ps. Sorry for the huge game thread. I got carried away.
Battle at the Amway Arena
Starring The Orlando Magic:
KNOW YOUR ENEMY.
Pros: Andrea is an excellent shooter and frequently gets compared to Dirk Nowitzki. Bargnani is very versatile with excellent ball-handling skills. When he is guarded by a small forward, he can use his height advantage in the low post. When guarded by a power forward he can take his defender off the dribble and knock down the jumper. He isn't just an offensive player as he is an adequate defender who uses his height to block shots.
Cons: Andrea will need to improve his strength and quickness to play in the NBA. Despite his height, his rebounding will need to get better if he is to play the power forward position. One of the reasons his rebounding isn't that good is he plays away from the basket. He will have to develop his positioning and his back to the basket game to be more effective in the NBA.
BMP Notes: Gotten better each game as he is getting into a groove. Went from 13 points to 21 to 30 in three games. Mind you, he got those 30 points against Dallas, which is admirable.
Raptors' coach Dwane Casey didn't appear happy with Calderon's reluctance to push the ball forward during Wednesday's loss to the Pacers, the Toronto Sun reports.
Spin: If this is an indication of the style of offense Casey wants to run, it may not be long before Jerryd Bayless takes over starting point guard duties. For now, as the team is still learning Casey's offense, he'll likely stick with the veteran Calderon in the starting five.
ESPN Fantasy Projection: Calderon is really a one-stat wonder (dimes), because he doesn't attempt enough shots or free throws to make his good percentages carry any weight, and his scoring, 3s and steals are pedestrian. In fact, Calderon couldn't even average double-digits in scoring last season. He's missed exactly 14 games each of the past three campaigns and is 30 years old. As if that's not enough uncertainty, Calderon has a new coach and a much younger Jerryd Bayless -- who finished last season on fire -- nipping at his heels for minutes at the point. He'll be lucky to match last season's production, so don't overvalue him this fall.
BMP Notes: After a big first game of 15/7, Jose has tailed off a bit. Still getting about 6 assists a game, he is a true pass first PG. Need to put pressure on him and cut the passing lanes.
DeRozan put up 22 points (9-16 FG, 2-2 3PT, 2-2 FT), four rebounds, two assists and a steal Wednesday when the Raptors lost their home-opener to the Pacers, 90-85.
Spin: DeRozan was impressive in his second game of the regular-season. He scored 16 of his 22 points in the fourth quarter and after the game head coach Dwane Casey said DeMar single-handedly brought the Raptors back into it when they were down as much as 14 late in the game. His performance showed an improvement in his shooting, leadership and reliability - three things that were expected of him coming into the season. Look for much more to come for this kid.
ESPN Fantasy Projection: The Raptors were happy to see their 2009 first-round pick make a huge leap forward as a scorer in his sophomore campaign. He hit 46.7 percent of his shots and averaged 19.9 points after the All-Star break, including a whopping 23.1 ppg in April. That late-season boost was due in part to an injury to their No. 1 offensive option, Andrea Bargnani, but clearly DeRozan established himself as their No. 2 option. While his percentages are fantastic and he can score, DeRozan attempted just 52 3s in 82 games (hitting a hideous 9.6 percent of them) and isn't going to pile up dimes. He may not have elite upside, but any guard who can score 19-20 points with solid percentages can help fantasy teams.
BMP Notes: This is supposed to be his breakout year. Supposedly, he is expected to set the defensive tone. Should be a good challenge for JJ and JRich. But, he should be mismatched. He is not a big 3 point shooter, so need to tighten up on the Mid range and keep him from the backet.
Johnson scored only two points Wednesday, making one of two shot attempts, but he added 10 rebounds, three assists, and two steals in Toronto's loss to Indiana.
Spin: Johnson's value is on the defensive side of the ball, so while he scored 13 points in the opener, the categories he contributed in Wednesday night are more in line with what is reasonable to expect from the Raptors' center.
ESPN Fantasy Projection: At this point, Johnson appears best fit as a sixth man, not a starter. More to the point, the Raptors took Ed Davis in the first round last year to be their PF of the future, and that future likely is now. Johnson's also recovering from offseason ankle surgery. Most likely, Johnson will have value only as a rebounder and shot-blocker for brief stretches this season.
BMP Notes: More of a backup than a replacement for Bosh, Amir is pretty much holding the fort until Ed Davis takes over as the season progresses. His strengths are rebounding and blocking, but does not have much strength to compete with Ryno and Big Baby. He should get worked by the Magic.
Butler got the start at small forward on Monday but played just 12 minutes, scoring three points and committing as many fouls (three) as he had rebounds and assists combined.
Spin: James Johnson saw most of the action at the three despite coming off the bench. Don't expect Butler to have much fantasy impact this season, even if he does remain in the starting five, beyond deeper leagues.
ESPN Fantasy Projection: Butler lost what little fantasy value he had when he was dealt from the Clippers to the Bulls. He'll have to find a great landing spot as a free agent if he's going to have a swan-song campaign. After all, there's only so much fantasy or NBA GMs can expect from a 32-year-old who has shot 40 percent from the field for his career.
BMP Notes: Journeyman that has gotten the starting nod because of his veteran presence. He seems to start wherever he goes even though he is not a big stat man. Has length and is a crafty defender and beyond the arc shooter. But, he is no challenge for Hedo. I expect to see more of James Johnson here as the young cat needs developing.
THE RAPTORS BENCH.
Bayless can play D and score, but he's going to be a work in progress as a PG. Dude is a shoot first PG. Won't facilitate, but is quick and will keep Magic PG's on the move.
Barbosa: Main offensive punch off the bench. Dude can pass and score. His back looked fine, and he'll be one of the Raptors' main offensive weapons off the bench this season if he can stay on the court.
Ed Davis: Second year player that has tremendous upside. Starting off slow this season and will have a challenge against the Magic bigs He will be the biggest challenge on the boards.
Magloire is the backup Center and is a serviceable big that can mainly just try to keep Dwight away from the basket. Good for fouling Dwight.
STATS:
COACHING BATTLE: Casey will have his hands full here.
VS
Magic have to kick some Booty!
Or, they can FAIL hard:
We need some motivation. No crying allowed.
So lets be loud and Cheer the Magic!
Some ladies for ya:
Lets show Dwight some Love. No Homo -
So. park on the couch, grab a beer and watch the game!
