With the regular season fast approaching, Sportsnet’s panel of Raptors & NBA experts will be answering the burning questions heading into the 2015-16 campaign. In this edition of the Raptors Roundtable:
Breakout Raptor (or: who are we sleeping on right now?)
Paul Jones, analyst & radio voice: 1. Cory Joseph will have more responsibility this season and will be important backing up Lowry, running the second unit and playing with starters at times. 2. Keep an eye on Biyombo’s defensive contributions and his offensive rebounding.
Michael Hoad, contributor: Bismack Biyombo. The seventh overall pick in the 2011 draft has not found success on the offensive end of the floor, averaging just 4.4 points per game for his career. Don’t expect him to develop a jumper any time soon, but he will be tenacious on the boards and get his share of put-back dunks while contributing on defence. He has all the makings of a player the city of Toronto will absolutely fall in love with.
Dave Zarum, NBA editor: Norm Powell. The buzz around the second-round pick has cooled since his dominant Summer League performance, but the shooting guard has the defensive intensity to earn playing time. Should a backcourt player succumb to injury, or if Terrence Ross struggles mightily backing up DeMar DeRozan don’t be surprised to see Casey go to his rookie. Of course, now that I’ve put that in writing, he’ll probably be promptly sent down to the Raptors 905.
JD Bunkis, SN590 The FAN producer: A lot of people say Norm Powell, but he’s being so hyped up right now that I wonder if people are sleeping on him and if expectations are now too high. I don’t expect a massive breakout candidate, but I do think DeMarre Carroll is being slept on a bit because while big fans are excited about what he’ll bring, I expect him to be really loved by the casual fan base who gravitates to hard nose, blue collar players. He will do justice to the JYD 2.0 nickname and be a household name in Toronto in no time.
Steven Loung, associate editor: I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. This is Terrance Ross’s year.
Which Raptor is most likely to regress this season?
Eric Smith, analyst & radio voice: Among the starters I don’t anticipate or major drop-off from any of Kyle Lowry, DeMar DeRozan, Jonas Valanciuas or Carroll. If forced to pick a player I’ll say DeRozan. But I should clarify I think it’s only his “stats” — specifically, his scoring numbers– that could regress. DeRozan’s off-season was spent becoming a better all-around player and that could provide an up-tick in assist and rebound totals (and possibly a greater focus on defence) but a decrease in scoring.
Donnovan Bennett, staff writer: Terrence Ross. Based solely on the fact he has regressed gradually since the second half of his rookie year. Kyle Lowry is also an option as he might regress back to the mean after his first ever all-star performance but with his weight loss he should still play at an extremely high level for the balance of the season.
Bunkis: Oof… Ill say Luis Scola base purely off his age and despite all recent evidence to the contrary. His per 36 numbers have been remarkably consistent throughout his career maybe father time catches up and his rebounding & defence drop off later in the season.
Loung: Patrick Patterson. He’s likely going to start at the four. Logically speaking, he should flourish, right? Maybe not. He really took off and edged out a comfortable spot for himself as the first or second guy off Toronto’s bench. Now, as a starter, there will be an adjustment period that could see decline in production.
Which Raptor will improve the most between now and the end of the season?
Bennett: Cory Joseph. This is the first time where he has a carved-out role from the outset of the season. That comfort and stability in knowing where his minutes will come and what he will be asked to do will only help the performance of a guy known around the league for his professional approach to preparation.
Smith: Anthony Bennett— *IF* he is given any kind of “regular” minutes I think he could finally prove his worth. But he has to know what and who he is at this point; he’ll be out there to rebound and play defence and everything else is gravy after that.
Hoad: Valanciunas is the easy answer, but in a full-time bench role it may very well be Ross. Without another true scoring option off the bench the former first-round pick will look to make the most of his touches. If he can consistently find his way to the free-throw line, watch out.
Loung: Cory Joseph. He’ll finally get the kind of consistent playing time he couldn’t get in San Antonio playing behind Parker and Mills.
Bunkis: It better be T-Ross. He, unlike JV, didn’t get a big extension this off-season and if Ross wants one he can’t afford another season where his shooting numbers dip and his defence stagnates.
Zarum: Bruno!
Last shot in a big game- who do you want taking it?
Smith: Kyle Lowry. He has range. He has speed. He’s not afraid of contact in the lane. He can finish in traffic. He has grit, attitude… and onions.
Jones: Lowry or DeRozan with the ball to shoot or make the decision
Zarum: I’m 100% cool with DeMar DeRozan getting an opportunity in that role. He’s your best player at manufacturing a basket or getting to the free throw line, and if you’re going to even think about extending his contract and paying him alpha dog dollars it would be wise to give him chances to prove he’s worth it.
Bennett: DeMar Derozan. He has the most tools in his offensive tool box and he is willing to make the right play with the ball in his hands rather than being caught up in hero ball and shooting for the sake of shooting. Having said that, if I’m down three rather than two, I’d prefer Lowry— he is a more effective shooter from distance and has consistently improved his step back game.
Craig Battle, senior editor: I lean Lowry, but really I just don’t want a clear-out for a long three off the dribble. I’ll take literally anyone with an open look off a pass than a clear-out for a long three.
Bunkis: Lowry. With Lou gone there’s little case to be made for anyone else (other than Biyombo, of course).
Loung: Lowry. Without question.
Hoad: Kyle Lowry. #NBABallot