One of many few seasons on the Raptors that didn’t exceed expectations or go in response to plan. Svi Mykhailiuk mixed the worst capturing 12 months of his profession with an total lack of ability to gel within the Raptors free-flowing offense.
The expectations had been excessive popping out of the pre-season. Mykhailiuk seemed dynamic and conscious on cuts, potent as a shooter, and explosive and coordinated as a finisher. To not point out he was robust to maneuver on protection which made up for a number of the benefits he gave. He seemed like a right away contributor for this season’s Raptors and was given a whole lot of slack to try to fulfill that promise. Over the primary 31 video games of his Raptors profession, he averaged roughly 19 minutes a recreation. Most notable amongst these performances had been a number of video games towards the likes of the Pacers, the Knicks, and the Wizards. Svi went for double digits, supplied slightly little bit of playmaking punch on second-side actions, and was a constructive total. Nevertheless, that went to the wayside as he began to wrestle with reads and his jumper. His protection additionally underwhelmed tremendously.
The remainder of the season solely noticed him seem in 25 video games, averaging a paltry 5 minutes per outing. He fell out of the rotation fully after failing to supply any punch from downtown on a group that was starved for spacing and shot-making. He didn’t have a single recreation the place he made greater than 2 threes, and the compounding errors of his recreation led to numerous file scratch moments that sapped all the positives out of his recreation. One of the explosive athletes on the Raptors instantly couldn’t punch gaps with any hazard, and the secondary playmaking grew to become a non-starter. As soon as a participant enters the desolate triangle of outcomes, there’s little hope to salvage good minutes. The desolate triangle? Missed shot – turnover – reset.
Merely put, a whole lot of the constructive points of his recreation that had been flashed in preseason, weren’t current in his common season performances. Is that this as a result of he performs a reasonably bodily model of basketball and that’s a bit simpler within the preseason? Is it as a result of a participant whose recreation revolves round the specter of capturing didn’t shoot nicely? Perhaps a combination? Robust to say. He additionally needed to navigate the politics and feelings of his residence nation having important warfare dropped on their door step. It’s secure to say, although, that this author’s early season prediction of what Mykhailiuk’s season would seem like, was flawed:
“Each as soon as in awhile a participant falls to the wayside of minimal contract territory, regardless of possessing the expertise – and skill to use that expertise in significant methods – to turn into a a lot greater earner within the NBA. When given the chance, these gamers flip groups into launchpads. Mykhailiuk is prepared for launch. Not solely does he have a declare to “nicest shock”, however he’s seemed like probably the greatest gamers on the ground each time he’s touched it. This 12 months is a pitstop in minimal territory for him, and he’s going to punch means above his contract for the Raptors.”
Because it seems, this wasn’t a pit cease in minimal territory. The participant choice (1.9M) on Svi’s contract that I believed could be a formality for him to reject may very well find yourself being a lifeline. He’s assured for another season, and that implies that the capturing, the athleticism, all of it could possibly come round. Whether or not the Raptors attempt to make adjustments and transfer him off the squad, or deliver him again and let him attempt to assert himself within the rotation as soon as once more – he’s obtained a shot.
So, the unhealthy information? The issues that had been anticipated of Mykhailiuk didn’t go nicely in any respect. On a very shallow group, he fumbled away a number of totally different possibilities at a spot within the rotation. The excellent news? These latent talents and considerably confirmed talents are nonetheless prospects. Perhaps there’s a Wayne Ellington-esque path again right into a rotation if the capturing (particularly motion capturing) comes round. Ellington was bounced round a number of locations earlier than locking in as a valued specialist.
However, that is the place we’re with Svi. There’s little or no to attract from and to depend on as momentum. You simply must consider he’ll line up within the blocks once more and get a fantastic begin subsequent 12 months. We’ll see.
Have a blessed day.
Tip Samson People
Svi Mykhailiuk – Season Overview originated on Raptors Republic.
