Why Aren't We Getting Kapono AP/Delfino Looks?

MrBojangelz71 · Post #1 » by **MrBojangelz71** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 7:03 pm

JK is in a bit of a shooting slump over the past couple of weeks and the fact we are killing teams with our 3ball without contributions from the leagues' top 3pnt shooter is amazing.
My question/complaint is that JK doesn't get the looks or opportunities that AP and Delfino have been getting. With AP in the corner or Delfino from the top, our offence is making 2 to 3 passes, swinging it to the open shooter. Kapono's shots seemingly come from a fast beak, coming off the screen or just quick dishes that all result in quick releases. Meanwhile AP and Delfino have been getting wide open shots where they have time to adjust, set and release.
Why aren't we trying to get these types of looks for Kapono? His slump took an all time high last night and we could benefit greatly from having him join AP, Delfino and even BArgs in a three point shooting massacre.
I said at the beginning of the season that this team will have 3 of the top 10 3pnt shooters in the league and I still believe this. Once Kapono starts getting AP and Delfino looks, he will start producing stats to justify his contract.

LLJ · Post #2 » by **LLJ** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 7:06 pm

Kapono plays with a crappy unit who can't create for him. I rarely see him out there with Jose anymore.

Post #3 » by **LittleOzzy** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 7:06 pm

The 2nd unit doesn't have a PG right now that thinks pass first. It's that simple, once Ford comes back you'll see Kapono's numbers increase.

bill russell · Post #4 » by **bill russell** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 7:07 pm

One reason is that defenses play JK tighter because he's less of a threat to drive or pass than either AP or Delfino.

Post #5 » by **Schad** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 7:09 pm

LLJ wrote:Kapono plays with a crappy unit who can't create for him. I rarely see him out there with Jose anymore.

Not only does that unit have difficulty distributing, but it lacks players who can create offense, period...Kapono is often the only legitimate scoring option on the floor (or one of two), and as a result his defender will not leave him under any circumstances. No one on this team will benefit more from Ford's return than Kapono.

MrBojangelz71 · Post #6 » by **MrBojangelz71** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 7:13 pm

LittleOzzy wrote:The 2nd unit doesn't have a PG right now that thinks pass first. It's that simple, once Ford comes back you'll see Kapono's numbers increase.

While I agree with this I must say that when TJ was healthy and Jose was backing the 2nd unit, JK's shot selection seemed to be of the same variety I stated earlier.
I feel that we have yet to run a play where JK is the 1st option, trying to create as wide open a look as possible. We do it for AP and Delfino and it puzzles me why we aren't trying to get this for him. The only logical answer I come up with is that the D isn't allowing for this to happen. You rarely see him being left alone, especially when around the perimeter. That alone justifies some of his contract but to fully justify it we must get him these types of looks and see what he makes of them. He's shooting 50% with rushed shot, I say 55 to 58% if we start swinging it to him for open looks.

MrBojangelz71 · Post #7 » by **MrBojangelz71** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 7:15 pm

bill russell wrote:One reason is that defenses play JK tighter because he's less of a threat to drive or pass than either AP or Delfino.

Good point but I must say, his driving abilities are much better than I 1st anticipated when we aquired him.

Indiana Jones · Post #8 » by **Indiana Jones** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 7:17 pm

bosh, more than anyone, should get more looks. when he has the ball we win. and like everyone else is saying, the second unit guys will benefit from playing with a real pg...

besides who cares about looks when we're winning (or is it whining)?

villabong · Post #9 » by **villabong** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 7:19 pm

bill russell wrote:One reason is that defenses play JK tighter because he's less of a threat to drive or pass than either AP or Delfino.

I absolutely agree that Kapono will benefit hugely when Ford comes back but I also don't think that his inability to create off the dribble can be overlooked. He has developed a bit of a running floater but teams would rather force him to take that then let him be a standstill shooter.

3inakey · Post #10 » by **3inakey** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 7:26 pm

Schadenfreude wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

Not only does that unit have difficulty distributing, but it lacks players who can create offense, period...Kapono is often the only legitimate scoring option on the floor (or one of two), and as a result his defender will not leave him under any circumstances. No one on this team will benefit more from Ford's return than Kapono.

Kapono should be on his knees every night hoping for TJ's safe and healthy return. The current second unit point-guard situation is turning him into a benchwarmer. For the moment, he should just concentrate on defending his 3 point title :lol:

. With Forderon back, I still maintain Kapono will earn his money in the playoffs. I still can't shake the image of the constant bricks hoisted by our wings during the first round last year :nonono:

He's insurance.

Trilogy · Post #11 » by **Trilogy** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 7:30 pm

Kapono will be helped greatly when a PG comes back. But, he also is terrible off the dribble. People are face guarding him and running him off the shot hard.

Delfino and AP can keep defenders honest because they can drive too, but Kapono has put up some of the ugliest shots I've ever seen when he drives.

I'd be interested to see what a Kapono + Hump package could yield in the trade market.

yucatan87 · Post #12 » by **yucatan87** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 7:45 pm

Observation from Ryan MacNeill of Hoopsworld.

* A disturbing trend for the Raptors is Jason Kapono has started to lurk in the corner on offense and has stopped running to the open spot on the floor. It's tough to watch because he's setting up where Jose Calderon doesn't have a clear passing lane so Kapono's not getting any shot attempts.

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Blogs/Courtsi ... E_ID=21674

execoftheyear · Post #13 » by **execoftheyear** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 9:38 pm

Kapono's a role player that was brought in to create space for Bosh or others in the inside so that the defense doesn't cheat and help out on Bosh. Delfino the same but he adds rebounding at the wing and penetration. When you have Bosh as your number 1 option who is virtually unstoppable, there aren't that many touches to go around unless Bosh gets doubled up or faces a mismatch, this is when these players will get their touches. They'll get touches depending on Bosh's play.

user name · Post #14 » by **user name** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 9:59 pm

I would really like to see Smitch try Delfino at point guard, because not only would that mean no Martin or Dixon, but it was also free up about ten minutes of playing time for Jason. I would much rather see ten more minutes of Kapono than ten minutes of Dixon or Martin.

MrBojangelz71 · Post #15 » by **MrBojangelz71** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 10:12 pm

user name wrote:I would really like to see Smitch try Delfino at point guard, because not only would that mean no Martin or Dixon, but it was also free up about ten minutes of playing time for Jason. I would much rather see ten more minutes of Kapono than ten minutes of Dixon or Martin.

Agreed!!! Carlos has the handles, smarts, passing ability ect... to man the 1 spot and be very effective at it.

I've been screaming this since TJ went down. It bugs the hell outa me when Dixon or DMart are operating at the 1 but Delfino is carrying the ball and making the plays. Why not just have him man the 1, since he's better at it than either, and allow JK at the 2. He has also had some chemistry with Kapono and is smart enough to get the right shooter the ball.
DMart and Dixon have been out with JK for extended minutes and ended up jacking up 4 to 5 shots more than the #1 shooter in the NBA.

AB_21 · Post #16 » by **AB_21** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 12:24 am

Two reasons

1. Kapono's not a big enough threat off the bounce or off the ball. That's why players like AP and Delfino get open is because you have to respect the drive. Jose gets a ton of jumpers because teams are scared he'll blow by the defender. Rip Hamiton is the best in league with movement off the ball. Kapono struggles in this category. If he really cares about his PT, he needs to work on running through screens and moving as much as possible on offense.

2. No point guard. Jose doesn't play with him that much. Ford got him a ton of looks because he drew so much attention for his quickness. Ford really liked Kapono.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/3734/gamelog;_ylt=AhSWhVBAeRS4H1ebuuJMMU2kvLYF

Look at JK's numbers after December 11th. His consistency and minutes drop dramatically.

JD225 · Post #17 » by **JD225** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 12:38 am

I also fully agree with playing Delfino at the 1. I don't know how much more obvious it has to be. Dmart came in the Bucks game along with Joey and couldn't score a single point with the second unit. I understand maybe playing Dixon for trade purposes and raising his stock, but Martin too?

Why we have to seek a D-League player to play the point or watch Dixon and Martin do absolutely nothing at the 1 is beyond me. Delfino is the perfect guy for the job.

WaltFrazier · Post #18 » by **WaltFrazier** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 8:05 am

Sam doesn't think outside the box enough to try Delfino at PG.

radeonboy · Post #19 » by **radeonboy** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 5:06 pm

I gotta agree with the comments made about Calderon not passing to Kapono that often, maybe its because they haven't played together often, or maybe when Calderon drives, like the analyst said, Calderon can't find Kapono anywhere in his sight...

Maybe Kapono needs to move somewhere where PG's can see him open...

But ya, TJ needs to come back since he likes passing to Kapono, and I for one want to see more of Kapono.

His slump is somewhat due to these.