Post by kmatrixg on Nov 17, 2010 23:02:10 GMT -5
We're 20 games into the season, and things have been going a little better than the team expected so far. There have been some surprises, good and bad, on both sides of the ball - but most notably has been the offensive outburst from second year forward Andy Ellis out of Texas Tech.
Ellis averaged just 7 points and 6 rebounds last season in a small time bench role, and was nearly traded this past offseason, however, looking back Gm Mister Stephens is sure glad he didn't trade this polished 23 year old.
Andy Ellis:
Through the first 20 games, Ellis has become the clear cut 2nd option on the young team, averaging just over 15 points and 8 rebounds, and has been extremely solid on the defensive end despite his lack of speed versus opposing forwards.
He is 3rd on the team in steals, and has become a reliable defensive stopper late in games off the bench. His most impressive game so far came against All League First Teamer Antoine Walker and the playoff hungry Wizards on Day 28 of the season. Walker came into the game averaging 23 points per game on 46% from the field, and 50% from beyond the arc.
Walker struggled to find a shot, yet alone make one as he attempted only 10 for the game, and made just 3 of those finishing with 9 points and 4 personal fouls in just 23 minutes.
His most impressive game offensively came on Day 22 against the ultra-competitive San Antonio Spurs in which he finished with 32 points and 8 rebounds on 11-23 shooting from the floor. Ellis consistently hit shots from all over the floor, including 1-1 from beyond the arc, and 9-10 from the free throw line.
Ellis attributes his recent hot hand to extra practice, and great competition in practice. "Ya know, playin against guys like Tay[shaun Prince] and Tyson all week, two of the best position defenders I've played against, these guys comin into games seem like stuffed animals. Tay really brings it no matter what the game is - practice, pick up, or a season matchup. It doesn't matter really to him, its all about winning."
Kendrick Perkins:
Word around Raptors camp is that starting PF Kendrick Perkins is underperforming in every aspect of his game. He is averaging a meager 7 rebounds, and just over a block - numbers that recently traded John Thomas averaged in 18 minutes off the bench. The coaching staff is working diligently to get Perkins as comfortable as he can possibly be during his first year transition from defending 6-3 white kids to legit 7 foot superstars.
Coach Wesley Stephens, GM Mister Stephens' son, had this to say about the progression of Kendrick, "He's still a kid fresh out of high school. Everyone knew he wasn't a LeBron James, so we all have to be patient with his progression. Still, you have to admit it's impressive the pace he is learning just 20 games into his first season. He went from fouling out in 20 minutes, to lasting all half, and playing 30 minutes a game. We haven't given up on the big baby yet - and I doubt we will ever have to. I see great things in this guy."
Dwyane Wade:
The least surprising, (almost underachieving) has been rookie guard Dwyane Wade, chosen with the 3rd overall pick. Through his first twenty, Wade has been used as the teams starting Point, as well as his natural Off-Guard slot. His numbers aren't bad - but they aren't nearly as well as fellow draftees James (Boston) and Anthony (Chicago). But Mister Stephens isn't worried about his play at all. "If we wanted to draft the Rookie of the Year, we would have lost 82 games last season and picked LeBron... What? I'm not allowed to give my prediction publically? F--- You guys."
With that said - Stephens is satisfied with Wade so far this season. He's shown bits of brilliance in his young career, while averaging 18 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists. However, his immaturity proved fatal when given the chance to run the team for a short stretch - averaging more turnovers than assists - where the team went 1-4.
"Wade creates his own shots, and he's the best at it that I've seen in a long time" said coach Stephens. "What we need to do is surround him with lights out shooters, because he's going to be driving the ball every possession before you know it, and chances are great that opposing defenses won't be able to stop him. In the off chance they do, we'll have guys lined up around the block ready to hit the open three."
Most importantly so far has been Wades ability to shut down the opposition night in and night out. He is averaging 1.7 steals, and 1.3 blocks so far, good for best on the team.
Tyson Chandler:
Leading the team in block is team linchpin Tyson Chandler who, in his first 20 with his new team, is averaging a team high 2.8 blocks, which is also good enough for 6th best in the SSBL. Drafted 5th overall in 2001, Chandler is also a fellow high-school to SSBL player at just 21 years old.
His defense is paying great dividends for this team, as the Raptors overall have limited opposing teams to just 95 points a game - also 6th best in the league. Tyson is performing up to par in every sense of his game, averaging 8 points, 8 rebounds and his 2.8 blocks.
The most concerning part of his game is certainly his shot selection. Apparently Chandler came into camp with a new weapon - the 12 foot elbow jumper. Proving his confidence, he take a couple of those ill advised shots each game - bringing his field goal percentage down to 39%, absolutely awful for a center of his size.
As a young team - Defense is normally the last thing that becomes mastered. But, many believers point to the coaching staff for preaching help defense, ball pressure, and tempo control vehemently. "They're on us 5-6 hours a day running drills on tempo, traps, pressure, collapsing... it's non stop 3 days a week outside of games" says Wade, who is obviously getting the most out of his practice time.
Paccellis Morlende:
New into the starting lineup is yet another rookie, this time handling the point guard duties for the future. In the past month, he has proven very effective, more so than during his preseason stint in which he averaged just 8 points and 5 assists.
This time around, whether it a result of practice, or actual in-game experience, Morlende has proven his worth with the 51st overall selection in the past draft. In 31 minutes of action, "Pac-Man" as Mister Stephens calls him, has averaged 13.8 points, 7 assists, 4.6 rebounds on a lights out 60% from the field and 57% from beyond the arc.
His ability to distribute the ball effectively has caused scoring bursts from every position - not to mention he led the team to a 4-2 record in the teams last 6 games. His offensive awareness is incredible for his age, knowing when to shoot, and when not to... something most Point Guards these days have a lot of trouble figuring out.
Feeding his teammates isn't the only impressive quality he has shown. His defense, along with the rest of the team, has been very decent, almost to a point of being known as a defensive minded player.
"I feel like I always have been able to play this way - in France, and now in the NBA. It was a matter of time before I get used to the speed of this game, and exploit its weakness. From here, I practice more, continue to improve, and help my team whatever way I can" says Morlende.
[Imagine French accent 8)]
Overall, the teams record does not account for the strides they have accomplished so early in 2003, and what this core shall accomplish for many years to come.
"Everyone in the building is excited, despite the 6-12 record right now" explains Mister Stephens. "At this point, the only thing people are thinking about is the future. Whether that future is at the end of this season, or next week being just 2 games out of the playoff hunt, that's what we're focused on as a team. Playing together, learning together, hurting, losing, winning, smiling - whatever it may be, we do as a team."
Ellis averaged just 7 points and 6 rebounds last season in a small time bench role, and was nearly traded this past offseason, however, looking back Gm Mister Stephens is sure glad he didn't trade this polished 23 year old.
Andy Ellis:
Through the first 20 games, Ellis has become the clear cut 2nd option on the young team, averaging just over 15 points and 8 rebounds, and has been extremely solid on the defensive end despite his lack of speed versus opposing forwards.
He is 3rd on the team in steals, and has become a reliable defensive stopper late in games off the bench. His most impressive game so far came against All League First Teamer Antoine Walker and the playoff hungry Wizards on Day 28 of the season. Walker came into the game averaging 23 points per game on 46% from the field, and 50% from beyond the arc.
Walker struggled to find a shot, yet alone make one as he attempted only 10 for the game, and made just 3 of those finishing with 9 points and 4 personal fouls in just 23 minutes.
His most impressive game offensively came on Day 22 against the ultra-competitive San Antonio Spurs in which he finished with 32 points and 8 rebounds on 11-23 shooting from the floor. Ellis consistently hit shots from all over the floor, including 1-1 from beyond the arc, and 9-10 from the free throw line.
Ellis attributes his recent hot hand to extra practice, and great competition in practice. "Ya know, playin against guys like Tay[shaun Prince] and Tyson all week, two of the best position defenders I've played against, these guys comin into games seem like stuffed animals. Tay really brings it no matter what the game is - practice, pick up, or a season matchup. It doesn't matter really to him, its all about winning."
Kendrick Perkins:
Word around Raptors camp is that starting PF Kendrick Perkins is underperforming in every aspect of his game. He is averaging a meager 7 rebounds, and just over a block - numbers that recently traded John Thomas averaged in 18 minutes off the bench. The coaching staff is working diligently to get Perkins as comfortable as he can possibly be during his first year transition from defending 6-3 white kids to legit 7 foot superstars.
Coach Wesley Stephens, GM Mister Stephens' son, had this to say about the progression of Kendrick, "He's still a kid fresh out of high school. Everyone knew he wasn't a LeBron James, so we all have to be patient with his progression. Still, you have to admit it's impressive the pace he is learning just 20 games into his first season. He went from fouling out in 20 minutes, to lasting all half, and playing 30 minutes a game. We haven't given up on the big baby yet - and I doubt we will ever have to. I see great things in this guy."
Dwyane Wade:
The least surprising, (almost underachieving) has been rookie guard Dwyane Wade, chosen with the 3rd overall pick. Through his first twenty, Wade has been used as the teams starting Point, as well as his natural Off-Guard slot. His numbers aren't bad - but they aren't nearly as well as fellow draftees James (Boston) and Anthony (Chicago). But Mister Stephens isn't worried about his play at all. "If we wanted to draft the Rookie of the Year, we would have lost 82 games last season and picked LeBron... What? I'm not allowed to give my prediction publically? F--- You guys."
With that said - Stephens is satisfied with Wade so far this season. He's shown bits of brilliance in his young career, while averaging 18 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists. However, his immaturity proved fatal when given the chance to run the team for a short stretch - averaging more turnovers than assists - where the team went 1-4.
"Wade creates his own shots, and he's the best at it that I've seen in a long time" said coach Stephens. "What we need to do is surround him with lights out shooters, because he's going to be driving the ball every possession before you know it, and chances are great that opposing defenses won't be able to stop him. In the off chance they do, we'll have guys lined up around the block ready to hit the open three."
Most importantly so far has been Wades ability to shut down the opposition night in and night out. He is averaging 1.7 steals, and 1.3 blocks so far, good for best on the team.
Tyson Chandler:
Leading the team in block is team linchpin Tyson Chandler who, in his first 20 with his new team, is averaging a team high 2.8 blocks, which is also good enough for 6th best in the SSBL. Drafted 5th overall in 2001, Chandler is also a fellow high-school to SSBL player at just 21 years old.
His defense is paying great dividends for this team, as the Raptors overall have limited opposing teams to just 95 points a game - also 6th best in the league. Tyson is performing up to par in every sense of his game, averaging 8 points, 8 rebounds and his 2.8 blocks.
The most concerning part of his game is certainly his shot selection. Apparently Chandler came into camp with a new weapon - the 12 foot elbow jumper. Proving his confidence, he take a couple of those ill advised shots each game - bringing his field goal percentage down to 39%, absolutely awful for a center of his size.
As a young team - Defense is normally the last thing that becomes mastered. But, many believers point to the coaching staff for preaching help defense, ball pressure, and tempo control vehemently. "They're on us 5-6 hours a day running drills on tempo, traps, pressure, collapsing... it's non stop 3 days a week outside of games" says Wade, who is obviously getting the most out of his practice time.
Paccellis Morlende:
New into the starting lineup is yet another rookie, this time handling the point guard duties for the future. In the past month, he has proven very effective, more so than during his preseason stint in which he averaged just 8 points and 5 assists.
This time around, whether it a result of practice, or actual in-game experience, Morlende has proven his worth with the 51st overall selection in the past draft. In 31 minutes of action, "Pac-Man" as Mister Stephens calls him, has averaged 13.8 points, 7 assists, 4.6 rebounds on a lights out 60% from the field and 57% from beyond the arc.
His ability to distribute the ball effectively has caused scoring bursts from every position - not to mention he led the team to a 4-2 record in the teams last 6 games. His offensive awareness is incredible for his age, knowing when to shoot, and when not to... something most Point Guards these days have a lot of trouble figuring out.
Feeding his teammates isn't the only impressive quality he has shown. His defense, along with the rest of the team, has been very decent, almost to a point of being known as a defensive minded player.
"I feel like I always have been able to play this way - in France, and now in the NBA. It was a matter of time before I get used to the speed of this game, and exploit its weakness. From here, I practice more, continue to improve, and help my team whatever way I can" says Morlende.
[Imagine French accent 8)]
Overall, the teams record does not account for the strides they have accomplished so early in 2003, and what this core shall accomplish for many years to come.
"Everyone in the building is excited, despite the 6-12 record right now" explains Mister Stephens. "At this point, the only thing people are thinking about is the future. Whether that future is at the end of this season, or next week being just 2 games out of the playoff hunt, that's what we're focused on as a team. Playing together, learning together, hurting, losing, winning, smiling - whatever it may be, we do as a team."
