Bargnani's Play Since Returning

[Built Ford Tough]

Prior to his 2nd calf injury, Bargnani's averages were:

 

23.5 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 2.1 apg on 57.5 TS% with an ORTG of 110.8 and a DRTG of 105 in 13 games

 

Since returning he is averaging:

 

13.3 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 1.9 apg on 43.2 TS% with an ORTG of 84.8 and a DRTG of 111.9 in 11 games

 

 

In those first 13 games he scored over 20 points 10 times.

In those second 11 games he scored over 20 points 1 time.

 

 

So what is the cause for the serious drop in productivity?

Was he simply playing over his head in those first 13 games?

Is he unmotivated now given Toronto's situation?

Did his injury cause him to get out of shape?

 

Also, if Bargnani is unable to prove that those 13 games weren't a fluke what should his future with the team be, if he even has one? I think we can all agree that if he played like he did over those 13 games he has a place on this term long term, but the more likely scenario is that he isn't able to play at that level consistently and the player we saw last season is what Bargnani is.

[DunkinDerozan]

Its pretty depressing seeing him go so far down hill after he was playing so well at the start of the season. If he can't bounce back, then PF is just going to be another position we need to fill.

[Built Ford Tough]

If he can't bounce back, then PF is just going to be another position we need to fill.

 

That raises an interesting dilemma.

 

Most people believe that the Raptors need to draft a perimeter player this year and have to come out with one of Barnes, MKG, Beal or Lamb. However, if you don't have faith in Bargnani as your 4 of the future, should they look just as strongly at guys like Sullinger, Robinson and Drummond as they would at the wings?

 

Personally, I'm all about establishing tiers such as:

 

Tier 1 - Anthony Davis

 

Tier 2 - MKG, Barnes, Beal, Drummond, Robinson, Sullinger

 

Tier 3 - Lamb, Zeller, PJ3, Lillard

 

(not saying those are my tiers, just using a hypothetical example)

 

and then going with the player who you believe is the best from that tier in terms of combination of talent, potential and need.

 

If you don't view Bargnani as the long term 4, it makes the pick less cut and dry as before where it was a forgone conclusion that you draft the best wing available.

 

Personally, I don't think the Raptors braintrust are going to go with a big (unless it is Davis) because they still believe Bargnani is the long term 4, but it is an interesting dilemma.

[DunkinDerozan]

That raises an interesting dilemma.

 

Most people believe that the Raptors need to draft a perimeter player this year and have to come out with one of Barnes, MKG, Beal or Lamb. However, if you don't have faith in Bargnani as your 4 of the future, should they look just as strongly at guys like Sullinger, Robinson and Drummond as they would at the wings?

 

Personally, I'm all about establishing tiers such as:

 

Tier 1 - Anthony Davis

 

Tier 2 - MKG, Barnes, Beal, Drummond, Robinson, Sullinger

 

Tier 3 - Lamb, Zeller, PJ3, Lillard

 

(not saying those are my tiers, just using a hypothetical example)

 

and then going with the player who you believe is the best from that tier in terms of combination of talent, potential and need.

 

If you don't view Bargnani as the long term 4, it makes the pick less cut and dry as before where it was a forgone conclusion that you draft the best wing available.

 

Personally, I don't think the Raptors braintrust are going to go with a big (unless it is Davis) because they still believe Bargnani is the long term 4, but it is an interesting dilemma.

 

I stilll have hope for Bargnani to be our 4 of the future. If he could play even close to as good as he was at the start of the year, when he was putting up Dirk like numbers, that would be great. Honestly, unless we somehow win the lottery and get Davis, i think we really should hold off on drafting a PF in this draft and give Barg another year. The 3 spot is still our biggest need imo. But you've still made a good point. If our draft pick was to slide to say, 7th, and one of Robinson or Sulinger were available, then picking one of them would probably be a good choice.