Claudius

A lot has been made how this is AB's last chance at success on the team and if he doesn't get with the program then he's likely gone etc.

Is this DeRozan's last chance as well? IF he doesn't show the improvement expected (primarily on the defensive end) would he also end up on the 'possible to be traded list'? Is any player really untouchable?

It's just a thought since we always crucify AB.

DDUnreal

no, I really doubt people give up on him this fast. Andrea had alot more time before peoples patience thinned to the point hes at. As far as traded I don't think anyone of our players will be untouchable if they aren't playing the way Casey is preaching.

LX

Yes, if he can't play defense. That doesn't mean he can't make any mistakes. He has to show that he doesn't consistently hurt the defensive schemes. Otherwise he won't be the right player for what this coach wants to do. It's not a terribly high bar, but he has to clear it by the end of the season.

carp

I disagree... last chance by the end of the year? If he can't his extension will just be less. It's definitely not his last chance.

js12

Instead of saying "it is his last chance", I think it is more appropriate to say this is his turning season.

He can either build on his amazing year last year, and turn into an all-star calibre player. Or he can drop back to a rotation player.

LX

If a player cannot implement the coach's system, then the coach needs a different player that can fill a proper role. If Demar can't properly fill a role then it's over. It wouldn't necessarily mean it's his last chance specifically. The same apples to every single player. It's the kind of accountability and team-building that Andrea has not had to deal with for a few years now. Inexplicably.

Kirby

Isn't he 21 years old..? Last chance is a stretch.

Nites

Give him 2 more seasons.

carp

I would have loved to see Bosh play under Casey too.... imagine Bosh playing D? Would have helped tremendously but we didn't have defensive accountability during his years either. This franchise has lacked on that end since Chuck, K-dub and AD.

LX

Bosh played defense. Make no mistake that he filled a role on defense under Mitchell, and under Triano. Mitchell had a very similar approach to Casey. But the GM didn't buy in fully. Instead of seeing how poorly Andrea performed, killing the culture the coach was trying to build, he fired the coach.

carp

I disagree... Bosh didn't play D... I watched for years and refuse to be told now that he did or even does. Bosh did rebound though.

LX

He certainly was more offensive-minded to begin with, like most young players. The team that won 47 games was better at defense than most of the league. They still needed to get better, but Bosh was part of moving in the right direction. If you want to say he doesn't play defense now even, then you've said enough. How in the hell do you come to defend Bargnani?

Anyway, if DeRozan can commit to defense as Bosh did when his team turned the corner, he will have done enough for the time being. Not an incredibly high bar as I said, but it's the sort of expectations that everyone on the team will have to meet. For the record I would say Andrea has cleared that bar so far.

jeffb

Andrea has had 5 seasons and is 26yrs old. Derozan has had 2 seasons and is only 21yrs old. Talk about this a year to 18 months from now maybe.

Rimpianto

Different roles. It's much easier to find another guard than a 7footer.
Plus Andrea learnt to play ball in europe, had to learn how to cope with NBA style.
Btw, is still to early for DD to talk about his final chance, but it's a different situation than Bargs.

fk24

7 footers who can't block shots or rebound aren't very good prospects.

Rimpianto

He can, it's just that he doesn't do

JoeyJoJo Shabbadu

Scoring centres or bigs tend to take a longer time, are rarer and are worth a chance.

2s and 3s that score an average amount and don't play great defense are a dime a dozen. If he doesn't get it this year ... he won't get it next. Just doesn't take that long. And is that the end? Well if we draft a 2 or 3 he's still the 2nd best then likely, and stays but money will be an issue, and they won't pay ihm max or anything.

Windex

Bargs does things other 7 footers can't do, but he doesn't do things 7 footers should be able to do.

fk24

You mean efficient scorers. Not big men who like to chuck 3's and score at an average efficiency.

It was this sort of irrational thinking that caused us to pick Bustnani over Aldridge.

You don't make a drastic leap in play after 6 seasons in the NBA, whether big or small.

Thug

He's only 21.

AT LEAST 1 more season.