NBA Chat With Stephen Brotherston 11/19/12

Steve

The raptors don’t have the defensive identity like last year. Bargnani and calderon play heavy minutes so could that be the problem? Could the raptors get an allstar in return if they trade both players?

Stephen Brotherston

Welcome to this afternoon’s chat
After a 2-2 week for Toronto that included a triple OT loss, things should finally be looking for the Raptors?

The defensive identity of last season took some time to evolve – with 3 new starters in the lineup at the beginning of the season, it was the bench that often had that more of that defensive identity – now with Calderon back in the starting unit because of the injury to Lowry, its starting to come back – give it time. The defense is getting better and adding Lowry back in now should actually be easier.

Those great defensive stats of last year were largely created with both Bargnani & Calderon playing – Casey’s system works with these guys in the line up.

The Raptors would be a 5-5 team with only a tiny bit of good luck. Al Jefferson hit only the 2nd 3 of his career to tie the game the Raptors lost in 3x OT this week. Game 1 loss to the Pacers would have been a win if DeMar wasn’t on another planet because someone had just given him $40 million.

Real All-Stars are tough to get – it takes a team in trouble – usually financial or contract driven – to part with an All-Star – have to wait and see what situations develop.

Blake

How much longer do you think Casey keeps Bargnani in the starting line up? and what do you think the Raptors could get for him in a trade (if anything)? I have been defending this guy for years but time is up. He is horrible, no defence, no hustle, and his fg % is pathetic! The shooter who can’t even shoot.

Stephen Brotherston

Bargnani has had trouble with his shooting most (not all) games this season – jump shot seems short more than it should be – but as Casey says (and its true by the way) Bargnani is the focal point of the offense. The floor spacing, dragging one of opposing bigs out of the paint to create driving lanes for DeMar (& Lowry on his return) – That’s Bargnani – that’s his role.

His defense has been picking up as the season moves along – its been good this past week. Not sure which games you’ve been going to?

Shooters don’t suddenly forget how to shoot, they all go through slumps. If he still can’t find the range consistently a month into the season, then we can talk about his effectiveness in the offense – mostly because teams will start backing off covering him after a while and then there will be an issue about his effectiveness in Casey’s offense.

Jose

What about Toronto trading Jose Calderon for Joel Anthony and Mario chalmers? To replace joel Anthony HEAT can sign kenyon Martin

Stephen Brotherston

The HEAT don’t need any more help.
Colangelo wants help if he moves Calderon, the goal isn’t to help someone else get better.

This might be a trade deadline idea if the Raptors are out of the playoff picture and Colangelo thinks Jose will go elsewhere after the season and this is all he can get for him.

edva

What do you think, how Magic roster rotation will change, when Turkoglu and Harrington will back?
Nicholson and Harkless will get less minutes? Also, what is your opinion about these two young players?

Thank you.

Stephen Brotherston

If the Magic are serious about winning games – the veterans will get them a few more wins. It doesn’t really make any sense, but they may feel forced into playing the vets in the hopes they can still be traded.

Magic are rebuilding – these are 2 young players who could be part of that process – the more minutes they play the better.

Allan

hi, Steve:
Is it true that people put more emphasis on offense than defense? You can be a great scorer but a below average/ poor defender and still be considered as a “superstar” (e.g. TMac, VC) whilst a great defender/average scorer will just be looked at as a good role player

Stephen Brotherston

Largely true. Best offensive players will consistently get much better contracts than the equivalent defensive (more well rounded) player. Offensive players sell tickets – its easier to sell your fans on offensive stats than we just acquired a glue guy who will up our defense – even when the glue guy might get you more wins.

Deven

Is Jonas going to be one of those players that gets into foul trouble easily?

Stephen Brotherston

Doesn’t look like it, he plays under control most of the time. Jonas is getting the full rookie treatment from the referees at the moment though. (from his Coach too – Vets are/ should be more consistent)

Steve

Calderon has been playing great now that he’s starting, but will he keep this up off the bench when lowry’s back?

Bill Ingram

I had a lengthy conversation with Dwane Casey about that duo, and this is why he values both so highly. One or the other gets hurt and the team doesn’t just die at the point position. I think they will only be better with both, and Calderon is willing to come off the bench, so it’s all good.

Steven Raps

hi Stephen, Earlier today Bill said if he had to choose the starting guards for the east all-star he would choose rondo and DeRozan……any input from your side and what have you thought of Demar season so far? avg 20 and 6

Stephen Brotherston

I’m not ready to pick my All-Stars this year – but I’d take Rondo every year.

kevin c

Hello Mr B
I was at TD North to watch the Raps play two and a half quarters against the Celts.
What can coach Casey do to get the guys to play 48 minutes ????

Stephen Brotherston

Casey admitted throwing the 4th quarter because of the back-to-back situation.

Kuda

Whats happening with the rotation? Injuries aside Casey seems to be experimenting too much.

Stephen Brotherston

I agree – but now have to give Casey a pass with 3 guys out

Andrea

When will I be traded? I don’t want to be here as much as the fans don’t want me to be here. #freeAndrea #tradeBargnani

Stephen Brotherston

Never heard Bargnani wanted to be anywhere else. He thinks the media has no clue about what he’s thinking -

rapluva

Stephen, do you think this will determine the raps of this year if they come out 4 and 6 in the next 10 games or coming out 2 and 8 is still okay for them to make the playoffs? The Raps can not tank, and hand over their pick to OKC, with the luck they are having you know they will be out of the top 3 pick. What do you think? Playoffs or Bust??

Stephen Brotherston

Raps have a tough schedule but really need to be no worse than 4-6 over the next 10. Its not playoffs or bust – more like be in the playoff hunt until the last week of the season and hope to get in. Handing over the 12-14th pick for Lowry isn’t going to sting at all. Goal is playoffs

Frank

Hi Mr B.
When will LOWRY be back? Does his health make it less likely that the RAPS move JOSE C. by the deadline? If JOSE gets moved…any guesses which team might be a trade partner and what the RAPS might be looking for? THANKS>

Stephen Brotherston

Lowry 5-14 days away if there are no setbacks.

Talent & need makes Jose less likely to move – they’d be 1-9 today if Jose was gone.
The Raptors have not been able to attract an offer that’s viable so far – they are not going to take back scraps for Jose. They want talent

matt

Bargs, ED Davis for Varejao

Stephen Brotherston

No need to add Ed to that deal, but I could see both teams expressing interest for their own reasons. Both players missed significant time over the past 2 seasons due to injury – there are risks here.

Casey would need to acquire someone to space the floor from the SF spot for this to really work well in Toronto.

Its an interesting concept to say the least.

matt

Bargs for Gallo

Stephen Brotherston

very similar players

Charry

Hi Stephen, Good Afternoon. Do you know when is Kyle Lowry be back? Is there something the team can do to make Bargnani be aggresive and not watch the ball? Are they going to get Michael Pietrus services? I am happy that Calderon is playing defense… hope he can continue doing this. Thank you for your time.

Stephen Brotherston

Hope Lowry is back by Sunday – target was 1-2 weeks from Friday. It’s a bone bruise – when it stops hurting.

Bargnani is not an emotional player in the NA sense – his game is stepping up, a little too slowly for most fans but he’s getting there. If his shot starts dropping consistently, and it should, his play will look better.

Raptors have 15 guys under contract – they aren’t going to cut someone to add Pietrus at this point.

I’d like to make a point about Jose – He is a team guy, he does what his coach asks of him. Yes, he has his limitations, but fans should really let the Triano no d era (which included, groin, hamstring, & foot injuries) go. Calderon plays decent d in Casey’s system doing what he’s told to do – just don’t expect him to lock down a speedy guard by himself.

mario

whats up mr brotherson i just came across some info that suggest that marcin gortat is interested in the bulls as one of his preffered destinations and it also seems the feeling is mutual my question is what do yo think it takes to get a deal done and would you pull the trigger on it also do you think the bulls should keep an eye on the eric gordon situation and do the bulls have the assets to pull off a trade for eg

Stephen Brotherston

Gortat is a very good player who is still under contract next season – so why is Phoenix going to let him go anywhere? It will not be easy to pry out Gortat without some prime assets heading back – try Gibson, Teague & a draft pick – but I’d expect the Bulls would be turned down.

Pissed off raptors fans

Hey, put your GM hat on! What/If any roster moves would GM brotherston make? You think this team would face a roster change soon?

Stephen Brotherston

As a conservative manager (in real life too) – I wait until Dec 15 the FA signed this summer are available. Raptors still don’t really know what they have in Lowry & Fields – I want to see them play before deciding what pieces I want to move/add.

The ideal player to add would be Deng – probably not available – as are most of the star level players that would make a big difference.

I am still expecting Casey to get what he’s got on the right track so I’ll be negotiating from a position of strength – patiently

Mac

Excuses aside(a busted hand)lets be real, Landry Fields is not what this team needs, he stinks. How hard is it going to be to trade his contract? Wouldn’t mind seeing Wilson Chandler as our starting 3.

Stephen Brotherston

How do you know he stinks? Just wondering what that opinion is based on. I would like to see Fields play post surgery. Not a busted hand – it was a compressed nerve in his elbow.
I wouldn’t mind seeing WC in Toronto, but it depends what I have to give up to get him.

Mark Sanchez

Calderon has been playing with the utmost heart since starting and he looks healthy and good physically. Are we seeing an increase in his trade value as a result of his good play recently? He definitely looks like a starter to me and deserves to be one. What do you think of our boy Jose?

Stephen Brotherston

Is Calderon really doing anything we haven’t seen from him when he has been healthy in the past? Jose is just a solid pass first point guard (something of a rarity today) – reliable, team oriented, good floor leader can be a starter/ has been a starter. Jose doesn’t carry your team – but he can help guys who can’t create on their own carry a team.

Al Michaels

Do you see Dominic mcguire or D-mac(reminds me of t-mac from afar and his #1 helps look like him) improving as a player? Perhaps a more refined jump shot so he’s Able to contribute on offense? I have been impressed by him to say the least. Do you feel he can improve all aspects of his game or is he capped out as a solid defender?

Stephen Brotherston

Dom is who he is at this point – don’t count on “development”. Raptors are lucky to have him & Anderson or the team’s SF position would be in a lot of trouble again this year because of injuries – both these guys can contribute, but you should be really hoping they don’t have to.

Andrea Bargnani's hot wife

What’s wrong with Jonas? He looks like he’s crushed and lacking confidence. He needs to get going. He hasn’t been impressive either. Is this the case of over hyping a player or is he leaning towards being a bust? Either way, I am very scared and nervous of what’s to come of his development as a player.

Stephen Brotherston

Jonas has had some really good 1st quarters – but Casey remains reluctant to play him in the 4th, especially with how well Amir’s been going.

I don’t see a lack of confidence – more a lack of playing time. Jonas is slotted in at 20 min per game, pretty much no matter how well he’s playing in any particular game and he is going to have to TAKE time away from Amir & Ed by playing better than they are for at least a couple of weeks in a row.

The 20 min is enough to develop over a season – but that shouldn’t be the goal. Jonas’ goal should be to send one of Ed or Amir to the bench in a suit by the end of the season (that’ll be tough)

Byron Leftwich

Ed Davis has been excellent in his short minutes. Why can’t he atleast get 20 mpg? He’s a great rebounder and needs a chance to
Play!!

Stephen Brotherston

Too many bigs, not enough minutes to go around and Davis sometimes still goes into a game and looks lost.

The good news on Davis is we have seen some real flashes – even extended flashes – of confidence, skill even – he might just finally be starting to get it. His potential is a lot higher than his play has been, but the rough part is Amir’s level of play is higher and more consistent.

Jordan M Stettner

Do you feel bargnani still deserves to start? He’s shown to much inconsistency on help defense and defense in general to be starting. Would you agree that the raps would be better fit looking for a solid consistent pf and having bargs be a legit 6th man?

Stephen Brotherston

On this team, Bargs is a starter with no competition.

James Hatrison

10 games player, 3-7 record. Is this what or some what close to your expectations? Why do the raptors always face a brutal opening schedule year after year? There are always a lot of road games and a west coast trip each time. Is the NBA scheduling the raptors with difficulty to put the team in a hole so they don’t make the players??

Stephen Brotherston

3-7 is okay considering the team’s injury issues. was hoping for a 5-7 start, so I guess they are still on target.
Brutal start, but everyone plays the same number of games in a balanced schedule – can’t really complain.

ballhog

Are you still considering the ROY a two man race between Davis and Valancinous? Are there others you would now consider? Liilard,Waiters, Beal others? And would take Jonas out of the race for ROY? He is talented but I don’t see ROY consideration.

Stephen Brotherston

The race is barely out of the starting blocks – no one is out of it yet. No one owns it yet.
Valanciunas will have to beat out Davis for more minutes to get into the race. Not going to happen at 20 min per night – still possible.

Bill Cowher

Is an all star game for Bargnani out of the Question now? He’s been playing piss poor and the raptors have been losing plus he’s not looking like the “13 games”. Is an ASG appearance for Derozan more likely to happen? Who do you think will play in one first? DeMar or Bargs?

Stephen Brotherston

DeMar is playing well enough for the coaches to notice so he has a chance – its still very early for AS & he still needs to play better
Bargs has to step it up, but it is early.
Raptors need to be in the playoff picture or it isn’t going to matter anyways.

andrew

Haven’t seen much of Eric Gordon play to know if he is worth his contact. With that in mind would you trade Demar and Jose for Gordon? Probably with a big or first round draft pick.

Stephen Brotherston

I’d rather the Raps stay away from injury prone players – we got enough already.

Clips

Ehat do you think of the clippers this far into the Season? Do you think Blake griffin has expanded his on both sides of the court? Do you think deandre Jordan can live u to his contract this year?

Stephen Brotherston

Love the Clippers – what’s not to like! Jordan has been the big surprise – he is looking like a very good signing. Still expecting more from Griffin (maybe that’s not fair though)

Mats Sundin

Can the raptors tank enough to retain their pick? Finishing in the bottom 3 is going to require extensive ranking or extreme luck.

Stephen Brotherston

Unlikely and not in the plans.

Skippy Peanut

Why hasn’t terrence Ross been playing? Is he simply not as ready as I imagined he would be? Say 2-3 years down the road. Would he and DeMar become the starting SG and SF comb? ( barring neither get traded or raptors don’t acquire a better player)

Stephen Brotherston

Casey made it clear the rookies would have to win their playing time away from the vets from day 1 in training camp. That’s why Valanciunas can’t get 4th quarter minutes from Amir and why Ross only gets 2nd quarter and garbage time.

Ross looks good – for a rookie 8th pick – as good as DeRozan did (better even) – but the situation has changed and he’ll have to fight for minutes.

FELLY

i have an idea, and it is extremely risky but i think it could be a great move. NY will suffer when amare comes back, what do you think of a trade of essentially amare for andrea and change(wether it be jose or kleiza or landry fields back to NY)

Stephen Brotherston

Everyone wants to see how the Knicks handle Amare’s return. Chemistry wasn’t good in the past…..
I wouldn’t want Amare in Toronto, but Colangelo is known for swinging for the fences – I wouldn’t discount it if I started to hear rumors. Amare is a great player when healthy.

Neymar

Looks like calderon stole his starting PG spot back. So far.. He’s held it from TJ ford, jarret jack, jerryd Bayless.. And now kyle lowry… What are your thoughts on Jose and his starting role going forward. How long will it last?

Stephen Brotherston

No – Jose is just keeping the seat warm for Lowry. but Jose has proven he should be the 3rd guard in the rotation for 24-32 minutes a night.

Marisa L

Will Jose’s recent fantastic play lead to him getting
Traded? I for one, appreciate his underrated services and would
Love him as a raptor for more years to come. What do you think will be the outcome? Jose stays(hopefully re-signs!) or goes?

Stephen Brotherston

Nothing has changed – Jose is a valuable trade asset, but he is also valuable to the Raptors – So Colangelo has to get something back of equivalent or better value – this isn’t going to happen fast or it would have already happened.

I would like to see Jose back next season too

Browner

I’m eager to see landry fields once he returns and hopefully he will be healthy. I was extremely disappointed by his play early
On and glad it was because of an injury. How long is he out for and what do you expect upon his return?

Stephen Brotherston

I did some research – team isn’t saying but – this type of surgery and the fact Fields isn’t in a cast suggests he could be back as soon as 2 weeks after his stitches come out. Best guess sometime between first week of Dec and first week of Jan.

We should find out for sure in another week

Mayor Ford

Fun prediction for you! It’s trade deadline day, is Bargnani still a raptor after the deadline?

Stephen Brotherston

Right now – I expect Bargnani to be around for a long time.

But its a long time until TD day – lots can / does happen every season

Homer

Should the raptors tank the year Andrew Wiggins enters the draft! lol… What an ideal situation. A Canadian kid whose suppose to be a year on the Canadian team! Oh it’s fun to imagine

Stephen Brotherston

Fun to imagine but not practical

Karl karlton

Whose the Raptors MVP so far?

Stephen Brotherston

Have to say – no one has taken the title yet – DeMar most nights, but was Lowry until he got hurt.

Tony Romo

Demar derozan is our new best player. Can he be the focal
Point of a successful team?

Stephen Brotherston

Only if he keeps improving. Would have said no a month ago, now I’m not so sure it couldn’t happen – DD is a lot more mature this season.

Ned Flanders

With the grizzlies playing so well, i guess Rudy gay isn’t available for the raptors. Your thoughts? I’d love it if the raptors acquired him

Stephen Brotherston

Gay is a really good player – but with how DeMar is playing, there would be a lot of duplication – I have been getting less interested in Gay as I’ve watched DD this season. Depends what the Raps would have to give up to acquire him

Kurt Angle

Bargnani for Gasol! Gasol expires soon plus he can be free from the pressures of LA

Stephen Brotherston

Not really interested in helping LAL out of their financial mess.

Wally

Who is your favorite raptor on this years squad? What about your favorite raptor of all time?

Stephen Brotherston

Jose Calderon is just a really good guy. He is easy to like as a person and as a player. No one questions his loyalty & effort.

Fav Raptor all-time – Vince Carter (I just blank out that last season in Toronto) VC put the Raptors on the Map – only Raptor who has been able to put the Raptors on the US TV network schedules – against their own best interests.

Bargnani's mother

Trade Bargnani for Chris Bosh? What do you think of this trade? Miami will love Bargnani, he can stretch the floor for Lebron and d-wade! More shooters, the better!

Stephen Brotherston

That trade solves a lot of problems for both teams – probably why it never happens.

You’d really really want to be sure CB wants to return first – his contract is a cap killer.

Mr Waffles

It appears the Raps have relgated back to old habits because perhaps the new players are injured. Could we be in for a mini makeoever style wise once Lowry gets back?

Stephen Brotherston

There will be a style change with Lowry – Lowry looks to create by creating havoc at both ends – ultra aggressive play to cause defenses to make mistakes and create turnovers at the other end.

Of course Jose has solidified his role at the backup 1 & 2 spots – he’ll be hard to keep off the court.

That’s all for today.
Thanks for all the great comments & questions

bob j

If the Bickerstaff era has taught us anything, it’s that good teams don’t really need a coach. Is coaching in the NBA overrated? When it comes down to it, it seems more like personality management since good players know how to win anyways.

Stephen Brotherston

What the Bickerstaff era teaches is coaching is really important – the right or wrong coach makes a huge difference.
YES – A coach is a manager of people – same as in any business. Most of the time, if your boss can’t get you to do something a certain way because you want to – the result isn’t going to be all that good