Are we talking about the same Derozan?

oh you’re right…. i don’t know what i was looking at…

but in any case… it’s not like derozan is just far and away a better athlete than rj…. the dunk % is .060 which is inline with where taytum… brown…. and derozan were in their first 4 years… this is just what they are…

and it’s really tough to talk about athleticism and say what about it that actually matters? is it a vertical? is it quickness? all that manifests itself in oncourt production…. doncic isn’t athletic.. neither is curry or harden or chris paul… or paul george… even kawhi leonard isn’t blessed with a ridiculous vertical….

there’s very few that make it just because of their athleticism… they make it because of their skills…. sometimes that’s augmented by their athleticism….

in any case rj’s athleticism is not holding him back…. that’s really near the bottom of things of why he’s not looking great right now…..

djphan:
i’m not sure what kind of athlete you think derozan is but rj had more dunks last year in his rookie year than derozan has had in his career….

Vincoug beat me to it but DeRozan as a rookie- dunk % .107, ftr .379. RJ (I’ll use his best #s) Dunk % .06, ftr .349. He also finished better inside. DeRozan’s dunk rate drops pretty quickly (and his TS- .554 as a rookie- drops too until his free throw rate sky-rockets 5 years in.) but he came in as a better athlete than RJ.

djphan: rj isn’t a generational athlete but he’s good… certainly above average which is basically all you need…. he’ll be fine in that regard….

No, he’s not above average for guys dependent on getting to the rim for their offense. Guys who succeed at his game look like Jaylen Brown and Oladipo and he’s a solid tier below that.

djphan:
i’m not sure what kind of athlete you think derozan is but rj had more dunks last year in his rookie year than derozan has had in his career….

he doesn’t have great lateral quickness but that perception is hindered by the fact that he doesn’t have a great handle…. this whole thing that rj is all left is partially right… and the reason that perception is there is because rj doesn’t have a crossover at all….he drives left and he just stays there….

rj isn’t a generational athlete but he’s good… certainly above average which is basically all you need…. he’ll be fine in that regard….

Are we talking about the same Derozan?

ESPN Sources: While the Celtics-Heat game has been postponed tonight, the NBA has no plans to pause the season despite thinning rosters because of COVID-19 protocols in several places.

Knicks rookie Obi Toppin remains out, though Tom Thibodeau says he’s making “steady progress but still not cleared for contact.” Toppin played in the season opener Dec. 23, re-aggravated a calf injury, and hasn’t played since.

The Boston Celtics-Miami Heat game tonight has been postponed, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium. A Heat player has returned an inconclusive test, and team does not have required eight players to proceed with game tonight due to contact tracing.

Z-man: There’s a reason Thibs is playing him big minutes, and his D is probably a big part of it. I don’t get why people are calling him an average to below average defender…he looks pretty damn good out there to me.

If Thibs loved his D Bullock wouldn’t be the guy taking the tougher assignment every game. Diallo went around Barrett like he was standing still multiple times as did Norman Powell against Toronto. He’s smart, works hard and rarely blows assignments- Like I said I can see him being a positive on that end but I highly doubt it’s something he’s ever going to be able to hang his hat on.

“ Frank Ntilikina will remain out for at least another week, Tom Thibodeau says, before being evaluated again. The Knicks guard hasn’t played since Dec. 29 because of a knee injury.

Thibs: “He is making good progress. You just want to make sure he’s completely healthy.”