. I like him and all, but the jury is in, and it's time for Sam to go.

[Spencer]

Yeah, let's give up on TJ after 7 games. That's a great idea. Come on folks, this isn't a team that's played together for years, maybe we can be a bit patient for the chemistry. Calderon has been very good, yes. A very good BACKUP.

[cy]

I am with you on that to an extent Brian. But remember as Spencer alludes to they've made a lot of changes, three main pieces (Parker, Garbo, Bargnani) are still adjusting to NBA play with varying degrees of success, and all of them, including four of the five starters, are still getting used to playing together (there's Mitchell's crutch, and it's got about another month of structural strength, I reckon). The major common denominator between last year's sad sacks and this group is the crappy team defence, and a distinct lack of "sand". If someone knocks down Kobe on Friday, perhaps there's hope yet.

[Ha Seung-Jin]

It's time for Sam to hit the road. His 12-man rotation is a joke. I'm tired of watching him substitute Joey Graham into the game and watch our lead disappear in 2 minutes. Sam doesn't learn from his mistakes and it will only continue if he isn't replaced. At least last year, his post-game comments were entertaining...now we don't even have that

[Gus Pergantis]

All good points folks. I am not sure that Sam should be made the scapegoat on this team. I believe the problem lies with Jim Todd who works with the players and the fact that one of their assistants is not a defensive specialist. I think the team should fine players, if they jack up shots without driving or going inside, for the first three possessions of each quarter. TJ should be told that if you drive and are surronded by big guys you kick it out ... no circus acts. And lastly, under no circumstances should Bosh exceed 38 to 40 minutes per game (he will be worn ot by all-star break.

[Jameel Amadi]

What the Raptors needed in the off-season was a experienced NBA veteran such as Ben Wallace or Sam Cassell. I know they both would cost tonnes of dough,but you have to pay in order to get better. All players added are good players but they do not take you towards a championship. BC made good moves to get rid of some contracts but what we need is a veteran. Where is Charles Oakley when you need him?

[Gary M. Mugford]

When you build a perimeter team and that perimeter team doesn't hit 40 per cent of its outside shots, you have built a loser. Thus far, we haven't seen the long-range shooting ability of Bargnani and Garbojosa evidence itself. Jones is a slasher who's not slashing enough and Parker is a disciplined 15-foot shooter. TJ Ford has all of Mike James' tit-for-tat philosophy without the shooting range. The question is ... can a different coach teach this collection a half-court offense when the fast break isn't there? And can anybody teach this bunch how to defend AS A TEAM? I hear Larry Brown's looking for a new pay cheque.

[SP]

"Chris, great analysis. This is the precise type of insight that Raptors fans hope to receive from the media but too often we hear media reports which simply quote the head coach's statement that "we just didn't execute well" or "we had open shots but we couldn't score"."

Yea sure, except I already posted this at Raptorblog before Chris.

[Trevor]

Why hasn't anyone mentioned rebounding here? Other than CB and his eye-popping 20 point|20 board nights we don't have much inside athleticism to go with our defensive failings...I mean, I like Garbajosa and Barghani is a kid, but they aren't rebounders.

Remember in the pre-season how the Raptors were going on about becoming an up-tempo team? Well we're still trying to play that way - except that we don't have the defence or the rebounding or even the foot speed to make it happen.

Watch the next game when the Raptors are on a break...most times you'll see we're up against superior numbers.

I'm not saying we can get a Richard Jefferson or Stoudamire, but that's exactly the kind of player I think would help this team. A lithe, athletic jumping bean. Hell even a keon clarke would be perfect....any kind of human stick-insect to pick up boards on both ends of the floor.

Not to bash the trade of Charlie V, Ford will calm down...but damn wouldn't he be perfect for this role?

[Sean Smith]

1. Calderon has, in my opinion, clearly outplayed Ford all season. I liked Jose last year (we forget how young he was), and the Worlds performance has done wonders for him. However, this was Colangelo's big move, so there's not a chance in hell that Calderon will get a sniff at starting.

2. Count me among those who didn't understand the Fred Jones over MoPete decision. If you're looking to shake things up, why not try Garbajosa at the 5 instead of Nesterovic? I know that this makes them awfully small, but it's not like they are getting an irreplaceable contribution from Rasho in the first place. On the other hand, it could do WONDERS for Garbajosa -- I mean, this guy was the Spanish League MVP for two years running. Now I know that and two bits will get you a cup of coffee in the NBA, but he's used to starting. Maybe he's one of those guys who just cannot play cold off the bench -- he's not that athletic to begin with, right? If the potential is there that he could start, get his shot falling and stretch the interior for Bosh, then seems to be worth a try for the flailing Sam Mitchell, in my opinion.

[cy]

Trevor, there's only so much space! Yeah, rebounding's part of this whole puzzle too. the other thing is that it's really hard to run a fast break off a made basket, and when you're yielding near 50 per cent most nights, that's a lot of made baskets.
Jameel, Ben Wallace signed with the Bulls and Sam Cassell re-signed with Clippers. I know what you mean, but it's really hard to get vets to commit to a place like this until there's tangible evidence that things are going in the right direction.
Sean, no idea from here, either, about the MoPete change. Maybe Sam was alluding to those stats from 82games - although Jones has not been much better. At best it's rearranging deck chairs. At worst, it's a panic move from a coach who has no answers.
And SP, yeah, you caught me. I've got an RSS feed for "SP at Raptorblog" all set up, and it goes ding-ding-ding whenever you drop your gems in the comments over at Scott's really good blog. Keep 'em coming. I don't know what I'd do without you.

[SP]

"And SP, yeah, you caught me. I've got an RSS feed for "SP at Raptorblog" all set up, and it goes ding-ding-ding whenever you drop your gems in the comments over at Scott's really good blog. Keep 'em coming. I don't know what I'd do without you."

You're right, I don't know how I could've thought that you copied my thoughts right after I posted that same link and same conclusion earlier at Raptorblog. Our universes collided I guess.

[cy]

like i said, keep 'em coming. i look forward to tomorrow's pearls. maybe you should have your own blog.

[raptoral]

I hope the media and fans are now starting to find the level of this basketball team's plan unacceptable. I'm a season ticket holder who has already seen enough. This coaching staff has had three off seasons, three training camps and two full nba seasons to establish an offensive identity and defensive philosophy. I haven't seen either executed with any consistency to date. Last season's end of the year performance was abysmal (finishing 1-12) building no momentum for this year. They folded then, and are folding now in key moments of close games. They are lucky to be 2-5.

With all due respect, there has to be something more concrete from the head coach other than to say they need to put back the swagger in their step as he was recently quoted. What is that? The team has not been able to show it can compete for a full game because when the opposition raises its level of play, the former purple people can't match it.

I hope there is a plan b in place because if not, this team will be dead before the holidays.

[jaydee]

Wow, great to see all the comments on the raptors for a change!. Message to the fans: stop thinking like Make Beleaf fans. This team is still a work in progress and BC knows that. He has the patience to not make any quick coaching moves and let the team develop. After all, he is not the one who has built up this team with expectations that was our doing. He has slowly and methodically changed the chemistry of the team. I know all us fans were hoping for instant turn-around a possible playoff appearance especially after four bad years. Take a step back breathe, look at Atlanta - they have had high draft picks and still haven't really turned the corner.

[nike]

how can one compares the raptors to atlanta ? if we are just like the hawks , the raptors will be long gone by now . it's a colangelo' team and the right comparison shd. be the with the suns.
this brings me to the fact that the suns' defense is atrocious as well . the difference is that the suns shoot better than the raps .that's really the weakness of this new system if you don't have good shooters and excellent ball distributor who will make sure your parker , garbo , jones et. all receive the ball in the right position at the right time . speed alone won't do it !