Toronto’s own Banton basking in the basketball buzz as opening night approaches

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The kid who used to ride a bus is about to begin the ride of his life as Toronto’s own Dalano Banton finds himself on the cusp of playing in a real NBA game.

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The Rexdale native sports jersey No. 45 as an ode to the Kipling bus he used to board.

During his tenure as a Raptors, Matt Bonner was anointed the Red Rocket, an every day hoopster who rode the rails.

As of Friday, no one has bestowed a nickname on Banton, who has nonetheless made a name for himself for securing a guaranteed deal for the coming season, which officially tips off Wednesday when Washington comes to town.

Banton will turn 22 on Nov. 7, a date that coincides with the Brooklyn Nets paying a visit to Toronto.

It will mark the first time Steve Nash will coach an NBA game in Toronto.

If he continues to evolve, Banton may get a few possessions when he’ll have to find a way to defend all-world Kevin Durant.

That’s down the line.

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For Banton, his mindset is on the present and spending the days leading up to opening night honing his craft and getting better on the defensive end.

Toronto will need to be on point defensively to give itself any kind of chance of being competitive.

It’s one thing to have athletic pieces who can guard multiple positions, quite another to field a roster that can score, especially in crunch time.

Banton is one those long bodies who can switch or close out on shooters spotting up from beyond the arc.

Head coach Nick Nurse will begin his fourth season, a season of transition.

His defensive-first approach hasn’t changed, even as the group he’s been asked to coach has changed.

Banton is one several newcomers to a Raptors franchise known for its player development.

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He doesn’t have the profile associated with a fourth overall pick in Scottie Barnes, but Banton is just as excited at what awaits as the ultra excitable Barnes.

For obvious reasons, Banton had to learn new concepts.

Being in the spot, showing hands, there are two of the main tenets to the Nurse way of playing defence.

Whether it’s heavy contests, protecting the rim, closing out properly, picking up a man in transition, there’s a lot that goes into playing defence and creating a transition game that begins by making stops.

With no more pre-season games to be played and with a regular season right around the corner, Banton can feel the basketball buzz building around the team when he reports to the Raptors’ practice facility.

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“I feel it’s a dream come true,’’ said Banton. “Waking up and being in Toronto, the city I grew up in and being able to play for the Raptors is something I’ve always dreamed of.

“Every day I wake up and I live my dream, but I come to work every day prepared to get better. Playing at Scotiabank Arena for a pre-season game was big for me. It felt like a regular season game honestly.

“I’m excited for it (Wednesday’s opener). It’s going to be my first regular-season game for me. I’m happy for it and I’m excited to see what it holds for me.”

The pre-season is often an annual exercise in tedium with very little gleaned.

Toronto does have to decide on its final roster spot with Sam Dekker, Ishmail Wainright and Isaac Bonga in contention.

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By Monday, the look of the roster will be made official.

By then, the Raptors should have a better handle on the five players who will start games, how the rotation will look coming off the bench, what kind of close-out roster is best and what exact roles will players be asked to embrace.

Clearly, Banton is willing to do whatever it takes to get on the floor and put in the work that will allow him to be an option when Nurse looks down his bench.

It begins on defence for Banton, who has quickly learned the best way to get minutes and earn the trust of a coach is to make oneself useful.

With the Raptors missing Pascal Siakam and Chris Boucher until they recover from injuries, the one glaring area of weakness will be on offence.

There aren’t many players capable of creating their own shot.

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What the Raptors must do is defend and force a tempo that suits their group.

“Putting myself in the best spots to help the team and I think that will better me in the long run,’’ Banton added.

His attitude is positive for a rookie who isn’t afraid to say how he belongs on this stage.

At the same time, Banton knows it’s about development and that daily grind of finding ways to improve all aspects of the game on both sides of the court.

“I’m excited to be here and I feel I’m in goods hands to be developed for the career to come,’’ he added.

The chatter of opening night is palpable.

“Everyone is excited,’’ said Banton of his teammates. “Last year they didn’t get to play in Toronto and everyone is excited to be in front of fans again. There’s no fan like a Raptors fan. I just think everyone is happy and excited to be back in Toronto. We’re ready to roll.”

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Speaking of Toronto, Oakwood product Nathaniel Mitchell will live his own dream by being on Nurse’s bench.

Mitchell was a bright and savvy point guard for the Barons who envisioned being behind an NBA bench.

He broke into the biz with the 905 before Mitchell joined Charlotte’s staff.

Next Wednesday will be Mitchell’s first as a Raptors assistant.

Mitchell was a member of Nurse’s staff with the Canadian men’s program.

“We’ve gotten to know each other over the past couple of summers,’’ said Nurse. “He’s a good young coach. We’re trying to develop him. He’s got a bright future who has to get more experience. We’re helping him develop his career.”