Just when you are about to be out, they pull you back in. That’s what the Toronto Raptors did to me last night.
My overall interest in the Raptors this season has been moving further and further into the background. The past few months has been a rollarcoaster of good, bad and really ugly moments. The faces keep changing. The losses are piling up. Everything is leading to a rough end to the season and ending up in the lottery, where they may not even have a pick.
But last night, I felt a glimmer of hope. I felt a real interest in this group. I actually watched most of the game and cared about the outcome.
A direction has been chosen. It’s pretty clear it’s all about the youth movement now.
Scottie Barnes is putting up historical numbers for a 22 year old.
RJ Barrett has blossomed after the trade from New York.
IQ and his dancing is a crowd pleaser.
But nothing has made me happier than seeing Gradey Dick looking like the player we drafted. He’s going to be something. He took so much shit from fans just because he wasn’t amazing right away. But since his completion of an internal conditioning and developement stint, he looks like a flame thrower from distance and has very high hoops IQ.
Short of the confusion as to why Chris Boucher doesn’t really play, I came away from this game thinking, okay, I can get behind this group.
I am even almost in when it comes to Darko as the coach. His vision is starting to show. Also, the team really, really likes him as a person.
I truly believe that the time leading up to the trade deadline was weighing heavily on the team. But now all the moves have been made and the team is locked it, there seems to be a feeling of happy again.
Now do I think they will go on a heater and catch the Atlanta Hawks for the last play in spot? Considering Trae Young is out for a month, it’s not impossible. But if they finish in near the bottom, they can keep their 2024 first round pick. Personally I think winning benefits more.
Considering coming out of the All-Star Break the Raptors look energized and have now won 3 games in a row for the first time all season.
It’s a postive time to be a Raptors fan for sure. Just look at this video from last night. How can’t you be in on this team.
The Dallas Mavericks are next. They have been one of the hottest teams in the NBA. If the Raps pull off another win here, the fan base is going to start becoming delusional again.
I have said this to whoever will listen. What makes me enjoy a team is mostly due to effort. Not every team is going to content for a title. But I think a team should work their ass off and try every night. This group is buying into what their coach is selling and they are starting to show maximum effort every game.
Scottie Barnes is going to be the best player on this team, if not already. He will be the guy. But he’s still only 22 and has moments where he shows his age. I am very curious who will rise above and become the leader of this team on the floor.
We have been spoiled. DeMar, Kyle, Fred and Pascal just to name a few. Who will everyone look up to? Who’s going to keep everyone accountable? Once that is sorted, I think you will see this team start to make waves.
While all the usual suspects are gone, the Raptors will always have a championship pedagre. Swagger is allowed when you have a banner in the rafters. But you also have to back it up with effort.
Based on last night’s tough win against the Pacers, I am starting to like what I see.
