Post#43 » by SkywalkerAC » Tue Jul 14, 2009 11:56 am
The problem, or problems, with the Bosh-Bargnani tandem have to be fully identified, first and foremost. Then you can go through each and address each of them.
Number one has to be defense. They've got to be above average for the team to be an elite team. They have to improve individually and the team defense around them has to make massive strides. There's absolutely no reason B&B can't be successful on the defensive end but Bosh took a step backward last season while Bargnani continued to inch forward to respectability. CB knows what it takes to be a solid team defender, I think a lot had to do with injuries and a losing season - there's no reason he shouldn't be above average at PF. Bargnani has issues with team defense, as a centre, but it's promising that he's capable on man as a 23 year old euro centre; smart team defense often evolves with experience and AB is just starting to get his legs under him. Physically, if they continue to mature and put in the work, there's no excuse for being overpowered by anyone but the titans of the NBA.
Both players need to be in a position to succeed. They need a system that doesn't try to highlight them as grind-it-out basket protectors and that makes use of their quickness without getting them into foul trouble. A full training camp with Triano and, more importantly, with Iavaroni should see them in good stead. You've got to think they're going to run an in-between tempo system that focuses on efficiency on offense (pick and roll break down and raining 3 pointers), getting back on defense (B&B have no , and defending the arc .
Then you've also got to fill in the gaps with the right kind of players, that can perform in transition and half-court, both ways. Turk can hold his own. DD figures to be a 2-way contributor from the get-go (in my humble opinion). JJ is a solidly defensive PG soon to be mentored by Alvin Williams. Then you've got your rebounding specialist in Evans, your defensive centre Rasho (fingers crossed), and your uber athletic, versatile frontcourt athletes in Pops/Petway (maybe both?). It's funny how short amount of time ago we were worried about depth and now I'm concerned about the shortage of roster spots, it's a nice luxury to have.
Rebounding has been the bane of Raptors existence for a very long time, even in the days of Oak and AD and co, always in fact. However, despite Bargnani's ongoing ineptitude, and the loss of Marion, I don't expect it to be a major roadblock. For one, Bargnani has made strides and should continue to develop as a rebounder, I firmly believe that - he's getting his balance, conditioning, and timing in order. Secondly, Bosh is no slouch. Thirdly, the Raptors have the tallest frontcourt in the L (at least top 3), they've come a long way from Mo Pete, Bosh, and Donyell. Thirdly, BC has actually surrounded B&B with some rebounders/athletes in DD, Evans, and hopefully Pops, Delfino, and...Petway(?). Again, there's no reason to think we won't have sufficient rebounding to get out and run and compete on the boards.
Those are the big two concerns for us all, I would think. Next there's inside scoring, where I think Triano and Bosh will both pay big dividends. I expect that Jay's offense, unlike Sam's, will actually get us good perimeter scoring opportunities AND easy baskets. I also expect Bosh to power up and dominate inside with even more consistency. Bargnani SHOULD be better at taking smaller defender to task. I've got no real concerns with our offense, run and gun and pick and roll and make em pay.
The last, and probably the least, concern with Bosh and Bargnani is the offensive distribution. This is not going to be an isolation team, it's going to be a dynamic, team-oriented, high energy and high octane offense predicated on the pick and roll. Everyone - Jose, Hedo, Bosh ,Bargnani, even DD and Delfino - are going to get their chance to create and feed off the creation or spacing of the others. I've got supreme confidence in the potential efficiency of our offense and have just as much confidence in our "chemistry."
Does the team concept around Bosh and Bargnani work? I think it should. Efficient offense, get back and compete on defense, and rebound. The only question is just how good or great the Bosh and Bargnani combo will be.
PS - no I didn't read the thread before writing this.
