- If you think the schedule doesn’t matter much, you are sorely mistaken. Fatigue counts for a lot in the NBA. The Raptors play more back-to-backs than nearly any other team, largely because of the trip to England taking up most of a week for one game. Toronto got in very late after playing in Washington, then matters were made worse by the Edmonton Oilers arriving minutes before. That meant a long wait, not getting into their own beds until the wee hours and another game not even 24 hours after the previous one. Oh yeah, Phoenix plays fast and above the rim and had been 5-0 against teams playing on the second part of a back-to-back. Make that 6-0 and the awful start was a big reason why. As bad as Toronto has traditionally started games this year, Sunday’s beginning was close to a new low. Toronto was very lucky to still be in the game.
COACH CAL SHOULD WORK ON LATE FREE THROWS?
- Two games in a row that a former Kentucky point guard missed a key free throw to benefit the Raptors, but this time, John Wall’s former backup made up for the gaffe – unlike Wall – by hitting his next one and then saving the game with an unreal block on a guy nearly a foot taller than him. Is Bledsoe one of the five best pure athletes in the NBA? If not, he’s awfully close.
ROSS DEAL LOOKING LIKE HUGE MISTAKE
- At what point does Masai Ujiri start cursing himself for giving Terrence Ross a big extension instead of playing wait and see? It was a bizarre signing to start with, despite the way the market is going to take off with all of that TV money coming, and now it just looks like a mistake. Not a crippling mistake, because the cap is going up so much, but a confusing decision. It was a bet made based on projecting improvement from a player who has not shown much improvement over the years – or enough effort on a daily basis.
Since a big game against Milwaukee to start November (11 points), Ross has had four goose eggs (including on Sunday), and averaged three points a game. Yikes. The big pre-season steals numbers haven’t carried over either. He’s notched seven all month, two in his past five appearances and is 5-for-25 from three since going 3-for-5 against Milwaukee. The optics are terrible, but there is time to turn things around, just precious little evidence that Ross will do it.
BEBE ON BOARD
- A rare bit of run for Lucas Nogueira and he made a positive impression. First, he avoided fouling and forced a Phoenix player into a tough shot that was missed and allowed a teammate to grab a rebound. Then, he ran down the floor and set a good screen which allowed Kyle Lowry to use it and get to the basket for a layup (which was blocked by excellent Suns defence). Nogueira then through off another shot by using his length. He also got open for a dunk. It was all pretty subtle, but it was solid work from a guy itching to play. He can do things offensively that neither Bismack Biyombo (catching, shooting) or Jonas Valanciunas (passing) can and has the length to make an impact defensively and on the boards.
RE-DRAFTING 2013
- Alex Len is an intriguing player. Can do a lot and you can see why Cleveland strongly considered taking him No. 1 overall, instead of Anthony Bennett. That would have made a lot more sense, and would have allowed them to save a bunch of assets instead of trading for Timofey Mozgov later. Nerlens Noel would have been the even smarter top pick (nobody expecting the Greek Freak to be this good at the time, so leave him out of the conversation. Rudy Gobert as well).
With Tyson Chandler running out of steam, Len’s a nice player to have waiting in the wings, though the jury is out on whether he can keep up with the fast-paced, dual-point guard-loving Suns.
For the record, if redraft was held today knowing what the players have turned into I’d go: 1 – Gobert, Cleveland. 2 – Antetokounmpo, Orlando. 3 – Noel, Washington. 4 – Oladipo, Charlotte. 5 – McCollum, Phoenix. 6 – Len, New Orleans. 7 – Porter, Sacramento. 8 – Kelly Olynyk, Detroit. 9 – Michael Carter-Williams, Minnesota. 10 – Steven Adams, Portland.
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Schedule hurt tired Raptors and has boosted Suns; Ross extension looks like poor dice roll; Re-drafting 2013;
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