PG: Raps win battle for last

[Tripod]

Let's worry about having TOO MANY starting level guys when that day comes. Too many variables right now.

[Chandan]

Just did 5 spins, Pick #1, #4, #5, #5, #5. Given the sample we just took, its rigged.

Edit. 5 more! #5 #4 #5 #5 #4!

Stop spinning bad juju

All this foaming for tanking means this board will rain HELLFIRE when Masai and co inevitably select someone not congruent with mock draft consensus. I can't wait

drafting Trae over Luka was a fire-able offense. Its a risk you have to take as a GM.
it really depends on if we land the top 3, the mock rankings will be pretty consensus by end of the season. Masai would have some leeway to make his pick if its' 4-7

[Kingsway_fan]

Ot: did not see 905 thread...

CHOMCHE with a breakout game.
12 pts, 9 rebs, 4 blocks, 1stl .... highs in all categories for him so far....

[Mr.Raptorsingh]

RJ is putting up 23/6/6. He is in a slump. He will be fine.

I am guessing Giannis and Brook Lopez protecting the rim bothered him. I missed the game

We're overthinking this. He's simply in a role he's not suited for. He's a 3rd or 4th option who knows how to use angles to get to the rim. He has struggled recently because defenses can focus on him and block his one method of creating which is going left to the rim.

Once the defenses shift back to Barnes, Quickley, and Dick; RJ will get back to scoring at the rim as the opportunistic scorer he is. He is not a go-to scorer like some mistakenly think he is. He's someone you give the ball to on the move going downhill, if you want something at the basket, or when he's open for a catch and shoot.

Kind of like a Joshua Howard type

[sbsat]

I can pretty much guarantee that the most toxic element of the raptor fanbase will eventually set their sights on RJ. The only reason they haven't yet is because he's been putting up amazing stats since he's been with us.

I remember shortly after the trade the toxic fanbase king himself, messiah, said "is there trouble brewing between scotty and RJ".

It's always been painfully obvious that the scotty brigade will eventually go full throttle on the RJ Barrett hate.

RJ has exceeded all expectations since he's been here. Fickle fans turn on prospects so fast and move onto the next great hype.

I see for RJ's future the 3rd or 4th best player on a good team that can possibly contend but he plays a huge role in the locker room as a leader/captain. His on-court demeanor is extremely positive imo. But this is the exact archetype that toxic fans love to hate.

Im very surprised more ppl arent fixated on darko. He sucks

He's doing his job. Dick and Agbaji looks like completely different players this year. What more do you want?

Can we attribute that success to darko? Was he working with these guys in the off season?

[mdenny]

I can pretty much guarantee that the most toxic element of the raptor fanbase will eventually set their sights on RJ. The only reason they haven't yet is because he's been putting up amazing stats since he's been with us.

I remember shortly after the trade the toxic fanbase king himself, messiah, said "is there trouble brewing between scotty and RJ".

It's always been painfully obvious that the scotty brigade will eventually go full throttle on the RJ Barrett hate.

RJ has exceeded all expectations since he's been here. Fickle fans turn on prospects so fast and move onto the next great hype.

I see for RJ's future the 3rd or 4th best player on a good team that can possibly contend but he plays a huge role in the locker room as a leader/captain. His on-court demeanor is extremely positive imo. But this is the exact archetype that toxic fans love to hate.

Im very surprised more ppl arent fixated on darko. He sucks

He's doing his job. Dick and Agbaji looks like completely different players this year. What more do you want?

I think all the game mgmt criticism is warranted but yeah, noone cares for now. I certainly don't.

Always gotta be careful about misinterpreting stat distribution for "player development" though. Fact is....you could probably manufacture a 20 ppg stat for 90% of nba players just through usage and playing time.

That said....Dick has looked really promising There's just no indication whether he is ultimately a "winning player" or a guy who can put those kind of stats up on a good team. At risk of being overly pessimistic....Walt Williams was a 20 ppg guy too.

[bballsparkin]

^^Look at Boucher to see Darko's development success. He has Chris making nice dimes all of a sudden. NN was holding him back.

[bballsparkin]

I did the rolls. I got 5, 5, 1, 5, 4.

[basketballto]

Im very surprised more ppl arent fixated on darko. He sucks

He's doing his job. Dick and Agbaji looks like completely different players this year. What more do you want?

I think all the game mgmt criticism is warranted but yeah, noone cares for now. I certainly don't.

Always gotta be careful about misinterpreting stat distribution for "player development" though. Fact is....you could probably manufacture a 20 ppg stat for 90% of nba players just through usage and playing time.

That said....Dick has looked really promising There's just no indication whether he is ultimately a "winning player" or a guy who can put those kind of stats up on a good team. At risk of being overly pessimistic....Walt Williams was a 20 ppg guy too.

Walt the Wizard Williams wasn't the problem with that team he had a .400 three point percentage but below average everywhere elsd. The lack of a center when you needed a strong inside out game killed that era.

[Indeed]

I am guessing Giannis and Brook Lopez protecting the rim bothered him. I missed the game

We're overthinking this. He's simply in a role he's not suited for. He's a 3rd or 4th option who knows how to use angles and get to the rim. He has struggled recently because offenses can focus on him and block his one scoring option where he's creating - going left to the rim.

Once the defense shift back to Barnes, Quickley, Dick, RJ will get back to scoring at the rim as the opportunistic scorer he is. He is not a goto scorer. He's someone you give the ball to on the move going downhill, if you want something at the basket, or when he's open for a catch and shoot.

Yeah, Giannis and Lopez weren't why he turned it over 5 times or took horrible fading 3 pointers lol, he's just not cut out to be what he is doing. He would be a perennial 6MOTY candidate if he came off the bench with a decent PG IMO. It's what I've been pushing for since the trade.

My original thoughts last year on what our SL should be : IQ/GD/3+D player/SB/Jak assuming we were to move forward with our current roster. We would eventually trade RJ + other assets to acquire that 3+D player, or someone steps up (like it seems Ochai has somewhat) and RJ comes off the bench as the 6th man. He is just not cut out to be a scorer in the SL long term, his game is just too limited.

If you watched the game, some of it were the referees swallowed the whistle to ensure the Bucks wins the game.
At least 3 times on those Barrett turnovers were fouls.

As for the poor shooting, yes, Barrett was guarded by Giannis, and even he got by Giannis, he was just to meet Lopez at the rim.

I highly doubted having Barnes back and add a 3+D at SF would make much of a difference with any combination of the backcourt. The turnovers were a result of our offense not able to attract double team, where those passes were thrown to someone being defended. Our starting lineup has at least 3 for each, it means the problem is more than just an individual.