What Can The New Guys Do For The Toronto Raptors?

The Toronto Raptors made a bold move on December 8th, 2013, as they let go of the athletic, enigmatic and tantalizing Rudy Gay.  With no rumors swirling around the organization, the move was quite the shock. There was a generally positive response from Raptor fans, who were more then happy to be rid of Rudy due to his major drop in production to start the season. Prior to the trade the Raptors lacked bench production, or consistency thereof. That wasn’t the only thing that pleased Raptor fans. The fact that the Raptors were also bringing in four serviceable players, after throwing out one of the league’s scariest contracts/situations was an added bonus.

The Raptors acquired point guard Greivis Vasquez, centre Chuck Hayes, forward John Salmons, and forward Patrick Patterson from the Sacramento Kings. The question we pose for them is –  what can the new guys do for this team?

Through 7 games, we’ve seen some of the best basketball from the Raptors in a long time. The team’s current record with the new players in the lineup: 5-2.

Greivis Vasquez

Greivis finished second in the league in voting behind current Most Improved Player Award winner, Paul George last season with the New Orleans Hornets (now Pelicans). Greivis is a big guard, listed at around 6’6 in height, and 211 pounds in weight. Last season with the Hornets, he averaged 13.9 points, 9.0 assists, and 4.3 rebounds per game. He had an assist-to-turnover ratio of approximately 3:1, and he shot well from the free throw line and the perimeter. His biggest asset to the team is his ability to play the pick-and-roll. Vasquez is a pass-first point guard with a few tricks up his sleeve, who adds some much needed flavor to the Raptors style of play.

Here is a chart showing the usage and the success rate before and after the trade, courtesy of ESPN’s True Hoop Network, Raptors Republic: Some pretty eye-popping numbers, especially against the Philadelphia 76ers and Chicago Bulls, where Vasquez was in the lineup.

The Raptors weren’t able to properly utilize the efficiency of the pick-and-roll since acquiring Rudy Gay last season. Which is mainly due to the ball being stuck to DeMar DeRozan‘s hands, Rudy Gay’s hands. Kyle Lowry running off the pick, way, way, way before the screen setter could even roll didn’t help either. However, from what we’ve seen in seven games, Amir and Greivis see eye to eye with one another on the pick-&-roll – a little like the Jose/Amir P-&-R’s – there has been a major rise in pick-&-roll usage, and it’s welcomed with open arms.

With that being said, the biggest knock with Vasquez is his defense. Despite awesome size for the point guard, it has never been his strong suit, nor will it ever be quite frankly. Lowry has proven to be terrific defensively this season, but when Vasquez has stepped on the floor, it seems the defensive end takes a backseat. Does Vasquez make the Raptors better? Yes. Is he the point guard of the future for the Toronto Raptors? No.

John Salmons

John Salmons is a name that should be familiar to a lot of Raptor fans. In the Summer of 2006 he had nixed a potential sign-and-trade deal between Toronto and the Phoenix Suns. John had decided back then that his faith was telling him it wasn’t the right decision to make at the time, and from the looks of it, his “faith” was right. After seven games, things seem to be working out.

Coach Dwane Casey said that he has a “calmness to him” whenever he’s on the court that allows the fellow wing players – more specifically DeRozan and Terrence Ross – to be more patient.  At 35 years old he becomes a noticeable veteran for this young ball club. Salmon‘s has been averaging 7.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 26.3 minutes per game. His field goal shooting hasn’t been up to the analytic NBA bar of efficiency, but his three-point shooting has been solid, shooting it at a 45% clip. He’s an above average ball handler for the small forward position which keeps his turnover rate very low rate at 0.7 a game.

The most underrated aspect of his game, has been his ability to defend at his position. Since his arrival, he’s been logging major floor time in the 4th to finish games. Mostly to defend the opposing team’s best wing player. He showcased his defensive abilities, holding Kevin Durant to a relatively quiet night against the Raptors; a game where the team eventually snapped Oklahoma City’s home winning streak. Whether or not John Salmons stays as a Raptor for the long term (consensus thought is he isn’t) his experience has proven quite invaluable since joining the team.

The only thing against John Salmons, is his shot selection. At times he will take ill-advised shots with ample time on the shot clock (fading long twos off the screen or the dribble), largely reminiscent of the man he was traded for. Salmons may jack up maybe 4 to 5 of those bad shots a night, but when you put it in perspective, it’s a hell of a lot better than letting Gay shooting 4 to 5 of those a quarter. Take it or leave it. I’ll take Salmons.

Patrick Patterson

The third piece in the trade is Patrick Patterson who comes in at 6’9, and 235 pounds. Patterson is along the line and new generation power forwards in the league today; face-up and shoot from outside. His career shooting averages are quite impressive. Up to six seasons in the NBA so far, he’s averaging nearly 49% from the field, 34% from downtown, and nearly 72% from the free-throw line.

Just being an above-serviceable/average player helps Toronto tremendously. Before the trade, the big men rotations were limited. With Patterson in the mix, Casey has more combinations at the four and the five, possibly forcing him to go big at all times (which is a good thing considering how poor this team is when matching up with small ball).

Patterson doesn’t have any eye-popping weaknesses, but being 6’9 still may label him as an undersized big man.  Surprisingly, Patterson is just an average rebounder on one of the better rebounding teams, but he brings physicality which allows him to be cycled through and contribute to the way the Raptors want to play.

Chuck Hayes

Last and probably least, is the undersized big man, Chuck Hayes. The only player with guaranteed money of the received players past this season. He’s listed at 6’6, but is known for terrific low-post defense, and his awful hitch-y free throws. He’s another veteran –  and despite the hilarity he ensues – he will help in the development of JV.

The Raptors have a pretty deep big man rotation, so there’s not much need for Hayes on the court during games. On the Kings, he was a captain, so having a presence like Hayes in practice and in the locker room could only benefit the young guys. Hayes is a 6’6 centre, that can not be an easy task in this league,  so he must be doing something right.

Obviously, 7 games is a small sample size, but this team has improved drastically with these new players. The offense is looking smoother and smoother every game, and the defense is pretty close to what Coach Casey has envisioned it to be.

I had mentioned a few things about the future of these players here in Toronto, and to say the least, it is unknown. All four guys are capable of helping lead this team to the playoffs, considering the talents of Vasquez, Patterson, and Salmons mostly. After the trade, there was endless speculation on whether the deal was to encourage – or lead to – tanking, or if it was a push for the playoffs. But here’s a thing to remember, Masai Ujiri pulled the trigger on this deal in order to free up cap space for the future. That could mean these 3 players are just rentals (Chuck Hayes is guaranteed past this year). Whatever the future may be with these three guys and the organization, these guys are capable of being part of this core moving forward. Vasquez is as good a point guard there is in the league, Patterson is only 24 years old in his sixth year, and Salmons has already shown how important veteran experience is.

It’s clear that these players at the moment are helping to improve and develop this young ball club. From Patrick’s outside shooting, to John Salmons’ poise and experience, to Chuck Hayes’ veteran leadership, and to Greivis’ point guard abilities and size, it creates a deeper, balanced, experienced, and less selfish team. The synergy is clearly picking up, and it’s really been a treat to watch.

By no means are the new guys elite NBA talent, but they are players with the all-around game, and the abilities to contribute in many ways.