An odd number perhaps, 27, but it does represent that ⅓ of the season’s games are already in the books. And with 14 losses including the latest 2 against the 12th place Orlando Magic, the Raptors aren’t looking like the team we were hoping they were. What’s gone wrong? Let’s have a look.
The Starters
Fred – Since Kyle Lowry left, people love to say that Fred is the ‘heart and soul’ of the Raptors, but I’ve never completely bought into that. Sure, Fred can be moody like Kyle, but it feels more like a negative moody compared to Kyle’s positive moody that boosted the team. More tangibly, Fred continues to be a high volume, low percentage shooter this year, under 33% from 3 and 36% from 2, when the team really needs to have him lead with more consistency. Again this year he’s logging heavy minutes, 8th in the league. High usage and low efficiency equal a drag on the team’s success.
OG – Is having a decent year, distinguishing himself more often on the defensive side of the ball than the offensive but he’s not taken that next step we all hoped he’d take by getting to an All-Star level of play. Needs to show more aggression and desire to take over the offense.
Trent – Like O.G., Gary is having a decent start to the year but like the others, his 3 point percentage is low at 33.5%. A career low in fact.
Scottie – Expected to take a big step up this year, Scotty has disappointed by only being as good as he was last year. That’s the trouble with high expectations, but it was well known the Raptors needed a bump from Scottie this year if the team was to make any noise. It’s not too late to get it rolling, but he needs to get on track soon.
Pascal – Has unfortunately missed more than a third of the games so far this season. Still hasn’t been able fully ascent to that All Star impact player, ala Jason Tatum. Still can’t take control of the game and win one for the team.
The Bench
The bench has shown some improvement year over year, but to this point no Raptor has been in the discussion for 6th man. Otto Porter Jr., the most likely of the bunch to deliver, has been limited to a handful of games and thus not able to establish himself as a presence whatsoever this season. Christian Koloko has handled himself well for his age and experience but the Raptors still lack power and size down the middle. Malachi Flynn has seen some minutes this season but once again failed to make a major impression.
Front Office
Nick Nurse – He’s a good coach but I’d be lying if I said I’ve been impressed with the development of the youngsters over the past few years. Last year he overplayed the starters for no reasonable reason and it’s trending that way again this season.
Masai Ujiri – Hasn’t blown me away for the last couple of years. I really like the Scotty pick and still have terrific confidence he’ll become a very good player, but I’d sure like to see more, sooner. Surprised that Ujiri hasn’t found a more positive impact end of the bench players in the last 2 years.
Hopefully something happens to change the current course of the season. There is a lot of noise around regarding some personality issues in the locker room and that could go a long way to explaining what we’ve been seeing lately. Give your heads a shake fellas and go practice your 3 pointers.