10/8-Raptors vs. Lakers PRESEASON GAME 3-7PM PT

[ratra_1211]

I think some of you are overestimating Randle at the moment. As a rookie, on this particular team, I think he will average around 12 points and 6 rebounds with 2 assists on decent shooting percentages (47% fg, 65% free throw). He has impressed me these last 2 games but I still think he will struggle. He is too reliant on driving to the basket and he uses his left 99% of the time.

Thats almost the exact number people expect out of him this season too. And yes even when he couldve easily use his right hand he always switch back to his left. But long as it goes in i got no complain whatsoever. Ughh but who cares man, just dont get hurt please!!

[DEEP3CL]

We've given up a lot of east buckets to some Raptors who don't deserve them.

This really informs your glass half-empty post about moonpie's grades.

I saw some flashes from Holmes and Upshaw that they can build on.

Complaining about defensive mistakes in preseason game 3 with a team this young, with guys playing their first minutes ever seems surprisingly narrow-minded of a guy who usually keeps the big picture in mind.

Might be that Raptors hate you brewed last year.

I'm not complaining, I'm calling what I'm seeing flat out...you know me crazyeights, I'm not going to sugarcoat anything. I know it may a harsh and hard critique this early but part of my reason for that is you read my post in the previous GT you'd seen that it probably came from guys here thinking this team is just ready to compete at elite levels and we're not there. The first part of seeing that is recognizing the weaknesses, weather the complaint is petty or not it is what it is. The mistakes that I pointed out are things I know these young guys have to learn at NBA level, it's just some of it was on levels of high school level in what I was seeing.

Bottom line too many guys or fans here don't want to go through the process. Those grades I refuted seemed to be given more out of fandom than recognizing what was actually going on.

[Edrees]

I agree that I wouldn't necessarily want Randle initiating the offense in the half court... That's a job for a guard, but why not let him bring the ball up if he can? Just based on what we've seen so far, I see no reason why he couldn't initiate the offense on the break. Don't picture it like Curry or Parker but more like LeBron.
I think with Randle, you let him define his role, not try to force a role on him... IMO he's that talented and gifted.

Which is why I'm concerned with the apparent log-jam at the 1... Because trying to keep Russell happy could force a role on Randle... And of the two of them, I think Randle is the more impactfull... Especially if you buy into the modern NBA.

If Randle is pushing it in transition you will have mis matches which will create easy opportunities in transition. I agree if he can get it to a guard without costing any time he should do it, but sometimes the opportunity isn't there.