The season might already be 34 games deep, but the grind of this campaign has only just begun. However, in order to move forward, the Toronto Raptors must learn from their past.
The recent six-game stint out West held a multitude of focal points:
The Road Trip:
@Bulls: A lack of killer instinct on defense (yet again). Notching 37 points of their own in the fourth quarter is a feat that should be celebrated, but when it comes attached with 49 given up (a Bulls’ franchise record), that gratitude quickly diminishes.
@Clippers: A well documented lower-tier ranking in team assists (22nd overall) has many holding Toronto’s chances for postseason progression on pause, a film session of this ball-moving display (25 helpers) was surely on Dwane Casey’s to-do list. On a side note: Loosening the “Leastern” Conference label is always a welcome sight.
@Nuggets: Louis Williams‘ reoccurring rescue efforts continue to shine. I could hop on the Kyle Lowry express, as dropping 30 points, 11 dimes, and seven boards commands respect (looking at you, All-Star selection committee), but one has to wonder where the Raps would be without Williams’ timely execution. With DeMar DeRozan‘s return imminent, a key decision of minute allocation will soon be made — Sweet Lou should not receive the squeeze.
@Trail Blazers: What could be learned from this possible playoff prelude? … Well, speaking of playing time: It’s no secret James Johnson produces at a high level “when” actually on the floor.
A curious call to the bench in what could have been a fourth quarter difference, begs for a more in-depth look at his capabilities:
Per 36 minutes: 13.7 Points, 7.1 Boards, 1.9 Blocks, 1.4 Steals, .583 Field Goal Percentage.
Per 100 Possessions: 19.6 Points, 10.2 Boards, 2.8 Blocks, 2.0 Steals, .583 Field Goal Percentage.
Combine his overall .599 Effective Field Goal Percentage with the amount of times his number is called, and you get an unsolved mystery of misuse. Yes, a far cry from Terrence Ross in the outside shooting department, but Johnson fills in at multiple positions and contributes in numerous areas.
Cracking the 26-minute mark just four times in the last 10 games brings this squad’s rotation into question.
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@Warriors: Nasty habits reared their ugly heads. The Raps were outrun and outclassed. The aforementioned 25-assist performance by Toronto is indicative of how much road there is still left to travel — Golden State’s 35 (a league season-high) left them in the rearview mirror.
When you take into consideration that Casey and company failed to enforce a counteractive game-plan (a postseason priority of slowing the pace), the Raps were doomed from the tip.
@Suns: When seven opposing players reach double figures, it’s safe to assume fatigue was a contributing factor, but far from the whole story. One of the rare occasions the Raps failed to show their resiliency after a tough loss.
A food-for-thought subplot: Remember that time when Eric Bledsoe almost suited up in Raptors’ colors, at the expense of DeRozan? … An interesting what if …
Which brings us to:
The return of this club’s starting shooting guard and co-leader:
News pointed to the upcoming matchup on Thursday vs. the Charlotte Hornets to make for a perfect homecoming party, but those plans have since been derailed, leaving fans to now play the guessing game.
DeRozan’s comeback can’t come soon enough. An 11-7 record without the roster’s premier rim-attacker solidifies what this team is truly made of, on the other hand, cracks in the armor have risen to the surface.
A three-game losing streak hardly calls for the panic button, but the fall from grace on defense is an alarming one. On DeRozan’s last night in uniform, the Raps sat at a cozy ninth overall in points allowed per possession, only to witness the monumental drop to 22nd with last season’s All-Star on the shelf.
But this is not an exact science, defensive mishaps are far from the result of one player’s absence. Not to mention the fact that one wouldn’t mistake DeRozan for Scottie Pippen‘s stunt-double anytime soon.
What the Compton, Calif., native brings is stability. The trickle-down effect cannot be overlooked. Isolations in the post will aid the game’s pace, pumping the brakes when needed. Overuse (by default) of role players taking on bigger personalities with fall back into their rightful place. Terrence Ross, prepare yourself for conflicting court time in the weeks ahead.
On the contrary, and perhaps most of all, this team is on the verge of reclaiming its identity. With the East about to embark on a wild ride, the timing is perfect. Still, action without No.10 persists, and there is no time like the present for a reality gut-check.
The Road Ahead:
Home sweet home. Six games now swing in the opposite direction, with a chance to reestablish the past stranglehold of the Eastern Conference.
The combined record of the homestand’s first four challengers is 42-97. Though, shout-outs are in order to the upstart Detroit Pistons:
With Josh Smith:
Offense: 97.6 PP/100 (28th overall), Defense: 105.8 PP/100 (24th overall)
Without J-Smoove:
Offense: 113.7 PP/100 (2nd overall), Defense: 91.7 PP/100 (2nd overall)
Fresh off victories against Western powerhouses, the Motor City and their 7-game win streak shall not be taken lightly.
Usually, the notion of Anthony Davis taking the court at Air Canada Centre would earn the spotlight, but the backseat is now calling. It’s all set up for Game 5 of this swing. The Atlanta Hawks, newly anointed royalty of the East. A slugfest awaits, with Eastern bragging rights most likely on the line.
That is, if the Raps pass the reality checklist along the way. Toronto is a marked squad, whether on the court or in the mainstream’s eye, the population of detractors is multiplying.
Now is the time to take back the respect already earned.