Shead should start

[Harcore Fenton Mun]

We should use RJ as the PG and move him off ball.

RJ gives us the biggest look. He can get his offense off too, unlike IQ.

[Indeed]

Yep and we got to see IQ run point a little bit last year. He came into this year knowing his role, he looks uncomfortable playing it. Even if he gets comfortable, he hasn't developed true PG skills. I was hoping he was one of those guys that just played other positions due to versatility, and having teammates ahead of him at PG. IQ wasn't even really a full time PG in college. So far in his opportunity as a starting PG, he seems just unsuited to the role, mentally, physically and skill set wise. I think we are seeing he was never a PG, the wiring isn't there. I hope he proves these posts to be premature.

How many teams have what you would consider a "True" PG as a starter?

You're thinking along the lines of an oldschool point guard who brings leadership and team direction. There is less of that in today's NBA for sure. IQ is definitely not that from what we have seen. The new school PG can break down a defense and create for themselves or others. IQ doesn't really fall into this category either from what we have seen. Most rosters in the NBA have at least one guy who falls into the latter category, even if his position is not the 1. We still lack this on our roster.

I was hoping BI would fill this role, but he's more of an ISO hooper who doesn't beat his man or break down the D, he just shoots over the top when he gets to his spot.

So I guess the better way of putting it would be. IQ is an offball guy. He's better suited to catch and shoot 3s, or attacking a closeout. Without the creator archetype on our roster, IQ is being tasked to be that guy, and he's failing. He's being tasked to be a bit of an old school point guard, but he doesn't bring leadership or point of attack defense, he just sets up a dry offense. Probably 20 teams start a guy at PG better suited than IQ to one of these roles.

I don't think Darko has figured out how to make the best of this roster yet. That's understandable. We shall see if IQ, Darko and this team as a whole can figure it out.

Said this last year and explained that Ingram isn't going to break down the defense, as his shot diet is similar to Quickley in the long and mid range.

Barrett is actually the one who provided rim pressure, which I am not so worried about offense. A PG to manage the game, shoot the 3s and manage the defense would be great, that is Davion Mitchell with 3 point shooting, or VanVleet pre-injury, instead of Quickley or Barnes.

Afterall, that might just be one of our problems.

[dballislife]

quick is clearly playing with 3 better offensive options right now and yet he pounds the ball and has it the most on the team for some reason

[Thaddy]

quick is clearly playing with 3 better offensive options right now and yet he pounds the ball and has it the most on the team for some reason

It's definitely a coaching or execution issue. IQ was supposed to shoot ten threes a game but he's just dribbling around.

The solution should be use RJ and Ingram as point forwards. Use Barnes and Poeltl as screeners and run sets for IQ similar as we do for Gradey. Generate 3s, get doubles and pass out, just simple basketball.

I'd have the first sub as IQ and play him with the bench with Scottie. We should see what we have there in combo with Mamu a stretch big.

That second unit needs to be better. CMB is good but we need a wing player who can put the clamps on.

[Rodrickle]

I don't think Shead is ready to start, but gotta give the front office props for this pick. Knocked it out of the ballpark for a pick in the 40s. The fact we are even having his conversation about starting so early in his career is amazing. Shead imo just needs to clean up those erratic turnovers, (Maybe Darko has him passing out of his comfort zone?) keep the shooting/scoring consistent and he's low to medium end starter level imo

[hyper316]

quick is clearly playing with 3 better offensive options right now and yet he pounds the ball and has it the most on the team for some reason

IQ is a catch and shoot guy even from his Knicks days (Brunson pounded the ball). Yes he can pull up but those chances are less common on transitions

[YogurtProducer]

quick is clearly playing with 3 better offensive options right now and yet he pounds the ball and has it the most on the team for some reason

IQ is a catch and shoot guy even from his Knicks days (Brunson pounded the ball). Yes he can pull up but those chances are less common on transitions

No he really isn't / wasn't. He was 18th in 3pt% on pull up 3's last year, and was 25th or so in volume.

https://www.si.com/nba/raptors/onsi/news/toronto-raptors-want-immanuel-quickley-taking-more-above-the-break-three-pointers

People are so quick to **** on IQ lately it feels like people are just making **** up for the fun of it This is a quote from last year, but I think it is still relevant this year. Our offence NEEDS this from IQ

Part of that is simply taking more three-pointers, Rajaković said. Toronto wants Quickley taking as many as 10 threes per game and across the board, the Raptors need to get up more threes. The team can’t continue to rank 20th in the NBA in three-point attempts per game and that means getting more corner looks and more above-the-break threes, Rajaković told his team.

[YogurtProducer]

quick is clearly playing with 3 better offensive options right now and yet he pounds the ball and has it the most on the team for some reason

It's definitely a coaching or execution issue. IQ was supposed to shoot ten threes a game but he's just dribbling around.

The solution should be use RJ and Ingram as point forwards. Use Barnes and Poeltl as screeners and run sets for IQ similar as we do for Gradey. Generate 3s, get doubles and pass out, just simple basketball.

I'd have the first sub as IQ and play him with the bench with Scottie. We should see what we have there in combo with Mamu a stretch big.

That second unit needs to be better. CMB is good but we need a wing player who can put the clamps on.

Once Jak is healthy I think we have a really good 3-man bench combo of Mamu+CMB plus Agbaji (or Battle, or Dick, or whoever really is performing). Run those 3 with IQ and Barnes in a IQ/Ochai/Barnes/Mamu/CMB lineup.

[TheDunc]

I prefer Shead over Quickley but we have too much invested in IQ to give up on him. In a perfect world i hope he returns to form and we trade him. I dont believe even if IQ is playing well that hes a good fit for our roster

[Harcore Fenton Mun]

He's paid, I'm not worried. He's come off the bench before, it works.

[Stromile12]

No shot he comes off the bench. Everybody wants to start. He's being paid to be that guy, regardless if he's the best fit or not at the moment.

[causal_fan]

I don't see Shead as a starting PG on a winning team and given the investment in IQ both financially and acquisition cost, I expect IQ to have a very long leash as the starting PG - let's hope he comes around.

[Harcore Fenton Mun]

Why are we concerned what our 5th-6th best player thinks?

[HiJiNX]

I’m not enjoying the IQ experience and even if he was shooting well I don’t think he’s a good fit. That said, Shead is not ready to start yet. He would get massacred. Let’s see him look consistently good coming off the bench before we entertain that discussion.

I’d love to bench him in favour of CMB or Ochai when Poeltl is healthy but then we lack ball handlers who can bring the ball up the floor. Maybe RJ, BI, and Barnes could share those duties? I don’t know. We need a strong ball handler on this team.

[YogurtProducer]

I’m not enjoying the IQ experience and even if he was shooting well I don’t think he’s a good fit. That said, Shead is not ready to start yet. He would get massacred. Let’s see him look consistently good coming off the bench before we entertain that discussion.

I’d love to bench him in favour of CMB or Ochai when Poeltl is healthy but then we lack ball handlers who can bring the ball up the floor. Maybe RJ, BI, and Barnes could share those duties? I don’t know. We need a strong ball handler on this team.

Curious how in theory he isn’t a good fit?

Despite what people are spouting on here (which just screams groupthink at this point), he’s a solid defender at the 1, very good at protecting the ball, and a big plus shooting the ball (historically). In a lineup of RJ/BI/SB/JP, I’m curious what a “better fit” is if not a guy who fires a ton of 3’s

[I_Like_Dirt]

Curious how in theory he isn’t a good fit?

Despite what people are spouting on here (which just screams groupthink at this point), he’s a solid defender at the 1, very good at protecting the ball, and a big plus shooting the ball (historically). In a lineup of RJ/BI/SB/JP, I’m curious what a “better fit” is if not a guy who fires a ton of 3’s

A guy who does more stuff without the ball rather than with it. Ignoring all the hypotheticals of what was or wasn't offered, the Raps sniffing around Derrick White this offseason makes a lot of sense. That's the archetype of PG they could really use now - or someone like Fred, or Jrue Holiday. Guys who will play positional ball, play tough defense and grind stuff out when the bigger players are handling the scoring.

The team is in a position where they could actually lean into size and multi-tool players that push defense. They need Jak healthy and maybe another big. That combined with Ingram, Scottie, CMB and RJ is a LOT of size, scoring, passing and defense without any serious holes - sort of like what the Rockets are doing now. Putting in smaller guys who aren't suited to that kind of play is problematic.

To IQ's credit, he actually seems to have bought in to that role and is doing what is asked of him rather than playing the game he's much more suited for. And he's sadly getting roasted for sacrificing his stats to do what the team needs. The thing is, he really isn't suited for that kind of role and it shows. The Raps would be foolish to dump him for nothing because he's very good but he's still a poor fit with the rest of the roster right now and getting a quality/commensurate return that fits the Raps style better from a team that needs a freestyle scoring guard with some passing and shooting chops might be a decent idea. Though IQ might also figure out how to thrive a bit more in his current role and if he does the team could be really good.

[Appostis]

Its been 7 games...

Players can slump but sure just give up with only 7 games played..

Between ready to give up on Yak because he's been injured a handful of games and this.. *face palm*

Just give it 10-20 games. IQ getting out of this slump and Shead turning intoa legit guard..

Team has the potential to be in great shape.

[Thaddy]

I would try line ups with Shead and IQ.

Starting: CMB / Barnes / Ingram / RJ / IQ

First subs: Poeltl / CMB / Barnes / IQ / Shead

Full bench: Poeltl / Mamu / Battle / IQ / Shead

We probably need to bring in Hepburn for a bit to try this but it would likely be better than what we are seeing now. It'll make IQ get into his groove too.

[Mr.Raptorsingh]

Probably going to be Ja'Rome Morant

[Appostis]

Probably going to be Ja'Rome Morant

The awful fit/injury prone/culture cancer Morant?