Toronto Raptors' 10 Most Effective Lineup Combinations
The Toronto Raptors are a mess this season and I do not blame them. They have so much young potential and a chance to become a top-notch team with players such as Andrea Bargnani, Demar Derozan and Jerryd Bayless having career seasons.
The Raptors are in rebuild mode and should be expected to stay like this for the next year as well unless a giant turnaround happens.
Including their last loss to Memphis in a close game, the Raptors have used 13 different starting lineups this season. Injuries and sickness have kept the Raptors from winning games and becoming possible eighth seed contenders in a horrible Eastern Conference.
This article will showcase different lineups the Raptors can use at any time during games, not just as a starting lineup.
Also, players who are currently on injured reserve will be used in these slides.
Enjoy.
Offense
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PG - Jose Calderon
SG - Leandro Barbosa
SF - DeMar DeRozan
PF - Amir Johnson
C - Andrea Bargnani
The Raptors have always been in the top when it came to offense and they continue to be able to produce offensively, so making this list was not very hard.
Jose Calderon has been a huge part of the Raptors offense, mainly due to his passing and shooting abilities. He makes wise decisions and does not turn the ball over very often, leading to him being tops in the league for assists-per-turnover ratio.
Leandro Barbosa is very effective when it comes to offense, especially when it comes to his ability to drive into the lane and get easy baskets. Also, not only is Barbosa great at getting into the paint, he is a good shooter.
Playing DeRozan at the 3 position works out effectively as he has the size to matchup to other players at the position such as Kevin Durant and LeBron James. He is more of an above-the-rim player, but is getting his jumpshot improved. With the minutes he has been allocated recently, DeRozan is getting it done offensively.
Amir Johnson is the better option on offense compared to Ed Davis and Reggie Evans. Ed Davis is still trying to master his jumpshot, which is something that Johnson can make occasionally. He is the better low-post option as well. The only problem with Johnson is that he compiles too many fouls too quickly.
At the center position, Bargnani is the choice without a doubt. He is averaging his career best in PPG with 21.6. He has a superb jumpshot and his post gave has improved as well. He is the No. 1 scoring option on this Raptors squad.
Defense
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PG - Jose Calderon
SG - Leandro Barbosa
SF - Linas Kleiza
PF - Reggie Evans
C - Ed Davis
Unlike offense, the Raptors do not have much to show for when it comes to defense. They are one of the worst defensive teams in the league and have never been able to solve that problem.
The only legit defender on this lineup is Ed Davis. With the potential to be on consecutive All-NBA Defensive Team player, Davis' best attributes are his shot blocking and defensive low post capabilities.
Andrea Bargnani is a weak player when it comes to defending in the post. His offensive post game has improved by a lot as he is getting down in the paint and posting up, but the same cannot be said for his defense. For any opposing center, it is very easy to grab offensive rebounds over Bargnani, which leads to why Davis is playing the center position.
Reggie Evans is the leader for steals per game on the Raptors squad, and has an ok defending capability. His ability to hustle for any loose balls is amazing and he can block shots at most times.
Speed
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PG - Jerryd Bayless|
SG - Leandro Barbosa
SF - DeMar DeRozan
PF - Ed Davis
C - Andrea Bargnani
When it comes to the center and power forward position, the Raptors nor any other team in the league have a big man who can run the floor with constant efficiency, so putting Bargnani and Davis would be the most legible selections.
At point guard, Bayless is younger than Jose Calderon and seems to move around the court in a quick manner, making him the best choice to start at PG in terms of speed. Also, if Sundiata Gaines is to remain on the roster, he could be placed there as well.
For the shooting guard position, the answer was obvious in putting Leandro Barbosa. There is a reason he is called "The Brazilian Blur," which accounts to him easily driving into the paint and getting the layup.
At small forward, Linas Kleiza and Sonny Weems just are not as fast and athletic as DeRozan is. Also, DeRozan has the height advantage which is why he can play both the shooting guard and small forward positions.
Rebounding
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PG - Jose Calderon
SG - DeMar DeRozan
SF - Linas Kleiza
PF - Ed Davis
C - Reggie Evans
This kind of looks like the occasional starting lineup, but with the exception of Andrea Bargnani. For someone who is 7 feet tall, he should be grabbing nine or 10 rebounds per game instead of the six he does grab during games.
Reggie Evans has been the best rebounder on the Raptors squad even with the few games he has played this season. He is capable of playing the 5 position and should not have trouble especially with someone like Ed Davis at the side.
Davis has had an exceptional rookie campaign so far. He is averaging over a block per game and is grabbing offensive boards, which are much needed.
Kleiza is always hustling for rebounds although he does not get them most of the time and should definitely be on this list.
DeRozan's vertical will eventually lead him to grabbing six rebounds per game in his later career, but for now, his vertical is the only reason he is on this list.
Calderon is not much of a rebounder, nor is Jerryd Bayless, but Calderon is the better choice as he can produce better offensively and has more experience with the orange ball.
Long Distance Shooting
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PG - Jose Calderon
SG - Leandro Barbosa
SF - Linas Kleiza
PF - Amir Johnson
C - Andrea Bargnani
The Raptors have a great history when it comes to three-point shooting. Just recently their streak of 980-plus games of hitting at least one three-pointer was broken, unfortunately. The team has always had players that can shoot the long ball, which is useful in clutch situations.
All players other than Amir Johnson are very good three-point shooters and make most of the threes that they take, especially if they are left with an open area to shoot from.
When it comes to the power forward and center position, barely any team has a decent long range shooter. Luckily, the Raptors have Andrea Bargnani. He has one of the nicest shots, and makes his jumpshots when they matter. And although Bargnani has not been shooting as many threes as his first few seasons, whenever he does shoot, he makes most of them.
The power forwards on Toronto's roster are not very amazing offensively. Reggie Evans can barely average two points per game, but does make up for that with his rebounding ability. Ed Davis is a horrible jump shooter, but recent rumors show that Davis is working on his jumper which leaves us with Amir Johnson.
If Johnson were to not get into too much foul trouble, he could be averaging an easy 15 PPG, but sits at almost 10 per game. He can make most of his jumpshots from mid-range and close, but is never an option for long-range shooting. But since no one else in his position can shoot jumpers, he is the only option.
Free-Throw
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PG - Jose Calderon 79.6%
SG - Leandro Barbosa 74.4%
SF - Demar DeRozan 78.1%
PF - Amir Johnson 81.3%
C - Andrea Bargnani 82%
The Raptors have great options when it comes to free throw shooting, simply because each of these players can easily get onto the charity stripe, and because they can make those points count.
At one point of his career, Calderon was the best free throw shooter in the league, shooting a mindboggling 98% from the line! Although his numbers have dropped in recent seasons, he still makes his free throws when he gets to the line.
DeRozan gets to the line so easily that it is not even funny. He gets to the line at least five times per game which is a great plus for the team, especially since he makes most of his free-throws. His ability to also make the contact shots make for great 3-point plays.
Efficiency
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Let's just get this straight. no one on the Raptors squad has been consistent or efficient at all, but there have been ties when their consistency, even for one game, has led to one of the 13 wins.
PG - Jose Calderon
SG - Leandro Barbosa
SF - Linas Kleiza
PF - Reggie Evans
C - Andrea Bargnani
Jose Calderon, has been amazing. He is one of the most underrated pointguards in the league and has been a vital part to Toronto's offense. He is the best passer on the team and one of the best in the league.
Barbosa has always been a contributor coming off the bench. His 14 PPG and his rebirth in Toronto have lead Barbosa to go back to his sixth man of the year form.
Kleiza is a great shooter and his post game is very good. He can get things done and is a great player in the locker room to motivate the others.
Evans is the best Raptor in terms of heart and hustle. He is always looking for boards and has been a great help for the young guns on the team. He dives for loose balls, gets the offensive and defensive rebounds, no matter how hard it takes him to grab them. His offense is not anything to be cheerful about, but his four PPG is still a contribution.
Bargnani is having his breakthrough season offensively. He is yet to reach his prime in rebounding, and is almost at the top of his offensive game. He has been struggling as of late, but has been a force to be reckoned with averaging 21 PPG.
Inside Scoring
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PG - Leandro Barbosa
SG - Demar DeRozan
SF - Linas Kleiza
PF - Amir Johnson
C - Andrea Bargnani
Most of you would be surprised to see Bargnani on this list, but I have watched every single Raptors game this season, and despite their losing efforts as of late, Bargnani has really improved on his post game. He is posting up against other centers more often and is not settling for as many jump shots.
Leandro Barbosa and DeRozan are players who can get into the paint easily and either get the layup or slam the ball through the rim. They make defenders look clueless and get the easy two points needed.
Kleiza is a good player in the paint. For someone his size, he is good at posting up against other SF's and is very good at grabbing the offensive boards.
Amir Johnson is like the Blake Griffin/LaMarcus Aldridge of the Toronto Raptors. He is the main target for alley-oops and has monsterous putback dunks as seen in the picture. He forces his way past defenders and gets contact for easy three-point plays. He is also great at grabbing offensive rebounds.
Entertainement
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PG - Jarryd Bayless
SG - Sonny Weems
SF - Demar DeRozan
PF - Amir Johnson
C - Andrea Bargnani
When it comes to players who can really ignite a crowd, the Raptors have it all. They have some of the most flashy above-the-rim players who can draw in a crowd and pump some adrenaline through the team.
Weems and DeRozan's, ability to make a boring posession into a play that makes the crowd stand up is a great thing. Whenever one of them is going one-on-one with the basket, they can make sparks fly.
Amir Johnson is an amazing under the basket player on offense and defense. He can make a standing dunk look like a 360 behind the back dunk. That is how amazing his dunks are. He gets easy alley-oops and makes sure the other team know that Johnson is on the floor.
Bayless is a very flashy PG. He gets through defenders with ease and make flashy, contested layups. He can make no look layups look easy and has a great jumpshot. he is worth watching, and if he can improve his passing ability, expect Bayless to make Magic Johnson like passes.
Bargnani is just Bargnani. He stands at the three point line, receives the pass, pump fakes, and drives into the basket for a sick, wicked and nasty (Chuck Swirsky reference).
Clutch
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PG - Jose Calderon
SG - Leandro Barbosa
SF - Linas Kleiza
PF - Ed Davis
C - Andrea Bargnani
Everything needed to say about all the players on this list has already been said in the other slides.
Calderon, Barbosa, Kleiza and Bargnani are all great shooters who can hit the game-tying jumpshots or draw the foul to get too the free throw line for some easy points in late game situations.
Ed Davis is on this list purely because of his defense. His shot blocking ability would be very useful for the exact opposite reason that the others are on this list. If he is put on the player who will be taking the last second shot, Davis' vertical will help him block the shot or contest it very well to prevent the ball from going in and preserving a Toronto lead.
Thanks For Reading
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We all know the Raptors are struggling this season. They most probably will be next season as well, but we should never give up hope.
These are just some roster combinations that are suggested to be used during certain points of a game
Hope you enjoyed reading the article and sorry I have not been posting many articles up lately. Finals week in school had me busy but now that it is over, more Toronto Raptor articles will be available for you to read.
In the comments section below, put any idea of your about a roster combination the Raptors should use
Thanks for Reading!
