GAME REVIEW: Raptors at Lakers [Nov 30]

When you read other reports today that detail the Raptors’ loss to the Lakers, pay close attention to which ones focus on the ineffective play of Chris Bosh and the absence of Jermaine O’Neal …

FINAL SCORE: Raptors 99, LAKERS 112
Game Info

as the principal reasons for the eventual L, and which ones do not.

Yes, Chris Bosh, the Raptors’ best player, had a sub-standard performance [i.e. 36:54/MP; 4-13/FGM-A; 3-4/FTM-A; 12 Pts; 6 Rebs; 3 Ast; 1 St; 4 To]; and, yes, Jermaine O’Neal was missing from their line-up.

However, these are NOT the main reasons the Raptors lost yesterday’s game.

—————————–

Beginning at the 10:00 mark of the 4th Q, in what was then a 6-Pt contest, this is the specific sequence of Possession Outcomes which determined the eventual outcome.

Position —LAKERS—-vs—-Raptors
PG/1——Farmar———-Ukic
OG/2——Vujacic———-Kapono
SF/3——Ariza————Moon
PF/4——Odom———–Graham
C/5——-Bynum———–Bosh

LAL 90, Tor 84

#1. LAK Poss 1 - Vujacic beats Kapono off the bounce; Makes twisting Layup slicing between Moon & Graham … LAL 92, Tor 84
#2. RAP Poss 1 – Graham Misses a Pull-up Jumpshot
#3. LAK Poss 2 – Odom fouled while posting-up vs Graham
#4. LAK Poss 3 – TO [Ariza]; Steal by Bosh
#5. RAP Poss 2 – TO [Ukic]
#6. LAK Poss 4 – Farmar Misses Jumpshot [vs Ukic]; Team Rebound to LAL
#7. LAK Poss 5 - Ariza Makes Turn-around Jumpshot/hook vs Moon … LAL 94, Tor 84 
#8. RAP Poss 3 – Ukic Misses Jumpshot
#9. LAK Poss 6 - Bynum Makes Dunk on lob pass; Bosh helping vs Odom [fronted by Graham] … LAL 96, Tor 84 
#10. RAP Poss 4 – Graham Makes Layup vs Farmar … LAL 96, Tor 86
#11. LAK Poss 7 - Ariza Makes Jumpshot vs poor switch by Moon [with Graham] on the ‘Post-Split’ action … LAL 98, Tor 86
#12. RAP Poss 5 – Graham Missed Turn-arond Jumpshot/Layup vs Odom
#13. LAK Poss 8 – Bynum Makes Dunk + fouled on rejected Pick & Roll with Farmar; Graham late arriving with weak side help [coming off Odom] … LAL 101, Tor 86

07:26 mark of the 4th Q … Calderon replaces Ukic; Bargnani replaces Graham

—————————–

What should you have noticed from these 13 possessions?

In General:

* The Lakers were able to generate 2 extra possesions. One, when Odom was fouled, in the Low Post by Graham; and, two, from their Team Rebound.

* The Lakers were too quick, athletic and physical for the Raptors to handle [which ultimately resulted in a decisive Rebounding edge over the course of the entire game, i.e. Total Rebounds: LAL 54, Tor 36].

Specifically:

#1. Jason Kapono is an inferior NBA athlete, in comparison with Sasha Vujacic.
#2. Graham’s strength is not his Pull-up Jumpshot. As a perimter player, Graham is effective when he can ‘Catch & Shoot’.
#3. Odom vs Graham, in the post, is a mis-match [despite the fact that Odom picked up an offensive foul earlier in the quarter, in this situation]. Graham should not be defending Odom.
#4. Bosh is a capable Post defender … when he uses his quickness.
#5. Ukic is an inexperienced PG who sometimes makes poor decisions with the ball.
#6. Ukic is a solid NBA athlete at the #1-spot. The Lakers size & athleticism is difficult for the Raptors to handle … especially with Kapono [too slow vs Vujacic] and Moon [too weak vs Ariza] and Graham [under-sized vs Odom] on the floor together … the Raptors have difficulty gaining possession of loose balls.
#7. Ariza is too strong for Moon to handle on the block. Moon needs to check Vujacic. Graham needs to Ariza. Humphries needs to check Odom.
#8. Kapono cannot dribble the ball vs Vujacic. Ukic is a poor perimter shooter.
#9. Graham should NOT be checking Odom.
#10. Graham is a solid Low Post option for the Raptors.
#11. Moon is not a strong enough player to check Ariza.
#12. Graham is a solid Low Post Option for the Raptors. Odom, however, is too big for him.
#13. Bynum is among the VERY BEST ‘Aerial Finishers’ in the NBA. Graham should not be cheking Odom. Graham should be checking Ariza, with  Moon checking Vujacic, and Humphries in the game, checking Odom.

At this point in the regular season … with these two player rosters assembled by their respective GMs:

* The Lakers are 14-1 and poised to amass 70+ wins; as forecast by this corner last season, prior to their predicted loss in the 2008 NBA Finals;

while,

* The Raptors are 8-8, on pace to put up approximately 40 wins; and, in all likelihood, finish in the middle of the pack in the Eastern Conference.

Despite a less-than-stellar performance yesterday by the Dinos, the signs are there, however, that this group of players [at these positions] …

Starters
1/Calderon + 2/Moon [3] + 3/Graham + 4/Humphries + 5/Bosh

Key Bench Subs
1-2/Parker + 4/Bargnani [3]

Situational Subs
1/Ukic, 2/Kapono [3], 5/O’Neal [or a different veteran Big]

either [i] without JO altogether, or [ii] with him in a decreased role …

has the capacity to become a solid contender for a playoff spot in the EC, down-the-road, if those responsible for running the basketball operation at MLSE, in fact, [A] know what they’re doing, and can [B] begin to make the best use possible of the resources at-hand [i.e. current players & draft picks, plus coaches].  

In the NBA … every organization has access to a similar set of ingredients. What separates the performance of one from another is the manner in which their Head Chefs choose to combine those ingredients in their recipe.

“The proof of the pudding is in the eating.”
– Anonymous

Game Review: Raptors at Lakers, Oct 19

FINAL SCORE: Raptors 89, Lakers 112
Game Information

The fundamental inequities which exist between the rosters of these two teams were on full display in last night’s exhibition game.

———————————————-

At the 02:41 mark of the 3rd Quarter, the Lakers made 3 substitutions:

* Replacing V-Radmanovic with Lamar Odom,
* Replacing D-Fisher with Trevor Ariza, and
* Replacing A-Bynum with Jordan Farmar;

while, the Raptors made 1 substitution:

* Replacing A-Parker with Jason Kapono.

9 seconds later, at the 02:32 mark, the Raptors made a 2nd substitution:

* Replacing J-Calderon with Roko Ukic;

and leaving each team with the following line-ups on the court:

RAPTORS – Ukic [PG], Adams [OG/SF], Kapono [SF/OG], Bargnani [C/PF] & O’Neal [PF/C]

LAKERS – Farmar [PG], Bryant [OG/SF], Ariza [SF/OG], Odom [PF] & Gasol [C]

After Jason Kapono made 2 Free Throws to put the Raptors ahead, 72-70, the Lakers closed the quarter with a 10-4 run which put them up, 80-76. 

During the run, the Raptors made 1 substitution, at the 00:30 mark:

* Replacing J-O’Neal with Chris Bosh.

To open the 4th Quarter, the Raptors made no new substitutions, while the Lakers made 2 substitutions:

* Replacing K-Bryant with Luke Walton, and
* Replacing P-Gasol with Chris Mihm;

leaving them with the following line-up:

LAKERS – Farmar [PG], Ariza [OG/SF], Walton [SF/OG], Odom [PF] & Mihm [C].

Without bringing Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, or Andrew Bynum back into the game, the Lakers then outscored the Raptors in the 4th Quarter, 32-13, to seal their victory.

The following table indicates the substitutions made by each team during these respective phases of the game:

RAPTORS	Time	Score	LAKERS
	3rd Q
Calderon, Adams, Parker, Bargnani, O’Neal	02:42	70-70	Fisher, Bryant, Radmanovic, Gasol, Bynum
Calderon, Adams, Kapono, O’Neal, Bargnani	02:41	70-70	Farmar, Bryant, Ariza, Odom, Gasol
Ukic, Adams, Kapono, O’Neal, Bargnani	02:32	72-70
Ukic, Adams, Kapono, Bosh, Bargnani	00:30	76-77
	4th Q
	12:00	76-80	Farmar, Ariza, Walton, Odom, Mihm
	06:23	83-96	Farmar, Ariza, Walton, Powell, Mihm
Ukic, Adams, Moon, Humphries, Bargnani	05:42	84-98
	03:28	86-104	Farmar, Ariza, Yue, Powell, Mbenga
	00:00	89-112

while the final table reflects the playing time alotted to each player for both teams who saw action during these two sequences of the 3rd and 4th Quarters: 

 

RAPTORS	Minutes	LAKERS	Minutes
Calderon	00.09	Fisher	00:01
Adams	14:41	Bryant	02:41
Parker	00:01	Radmanovic	00:01
Bosh	06:48	Bynum	00:01
O’Neal	02:11	Gasol	02:41
Ukic	14:32	Farmar	14:41
Kapono	08:59	Ariza	14:41
Moon	05:42	Odom	08:18
Bargnani	14:41	Walton	08:32
		Mihm	08:32
		Powell	06:23
		Yue	03:28
		Mbenga	03:28

———————————————-

When assessing the strengths and weaknesses of the Raptors and the Lakers, it is comical to think that some other NBA observers are actually considering the current version of the Raptors:

1. To be a ‘legitimate’ contending team in the NBA this season; or,

2. To be a ‘legitimate’ contending team in the Eastern Conference this season.

As is … the cold, hard, reality is: 

I) When Jose Calderon is not in the game, the Raptors do not have a capable back-up Point Guard who they can use to run their team against a high calibre opponent.

[Note 1: In part, this is because they have shown little to no interest, thus far, in using Anthony Parker ... a capable ball-handler and decision-maker ... in this capacity.]

II) When some combination of Chris Bosh, Jermaine O’Neal and Kris Humphries are not on the court together, the Raptors are incapable of rebounding the ball in a way which is consistent with being a legitimate contending team in the NBA … given the deficiencies of their back-up players, like Andrea Bargnani [C/PF], Jason Kapono [SF/OG], Hassan Adams [OG/SF] and Roko Ukic [PG], in this specific area of the game.

III) The absence of QUALITY DEPTH on the Raptors’ roster is going to be an achilles heel for their team this season, in comparison with the other top flight teams in the NBA this season,

e.g. Boston Celtics, LA Lakers, Detroit Pistons, New Orleans Hornets, Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs, Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks, Utah Jazz, Orlando Magic, Cleveland Cavaliers and Portland Trail Blazers;

as well as, the other 2nd & 3rd tier teams that are in the ‘chase pack’ alongside Toronto.

2nd Comings in the Pacific Northwest

Q1. What are the reasons you have lost your mind and predicted boldly that the 2008-2009 LA Lakers will win 70+ regular season games and capture the NBA Championship?

A1. If you must know, it’s a two-part answer.

PART ONE
The Lakers have done a solid job re-assembling a 1st-class roster of highly talented, athletic, skilled, complimentary players around Phil Jackson & Kobe Bryant, two expert practicioners in their respective fields, i.e. ZenMaster Warlord, and his Most Trusted Samurai. On the heels of the experience this team gained last season, losing in the NBA FINALS, it is now poised to strike back with lethal vengence, this season … to provide the 10th NBA Title, as a coach, for their venorable Sensai; and, the 1st Ring (overall) for his protege, Black Mamba, unaccompanied by his former partner-in-crime, the Biggest-Shogun-of-All-Time. According to these eyes, this is THE season for these Lakers to make history, as a group. Here & Now. Next season? Who knows where Phil Jackson is going to be, at his age? Or, Lamar Odom? Or, Derek Fisher? Or, Tex Winter? Or, the rest of the Lakers’ extended family. The time for this group, to ‘Be In The Moment, as One‘, is NOW. 

“Life is fast; and, things happen quickly”. – Derek Fisher

PART TWO
This MAN, right here …

is about to make his long-awaited debut, in the NBA, this season …

======================

Q & A with Greg Oden
NBA.com: What are your goals for the upcoming season?
Greg Oden: Just to win. To try to get out there and help my team win as much as possible. I’m not really worried about individual stats. For me, if my team can make the playoffs or we can win a lot more games than we did last year, then that will satisfy me.

======================

and this corner just happens to believe that he is going to prove to be, in the long run, the closest thing this League has seen, in the LAST 40 YEARS, to the re-incarnation of The Great Man, himself … Mr. Bill Russell (figuratively speaking, of course, as the original incarnation is still going strong!) combined with Wilt Chamberlain (at his most powerful best) … in terms of his Commitment to REBOUNDING, Defense, Team & Individual Offense AND his overall attitude toward The Game (specifically) & Life (in general).

====================

NBA.com: You got to know the greatest big man in Blazers history, Bill Walton, a little bit. What advice has he shared with you?
Greg Oden: He’s just telling me if you go out there and play, you don’t have to worry about what people say about you in the news or the media. Just go out there and play your game and have fun with it. It’s just a game. You’ve got to understand that you’re a rookie. Don’t put any pressure on yourself that isn’t needed.

======================

If the Lakers DO NOT win the championship this season … each year that goes by it is going to get more and more difficult for them – and the other elite level teams in the Western Conference – to defeat the Portland Trail Blazers, anchored in the middle by Gregory Wayne Oden, Jr., over the course of the next decade, or so.

When you find yourself standing squarely between a Rock (i.e. last year’s group of Boston Celtics) and a Hard Place (Greg Oden’s Portland Trail Blazers for the next 10-15 years) … it can do wonders to create an extraordinary sense of urgency, and R.E.S.P.E.C.T., for the moment at-hand. Carpe Diem!

Destiny Awaits! … THIS, specific Lakers’ team

… which will NEED to strike while the iron is hot … and, before the sparks ignite, full blown, up the Pacific Coastline, in the Emerald City.

Yao Ming or Andrew Bynum: Part II (the call)

The votes for last week’s on-line survey have been tabulated.

=============================

Who is the better player, Yao or Bynum?

Now – Yao 11; Bynum 11
Later – Yao 8; Bynum 14

Which one would Phil Jackson choose as the Center for his team?

Yao 6
Bynum 15

=============================

In sharp contrast to what phdsteve originally postulated … i.e. Yao Ming is a vastly superior player to Andrew Bynum AND the player Phil Jackson would select if asked to choose between the two, as the Center for his team …

Survey Says, “This is far from the definitive perception held by others in the on-line basketball community.”

=============================

Concerning this Corner’s specific rationale …

 

Table 1  ANDREW BYNUM (7-0, 285 LBS, 20 YRS)                                         Season Averages

Year

Team/Age

G

GS

MPG

FG%

3P%

FT%

OFF

DEF

RPG

APG

SPG

BPG

TO

PF

PPG

05-06

LAL/18

46

0

7.3

0.402

0.000

0.296

0.7

1.0

1.7

0.2

0.1

0.5

0.37

1.20

1.6

06-07

LAL/19

82

53

21.9

0.558

0.000

0.668

1.7

4.2

5.9

1.1

0.2

1.6

1.40

3.00

7.8

07-08

LAL/20

35

25

28.8

0.636

0.000

0.695

3.0

7.2

10.2

1.7

0.3

2.1

1.49

2.80

13.1

08-09

LAL/21

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

09-10

???/22

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

10-11

???/23

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

11-12

???/24

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

12-13

???/25

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

13-14

???/26

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

14-15

???/27

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

  

Table 2 YAO MING (7-6, 310 LBS, 27 YRS)                                                    Season Averages
Year	Team/Age	G	GS	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	OFF	DEF	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	TO	PF	PPG
98-99	NA/18
99-00	NA/19
00-01	NA/20
01-02	NA/21
02-03	HOU/22	82	72	29.0	0.498	0.500	0.811	2.4	5.8	8.2	1.7	0.4	1.8	2.11	2.80	13.5
03-04	HOU/23 *	82	82	32.8	0.522	0.000	0.809	2.4	6.6	9.0	1.5	0.3	1.9	2.49	3.30	17.5
04-05	HOU/24 *	80	80	30.6	0.552	0.000	0.783	2.6	5.8	8.4	0.8	0.4	2.0	2.45	3.70	18.3
05-06	HOU/25 *	57	57	34.2	0.519	0.000	0.853	2.6	7.6	10.2	1.5	0.5	1.6	2.58	3.40	22.3
06-07	HOU/26 *	48	48	33.8	0.516	0.000	0.862	2.1	7.3	9.4	2.0	0.3	2.0	3.48	3.30	25.0
07-08	HOU/27 *	55	55	37.2	0.507	0.000	0.850	3.1	7.7	10.8	2.3	0.4	2.0	3.33	3.10	22.0

 

As a Center in the NBA, at 20 years of age, Andrew Bynum is superior to Yao Ming in every statistical category imaginable with the following Career Averages:

 

Table 3 Career Averages up to 20 Years of Age

AGE

GP

GS

MPG

FG%

3P%

FT%

OFF

DEF

RPG

APG

SPG

BPG

TO

PF

PPG

ANDREW BYNUM

20 (3 Years)

163

78

19.3

0.571

0.000

0.649

1.7

3.9

5.6

1.0

0.2

1.3

1.13

2.50

7.2

YAO MING

20 (0 Years)

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

  

Table 4 Career Averages from 22 – 27 Years of Age

Yrs/All-Star

GP

GS

MPG

FG%

3P%

FT%

OFF

DEF

RPG

APG

SPG

BPG

TO

PF

PPG

ANDREW BYNUM

0

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

N-A

YAO MING

6/5-Time

404

394

32.5

0.520

0.111

0.826

2.5

6.6

9.2

1.6

0.4

1.8

2.65

3.30

19.0

  

Given the ‘Rate of Progress’ Andrew Bynum has shown during his first 3 seasons in the NBA [Table 1], at 18, 19 and 20 Years of Age, respectively, and the ‘Rate of Progress’ Yao Ming has shown from 22 – 27 Years Of Age [Table 2] … barring a major injury … it is reasonable to expect that Andrew Bynum will surpass the production values of Yao Ming, at comparable ages.

At this stage of his career [i.e. 20 Years of Age/3 seasons in the NBA], Andrew Bynum [Table 3] is a better basketball player than Yao Ming [Table 4], in terms of Field Goal Shooting Accuracy, Rebounding, Passing, Shot-blocking, Generating of Steals/Turnovers, and Overall Athleticism [Horizontal & Vertical Quickness, Explosive Power, and Coordination].

IMO, if Phil Jackson [LA Lakers coach] was asked today to choose between Yao Ming and Andrew Bynum to fill the Center position on his team, the ZenMaster would select Andrew Bynum.

Bynum runs the floor better in transition [Offensively & Defensively].
Bynum is a more athletic Shot-blocker.
Bynum is a better ‘finisher’, in the air, around the basket.
Bynum is a better sized defender when asked/needed to ‘switch’ checks with a smaller player.

Bynum is at least as good if not a better Rebounder.
Bynum is at least as good if not a better Passer.
Bynum is at least as good if not a better Generator of Steals/Turnover.

Yao is a better Mid-range Shooter.
Yao is a better Free Throw Shooter.

As a complimentary player to Kobe Bryant [Alpha Male No. 1], Bynum is a better fit with a team coached by Phil Jackson which uses the Triangle Offense and relies primarily on players with high levels of agility [physical & mental] on Defense and when Rebounding.

================================

Thanks to all for participating!

Yao Ming or Andrew Bynum … You make the call

Initiated an interesting exchange earlier today on a differnt web site … RaptorsTalk.com … regarding the relative value of these two specific players which warrants further analysis.

phdsteve … believes that Yao Ming is the best 7-footer in the world, and that Phil Jackson would choose Yao Ming over Andrew Bynum as the Center for his team.

khandor (that’s me) … believes that Phil Jackson would choose Andrew Bynum over Yao Ming as the Center for his team.

What do the rest of you in cyberspace think?

All votes submitted in the ‘Comments’ section of this thread over the next 7 days will be tabulated and reported in this space Thursday, August 7, 2008 … with a complete rationale explaining the perspective of this corner, as well as others who might choose to participate.

On your marks …

Get set …

and

Go!

NBA Playoffs – Finals Preview

 

 

(1) BOSTON CELTICS (H)	(2) LA LAKERS
By the Numbers
QIR – #1 (6) Points Differential Rank – #1 Points Allowed Rank – #2 Rebounding Differential Rank – #3	QIR – #10 (30) Points Differential Rank – #3 Points Allowed Rank – #19 Rebounding Differential Rank – #8
Basketball Acumen
Home court advantage. Should be betting favourite. Team D is THE story, fuelled by KG. Must turn Kobe into volume shooter; clamp down elsewhere. Key Match-up: Thom Thibodeau vs The Triangle. Will win the series with a Positive (+) Rebounding Differential.	Betting favourite. Quickness and size at all positions. Top notch offensive execution. Rebounding & interior D questionable without Bynum. Must get points from multiple sources, not just the MVP. Key Match-up: Team Rebounding Differential. Lakers’ year is 2008-2009.
Who will win
“No Rebounds, No Rings.” – Pat Riley … Ubuntu: I am what I am because of who we all are … Celtics in 7.

NBA Playoffs Conference Finals Preview

Eastern Conference Finals

(1) BOSTON CELTICS (H)	(2) DETROIT PISTONS
By the Numbers
QIR – #1 (6) Points Differential Rank – #1 Points Allowed Rank – #2 Rebounding Differential Rank – #3	QIR – #2 (10) Points Differential Rank – #2 Points Allowed Rank – #1 Rebounding Differential Rank – #7
Basketball Acumen
Still the team to beat in the East with home court advantage. Team D is The Story, fuelled by KG. Must find a way to shake lose Ray Ray on Offense. Easier said than done. Key Match-up: Doc Rivers vs Flip Saunders, especially, during the last 6 minutes of each game.	Good enough to win the series. Quality depth is outstanding. Top notch young players will need to continue stellar play. Rodney Stuckey (PG) is the Real Deal. Must assert their collective will to match the Celtics on the glass. Key Match-up: ‘Good’ Sheed vs ‘Bad’ Sheed.
Who will win
It’s going to go 7 games … and it’s just too close to call.

 

Western Conference Finals

(1) LA LAKERS (H)	(3) SAN ANTONIO SPURS
By the Numbers
QIR – #10 (30) Points Differential Rank – #3 Points Allowed Rank – #19 Rebounding Differential Rank – #8	QIR – #7 (23) Points Differential Rank – #8 Points Allowed Rank – #3 Rebounding Differential Rank – #12
Basketball Acumen
Will need to out-score the Spurs. Bench must continue to score, making open shots. Key Match-up: Kobe vs Ginobili. Without Bynum, should be the underdog in this specific match-up. Must improve interior D to have a chance. Ariza’s D & Rebounding will be missed. Will go as far as the MVP takes them.	The Heart of a Champion. Quality depth is first rate. Versatile and physical. Veteran role players know what it takes to win. Will win the series if they can dominate the glass. Team ethos is the best in the League. Key Match-up: Gregg Popovich vs Phil Jackson, the two best coaches in the NBA today.
Who will win
It’s going to go 7 games … and it’s just too close to call.