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To close out 2022, we are going with a collection of assorted thoughts at the blog today.
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That sigh of relief was the Raptors knocking off the Devin Booker-less Phoenix Suns to get some of the foul air that had been wafting around the locker room out of there.
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It took Gary Trent Jr.’s best game of the year, a shocking Christian Koloko three-pointer, some great defence on a previously rampaging DeAndre Ayton and a ridiculous amount of steals, but they got it done.
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– With Precious Achiuwa’s return now just days away (he nearly played against the Suns, but was confirmed out, along with Fred VanVleet, prior to the game), it’s interesting to think about what Nick Nurse should do with the starting lineup. Trent proved once again that he provides some things offensively that the team simply doesn’t have enough of. He’s a strong outside shooter, but can also create his own looks. He also has quick hands and can be disruptive, as he proved for most of last season.
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But this corner still thinks Achiuwa should start, along with VanVleet (when healthy), Scottie Barnes, O.G. Anunoby and Pascal Siakam when (if) Nurse ever has everyone available. Let Trent cook off the bench and let Achiuwa give the team better rebounding and rim protection and switchability than they’ve had all year.
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- One thing I haven’t heard anyone mention about the glaring lack of effort we’ve seen from the Raptors too many times this season — does some of it have to do with the absence of Kyle Lowry. The leader of so many Raptors teams was also, according to Nurse, the hardest competitor he’s ever been around. Lowry always gave his all and expected that from his teammates. = VanVleet is built similarly in those regards, but has been out of the lineup or hobbled and unable to play up to his capabilities too often so far this season. The Raptors miss Lowry’s shooting, his passing, his defence, but just as much, his all-out competitiveness.
- Malachi Flynn’s worst shooting game of the season came against Memphis. He shot 2-12, including 1-7 from three, but was still shooting 44% from beyond the arc, to lead the team. On the positive side, Flynn collected a season-high eight rebounds and five assists. Another 0-4 (all of them three-point attempts) a night later dropped Flynn to 41.8% for the season (which still leads all Toronto players). Last year Flynn went 30-90 from three for the year, basically what he shot percentage-wise as a rookie from outside on nearly twice as many attempts. He’s already up to 79 three-point attempts this season.
- Trent’s big game brought him about even with Anunoby for second on the team in three-point accuracy.
- Fun with numbers: Offensive rebounds by Flynn as a rookie: 10. Offensive rebounds by Flynn as a sophomore: 10. Offensive rebounds by Flynn so far in Year 3: 10.
- Chris Boucher got a chance to play against the Grizzlies and took advantage. Boucher had totalled only 22 minutes over his previous two games, scoring only two points, but had 13 and 7 against the Grizzlies, shooting 5-7. He followed that up by being second man off the bench (Thaddeus Young was used first by Nurse after not playing at all in the previous game) and had a productive 20 minutes.
- It’s not often you see a team lose by 13 points despite shooting 14 more free throws than its opponent, but the Raptors did that against the Grizzlies.
- It was too bad to see the Justin Champagnie experiment end (for now at least) with him being cut. Champagnie has talent and is a great rebounder, but couldn’t stay healthy. The Raptors needed some flexibility and with his contract set to guarantee, it made sense to cut him.
- Considering all the stars who have not suited up to play the Raptors in Toronto this season it was nice to see Ja Morant finally play in Toronto for the first time. He’s one of the best and most exciting players in the NBA. Hopefully he’s here more than just once every three years moving forward.
- Morant was asked about Barnes having some stumbles as a sophomore and was quite encouraging.”You’ve just gotta have patience. I feel like most people don’t know what an NBA player goes through,” Morant told reporters. “I’m sure he’s gonna be fine. Don’t worry y’all. Everybody’s time is different. He’ll be special,” Morant said.
- Toronto went 49-37 In the calendar year 2022, much better than the 41-59 of 2021, but far off the 31-11 of the shortened 2020 year. Toronto went 54-24 in 2019.
- Happy New Year everyone. Thanks for reading and here’s to a great 2023!
THREE STARS:
1 Gary Trent Jr.
2 Pascal Siakam
3 O.G. Anunoby
H.M.: Chris Paul, Mikal Bridges
THREE STARS vs. GRIZZLIES:
1 Ja Morant
2 Pascal Siakam
3 Dillon Brooks
H.M.: Gary Trent Jr., Desmond Bane, Scottie Barnes
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