For the first time this season, the Toronto Raptors are facing the adversity that comes with a stretch of poor play. Their fans are not responding well.
Spoiled some with a 24-7 start that was above their true talent level, the Raptors have since gone 3-6 with a handful of unsightly losses and without a marquee win to keep everyone sane. With the trade deadline just under a month away, fans appear to be looking at ways the roster can improve.
Playing on an expiring $7-million contract and playing just a step below his established level of production, Amir Johnson would make for a valuable trade chip. Pair Johnson with another asset, and the Raptors could conceivably upgrade a power forward position that is one of their weaker starting spots.
This is the logic, anyway. Advanced metrics are higher on Johnson than his 9.7 points and six rebounds would suggest. He ranks 16th among power forwards in Real Plus-Minus and most Raptors perform better defensively with Johnson on the floor than with him on the bench. While he's not elite, he's underrated, and it's unclear if an actual upgrade would be available on the trade market.
That mattered little to Instagram user litosway on Wednesday, as the user commented on one of Johnson's posts to express displeasure and suggest he get traded. That didn't fly with teammate Lou Williams, who promptly came to Johnson's defense:
(Photo Courtesy: R/NBA user allezlesbleus)
That's an aggressive response from Williams, but credit him for coming to a teammate's aid. Williams obviously realizes that Johnson helps his game, with Williams' true shooting percentage jumping from 56.2 to 57.3 and the team's defense improving by 5.7 points per-100 possession when Johnson hits the floor with him.
-with h/t to Dime Magazine
