This is basically his contract year. He's got a qualifying offer for the 09-10 season, but I doubt that will be extended to him unless we see results. I've always wanted Joey Graham to succeed, and seeing flashes of his athleticism during game time to complete plays keeps me going. But damnit, he has to improve. Right? It's been like 4 seasons.

Time to shine? Highly unlikely. He averaged 18 ppg for the Raps in the SL.... but don't get your hopes up. I watched about 5 minutes of the first game via streaming video. He turned the ball over twice within a minute... then got away with a blatant travel in which he scored 2 points. An NBA ref would have called it. Had it been a real game, Smitch would 've sat him for the rest of the game... and he probably wouldn't see any playing time for the next few games. Against the 76ers at the end of the game... guess who was guarding Thaddeus Young... yep... Bad Joey. He let a lefty go left for the tying basket with 15-20 seconds left in the game. Hardly the defensive stopper that was he was claimed to be when entering the league. I admit that I only saw the 76er game and 5 minutes of the first... but that is enough to see that Joey hasn't changed. He had a few nice shots and spectacular dunks. Great! But his turnovers ande untimely defensive lapses will continue to keep him glued to Smitch's bench.

joey is an example of why the raps aren't as good as they could be due to sam mitchell. every summer league he rips it, and he is one of the most physically gifted guys in the nba. but, joey's a guy that if you don't have a good coach who can drill plays into his team during practice, he will hover and foul and be more of a detriment to the team...

not saying that a different coach would bring out a player with high bball iq in joey. just saying that, a coach with more of a handle on what his players are doing out there, might be able to turn joey into something useful..

Im not saying Smitch is a great coach. But he is not responsible for Joey G's lack of basketball IQ.
I mean Joey has the physical build, and athletic ability. He just doesnt understand his role. And his role is an easy one.
Drive to the bucket, get fast break points, rebound and pass if the drive is not there.

But instead Joey likes to shoot early in the shot clock, when you have great shooters like Jose, AP, JK, and down low presence like Bosh and now JO. You dont need to be a sophistcated coach to understand that kinda role and why you've been benched for 2 years.

Its up to Joey and from what i have seen in Summer league, he still loves the jump shot. Especially the no pointer cross over, fade away.

Actually, the one aspect of the game that I feel a coach effects most is basketball IQ. Now, if you have a dumb player then you have a dumb player. But good coaches like Popovic teach their players how to think basketball, not how to play basketball.

Basketball IQ is not tought or learned is somethin inside were u just understand were to be on the floor and what to do JG has no Basketball IQ. If u actually think he suckin has anythin to do with Smitch id say u just have a hate for Sam and try and blame him for everything wrong with this team.

To say that Smitch is entirely the reason Joey sucks would be ignorant. But to say that he had nothing to do with it would be just as ignorant. He's had his hand in alienating a fair bit of players over his few seasons here with the Raps, and JG is no exception.

No amount of coaching would have helped his (lost) cause.

Some of you guys are just too damn soft.

Joey just doesnt get it? Is Smitch responsible for Jose's offensive court vision. Maybe a bit... But basically i think Jose just gets it.

Joey meh... Just doesnt get it yet.

Think about it this way. When Joey was given a "chance" by Sam Mitchell, any one mistake (ONE mistake) he made cost him the rest of the game. If he made one mistake he'd be benched until the next game. Do you know how demoralizing that is for a player? Can you imagine how many times Joey Graham may have second guessed decisions he was making while on the court because he thought "Is this the right move? Oh god, I'm gonna get benched if it isn't" So yes, I say Sam Mitchell played a role in Joey Graham "getting it" because he wouldn't let him play through his mistakes and learn in a game setting.

But at what point, after seeing the same mistakes over and over again, does a coach tell the dumb mo-fo to sit his a$$ on the bench and rot? He has been in the league long enough to know that you have to put the ball on the ground before moving... and that when people aren't moving you're not allowed to run them over... and my fav.... Joey's off arm clear out while going in for a lay up or dunk. I've felt like this at first about Joey... then moved on to and after his second year felt like and have finally settled on

I think Smitch has done the right thing. Joey either starts making hustle plays, and rebounding, instead of Jacking shots or hes benched, and may be out of a job.


Hmm i think thats good enough coaching, and Joey should considered himself lucky we have no money left for bench players, because he can be easily replaced. Its another chance for him, i really hope he gets it.

Marz i know what you are saying about Smitch, but based on Joey's type of game Smitch is not responsible. Play a role or dont play at all.

Can you name a player or two that has thrived under Smitch?

Calderon? Bosh? or did other factors play into their development?

Just once, I'd like to have a coach that squeezes the best out of a player.

The only player I can think of that came into our team and actually played much better then expected is Mike James. But his development probably had nothing to do with coach mitchell, probably just the fact that we were the only team who gave him so many minute and let him loose on the floor.

I would really want a coach who can actually develop players and improve them, instead of looking for proven players, bringing them in and hoping they would fit with our coaches strategy.

The Red Rocket - exceeded all expectations
Jamario Moon - No one wanted
Kris Humphries - another castoff who is playing good ball
Delfino- Not a fave of mine, but played fairly well

The question is WHO is underachieving

well Bargs... who i believe will underachieve due more to athletic ability than IQ, he seemed to be trying to take the ball to the rack last year. It was just more embarrasing to watch

Joey... Who can be replaced.. If he chooses so no big deal.. Just a big bonus if he steps up

TJ... Who was a self proclaimed All-Star. Not really Smitches fault, maybe for playing him too much but i think he had to. Due to Me-J's contract

If Smitch is to blame for a couple of young players who still may get better, can we give him the credit for CB4 being what he is today at a young age

Why is it that Bargs is allowed to play through his mistakes while Joey is not? I understand that Joey makes mistakes, and I too am peeved when I see them. But benching him after he makes one is a bit harsh. Repeatedly doing it is down right demoralizing.

Smitch seems to do well with long, slender athletic types. He contributed very little to Jose's improvements (that was just Jose getting accustomed to the NBA, imo), and Delfino had been that type of player for a while (Detroit just didn't let him play much). So yes, we can give Smitch credit for CB4 and Jamario Moon. Those two responded well to his style of coaching. Jamario understands that if he does something wrong, he's getting an earful from the coach. What Smitch needs to understand is that not all young/new players respond to the same type of "coaching development".

Joey is responsible for running his career into the ground, but I don't think it's his work ethic or his talent. I'm fairly certain that, under a different coach, Joey G would have been a better player. How much of a better player isn't quantifiable though.

Haha

Bargs was a number one pick need we say more, his upside is supposed to be higher... Thats why he was picked before Graham. so we are forced to watch him learn as uncomfortable as that is.

And if you think its all Smitch's fault for all of Bargs playing time think again. Im sure BC didnt want to be the guy who had a busted 1st overall pick

and Joey Graham subs into the game .. he runs to the left wing, 3 ft inside the 3 pt line and waits for the ball .. the ball comes to him .. he puts his head down, does a left to right crossover and a step-back jumper which finds the front of the rim.

I think JG seems like a decent guy. Team player etc. But my GOD, to be 6'7" or whatever and built like that and not to be able to find minutes on a team as starved for 2/3s as the RAPTORS .. is just a tragedy.

Tragedy is right.. That damn crossover shot...