Raptors’ Gary Trent Jr. has more to give, just wait and see

Article content

BROOKLYN — Gary Trent Jr. is just getting started.

Article content

The most effective three-point threat in the Raptors’ starting lineup is far more than just that.

Article content

He showed off his defensive chops a year ago when he finished fifth overall in deflections per game, averaging 3.4 every time he stepped on the floor.

Among the top 10, which also included Fred VanVleet, Trent Jr. and New Orleans Herbert Jones were the youngest at just 23 years of age then.

Article content

Now almost 24, Trent Jr. wants to be known as more than just that three-point threat or even that guy with quick hands defensively.

It’s not much changing what he can do, rather being able to show off all he can do that he thinks will get him there.

“I feel like my game really hasn’t changed since high school,” he said. “I’ve been able to score at the rim. I’ve been one dribble, pull-up coming off screens and I’ve always been able to shoot.

Article content

“That’s always been part of my game. The difference is I haven’t had the opportunity to showcase everything I can do due to my role or the situation I was in, whether that was in Portland or here. When you go to a team you have to buy in to a role so there’s a lot of things you can’t showcase, a lot of things you can’t do but I have a lot more to my game I would like to show.

Trent Jr. is continually adding to his arsenal which is just something everyone in the league must do to keep pace.

“I want to switch it up as much as I can,” he said. “You have to elevate yourself.”

Trent Jr. talks about his late night visits to the gym and just working on the most mundane things to keep himself sharp.

“You go to the gym late at night, exert no energy (saving it for the actual game) and literally standing in right at the rim, taking your left hand and doing 25 makes with the left, then 25 makes with the right … little things, little floaters, you literally come in after we’ve already had a long day already, get back in the gym and just spin it to myself, catch it and just do turnarounds. I don’t exert a lot of energy. There’s not a lot of movement. I’m just working on the repetition and the follow through and the mechanics.

Article content

Trent Jr was asked if he felt like early in his career he was pigeon-holed or put in a box and told only to do certain things.

“I wouldn’t say that,” he said. “I would say I was told more what Gary couldn’t do. Everything I have heard coming out was I couldn’t defend, I won’t be able to shoot at the next level, I can’t slide my feet, I won’t be able to survive. I heard all of that but again I’m going to continue to show improvement, I’m going to continue to work and I’m going to continue to control what I can control.”

TIPOFF

Saturday, Toronto Raptors (1-0) at Miami Heat (0-1), 8 p.m. FTX Arena, Miami; TV TSN; RADIO FAN590

SCOUTING REPORT: The Heat got off to a slow start with a loss in their home opener to the Chicago Bulls. The Bulls scored 116 on a Heat team that is normally a lot more stingy than that. The Heat are adjusting to a new starting five with P. J. Tucker now in Philadelphia and Caleb Martin starting at forward. Tyler Herro, the reigning NBA Sixth Man of the Year winner now  starts in the backcourt beside Kyle Lowry who is coming off his own disjointed season due to injury and a personal off-court situation.

Article content

MARQUEE MATCHUP

Fred VanVleet vs. Kyle Lowry

Two ultra-competitors go head-to-head for the first time since Lowry’s long-awaited (COVID interrupted) return to Toronto last April. It was the only time Lowry faced his old team and in addition to a conquering-hero return that was fully expected after nine seasons in Toronto, Lowry got the last laugh as Miami pulled out the win. Lowry had 16 points and 10 assists in the win. VanVleet had 29 points and broke Lowry’s single season Raptors’ record for three pointers in a season with Lowry there to witness it.

DID YOU KNOW: Victor Oladipo remains out with a knee injury for Miami. The Raptors will be without Otto Porter Jr who is dealing with a hamstring strain … The Raptors and Heat split the four-game series last season with all four games within five points … Miami’s roster includes an NBA high 10 undrafted players. The next highest in the league is seven.