Where teddies indicate current SUSTAINED intensity from 0-10 (0 being Yogi Stewart, 10 Kevin Garnett) and grey bars indicate potential; ie. playing with KG or Stephen Jackson would probably bring each guy close to intensity potential.
Fresh off viewing the bloody battle that was the Denver-GoldenState game, it was tough to compare the intensity of any of the partaking players to that of the anemic Raptors . One legitimate knock on Sam Mitchell has been his inability to toughen, energize and breed some intensity in this Raptors team.
What soft is, is harder to define than what soft ISN’T. The opposite of soft has many champions in this league; those found setting a hard pick, grabbing a board in traffic, taking a charge on a big man, hitting the floor, diving into the stands for a ball, driving to absorb contact, getting pissed at the refs on occasion…speaking of which:
Here are some teams who give a fuck (you think there might be a correlation between technicals and intensity (and winning)?)
*ignore the Clippers. Not just from this point, but in all instances.
#30 out of 30 teams. I’m not suggesting Rasheed’ing the refs at all times is positive, but playing with some edge on occasion might get the fans standing up and cheering from time to time (when free pizza is not involved).
April 11th, 2008 at 9:26 am
Quote in today’s Star:
“We have arguably a more talented team than last year, we have arguably under-utilized some of that talent to some extent this year at various points throughout the year,” the team’s president and general manager said yesterday.
I think that we’ll get our wish this offseason. I’m starting to see a trend in BC’s quotes.
April 11th, 2008 at 9:44 am
Fairly accurate assessment, although I would think Jose has at least a couple more “teddies” than that. I like Primoz count, because it doesn’t discrimate between intensity and actual results on the floor.
April 11th, 2008 at 9:55 am
Jose was actually the hardest to plot on this one…
Reason he was docked at least 1 to 2 teddies, heh, was his inability to even slightly hinder penetrating guards. A c-dribble is usually all it takes to get a step on him. In his case, I think it’s more of a case of poor defensive fundamentals than it is a lack of effort - improvement definitely possible. (see Nash’s improvement over the past 3 or 4 years)
April 11th, 2008 at 10:50 am
I am a season ticket holder too and my seats have plain sight of the bench and I must admit, this is one of the things that really irritates me about this team.
When a timeout is called (usually too late) to stop a run from the opposing team, they walk back to the bench barely even angry or frustrated at their recent play.
They sit, and with the exception of Bosh, Calderon or Rasho on occasion, no one tries to talk things out.
Worse still, the coaching staff (after they huddle) rarely show any energy themselves in order to incite some more passion.
April 11th, 2008 at 11:00 am
we would have at least 10 more wins if every player played with the intensity of Primoz (when he plays).
April 11th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
Jim: I agree completely.
That, combined with the team’s performance has to spell the end of Sam.
You have to ask yourself what Sam actually brings to the table. People often argue that what he lacks in baskeball IQ/X’s and O’s, he makes up by being a player’s coach.
That advantage was clear last year. But this year, now that his only advantage has faded and led to complacency, it’s time.
Let’s just take these playoffs to allow our team some last moments to toughen up and gain valuable experience.
April 11th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
Hello from Spain.
Jose should have a pair of teddies more and Garbo deserves any.
except Jose, Bosh, Rasho, Garbo and maybe Delfine, the rest of the team seem like zombies.
In addition I gotta tell you that the crowd in Toronto(and NBA) seem sleepy and that doesn’t help the team intensity.
In Europe the crowd sings and cheer their team all the time, even loosing.
For example:
Spanish spectators in MSG:
http://es.youtube.com/watch?v=O77_RzLGIsA&NR=1
http://es.youtube.com/watch?v=wh99r1OkCBI&feature=related
April 11th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
I forgot.
Fire Sam Mitchell!!!
Calderon for starter.
April 12th, 2008 at 2:39 am
Nakamura:
As I mentioned above, I had the hardest time assigning Jose the ‘teddies’, as he is very energized when he plays…my only knock on him, is that he is currently too weak defensively. Opposing guards can make a layup on him if they aren’t stopped by a penetrating player.
That said, now, I think he deserves at least another point because he brings the overall team energy up when he’s out there.
My mistake.
Also, Toronto crowds can be passionate when they see their teams being passionate (but never, ever as passionate as a Real/Barca/Sevilla crowd. Valencia, maybe.)
April 12th, 2008 at 6:33 pm
About the Jose’s defense:
I’ve got a theory:
I’ve been watching NBA games since 2 years ago and I’ve seen how a lot of europeans players defense is not as well as they play in europe because(I think) D in NBA is played almost always 1 vs 1 or 2 vs 2 and not like a team concept and most people only see stats and say:”no blocks, no steals -> no good defense”, and that’s against europeans players D cause defense is played in europe always like a team concept(mix single defense and zone defense) and in NBA zone defenses aren’t effective(because 3 secons zone fault).
Other important reason is that american players are the best in 1 vs 1 and 2 vs 2 situations.
And Garbajos had an great impact in Raptors and the like because of his team defense and knowledge of the game, despite his block and rebounds stat could be better.
Pd: Congratulations for the web.
April 13th, 2008 at 10:00 am
I see dear jose, who plays to his best potential (he has no defensive awareness in terms how to stay in front of people so how should that matter in terms of intensity) but you “dock him” teddies? Yet there is arguably the worst defensive superstar in this league in Chris Bosh and because he gets the occasional dunk and waves his head up and down pounding on his dreads, you dock him nothing? Would it be fair to say you’re saying the difference between KG/Kobe/ and Bosh is ONE teddy? Being a little giving are we?
Seconly- two players you might have way too low-
1. Carlos Delfino
2. Andrea Bargnani
Andrea plays with a lot of passion. His problem is habitual. He tries his best on defense although he does have a problem picking up fouls and a coach who NEVER lets him play through it. IF there was EVER a ref who could understand Italian and Andrea was having a good game, he would be tech’ed out in the first 9 minutes. This is one really passionate guy but his way of showing it is inwardly, and Bosh’s is overly extreme outwardly. Bosh has a Nowitzki written all over him. No defense, likes to think he’s the greatest, rags on team mates about “closing” when he might be the least clutch superstar in the league.
In fact after factoring in that he
a. Can’t take over games
b. Can’t play defense
c. Can’t post up on offense
I’m going to conclude that on a championship contender, Bosh is at BEST a second option, with a significantly better first option to play with. Kobe, Lebron, Duncan, Garnett, Wade (anny other season)… you just can’t tell me 20/10 and youth can make you a superstar. There is NOTHING at this point that seperates Chris Bosh from a young Antawn Jamison except that he’s more exciting to watch. Shit, I’d argue that at his prime Jamison was a better player but nobody will listen.
If someone offered
CP3
Dwight
Brandon Roy
Kevin Durant
I’d take it and RUN for the hills laughing. At this point I don’t think Toronto realized what a B-list superstar they have here. A LOT of players when given the 17-18 shots a game can give you 21/10 with no defense and no clutch performances. I won’t except “he’s young” because it’s the same freaking problem every year. He wont’ add weight to his frame and honestly he just gets abused on defense, but because he rarely tries people don’t see him getting schooled. I did however see two scrubs who are mopping floors this season shut him down in the playoffs last season in Moore and Collins. Anyone who thinks a matchup with Rasheed is to Bosh’s advantage is nuts.
If the Raptors face Detroit, and traded Bosh for Sheed prior to game one, I’d argue they actually had a shot to win. Just because Det would have a liability who couldn’t score agasint us except for with his foul-line extended jumper, and a guy who would cough up the ball ever second we doubled him.
The big statement
Andrea Bargnani habbits aside IS a MORE talented player than Chris Bosh. Handles, passing, all the intangibles… once you take out Bosh’s athleticism, number one status on offense, and his referee love, you can’t explain to me where he’s a better player than Andrea… again, I mean in the long-run and not in Sam Mitchell’s idiotic offense. a GREAT coach could get more out of Andrea than he could out of Bosh.
April 13th, 2008 at 10:18 am
Messiah:
Bosh’s intensity - I have him at a 7 on this chart (nowhere close to Kobe/KG’s likely 10). The grey bars were only meant to be what his MAX might be.
Jose - Admittedly, in retrospect, he needs an adjustment to at LEAST a 6, and arguably a 7. I still think he has room for improvement defensively (where an ability to stop a player, would enhance his ability to showcase his otherwise brimming intensity on that end of the court.)
Bargnani - Has a high potential which I will agree with. I think his max can be even higher, but hasn’t blossomed yet. Again, poor role/miscoaching. I think having him at a 4 is fair, given his inconsistencies to date.
As far as CB4’s lack of clutch, I think you are being a tad harsh. Picture him with a well balanced, spaced out offense and more experience — he’d likely be able to handle double teams a lot better. (Remember, KG was considered not clutch prior to this year - only because it was so easy to hone in on him as a late-game option within the one-pronged TWolves offense).
April 13th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
Messiah….. could not disagree with you more about BARNS….
I see no passion in him what-so-ever. I think 4 teddies are way too high….
the dude is 7 foot and cant rebound nor dunk.
his goofy foot work, inconsistent shot, and bad fouls…. i can understand and will accept them as nba growing pains.
however…. two basic, elementary level basketball mistakes that he does…. doesnt move his feet on defense and box out….
there is no technique to teach these skills…. u have to want to do them.
As for CB4…. time will tell… he does have many faults to his game but I believe if he changes 1 thing, he ll develop into a legit 1a superstar…..
work his offense from the inside out…. he establish himself on the inside…. drive to the hoop…. attack the basket before taking those mid range J’s, he ll be more successful.
20/10 can easily turn to 25/12…
each yr i do see his game develop more from the inside. last yr all his post moves involved a start right spin left…
this yr he has used a turn-around J, up n under, and baby hook.
he still has a way to go, but atleast he is progressing into the right direction.
April 13th, 2008 at 8:18 pm
hahaha “wimps”
April 15th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
Love the chart! I take exception with Delfino’s score, though, although I know why he scored low. He does appear indifferent at times, but I can also remember a number of games this year when he was the only one driving to the net, taking charges, and mizing it up. But consistency counts, so I’d only argue for a couple more teddies. (Take a few more off Kapono and give ‘em to Delf.)
April 15th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
Hi Al:
Agreed, especially with his play over the last 3. Saw him slap a forearm hard enough against Charlotte that the player ended up missing the resulting free throw. Bosh followed suit by knocking a guy on his ass shortly after.
The problem I had with those efforts, is that they aren’t sustained (I used the word under the graph as a blanket ‘out’ for the sure protestation I’d get).
There isn’t a sense of timing to them - almost as if Delfino gets Nam-like flashbacks of the rugged Pistons days and then hones in on his man.
If he wanted it bad enough, (as shown at the start of the season), his instinctual nose for the rebound and deceptive wingspan, could grab him 8 boards nightly. If he wanted.
April 15th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
except Jose, Bosh, Rasho, Garbo and maybe Delfine, the rest of the team seem like zombies.
———–
Delfino and Rasho are possibly the biggest zombies on and off the court. Don’t bring your Euro bias into this, mate.
(see Nash’s improvement over the past 3 or 4 years)
———————
Are you kidding me? I know this is Canada and all, but Nash plays NO defense. He’s one of the easiest guys to score on in the NBA. Calderon plays no defense either…it’s just not in his game.
Really, I know this blog/site is filled with Sam and TJ haters, but do try to get the facts right on occasion.
April 15th, 2008 at 4:13 pm
KG_: Missed my point.
Nash was deplorable defensively 4 years ago. Today, Nash is a better defensive player than Calderon. That fits the definition of improvement - I was implying that anything is possible if the effort is there.
I don’t buy the ‘not in his game’ copout. Passing wasn’t in Kobe’s game either; now it is, and they’re the best in the league.
Also, use of the word ‘hater’ implies that there’s no basis or evidence put forth. Not the case here. If you can refute any of the anti-TJ/Sam thoughts here with an intelligent argument, please go ahead and do so. Otherwise you’re nothing but a ‘firesammitchell hater’.