Daily Papers - January 17, 2008

[Shaazzam]

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So that's it then? It's not enough for you to be able to boo Bargnani to your hearts content, you would only derive pleasure if those who believe in him also turn on him?

Would that really make you happy?

He said nothing about being happy about it.

Let's not let this get too personal, cool guys?

[Fairview4Life]

Yeah, Bargs' D was fine last night, and his help D was much improved. I don't know what game you and your section were watching, but it wasn't the Raps/Kings game.

I love the bitching about his half time warm up stats too. Fantastic stuff.

I'm trying to be diplomatic here, what with the new day on the board and all, but you either don't know what you're talking about, or you're just frustrated with his play in December and venting. If you want to whine about his D or effort or rebounding, you have a lot of other games to look at. Last night's game was not the one to point to, unless you're mad he was missing some shots.

[Hephaestus114]

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He said nothing about being happy about it.

Let's not let this get too personal, cool guys?

I am far from happy about it. Thank you for pointing that out.

Yeah, Bargs' D was fine last night, and his help D was much improved. I don't know what game you and your section were watching, but it wasn't the Raps/Kings game

As for the post above, you're right that he's had other attrocious nights but I'm a little confused by the suggestion that his help D has improved. My comment was directed specifically at Doug Smith's claim that he was "active on D". He was actively missing assignments just like he has all year. I've seen no improvement in this area.

To be fair though, I think his man to man D improving. He's not getting pushed deep into the lane quite as often as he once was and he seems to be positioning himself better to prevent guys going around him like Yi around a chair.

[Fairview4Life]

As for the post above, you're right that he's had other attrocious nights but I'm a little confused by the suggestion that his help D has improved. My comment was directed specifically at Doug Smith's claim that he was "active on D". He was actively missing assignments just like he has all year. I've seen no improvement in this area.

He wasn't actively missing assignments. I'm not sure if watching on TV gave me, and from what I can tell most of the other people who watched the game on TV, a better perspective than the one you had. That's the only explanation I have for why your view of the game is so drastically different from pretty much everyone else's that I've seen. His help D last night was solid, and was a big step up from what we saw in December. He was also actively pursuing rebounds and grabbed his fair share. He was missing shots last night though, if you were looking for something to be mad about.

[elephunk]

Yeah, I didn't really see Bargs play any bad defense yesterday. He gave Brad Miller open shots, but that's exactly what you want them to do. He even ran back on transition on one opportunity and out rebounded Mikki Moore for the defensive rebound over his back. I'd like to see him average 6 boards a game at least from now on.


On offense, he does take bad shots. We're just so used to him making all kinds of crazy ones last year that almost anytime he shoots, you expect him to make it. On many occasions you see Bargs taking a three from the top, somewhat semi-guarded, while AP is wide open in the corner and waiting for the ball to rotate to him. If him missing threes will help him in understanding that there's more than one way to score, them I'm all for it.

[Hephaestus114]

Seems we'll have to disagree. My perspective was bird's eye view from behind the visitor's bench. The Bargs I saw played Miller well (as elephunk says) but he still looked lost on rotations.

I'm going to lay the counter argument that it's harder to watch one player on defense TV cameras that tend to follow the ball. You see good D because you see him playing on the ball defense (which I have clearly stated has improved). You are more likely to miss his late rotations because the ball is being cycled out at the perimeter.

Just one extra point. Brad Miller is an excellent jumpshooting C but one of the slower dudes in the league. Leaving him wide open jumpers was probably not the game plan. Bargs should have the speed to close out under control and contest the shot while keeping Miller out of the lane. Your example probably wasn't the best. The fact that he rarely let Miller back into deep position would be how I'd support Barg's defensive improvements.

[Kurtz]

It's clear that Bargs isn't yet comfortable with the responsibilities of a C other than the 1 on 1 aspect. You can see his mind race when he's off the ball, trying to decide where he should be on any given play. It's not for the lack of effort or intelligence, I think, just for the lack of experience. He's thinking too much out there right now.

Nevertheless, I do not see the use, Hep, in booing him. I do not think that will help him play better. And in general, I know that Toronto fans are quite prone to booing their own, which is something I really dislike. Yes its frustrating sometimes, but it doesn't make things better.

[Fairview4Life]

I'm going to lay the counter argument that it's harder to watch one player on defense TV cameras that tend to follow the ball. You see good D because you see him playing on the ball defense (which I have clearly stated has improved). You are more likely to miss his late rotations because the ball is being cycled out at the perimeter.

That's completely against my experience. In person you are far more likely to end up ball watching than you are when you catch the game on TV. The cameras only follow the ball in that they focus on the half of the court the ball is in.