Built Ford Tough

What makes you think that his problems are an effort thing, though? His defensive problems are much more due to his lack of strength and lapses of focus than a lack of effort. The lack of strength results in him getting picked off way too easily and the lapses of focus is common for a young player, especially one with little man-to-man experience like DeRozan. By no means do I think he will become a defensive juggernaut but I really don't see any real major flaws in his effort or compete level on that end of the floor now that Casey has made it clear that if you don't defend you don't play. His problems are fixable ones. Rebounding wise he is basically average now and I would like to see him average more given his size, but part of the Raptors system is that DeRozan leaks out to try and get a transition opportunity, since that is where he is at his best. As for the scoring, I think his efficiency will improve, but I agree his point totals like won't see much more than a 1-1.5 point increase. I fully believe that his mid range jumper will come back to him and even though he will likely never be a consistent three point threat, he makes up for it with his great free throw rate, which should only improve as he gains strength and becomes better at creating off the bounce. His ceiling as a scorer is likely a #3 on a contender or #2 on an average team. Fair enough, though. I can see where you are coming from and I understand the logic you are using. I think part of your opinion may be a bit skewered due to his first two years under Triano where defense really wasn't a priority. His effort has improved under Casey, but he does still have those mental lapses which should hopefully become less frequent with experience.

Or, better yet, don't post in a thread that you have no interest in other than to troll a group of people? Nah, that makes too much sense. Oh yeah, this thread is done as it is clearly going nowhere productive.

Casey is too good of a coach. Colangelo and management have done basically everything he can to make the roster as poor as possible. They've shut down Bargnani for the year, shut down Bayless, have sat out Calderon for 3 games due to minor injury, traded Barbosa for a 2nd round pick and are starting 2 D-League call ups and also have another as their backup point guard. You really can't do much more from a management perspective. Casey is just too good of a coach and getting the absolute most out of the very little talent he has to work with.

I'm glad Carkner only got a game (I would've been fine with 2 as well) but I made my thoughts on that perfectly clear last night so I won't bring that up again. As for Hagelin, I'm with you guys. I hate it. I definitely think there was clear intent on the hit since he was looking at Alfredsson's head and raised the elbow, but I thought at most 1 game, and even that would've been harsh. I think he should've gotten 5 and a game instead of just the 5 minute major and that would've been enough. Anyways, I really hope the ice isn't too bad for the Canucks and Kings game tonight. The Laker game didn't finish until around 3:30 which gave them very little time to get the ice switched over. I know that the ice quality in MSG is usually pretty poor because of how often it is switched out and I just hope we don't see that tonight.

I agree that he won't be a first option that you can build around (and I really don't think anybody ever really thought he would become one) or a consistent 20+ scorer, but I highly disagree that he won't get any better than he currently is. Even if his numbers go down he still could easily be a better player if he chips in on the glass, improves his playmaking and becomes a more consistent defender. One point that gets overlooked about his defense (and I mentioned it in the article) is that he played zone all throughout high school and never played man-to-man until his only year at USC. That means he has really only been playing man-to-man defense for 4 years, and 2 of those years were with Jay Triano as his coach, which means they hardly even count considering the complete lack of emphasis put on defense. This is really his first year playing for a coach who truly preaches and emphasizes defense. The other thing is that it was well known he was considered a project when he was drafted and that it would take to the end of his rookie deal before you would be able to truly get a beat on the type of player he would be. The lockout limited an entire offseason of development (in terms of the team being able to actually work with him) for him. Like I said, I don't think he will ever be a legit star or anything like that, but I would be very surprised if he doesn't become a better player.

http://www.dailysportnewspaper.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/427fa8c2Ed-Davis-AP.jpg DeMar DeRozan hasn't exactly had the breakout season that Raptor fans were hoping for this year. He has struggled to take his game to the next level after a very successful second season in the league. Part of that can be attributed to the lockout eliminating any possibility of him working with Raptor personnel during the summer, some of it is adjusting to a new coach and system and part of it is simply DeRozan not improving as much as expected to. To avoid another relatively disappointing season next year, here are five things that DeRozan must improve on during the summer. Add Strength Despite standing around 6'7" and boasting a height advantage over a large portion of NBA shooting guards, DeRozan struggles to absorb, finish through or fight through contact, both offensively and defensively. When he attacks the paint on his drives and is hit, he is easily knocked off balance. With him appearing to be off balance or out of control, he does not get the benefit of the doubt from referees on many of his drives. On defense, he struggles to fight through good, hard screens, which allows his man to get open too easily. It also limits his effectiveness on the defensive glass, despite his size and athleticism. By bulking up and adding strength in the offseason, DeRozan will be able to do a better job in these areas. If he is able to absorb and finish through contact offensively, it will greatly increase his offensive efficiency and ultimately result in more trips to the free-throw line. On defense, he will be able to body up better, fight through screens and even contribute more on the glass with the added muscle mass. Tighten Up His Handle A big part of DeRozan's much lower offensive efficiency this season can be attributed to his struggles creating his own offense off of the bounce. Last season this wasn't as much of an issue because the Raptors played at a much faster pace ,which opened up transition opportunities for him. He also kind of surprised teams with his substantial improvements from his rookie season, so teams didn't focus in on him as much as they do now. This season DeRozan has faced much more defensive attention. Opposing teams are game-planning around stopping him, and the increased defensive pressure has limited his ability to create his own offense. DeRozan has committed 57 ball-handling turnovers and 15 offensive fouls. This may not seem like a lot, but when you consider he is used much more as an off-the-ball player, it is pretty startling. By improving his ability to handle the ball and create his own offense, he will find himself with more opportunities to score. Teams will have to respect him as a threat to blow by them, which in turn will give him more room to get off his jump shot. It will also give the Raptors' offense a new dimension as they don't have any perimeter penetration, which is a big reason for them stagnating offensively so often during the course of a game. Improve Jump Shot Consistency After being one of the more productive mid-range shooting guards last season, DeRozan has struggled to duplicate that success this season. He has an effective field-goal percentage of just 39.6 percent on jump shots this season, which is well below average and nearly five percent worse than last season. Reports from the summer indicated that DeRozan spent countless hours working on extending his range out beyond the three-point line, but he would be better served mastering the mid-range jumper before looking to add the three-point shot to his arsenal. Too often players get caught up in the three-point line and they neglect the mid-range jumper, which is a deadly weapon that basically all the best players in the NBA possess. DeRozan should focus on getting his 15-to-20-foot jumper as automatic as possible this summer. If he does that, it will force defenses to play tight on him when he curls off of screens, and that will ultimately open up driving lanes for him. Become a Better Defender DeRozan has taken strides on the defensive end this season under new coach Dwane Casey. He is doing a better job with ball denial and has has a more profound understanding of defensive positioning. However, he still has room for improvement on this end. He needs to improve his lateral quickness and do a better job of contesting jumpers. Most importantly, he needs to fight through screens more. He gets picked off way too easily, and it results in him scrambling to recover. This gets him out of position far too often and reacting to the offensive player, rather than forcing the offensive player to react to him. The fact that he never played man-to-man defense until his freshman season at USC plays a large part in his struggles defensively. Despite being in his third NBA season, he has really only played man-to-man defense for four years, which is hardly enough time to become a defensive stopper. Improve All-Around Game The last thing is to simply become a more well-rounded player. He has far too many games where he is scoring and doing little else. When he isn't scoring, which is going to happen throughout the course of the season, he becomes too much of a non-factor. By chipping in on the glass, both offensively and defensively, creating some plays for teammates or coming away with a timely steal or block, it will enable him to still leave an impact on the game even when his jumper isn't falling or if he is unable to get to the free-throw line. He has shown glimpses of improved playmaking this season by posting a new career high in assists with seven against the Los Angeles Lakers. Nobody expects him to average that many per game or even five per game, but if he is able to increase his rebounding to around five a game and his assists to three, it will be perhaps even more valuable to the Raptors than if he simply increases his scoring average by a point or two. http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1140712-demar-derozan-five-things-to-improve-on-during-the-summer

As much as I love how DeRozan has played in this game (and in the 2nd half against Boston), I kind of wish that he would tone it down a bit. Dude is nearly single handedly winning games right now with the way he is playing.

Tony Parker will be announcing his decision late next week: http://espn.go.com/blog/high-school/boys-basketball/post/_/id/4647/jbc-notebook-shabazz-finishes-strong Muhammad and Anderson were supposedly all over him trying to get him to committ to UCLA during the Jordan Brand Classic last night, which shouldn't really surprise anybody.

I knew a comment like this would be coming.

I'm absolutely loving the start of the playoffs and the amount of overtime games. What is that now, 7? Boston - Washington twice including a double OT STL - SJ once (went into double OT) Philly - Pitt once NY - Ottawa once Phoenix - Chicago twice (both Chicago goals to tie came in the final 15 seconds) By far my favourite time of year. I am pissed that I have to work tomorrow and will miss game 3 of the Flyers and Pens. Why couldn't that game be on at 3 PST instead of the NJ and Florida one? In other news, I guess I jumped the gun on Sedin. I read that he was ruled out for the series but according to the Canucks, he is only ruled out for the next two games in LA. I still highly doubt he plays, though. Also, Hagelin has a hearing tomorrow at 1:30 EST. I'm sure Burns will get a talking to with his attempted elbow and same with Carkner but they haven't been announced yet. Halak is day-to-day after leaving the game in the first period. St. Louis called up Jake Allen on an emergency basis.

Couple things. Karlsson isn't a rookie (this is his 3rd year) and you are acting like Karlsson is Matt Gilroy or something. Karlsson is arguably the most prolific offensive defenseman in the league, a near ppg d-man, a potential Norris candidate (I don't think his defensive game is at that level, but you know his 78 points will have voters bust a nut) and a budding superstar. As a Leaf fan, it absolutely pains me to say this, but it is true. I get that he is still a young player but I honestly think the only way you can view those comments as something to get riled up over is if you are looking for something to pump yourself up about, which I'm sure the Rangers were doing. Difference of viewpoints I guess, then. I grew up with a dad who has watched hockey for almost 55 years. He watched the Broad Street Bullies, the Flying Frenchman and the tough Maple Leaf and Bruin teams (among others) of the past and because of that, I wound up watching a bunch of old footage of those games growing up. His view on hockey is one of what you would expect from a guy who grew up in that era (think Don Cherry before he became a senile old bat) and those viewpoints were instilled on me and my brother. This kind of thing was basically an everday occurrence back then and so I'm used to it. Like I said earlier, obviously I don't want another Bertuzzi-Moore incident or something like that, but I don't have a problem with what Carkner did. I can understand why somebody would, though.

Do you mean this comment: ??? I really don't see how that kind of comment warrants a dude punching you in the face 5 times, unless he said something else that I'm unaware of. I've got absolutely no problem with the Rangers targeting Karlsson physically because you absolutely have to. He is an excellent player and will absolutely pick you apart if you give him time and space. I just didn't like the shots to the head he has received, just like I didn't like the shot to the head that Callahan got from Phillips, Hagelin's elbow on Alfredsson or Burns attempted elbow in the St. Louis game (can't remember who he tried to elbow, though). If Carkner did this completely unprovoked I'd absolutely hate it as well, more so than any of the other incidents tonight. What do you mean by this? The Carkner crap happened because of Boyle repeatedly punching Karlsson in that scrum. It had nothing to do with any hit. I also don't think it was scummy at all. It is exactly the type of thing you want your enforcer to do in response to your star playing getting targeted with cheap shots. If this happened 20-30 years ago, people wouldn't even give it a second look. I hope this isn't directed at me (I don't think it is) because I really don't have anything against the Rangers. I don't particularly like New York sports teams in general (or Boston) but I really don't have any problem with the Rangers. I like the way they play as they play physically but rarely cross the line. The only real thing that I don't like about that team is Torts. I'm actually rooting for the Rangers in this series.

That is exactly it. The whole staged fight revenge thing is so stupid and doesn't do a damn thing to prevent these kind of things. What Carkner did is much more likely to make somebody think twice about a cheap shot, not some staged fight. You have to find a balance, though. Obviously I don't want another Bertuzzi and Moore incident but you have to show that there will be consequences for going after star players, especially when you have about 7 inches and 50+ pounds on the guay like Boyle has on Karlsson.

I know I'll get flamed for this, but, good for Carkner. Boyle throws, what, 4-5 unprovoked punches at Karlsson in game? Yeah they were gloved punches, but he still decided to target arguably the Sens best player and start throwing punches at him. I have no problem with targeting skill players to get them off their games, but punches and elbows to the head are taking it too far. So far in 5 periods Alfredsson and Karlsson have both received elbows to the head (Alfredsson left the game), Karlsson get a stick in the head (not the typical high sticking penalty either) and Karlsson got those punches in the head. (Callahan also got a shot to the head in this game as well, which I didn't like at all) Basically, if you take liberties on a teams skill players you better be ready to answer for it. There is a reason nobody (or very few people) takes deliberate cheap shots on the Bruins, Rangers or Flyers skill players and it is because you know that this kind of thing will happen if you do. And hopefully that will be the last time I ever say something positive about the Sens. EDIT: Let me clarify a bit. I don't love how Carkner threw the sucker punch, but I do like that it wasn't settled with a stupid stage fight. Those do nothing to show that there will be consequnces for going after a star player. What Carkner did will actually make a player think twice about doing something dirty or cheap. I doubt it really matters much now, though. Knowing the NHL, Carkner will probably be suspended for the series. On another note, Canucks have officially said that Daniel Seding will not return in the series against the Kings. I don't think anybody is really surprised by that if you have been following the whoe situation at all. He was clearly not coming back in this series.

Define "push". Can they win their first round series? Yeah. Can they make a difficult series for Miami in the 2nd round? Yeah. Can they advance past the 2nd round? I highly doubt it. They won't be a pushover but their ceiling is the 2nd round. They need to add one more piece before they come a real contender in the East, though. Luckily for them, they have the cap flexibility and assets to do so.

Lol at the Warriors starting lineup for this game: C - Gladness PF - Tyler SF - Wrght SG - Thompson PG -Jenkins 4 rookies (2 2nd round picks and a D-Leaguer) and Wright.

That win against Boston last night pretty much crushed any chance at finishing in the bottom 4 and really hurt the chance of finishing 5th last. They now sit 2 wins up on both Cleveland and Sacramento. Sacramento plays - Por, SA, OKC, @Char, @OKC, LAL Cleveland plays - @Was, Orl, @Det, Phi, NY, @SA, @Mem, Was, @Chi I think it is safe to say Sacramento won't be making up those two wins. They will likely beat Charlotte but I don't see them winning anything else, even with Aldridge out for the year I doubt they bit Portland. Even if they do manage to putt off 2 wins, Toronto would have to lose out the remainder of their schedule, which I doubt happens. As for Cleveland, they could make up the wins. Washington twice, Detroit, Philly and Orlando are all winnable games. Orlando is without Howard, Philly has been in a free fall and the other two are self explainatory. Again, though, Toronto would likely need to lose out or win no more than 1 of their remaining games and I doubt that happens.

I think DeRozan has pretty much mailed it in at this point. He hasn't played well this year, but he was turning it around since the all-star break and playing much improved ball. However, over the past week he looks like he simply doesn't give a damn. I guess it is good for the tank since no Bargnani and a disinterested DeRozan means they'll be lucky to get another win this year, but at the same time, it is discouraging to see his effort and compete level go into the gutter. The losing really seems to be getting to him. I really hope he bounces back and has a great year next season or else it might be time for the Raptors to start looking for a new starting shooting guard. I really like DeRozan, despite his poor play this year, so I do hope he turns things around next year. It was a well known fact that he was a project when the Raptors drafted him, so I'll give him the four years of his rookie deal before completely writting him off.

2nd ranked class, Kentucky has the 1st. You act like the Bruins class is weak. You do realize with the addition of Muhammad they now have the 3rd ranked class and also have 2 top 5 (top 3 depending on which scouting service you look at) recruits? UCLA is also still very much in the mix for Tony Parker who is another top 25 guy. They get him and they likely leap Arizona's class. I get that Zona has 3 guys in the top 15, but I doubt any of them make an immediate impact like Muhammad or Anderson do. Arizona was 12-6 in Pac-12 play and UCLA was 11-7. UCLA beat Arizona once, lost once by 2 and once by 8, so the that alone shows the two teams were very close. UCLA is losing only one key play from their team last season. I may be wrong, but I believe Arizona is losing their 3 top scorers from last year (can't remember if Hill is gone or not, but Fogg and Perry both are for sure) and Josiah Turner may not be back with the team. I like Tarczewski, Jarrett and Ashley, but I highly doubt any of those three have the immediate impact that Anderson will have, let alone Muhammad. I think both teams will be good next year, which is nice to see since the Pac-12 had such a down year this past season, but I'm with Flash. I think UCLA will be better and it is because they have more immediate impact recruits. Who knows though, UCLA might implode like they did this season. They were a better team than Airzona on paper this past year as well. I don't think they will since Muhammad is such a fierce competitor and Anderson as well, but it is a possibility.

Noel going to... No surprise. I really wish he would've went to Georgetown, though.

Tough call on that no icing call for Philly, but the Pens were absolutely flying in that first period. That was an awesome period of hockey. So fast paced and physical with some nice display of skill as well. It just sucks the Preds/Wings game is on at basically the same time. Yip just had a puck go in off his skate to open the score in that game. EDIT: Nevermind, Gaustad's pass went off Sturat's skate, not Yip's.

I'll merge it there later (I already posted about him going to UCLA before this thread was made, so people will still see it there if they check that thread). This way people who otherwise might not check the offseason threat will see it on the new topics sidebar and possibly throw in their two cents.

Shabazz to UCLA is official: So excited to see him and Anderson together next year. Those two are going to be absolutely fantastic to watch.

http://espn.go.com/dallas/nba/story/_/id/7802491/dallas-mavericks-jason-kidd-says-want-play-another-year I'm honestly shocked about this. I thought it was pretty much a guarantee that he would retire. His time as a starter is all but done, though. He could still make for an excellent backup.

Noel will announce where he will go at 8:45 EST. Muhammad is scheduled to announce in about 10 minutes. I can't actually watch it since it is being aired on ESPN3 and ESPNU and I can't find a link to either of those (can find links to ESPNAmerica, ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNUK, though, haha). So I'm just going off of tweets and what not.