Apr 20, 2015
On Raptors struggles, Clippers' energy and more
TSN's Jack Armstrong offers his thoughts on the Raptors struggles in Game 1, the deceptively effective Beno Udrih, Teague and Schroder in Atlanta, the energy of the Clippers and the efficiency of Derrick Rose.
TSN's Jack Armstrong offers his thoughts on the Raptors struggles in Game 1, the deceptively effective Beno Udrih, Teague and Schroder in Atlanta, the energy of the Clippers and the efficiency of Derrick Rose.
1. RAPTORS LOSE GAME 1: This is not an encouraging result. The Raptors were the only team with the better seed and home court advantage to lose Game 1. Doesn't bode well unless things get cleaned up real quick. Firstly, defensive rebounding was poor with minimal effort made to hit people and box out. Defensive effort was terrific so that was encouraging now it's a matter of closing the deal after forcing missed shots with making the effort to be physical and win 50/50 battles.
Secondly, don't kid yourself--great sacrifice on the defensive end (an absolute must) has a wearing effect on how you play offensively, particularly if you're not used to playing that way (should be a habit) during the regular season which has been an issue for this team this season. The Wizards' traps and perimeter defensive effort was effective which they need to counter better. The degree of sharp execution with proper spacing, cutting, screens and screen usage are huge. Have to show better offensive toughness when fatigued against a swarming and physical defence in the half court and not play soft. This was a similar issue last year when it became a game of hand-to-hand combat last year in the playoffs vs. Brooklyn, they wilted under the pressure and weren't able to sustain on both ends consistently. Can this team do it? Yes. Sure can. Not easy but it's imperative.
Thirdly, James Johnson and Chuck Hayes: I'm not advocating playing 11 guys. The reason I mention these guys is that both can rebound. Hayes is one of the few guys left in the league that actually knows how to fundamentally box his man out and play positional defence while Johnson (even though he's a wild card and you have no idea what you're getting night to night) has the ability to defend, rebound and make plays with his size athleticism at the 3-spot that Terrence Ross (particularly if he isn't making shots) just doesn't do. I'm sure as the series goes on, Coach Dwane Casey will shorten the leash on some of his other guys in his 9-man rotation if they don't produce and play to their potential and consider alternatives. The reality is the Raptors have squandered home court for the second straight season on Day 1 of the playoffs and have a similar fight that they couldn't navigate last year on their hands. Can it be a different script this season? I believe it can (I picked the Raps in 7) yet you can't keep repeating the same mistakes. Can't wait to see how they come out in Game 2 and play to their true potential. I believe they will. They'll be prepared.
2. BENO UDRIH (Grizzlies): He was awesome Sunday night vs. the banged up Blazers (they're in deep trouble) with 20 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. Classic case of you can't tell a book by its cover. He's a deceptively effective player who finds a way to impact the game despite his lack of physical presence. Very crafty and skilled. In the right place at the right time. Nice to have depth and he came up huge when they needed it.
3. JEFF TEAGUE and DENNIS SCHRODER (Hawks): How many times have you watched Atlanta this season and seen these two guys give you only five assists and yet turn the ball over eight times? Rarely. Was quite surprised to see how poorly they played and in my opinion, it's an aberration. They've been really good this year and a big reason for the sucess of the Hawks with their execution of the pick and roll and awesome playmaking on dribble penetration. When they are at their best, this squad is so tough to beat. On Sunday, they didn't blow me away at all and that has to change for this club to go deep. Chalk it up to a bad day at the office--yet they won--which is always a good thing.
4. CLIPPERS: Love the energy I saw Sunday night from them defensively holding the outstanding Spurs offence to only 92 points on 36 and 30 per cent shooting while forcing 14 turnovers. They played really hard. Ball pressure was sound, they got to shooters, played with physicality, help and recovery along with rotations were sharp. Chris Paul was brilliant yet this club needs to have the defensive mind-set/determination that it exhibited to be really good. Build on it.
5. DERRICK ROSE (Bulls): Game 2 Monday vs. the Bucks. Very encouraged by what I saw from him in Game 1 with 23 points and seven assists with good efficiency (9-16 FG's). If he can just be this player consistently, the Bulls can make a lot of noise in the postseason. The fact that there is space in between games probably helps him more than any other player in the playoffs. Curious to see if he can back up what he did on Saturday. If so, watch out even more for the Bulls.