Zatzman: Breaking Down Raptors Lineups

[djsunyc]

I think basically all our options for 5th starter are actually significant downgrades from Gary, so not confident at all that we'll be following the pattern of the successful starting group.

The bench could actually be decent this year if they are smart and find a way to make Kelly the backup PF instead of backup C. Play a rim protector and rim pressure big beside him - maybe Mogbo is ready for that, maybe they actually use Boucher who always helps. But if the bench is Kelly and a bunch of perimeter players, expect the bench struggles to continue.

i think gradey and ochai are going to fight it out for 5th starter. if gradey is a lights out shooter or his defense improves enough to not be a liability, he starts. if ochai continues the good defense and becomes a 38% 3 point shooter, he starts. the other guy comes off the bench.

i think our bench right now is going to be a 5 man unit of davion, bruce, ochai/grady, kelly (at the 4), mogbo and we are going to press and run. koloko not being there makes me sad.

then if when/we move bruce, jakobe slots in. we are going to play these guys sink or swim. if mogbo is too far away, then boucher slots in just so we don't completely fall apart.

[Tripod]

It should be opponent specific.

Small fast PG? Put Davion on him.
Bigger PG? Put Brown on him.
A SF that's the scorer? Put Ochai on him.
A team that plays no D? Let Gradey play.

[TeamDisgruntled]

How many seasons in a row are we going to have a positive starting lineup with a bench that tanks us as soon as they come in?

Maybe this year is the year! Davion, Ochai, Brown, KO, Walters, Mogbo, Shead, Boucher... cmon guys.

Absolutely zero size on this bench. There’s some hard nose defence for sure. The shooting could go either way but we desperately need to upgrade that Boucher spot.

[SirKen]

This should be Vezenkov.

We play a European style of basketball. He's good at cutting, shooting, and he isn't a target on defense. Bron tried that last year and met a brick wall in Vezenkov.

Vezenkov next to Olynyk is a bad interior help defense. We'll have no rim protection.

Poeltl - [ DEFENSIVE C ]
Vezenkov - Olynyk
Barnes - Agbaji
Barrett - Dick
Quickely - Mitchell

I also want to see Vezenkov with the starters. Can stretch the floor, has size and we could play bully ball as well.

This is also why I am furious about the drama around him. Can he just shut the **** up and show up to the camp? Is he too stupid to realize the opportunity in front of him?

[Jim Todd Jr.]

Def Brown with the SL if hes here.

Then these variable options off the bench

mitchell/shead at PG
walter/dick/ochai at WING
olynyk/mogbo/boucher BIGS

flip brown at the deadline for a pick/expiring and insert the better of dick/walter/mogbo into the SL based on fit

[Buff]

We should like Dick, for the starting lineup.

He is no #1 scorer off the bench or in any way (fun thing when he played that role at the tankathon). He's a shooter, a spacer, the perfect compliment to the talent we have. I rather have Bruce Brown showing his value as bench leader (his value is off the bench for contenders). So you play something like Davion (Shead when ready) JaKobe BB Mogbo KO. Even Boucher instead of Mogbo if we want to rehabilitate.

That will probably suck but there is some mix of veteran shooting defense stuff. Sucks for size but we suck for size anyway. Except for Dick, he got plenty size.

I will watch this team and at least on paper stomach that bench. We supposed to suck anyways, let Barnes and Gradey play together as much as they can, offensively that should be fun fun fun.

[Phezmo123]

How many seasons in a row are we going to have a positive starting lineup with a bench that tanks us as soon as they come in?

Maybe this year is the year! Davion, Ochai, Brown, KO, Walters, Mogbo, Shead, Boucher... cmon guys.

This will be another one of those years lol

I know. But every year I get my hopes up. I have to keep this annual tradition.

It’s a rebuilding team.

If we had a strong 10-man squad, we would be discussing potential playoff matchups. We’re not there.

Need to be patient and understand that you can’t just swing for the fences and get productive veterans on the bench. I would much rather have prospects.

[DreamTeam09]

You put brown in the SL. Dick should never be a starter for us unless he actually is white Klay Thompson. We're looking for a scoring 6'8 2way SF to maximize BBQ. Dick will still get 26+ minutes b/c he can play next to everyone at the back-up 2/3.

[Appostis]

If he can put on alot of size he could work as SF.

Long term, unless he sees some damn big jump in muscle mass(and a little growth spurt..) he's the teams future SG.
If Mogbo can develop even a league average 3point shot...
IQ/Dick/Mogbo/Barnes/JP.. that's a nice lineup.

RB would be amazing as a 6th man.

This season? It's all just make shift.

[Shakril]

I imagine Poeltl going out early so he can play with the bench lineup. Unless something changes, Barnes and Poeltl will be the ones with the most minutes next year. Both are too important to let them sit too long.