2-0 in the preseason. Again I don’t get hype about preseason games but a win, is a win, is a win. And starting a habit of winning no matter the circumstances is important.
Ok so I found this clip. Watch Elton take Reggie off the dribble from the three point line with a nice ass cross over and spin back for an easy lay-up.
All I care about is him moving. Showing some agility, some ball skills. Brand seems to have slimmed down a bit so hopefully that translates into more quickness and explosion. And hopefully his ball skills will help him take bigger, slower defenders off the bounce from the perimeter when the match-up is adventagous.
We shot horribly tonight 37% but made free throws (21-22) and rebounded well.
I only have one individual player to point out. Jason Smith in two games has taken 12 shots, 5 of which have been threes and zero free throws. Just something to really keep an eye on as we get closer to the season.
The reason I point this out is, having a new offense I want to get a sense of what types of shots guys will be getting. This is just the first trend I see developing with one player.
Anyone watch or listen to the whole game? What are you thoughts.
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those are some red unis
Danny, Iggy may get 8 ass. per game this year with the spread court. He made some real nice passes tonight. The team was sloppy tonight but that probably will be the case with so many new roles being established. Jason forced some plays tonight, trying a pump fake and step around jumper a few times. L.Will. seems to like to dribble handoff quickly and look to get the ball back off a cut rather than pounding the ball up top, a good sign .
Jesus christ…games against the Raptors might as well not count with their defense. The highlight of that clip was watching Andrea Bargnani not even move a toe nail to rotate and get in position for help defense, opting of course to stay glued to the dangerous offensive presence of Sammy Dalembert. Chris Bosh is gone after this season.
Def. a nice play by Elton…an underrated trait of his has always been his handle. For a big man, he has great dribbling skill. I remember in his Duke days seeing old footage of him and Shane Battier goofing off playing one on one and being surprised at how many times Elton shook him with a pretty looking crossover facing the basket.
Alright, that was a nice move. Let’s hope some freak injury doesn’t take him out for the third year in a row.
You see DeRozan fake interest in helping Reggie? You can see freeze the second he realizes he may take a charge from Elton, which I would imagine, is a lot like taking a charge Brian Urlacher.
5 dribbles and a reverse spin around a straight up, totally uncommitted Evans (and obliging pals) … great guns, that Elton … knew he’d be back. One question: What happens if a defender or 2 come on the scene?
JJG - Welcome back.
Well, hopefully Brand shows the ability to score in traffic this season which was my biggest concern with him last year. AND prove he isn’t as turnover prone when pressured as he looked last season as well.
Two biggies for me with Brand.
Dannie, Thanks.
I second your Brand concerns. Both are still in question. Being fit is one thing; playing ball well is another. And, of course, his pre-season talk is easy - and sometimes happy gibberish. He should get close to his career numbers if he stays healthy and on court for 35-38 but I wonder about the efficiency and true impact of his total game. Can he impose on seriously resistant opponents, i.e. Celts, on both ends of court? I don’t think so but look forward to soon finding out. Capable of occasional strong games but “over the hill” or “on the fade” is my general thinking on him.
One thing to keep in mind with the helpers: The previous game, Brand drove around Evans, Bargnani rotated to help, Brand smoothly dished to Sam who slammed it home. So, that play was not an isolated incident.