The Raptors still appear to be figuring out their identity, trying to navigate their path through player development while simultaneously attempting to win now, according to The Athletic’s Eric Koreen. In order to fully develop budding star Scottie Barnes, Toronto needs to better optimize the lineups it is running, Koreen writes.
Koreen observes Toronto’s lineups with cramped spacing aren’t doing much to advance Barnes’ development. Instead of having the opportunity to kick the ball out to shooters, Barnes is sometimes featured in lineups with multiple players who are not feared from beyond the arc.
Barnes also isn’t yet confident enough to singlehandedly run the floor and lineups that feature him and OG Anunoby as the only starters have struggled, per Koreen. Koreen acknowledges this is more of a roster construction issue than a minute-distribution issue, but suggests changes. Otto Porter Jr. is a player mentioned who could help alleviate spacing issues.
We have more from the Atlantic Division:
- Tyrese Maxey continues to play at a superstar level for the Sixers, averaging 27.0 points and 6.7 assists through his first 18 games. Appearing on NBA Today (YouTube link), ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said Maxey’s development is one of the biggest storylines of the season and speculates that it may just keep Joel Embiid in Philadelphia for the long run. Windhorst says Maxey’s play is keeping the Sixers in title contention despite trading James Harden and because of their play, the chatter from fans and media surrounding Embiid potentially wanting out is dying down.
- The Nets are faced with a difficult decision regarding their starting lineup after a strong 26-point return from injury from Cam Thomas, writes the New York Post’s Mark W. Sanchez. Thomas began the season on the bench but was quickly inserted into the starting lineup due to his impressive scoring (26.8 PPG). After missing nine straight games due to injury, he was brought off the bench. But because the Nets’ offense runs through him, they’ll likely look to move him into the starting lineup again, meaning Cameron Johnson, Spencer Dinwiddie or Dorian Finney-Smith are candidates to be benched moving forward, according to Sanchez.
- Celtics forward Kristaps Porzingis hasn’t played since Nov. 24 and while he still isn’t practicing, he’s been out on the court, tweets The Athletic’s Jared Weiss. Porzingis’s status remains up in the air for Boston’s in-season tournament quarterfinal on Monday against the Pacers. In 15 games this season, Porzingis has averaged 18.9 points and 6.7 rebounds.
The sixers are better off with harden. Maxey is also getting his teammates involved more since ball is in his hands more. It’s a win-win for sixers
Did you mean with? Or did you mean without?
Read about how Jaylen Brown is passing more, upping his # of assists! Yay Jaylen! Now if both stars would work on their dribbling skills, that would be good as well. Stop the turnovers. Or let some other play. Go Celtics!
Or both of them could stop trying to dribble through defenses and double teams…
How many of those turnover last night was because they thought they could dribble through the Sixer D.
give and go works very well in those situations.
Yep, agree 100%. Jason dribbles high and further away from his body & out of control with each & every dribble. To be fair he gets thru to the basket a lot, and gets fouled a lot. And we need those scores. Jaylen gets stripped but also gets thru much of the time. The announcer last night made a great point. Jaylen finishes much better in transition than against a set, half court defense wherein he should pass more. Go Celts!
Maxey is a very good, young player but his performance is being overstated a bit. There is still a lot of inconsistency from game to game.
I agree some nights ty only puts up 5 to 6 helpers when he should be averaging 8 to 9 on a consistent basis you knucklehead.
I said nothing about his passing. Do you watch many Sixers games or just look at his per game stats? Always the non thinkers with arrogant replies. You’d think I said he wasn’t a good player, when it was the opposite. And I guarantee Maxey would say he’s not close to his potential yet.
I was being sarcastic you complete dunderhead. As far as if I watch ANY sixers games?? Religiously would be a understatement. Your merely good player description of maxey albeit even at this infancy stage of his career makes me gag . So sir you are DISMISSED.
Your comments are pretty cringe. Stop being so mid
From someone who only watches the odd game, maybe 4 or 5 this year, I think every game I’ve watched he’s been great and the hype is well deserved.
I also double checked his stats and I think he’s only scored less than 20 in 3 games all season, 6x 30+ games and 12 with more than 25ppg. Let alone a nice 50 piece. 11th in scoring, 12th in assists, identical FG% to “future MVP” Edwards. That’s superstar stats.
Especially when he’s the 2nd option to Embiid. Comparing him to the next “best” 2nd options(I’d say Dame/Brown/PG/Davis). He’s the best back up star in the NBA, comfortably. Give the kid his praise.
أعتقد حقًا أنك يجب أن تهتم بشؤونك الخاصة يا صديقي ذو الورق الملون
I think you forgot to google translate @fleas!!
I posted here about how Philly might be better w Harden gone. That it would give Maxey a chance to play more & maybe become a star. Few teams now want or win it all with a ball-dominant star. Even my Celtics become unwatchable & look awful when Tatum just dribbles and dribbles. Winning it all in the NBA now seems to be a team thing, like Denver won last year. Go Celtics!
Perhaps TOR should “better optimize the lineups it is running” in order to win games. They need not worry about that being inconsistent with their priorities, as I believe winning would, among other things, help Barnes develop.
Of course its a roster construction problem. But its deeper than that too, because the guy who constructed the roster did so in a way that almost mandated their current alignment and style of play. He also fired a HC who didn’t those, and hired one who did, or at least said he did to get the job. It’s not a HC problem in cause or remedy. Ujiri needs to take (yet) another look at his roster before the deadline. This time, also look in the mirror, and get real.
Agreed. Poetl can’t shoot, Scottie has improved his shot but then you have Schroder, OG and Siakam whom are all streaky when attempting threes. Barnes, Siakam and OG all have a playstyle that overlaps the other. OG may have to get traded for a lights out shooter which is needed in return along with another fringe allstar and picks.
Nets need to think beyond this year.
Spencer, Royce, Lonnie, and Claxton all FAs. 40M albatross Ben Simmons.
Thunder, Pacers, Hawks, Pelicans, and Knicks all have multiple FRPs that currently convey. I’d try to get a FRP for a player I’d likely lose in FA. Anticipating that they might actually keep Cam and then have to pay him. An eye to retooling in the draft at PG, Center, Backup Wing over the next few drafts.
Claxton may be the only FA they retain, but may net a decent return if they traded him.
So going back to their lineup.
Start Cam, Bridges, Cam John, DFS, Claxton. With Dinwiddie, Royce, Lonnie, Sharpe, Watford your first guys off the bench.