Greatest Raptor Ever
So, who do you think is going to be the GROAT – The Greatest Raptor Ever? Demar DeRozen? Kyle Lowry? Kawhi Leonard? Not according to Raptor’s new Point Guard Markquis Nowell who had this to say on the topic: “One day, I’m gonna have everything I prayed for. I really believe it,” Nowell posted to his Instagram story on Monday night. In a follow-up story, Nowell shared, “I will make history as the best Raptor to ever put on a uniform.”
Pretty big talk from a 5’7” Point Guard in a league of giants. The Raptors signed Nowell back in June on draft night after he went unselected in the 2023 NBA draft, following a five-year college career with the Kansas State Wildcats and the Little Rock Trojans. He’s got very big shoes to fill if he wants to surpass the contribution DeRozen, Lowry and Leonard made to the team.
James Harden
Yikes! It’s like every step he takes these days is the wrong step. Last week James Harden went public and called Darryl Morey a liar. Then he went further and disclosed that he had agreed to a lesser contract last year in return for an agreement from Morey to trade him this year. Too bad that discussing private trade talks crossed a line according to the NBA and fined him $100,000 US dollars. This of course after taking less money than he could have received last year. Double whammy. The next question is: who is willing to take him?
Knicks Sue Raptors
The Knicks are suing the Raptors after a former employee stole over 3,000 scouting files and videos. In addition to the employee violating his employee agreement suit, the Knicks say that the Raptors ‘directed Azotam to misuse his access to the Knicks’ subscription to Synergy Sports to create and then transfer to the Raptors Defendants over 3,000 files consisting of film information and data.’
Is it true or just sour grapes that Toronto stole one of their employees? If it’s all true, it could result in serious action by the Association including the loss of a draft pick. Hold on, this could be rough.
Scottie Year 3
Year 1 saw Scottie play his way to a ROY award but year 2 was something of a disappointment as it didn’t seem like Scottie progressed. What to expect in year 3? A recent Bleacher Report article says it better than I could. Here it is:
“Scottie Barnes’ hype train stalled a bit this past season, one of many things to go awry north of the border. If this was merely a present-day ranking of young wings, that campaign could’ve hurt his spot.
Instead, this is focused on the future, and nothing the 22-year-old has done sends major warning signs with his long-term outlook. He is a unique talent—calling him a wing seems strange, since he can serve as a primary playmaker or a small-ball big—who might need more favorable conditions to thrive. The Raptors employing more shooters and fewer ball-handlers could really help his game shine.
Spending so much time off the ball has highlighted his shortcomings as a shooter (career 29 percent from three), but he could ascend to stardom even without a reliable three-ball. He is a two-way playmaker with the size and strength for the interior and the lateral quickness and tenacity for the perimeter. He is one of the few players who can credibly claim to be a five-position defender.
Failing to fine-tune that outside jumper could ultimately impact his ceiling, though. It will hold back his scoring (and offensive efficiency), and that’s enough to deny him the No. 1 spot, even if his future could hold a tower of triple-doubles and annual All-Defensive honors.”
Zion Williamson
Believe it or not, it’s been 4 years since the hype to end all hype, Zion Williamson, was drafted. Given the depth of his contribution, it seems like yesterday. Unfortunately, all the hype gave way to weight and Zion couldn’t stay on the court because of injuries sustained from simply being too overweight. He has only appeared in 114 of the 308 regular season games (37%) he’s been eligible to play in. On top of that, he’s also missed all of the nine play-in/playoff games the Pelicans have been a part of during that time.
Now, good news out of New Orleans. The Team has released several pictures of Zion and he looks to have gone through a physical transformation.