Atlantic Notes: C. Johnson, Raptors, Barnes, Embiid, Maxey

like networks ahead Cameron Johnson He is ready to see if he’ll be traded, however finds himself on the high of opposing groups’ sport plans, he writes Brian Lewis of the New York Post. A collection of accidents, along with final week’s harm commerce to Dennis Schroeder To Golden State, Johnson was compelled into a much bigger function in Brooklyn’s offense. Utah was the newest workforce to tweak its defensive sport, repeatedly corralling Johnson on Saturday whereas forcing him into six turnovers and taking pictures 2-0f-9 an evening from three-point vary.

“The one factor is – clearly they did an excellent job of CJ’s offense – however six turnovers to 5 assists, that’s not ok.” coach Jordi Fernandez He stated. “The intentions have been good, he was throwing the move brief. It was simply the execution wasn’t good. More often than not, he knew what we have been purported to do, however he was by no means in that place. Each time Cam Thomas Attacked, we obtained a clear execution from him. In case you flip it over each time, or usually get attacked (that is dangerous). Within the second half, it was higher, however these turnovers, we undoubtedly paid the value for them.

It might be a short-term challenge, as Johnson will probably be moved earlier than the February 6 commerce deadline. The Thunder and Kings are among the many groups which have expressed curiosity, and Lewis notes that Johnson’s manufacturing and a contract that takes up simply 13% of the cap make him the workforce’s No. 1 commerce asset. In the meantime, Fernandes desires his gamers to do a greater job adapting to the brand new defensive look.

“We needed to know tips on how to area the ground and blitz, particularly the center of the ground.” He stated. “For essentially the most half, once we executed proper, we obtained the photographs we wished. Turning issues over is clearly not what we’re purported to do, and we have to be higher.”

There are extra from the Atlantic part:

• Late-game execution continued to be a difficulty for Raptors In Sunday’s four-point loss to Houston Eric Koren of The Athletic. Toronto led a lot of the night time, however had too many empty possessions with the sport on the road. The workforce can profit Immanuel Quickleywho’s recovering from {a partially} torn ulnar collateral ligament, and Koren says he was capable of take part in Saturday’s follow, though he was not cleared for contact. Discovering a participant who can create his personal shot ought to be a precedence within the draft, Koren provides Ace Billy and Dylan Harper He could also be extra competent on this space than the anticipated high decide Cooper Flag.
• idle efficiency of Scotty Barnes That might be a trigger for concern, he stresses Michael Grange of Sportsnetthough Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic He attributed this to rust from current accidents. In his second sport since coming back from an ankle sprain, Barnes scored six factors on 2-of-15 taking pictures and made two failed three-point makes an attempt on his first seven photographs. “As you may see, he is not performing like himself.” Rajakovic stated. “He had an harm, he had a knock in his hip within the final sport, (there’s) his ankle and there have been some issues that have been bothering him. He is nonetheless not himself, he’ll be higher.”
• Lack of cohesion was a giant issue on this Sixers‘Sluggish begin, notes Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Joel Embiid He is anticipated to play tonight in opposition to San Antonio, which can be solely the fifth time he’ll be on the sphere alongside him this season Therese Maxey and Paul George. Maxie is on the sickness report, however listed as possible, Pompeii Tweet.