Before their game at the ACC tonight vs. the Brooklyn Nets the Toronto Raptors held shootaround at their upper-level practice court, as the main court was being used for a Raptors 905 game versus Grand Rapids.
Here are some news and notes from shootaround, including Dwane Casey’s concern with stopping a Nets team that currently leads the league in points in the paint:
D still the key
Unsurprisingly, defense is what Dwane Casey focused on at shootaround. After being embarrassed on the defensive end of the floor by Atlanta last Friday night, Toronto held the Magic to just 28 second half points in Orlando on Sunday. The difference, in the coach’s mind, was the physicality. “The physicality, having somebody that feels you” Casey told reporters. “Your guy cuts in the lane, he has to feel your presence.”
NBA all-star voting reform
For the first time ever, NBA players and basketball media will accompany fans in selecting the starters for the NBA All-Star game. The fans will account for 50 per cent of the vote, while current players and a panel of basketball media will account for 25 percent each. NBA fans are now only allowed to submit one ballot per day. The Eastern Conference and Western Conference All-Star reserves will still be selected by NBA head coaches.
Kyle Lowry, who will likely go to his third straight all-star game likes the change “It’s a way to get the fans more interactive, it’s a way to get the players more into and media so everyone has a voice. I’ve been fortunate to get fan voted in the last two years. For me if I get voted in now it means even more because my colleagues, the media and fans have something to do with it. Either way I’m happy every one has a voice now.”
Hot Wings
A pair of reserve wings, Terrence Ross and Norman Powell, have been two of the most efficient scorers on the Raptors team thus far. Ross and Powell only trail Lowry in three-point percentage on the team, shooting 43.4 and 42.9 percent from deep, respectively.
“Terrence has been very efficient offensively and defensively for us,” said Casey. “You’re actually surprised when he does miss.” The coach has been thrilled with Ross on both ends of the floor.
Casey then compared his super sophomore, Powell, to one of the Raptors’ rookies who took the floor with the 905 Tuesday afternoon. “Norm has been super,” Casey said. “His professionalism, his work ethic in the gym has kept him ready, and then we saw the same thing with Fred VanVleet last night. I think the 905 has provided that time to go and play and get your rhythm. The consistency that they provided has been a cause and effect of them coming in the gym and working their behinds off.”
Two great offences, two different styles
The Raptors once again have nudged ahead of Golden State and currently have the best offensive rating in NBA history at 115.4. That is just ahead of the Warriors’ 114.
The remarkable part is that they’ve done it with a 50.1 assist percentage which is not only the lowest in the league, but the seventh lowest in the last 13 years. Golden State has done it with the highest assist percentage in the last 13 years at 72.5%. Toronto sits second to Golden State in efficiency differential at 9.6 to the Warriors 12.8 mark. Both teams are in action Tuesday night.
K-Low with the shot
The three-point shot was an achilles heel for the Raptors to start the season. That is no longer the case as they are third in the league shooting 39.5 per cent as a team. Kyle Lowry shot a respectable 35.1 percent from three after the first 16 games of the season. Now, after 27 games, he’s raised his average to 44.9%. He now sits seventh in three-point percentage and third in the league in made threes with 88, only behind Steph Curry and Houston’s Eric Gordon. On his backcourt mates’ prolific shooting DeMar DeRozan said: “I’m not surprised at all because I’ve seen him put the work in. We work on it every day after practice, late at night. They’ve always gone in at a high percentage now it is just transferring to the games.”
Cory Joseph returns
After missing the Raptors last game with flu-like symptoms, point guard Cory Joseph was back at practice yesterday and shootaround today, fully participating. He will be in the lineup for the Raptors versus Brooklyn. Kyle Lowry missed Monday’s practice for a dental procedure but was at shootaround, while sophomore point guard Delon Wright was working up a lather at game speed after practice with assistant coach Patrick Mutombo and Jared Sullinger was seen after practice getting close-range shots and free-throws up.
Former Raptors return
Anthony Bennett and Luis Scola return to the ACC tonight. Casey had positive words about both. His advice for Bennett was “Just continue to play,” going on to say that the former 1st overall pick “has every tool that he needs to be a great player in this league.” Casey credited Scola for passing on leadership traits to his current leaders, DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry: “His spirit, his leadership. He’s a winner. Everywhere he’s gone at every level he’s won.”
Nets prefer rest
The Nets skipped their morning shootaround as they wrap up their road trip. Brook Lopez will sit the game out as Kenny Atkinson is resting him.