The Twitter Mailbag has been a popular addition to this space this season, so let’s get at it again. With less than a month remaining, there is a lot to discuss.
@DerekAitken98 – If the standings stayed the same, how does Toronto fair against Washington?
Facing the Wizards could be a blessing in disguise for the Raptors. But don’t mistake that comment for over-confidence in a Toronto team that has been sliding for more than a month—Washington would still be a very tough out for Dwane Casey and Co.
However, pound-for-pound, the Raptors stack up well against the Wiz. Jonas Valanciunas can hold his own against Marcin Gortat and the combination of Amir Johnson and Patrick Patterson battling Nene and/or Kris Humphries (and Drew Gooden) is a wash as well. The bigger issue may be last year’s veteran nemesis: Paul Pierce.
Assuming Kyle Lowry is healthy, you’d hope his bulldog attitude and aggression raise his game to another level in the post-season. He’ll do all he can to slow down John Wall, while making Wall work on the defensive end as well. And DeMar DeRozan will give Bradley Beal (currently dealing with an ankle sprain, but expected back for the playoffs) all he can handle.
But is Terrence Ross ready to erase last year’s post-season struggles and accept the challenge from Pierce?
“The Truth” has had a solid season in Washington, appearing in 67 of 72 games and shooting a more-than-respectable 45 percent from the floor and just under 40 percent from distance. His 12.4 points per game are a career low but, as the Raptors learned last year against the Nets, Pierce’s championship experience and knowledge of the game are more valuable—and lethal—than any statistic.
@mrjdobrien – Chances they bring back Amir?
@NoToRiOuSbIK – Do we keep Amir or no?
@tarekel – Are either Greg Monroe or Al Jefferson possible FA targets of any level of reality?
@1stClassSmiley – looking to the summer, what do you think the raptors should do with their cap space, who gets resigned? How much does Amir Get?
@Cdawg_21 – Do you think they should get some size in the off season? If so who do you think would be a good fit? Draft prospects?
Amir Johnson—and the starting power forward slot—may be the biggest question facing the Raptors this off-season.
General manager Masai Ujiri must decide, first of all, whether Johnson is still his starter at this point. The 10-year veteran turns 28 on May 1, but he’s logged a lot of miles on his wiry ankles. Still, through it all, Johnson has been durable and effective—one of the few players who consistently does the little things that don’t show up on the stat sheet. He’s also woven himself into the community, so there are a lot of intangibles for Ujiri to deal with.
However, the Raptors biggest issue this season and last has been rebounding. That’s obviously a collective issue between Johnson, Valanciunas, Patterson and more, but would a different player be a better complement for Valanciunas down low?
Furthermore, would Johnson be better served coming off the bench? That’s where his career was rooted just a few seasons ago, and if he is better as a second-unit guy, does that mean Patterson is automatically your starter or is he still a reserve?
If Johnson isn’t your starter, you need to fill that spot. If Ujiri does that free agency, it’ll cost money. And the amount he spends could impact how much he has left for other players—like Johnson.
Choppy waters for Ujiri to navigate!
@RaheemPortis – Will Lowry be healthy enough in time for the post season?
At this point, nobody can answer with any real authority—perhaps not even Lowry himself. Anybody with a history of back pain, injuries or issues (and I’m one of them) will tell you how precarious things can be. A slight twist, a sneeze, sleeping in an awkward position—almost anything can throw your back out of whack and the discomfort or lack of mobility can linger for hours, days, even weeks.
Lowry visited with doctors two days ago (and we were led to believe he had an MRI), but no update on his status was given by the team. Thus, we’re all working under the assumption that things are fine, structurally, and that Lowry simply must rest. His absence from the lineup is indefinite at present.
I would assume (I stress, assume) that a week or two of rest and treatment will be enough to get Lowry right by the time the post-season rolls around. In fact, if Toronto were to keep Lowry on the sidelines for the remainder of the regular season, he would have 3+ weeks to recuperate. Here’s hoping that’s enough.
@thomas_mooney1 – Will the Raps recent struggles as well as their collapse on defence this season affect Casey’s job security this summer?
@PapaDart – Lack of effort, defensive play may not be Casey’s fault, but it is his responsibility. Is he on hot seat if they lose Round 1?
@trife76 – Do you think Dwane Casey will be the coach to start next season if we don’t win a round?
@RJTune – Any doubt, at this point, that the Raptors’ players are checked out and no longer buying into Casey’s coaching?
I have long lived by the philosophy that no one person should be held responsible for the bad times—or the good. Toronto’s current struggles aren’t all on Casey. In fact, I put more responsibility—much more—on the players and their inability to play with focus and aggression for a full 48 minutes.
During his four years in Toronto, I have never seen Casey do anything but study film and coach. On the team charter—post-game, red-eye, early morning, you name it—he is constantly working. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen him sleep on the plane or take a moment to decompress and watch a movie.
From the college ranks to his long run as a professional assistant coach and head coach, Casey has made his name and reputation with defence. His first three years with the Raptors were all about the D. It seems more reasonable to me, then, that Toronto’s current woes fall heavier on the players. You’d be fooling yourself if you thought that Casey and his staff weren’t addressing the defence every single day in every single practice, walk-through, shootaround, video session and timeout.
But as cliche as it may be, it’s easier to get rid of one man than trade away half of your roster (to be clear: I’m not advocating the Raptors trading away half their roster). And pro coach don’t tend to last too long in any one city. (A 2012 USA Today article stated that “NBA coaches last an average of 3.03 years on the job, with a median of 2.78.”)
Ujiri will have to decide—based on how the post-season unfolds—if his coach is the right fit for his players.
It would be a shame to see Casey go—especially considering the fact that every key player has said in recent weeks that the team’s skid is “on them.”
@Michaeljpat – What was your welcome to the NBA moment as a broadcaster?
I’ve been covering the Raptors and the NBA in some capacity for 19 years and this is my 10th season on the broadcast—working alongside Paul Jones.
From a minor verbal spat with Rick Pitino to getting yelled at by Allen Iverson (and Cliff Robinson, too), I’ve had a few moments that stand out. Calling Vince Carter’s 50-point game against Phoenix was certainly a highlight, as was the post-season series against New Jersey and last year’s seven-game showdown against Brooklyn.
In short, there are a ton of memories. But the one that stands out above the crowd is Kobe Bryant’s 81-point night. Jonesy and I were sitting courtside in Los Angeles, about 12 feet from the Lakers’ bench, watching history unfold. We were a part of one of the greatest games in NBA history. It’s hard to top that.