Wednesday October 1 2008 - 1:35pm Eastern
For weeks now, I’ve been saying that if I were a betting man, I’d guess that Jason Kapono would be the starting small forward for the Toronto Raptors this season.
Well, I’m glad I didn’t put any real money on the table!
Despite his solid showing in the playoffs against the Orlando Magic and the addition of Jermaine O’Neal (which should open up a ton of a looks for JK in the inside-out game), it sounds like Sam Mitchell plans to stick with Jamario Moon in the starting five.
While Mitchell wouldn’t come out and say it for certain, he spoke at great length about having “two shooting guards” … then specifically referred to Anthony Parker and Kapono. He views the 3-point champ more as a 2-guard … not a small forward.
Mitchell said Moon gives the Raptors the defence they need when facing so many strong and/or athletic small forwards around the league. He pointed out that Moon is one of the main reasons why the Raptors now have success against teams like the Chicago Bulls — a club that used to own Toronto … ’cause the Raps couldn’t guard Luol Deng.
With Carlos Delfino gone and Kapono seemingly pegged as Anthony Parker’s back-up (and I’m sure JK could see a start or two … depending on the match-up or if he has a hot hand going), the log-jam at the SF spot that existed last season is gone. Assuming he’s healthy, Joey Graham (hamstring) could have a real role with the club this year.
Again, nothing has been confirmed 100%, but this is how things seem to be unfolding in the coach’s eyes:
PG - JOSE CALDERON, Will Solomon, Roko Ukic
SG - ANTHONY PARKER, Jason Kapono, Hassan Adams
SF - JAMARIO MOON, Joey Graham
PF - CHRIS BOSH, Andrea Bargnani, Kris Humphries
C - JERMAINE O’NEAL, Nathan Jawai, Jamal Sampson
Humphries will likely see more minutes than Jawai and Sampson - with a rotation of bigs included Bosh, O’Neal, Bargnani, and Hump - while Kapono could still see some time at SF depending on the match-ups. He’ll be primarily used as a SG though.
E. Smith
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I’ve been an advocate of Kapono at the 2 ever since Moon took over last year.
I think the best case for this scenario is to emulate the CB-JO-AB situation. Primarily you have three players playing in two spots: JM or JK would be at the 3, JK or AP at the 2.
Then, like Hump, you would have Graham to fill in as the fourth guy for 10 minutes a night or so (plus garbage time).
Or possibly Ukic or Adams at the two, instead of Graham at the 3.
- Dan HHmmm… going with that 3 man rotation on the wings…
I would have thought the combos would match up like:
5 + 4 –> 3 + 2
JO + CB –> JK + AP for 3pt shots
JO + AB –> JM + JK for a balance between D and 3s
CB + AB –> JM + AP for D primarily.
However, the starting lineup doesn’t match this…
- Dan HThere was never a doubt in my mind that Moon wouldn’t be the starter. A lot of people forget how good and consistent Moon was last year. I actually like this rotation if its true Kapono will still get a lot of clock and im sure he will been on the floor at times with the Twin Towers getting open looks.
- B-DawgStarting the game with defence is essential. You gotta set the tone. So starting Jamario is key. Kapono will get his minutes as the game goes on, I hope he’s not under utilized.
I do like the team making a decision one way or another early. All the news coverage keeps talking about is that “4 positions are set aside from the SF”. I think this is an attempt at creating a team with defined roles.
Go to raptors.realgm.com for more insight… :)
- TorontoBalleris there any chance bargnani will play the 3 this yr and have Calderon, Parker, Bosh and Oneal on the floor at the same time?
- kevinAs the season went on last year, teams backed off Moon and let him take jumpers and collapsed their D. He HAS to be able to hit that open shot with regularity or he’s going to allow the D to stay close to the paint with Bosh and J.O. inside. That’ll decrease their efficiency in there. If Moon hits the shot, I like him in the starting lineup because he’s such a sparkplug and defensive positive (although both of those things would be just as helpful off the bench).
I really thought Kapono should start since some of his defensive weakness would be neutralized by the bigs inside. He’s not a weak team defender because he knows where to steer guys but individually, he can’t always stay in front of the more athletic players. His shooting on the outside will still be used this year a lot more than last year with the shorter rotation.
I also like that Joey G might find himself in the rotation. Maybe a defined role and consistent minutes behind Moon will help him develop and contribute in SOME way? I’m not holding my breath but it’d be huge if it happened.
- Mark R.I think this is another costly move by Sam. Cutting down the minutes of a player of Kapono’s calibur is beyond wrong. When teams double down on CB or JO who’s going to get the kick out Jamario???? The same Jamario who shot below 40% from 3 as opposed to the Two time three point champ.
- nahom