Given the great response to last week’s Trade Deadline live chat, I thought I’d take a few more of your questions with a more traditional mailbag.
I was asked about the Raptors, Team Canada and pretty much every other point of interest across the NBA, and I’ve tried to cover it all below.
@thekid_IT – More likely to come out of the East: Hawks or Cavs?
If those are the only two options, I’ll go with the Cavaliers. I’m not betting against LeBron James in any Eastern Conference playoff matchup.
@aamartey1 – Do the Raptors need to use JV more offensively to be successful in the playoffs, or will the perimeter style offence be enough?
Using Jonas Valanciunas to go inside-out, sure—post up, kick it out, re-post, move the ball and find the best shot.
But exclusively looking to him? No. Valanciunas is good but not yet great and he needs to continue working on his post game. Like it or not, Toronto is a jump-shooting team. But that doesn’t mean there shouldn’t still be crisp ball movement aimed at finding better looks. At times the Raptors’ offence can stagnate a bit.
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@BrianRay88 – Do you have a prediction on Canada’s starting lineup for [the Pan Am Games]?
I’m going to make the assumption that everyone plays at the Pan Am Games, something I hope actually happens (especially with Andrew Wiggins). In that case, I’ll go with Wiggins, Cory Joseph, Kelly Olynyk, Tristan Thompson and… Nik Stauskas.
To me, the shooting guard spot is the toughest to call. Veteran Carl English will still get consideration and I think Brady Heslip is better-served as a second-unit guy, a long-distance specialist.
I hit up my colleague, Michael Grange, for his thoughts. He had the same starting five, but pointed out that Andy Rautins could be a legit option at the two, as well, or that head coach Jay Triano could opt to shift Wiggins to the backcourt and, perhaps, start Anthony Bennett at small forward (alongside Olynyk and Thompson). That’d be a BIG front court.
Either way, if everyone plays, Canada will have a lot of options and they should have a lot of success!
@Metalleaf – Do you think the Raptors should monitor Lowry’s minutes down the stretch so that he’s as fresh as he can be for round 1?
I’m not overly concerned about Lowry’s minutes right now. I know he logged a lot of time while shouldering a heavy load during the 21 games DeMar DeRozan was absent from the lineup. But Lowry is still averaging fewer minutes than he did last season. He’s under 35 mpg (by a hair). Plus, Dwane Casey has options with Greivis Vasquez and Lou Williams, so I think the minutes are already monitored to a degree.
@lukeydukes15 – With all the Raptors expiring contracts, which of them you see in a raptors jersey next year?
Based on how well he has played for Toronto this season and the type of impact he has had on the team, I’d be surprised to see Lou Williams walk. But as is the case with any free agent, the price of keeping him has to be right. You don’t want to vastly overpay, especially knowing you have a big payday coming for Valanciunas down the line, a likely extension for DeRozan, and you need to get a power forward via trade or free agency, all without sacrificing all the financial wiggle room needed to add other depth pieces.
@joelapalooza – Chances the Raptors think long and hard about going after [Tristan Thompson] in free agency?
I could see the Raptors kicking the tires on Thompson. He’s a skilled, young big man. But I don’t think you chase him simply because he’s Canadian. The Raptors sell themselves based on wins and losses. They don’t need a Canadian to make them any more marketable. Thompson is a talent, though, and as such, I can’t see the Cavaliers letting him walk.
The more interesting angle on Toronto’s search for a power forward is where Amir Johnson fits into the mix. Johnson is a staple for the Raptors and a fan favourite both on and off the floor. But at this stage is he better as a starter or a solid veteran off the bench? If he’s not your starter, who is? And if he’s coming off the bench, what’s the cost?
@HelloGeorgeN – Lowry spends a lot of time on the bench with Chuck Hayes. Tell us more?
With due respect to everybody else on the roster, Hayes is the one true vet the Raptors have. His voice carries as much clout in the locker room as anybody’s. As a result, Lowry and many others lean on Hayes for advice and insight. Barring a deal that blew him away, Masai Ujiri was not going to move Hayes on deadline day for that very fact. Hayes’s has value beyond his defence and rebounding. He’s an unofficial assistant coach in many ways.
@tygarobles – Do you see T-Ross returning to the starting lineup by the end of the regular season?
Never say never, but I don’t see it happening. (Now watch Coach Casey go out and make the switch as early as tonight against Golden State.) Not only do I think that Ross hasn’t earned it yet, I believe James Johnson is a better fit based on his defence and aggressiveness offensively. The one thing that Toronto is missing, though, is spacing in the starting five—–an issue Ross could help address.
@pipteena – Who’s your mvp so far?
Steph Curry. Hands down.
@NBA416 – How much [does] Kyle Lowry’s hurt finger [have] to do with his poor shooting lately?
My honest answer: I don’t know. Lowry would never admit to that. He’s been asked, but he’s not one to make excuses or look for a bailout. In fact, as recently as yesterday he said, of his play of late: “I’m trash … I’m just trying to figure it out.”
@BrettPo – With the Cavs being only a game back from Toronto, do you see them as a threat to take the Raps second seed?
I think Cleveland will overtake the Raptors by the end of the regular season—and that’s fine. To me, it’s not about the seed or the win total. It’s about winning at least one playoff matchup. A first-round exit would be a disappointment.
@JAHRULZ_1 – Would you agree that the Raptors recent struggles are more a mental concern or physical?
I’m sure I’ll be accused of being too optimistic, but I think folks have quickly forgotten that Toronto is first in the Atlantic, second in the conference and 17 games above .500. Prior to this three-game skid they’d won four straight, and after getting blown out in Houston, they took leads to the fourth quarters in both New Orleans and Dallas.
Sure, they lost those tilts, but the Raptors are still 34-8 this year when taking a lead into the final frame. They’ve been pretty solid. And, oh, by the way, Toronto is 12-10 against the Western Confence—in spite of the three losses on the last road trip.
The Raptors are just going through the ebbs and flows of an 82-game season.