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[tweet]https://twitter.com/ZachLowe_NBA/status/537992279630577666[/tweet]
[tweet]https://twitter.com/ekoreen/status/537993634613035008[/tweet]
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[tweet]https://twitter.com/ekoreen/status/537993445139550208[/tweet]
[tweet]https://twitter.com/ZachLowe_NBA/status/537993629466628097[/tweet]
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[tweet]https://twitter.com/ekoreen/status/537994246704607232[/tweet]
[tweet]https://twitter.com/ZachLowe_NBA/status/537994576645349376[/tweet]

Agree 100% with Zach Lowe (as I generally do).

His long game comments are spot on.

I was just thinking last night, that we might not pull off the win because....why. Why are these guys trying so hard for no reason? We're already a playoff contender.

Developing JV would give some reason to the rest of the season.

I can understand both sides of the argument. What I disagree with is the notion that we can "afford" anything. I'm as happy with the 13-2 start as any, and I'm fairly confident that the team can adapt for the long term without giving up too much, but I'm also wary of complacency. It's a long season and anything can happen.

Casey is doing a fine job developing these guys. Let's let JV earn his minutes in the 4th. He can get there, but needs to play better defensively.

Before you guys annoint Zach Lowe and his girlfriend (Koreen) the coach of the Raptors, take a look at how many of our games have been won in the 4th quarter....often with strong defense and the helter skelter opportunities on offense that come from it.

Winning is development for JV as well, even if he's winning from the bench.

#fascinatingtomonitor

Twitter looks so **** dumb to somebody who doesn't use it

Casey's response:

The Raptors have the best record in the league & have the best +/- stats in the 4th quarter.

I don't think anyone should be questioning Casey's decisions right now.

JV is a young guy & has a ton of time to develop into that C that Casey relies on to shut people down in the 4th.

Caseys job is to put his team in the best possible position to win ball games & he is doing that. If he didn't do that, he'd be letting down the rest of the team.

Nothing wrong with keeping JV hungry to get better.

Where's that Casey Smallball thread? Lowe clearly hasn't seen it.

JV has really stepped up his game this season, yet for some odd reason his minutes are down and Casey is not really giving a logical answer for this. Development-wise it would really good for this team if he can learn now so that we're not forced into playing small-ball come playoffs.

And like Lowe says, we're 13-2, we can afford to play him.

This thread going to get interesting. Lowe calling out COY Casey's handling of JV.

Regardless of which side you stand on, I don't think anyone's in a position to question Casey right now. We're 13-2.

Matty wrote:JV has really stepped up his game this season, yet for some odd reason his minutes are down and Casey is not really giving a logical answer for this. Development-wise it would really good for this team if he can learn now so that we're not forced into playing small-ball come playoffs.

And like Lowe says, we're 13-2, we can afford to play him.

If Casey was staggering JV and Amirs minutes across four quarters it would be defensible against small ball teams but he is giving JVs minute to Hayes. Even giving minutes to Fields makes more sense for perimeter defense.

I'm torn, the fan in me (and as someone who is more focused on long term development) wants JV to close out games, and some games he rightfully should have. But as a tactician, Casey's been doing the right things most of the time. But hey, this is a good problem to have I guess, at least we aren't pissed off because our star player is currently leading the league in scoring while shutting out the rest of his teammates, it can be worse.

Top 5 center's should not be benched in the 4th, Casey is clueless.

Agree with everything said by Lowe. Not sure if everyone remembers, JV was consistent and impactful in the playoffs. He didn't have cold feet like Demar had in game 1. We need him come playoff time and small ball may not be viable in many playoff situations.

we are winning and rofl stomping people in the 4th, JV deserves no minutes if we are winning like this

In 4th Qs.

Team while JV is on the court ORTG 123.4 DRTG 108.4 NetRTG +15
Team while JV is off the court ORTG 108.8 DRTG 92.4 NetRTG +16.4

DC loves his defense, we knew that upon hiring him.

Did you know the 4 highest total mins guys in 4ths this year are in order
LW/GV/JJ/PP

Does anyone think mins =/= development?

Im indifferent either way, I dont think its inhibiting his development, nor do I think playing more mins is going to drastically uptick it. Hes going to get his mins/usg/etc.. and going to be a very good player for likely 4 more years (at the very least, pending no trades/etc..) in a Raps uni.

cram wrote:Casey is doing a fine job developing these guys. Let's let JV earn his minutes in the 4th. He can get there, but needs to play better defensively.

Before you guys annoint Zach Lowe and his girlfriend (Koreen) the coach of the Raptors, take a look at how many of our games have been won in the 4th quarter....often with strong defense and the helter skelter opportunities on offense that come from it.

Winning is development for JV as well, even if he's winning from the bench.

Stop with this **** of earning minutes. Just stop. He had 27 pts and 12 rebounds in a game against Suns. If that doesnt earn you some minutes in the 4th then what does? He certainly played better than others of the starters and yet ended up rotting on the bench.

So stop this bull excuse "Earn the minutes". Its not about Earning its about the mental block of Casey. In the end it will bite Raptors in the ass as playoffs contribution from him wont be reliable at all specially in late games as he isnt used to play any minutes come the 4th doesnt matter if its matchup or how he plays good or bad he always sits.