As season opener proves, the Raptors’ experiment goes to take an extended whereas – The Athletic
The Raptors suppose they’ve some expertise on theirs, however they know the expertise that needs to be formed over extra practices than NBA groups usually have today. Fred VanVleet mentioned this coaching camp featured probably the most work, by far, of any of the six he has been part of from a crew perspective. Any experiment requires rigorous testing.
If that is an experiment, effectively, Toronto broke greater than a month’s price of beakers on the primary day within the lab. The closest gamers the Raptors should conventional centres, Treasured Achiuwa and Khem Birch, each had embarrassing turnovers as they took the ball up the court docket, as they’ve been empowered to do. Raul Neto stripped Birch, whereas Achiuwa double dribbled as his deal with acquired free. Their further fleetness for the scale they’ve didn’t make up for the power they don’t have, as Montrezl Harrell feasted inside off the bench.
Barnes, bless him, air-balled a 3-pointer and threw a no-look cross in transition that appeared prefer it had been thrown along with his eyes closed. Fred VanVleet and OG Anunoby had been overmatched as high offensive choices, combining to shoot 8-for-37, with each having to attempt to end very tough makes an attempt. The offensive machine was not producing something by itself.
“We weren’t actually executing a lot of something at both finish. After which when there was performs to be made, we weren’t ending them off,” Nurse mentioned. “I assumed there wasn’t a lot tempo. We appeared to be in pondering mode so much (for many of the night time).
“(We) didn’t deal with the second very effectively.”
“There are totally different lights on the market,” VanVleet added, noting how totally different coaching camp and the preseason is from the common season.
About the one half that went based on plan was how good the Raptors appeared within the desperation-induced full-court press within the fourth quarter, sparked by Dalano Banton, the second-round draft decide who performed forward of second-year level guard Malachi Flynn. That call, whereas a small one, offers you one other instance of the Raptors’ dedication to the experiment: Flynn’s a degree guard who has grown up with the ball in his palms, whereas Banton is a 6-foot-9 assortment of spindly limbs whose physique kind serves to push the tempo on each ends.
Raptors lose to Wizards however return to Toronto nonetheless vital win – Sportsnet
It wasn’t simply {that a} younger crew’s weaknesses had been uncovered, it was that each one of them had been uncovered without delay, and not one of the anticipated strengths had been evident till too late. The Raptors had been anticipated to battle in a half-court recreation, and so they had been dreadful. They had been supposed to have the ability to power groups to play in transition and at a excessive tempo and so they couldn’t. They had been speculated to lack perimeter taking pictures and had been 7-of-34 from deep.
Extremely touted rookie Scottie Barnes (12 factors, eight rebounds) had some moments, however as a bunch that they had many extra the place they appeared misplaced and overmatched. Within the early going the Raptors’ finest participant might need been Goran Dragic, the 34-year-old level guard who was thrown into the Kyle Lowry sign-and-trade as wage cap ballast — not a very good signal. Gary Trent Jr. celebrated the primary day of his three-year, $54-million contract by taking pictures 2-of-9 from the ground.
This was not the pre-season, the place the Raptors went 3-2 and appeared like they may management the tempo of video games.
“I’ve been telling them for a month now, a month and a half. Like, it’s totally different,” mentioned VanVleet. “You will get all of the pats on the again and all of the hype and every thing that you really want. Pre-season was nice, coaching camp was nice. It doesn’t matter. There’s totally different lights on the market. These guys are coming to beat us, they don’t care. You realize what I imply?”
The height second of the sport might need been — no, it most actually was — when Banton made his NBA debut late within the third quarter and instantly hit a operating three-pointer from centre. Sadly, it solely lower the Wizards result in 81-59. Banton stored attempting although. Within the recreation’s finest sequence early within the fourth quarter he discovered Chris Boucher on a beautiful no-look cross in transition; scored himself on a coast-to-coast run off a turnover and arrange a Khem Birch slam off penetration.
“It’s undoubtedly an ideal studying expertise,” mentioned Banton, who mentioned he was “grateful” his half-court heave went in. “I really feel like all time you’re on the market, whether or not you’re down or up, is a time to be taught and a time to construct on what you’ve been constructing on. However I really feel like simply type of understanding that on this league, you’ll by no means be out of the sport. We’ve got a number of proficient guys. So whether or not we’re down 30 or 20, it’s type of subsequent possession, hold enjoying, hold preventing. At any level the sport might change, and with a fan base like now we have, momentum shifts. Simply to remain within the recreation and play to the end and play till the sport’s achieved.”
They tried. With the Toronto-born rookie and two different Canadians on the ground, together with rookie Barnes, the Raptors briefly performed like head coach Nick Nurse hopes they’ll. Their flurry lower the Wizards’ result in 15 with eight minutes to play, however the Wizards pushed again — aided by a few Raptors turnovers — and the sport was determined.
The Raptors — who misplaced that final recreation they performed in Toronto to Charlotte means again on Feb. 28, 2020 — now have a house shedding streak at Scotiabank Enviornment that stands at two.
Among the early points had been to be anticipated. The primary recreation of a season is at all times a bit charged, this yet another than most.
“I assumed there wasn’t a lot tempo, we appeared to be in pondering mode so much till you see that one little stretch there, the best way we performed within the pre-season. Up the ground, guys are shifting, reducing, flying, getting again cuts, getting higher pictures and all that sort stuff,” Nurse mentioned after the sport.
“(We) didn’t deal with the second very effectively, I don’t suppose, in numerous areas.”
NBA Recap: Wizards win common season debut vs. Raptors, 98-83 – Bullets Ceaselessly
The Washington Wizards could have had a poor preseason. However there was no signal of it on Wednesday night time as they defeated the Toronto Raptors, 98-83 on the street.
This was a particular recreation for the Raptors, on condition that it was their first common season recreation of their hometown for the reason that begin of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020. Sadly for the followers, however fortuitously for the Wizards, this recreation was not the beginning the Raptors had been on the lookout for.
However for the Wizards, this was a particular recreation of their very own, because it was the official head teaching debut of Wes Unseld, Jr., not solely in his capability for Washington, however typically.
Washington took benefit of an enormous run within the second quarter to take a commanding 57-37 lead at halftime. The Wizards didn’t get there by taking pictures lights out from three. Slightly, they had been making the proper passes on the proper time with Montrezl Harrell ending when wanted.
Harrell scored 22 factors off the bench, seemingly dunking each time he might because the Wizards had been in a position to lengthen their lead as much as as many as 29 factors at numerous factors within the third quarter, ending the interval with a 81-59 lead, holding Toronto to simply 29.2 p.c taking pictures to that time.
Whereas this was an enormous win, the Raptors did make their inevitable run within the fourth quarter to drop the deficit right down to 10 factors. However fortunately, the Wizards had been in a position to reply with a late run of their very own to get the much-needed win. And as for the Raptors’ taking pictures on the finish of the day? It was solely 30.9 p.c as soon as the ultimate buzzer sounded.
Along with Harrell, Bradley Beal scored 23 factors to guide Washington, whereas Kyle Kuzma scored 11 factors and grabbed 15 rebounds, . Fred VanVleet and Scottie Barnes co-led the Raptors with 12 factors every.
Raptors toy with late comeback, however fall to Wizards in residence opener – Raptors HQ
Fred VanVleet and OG Anunoby would possibly by no means once more mix for a taking pictures line (8-of-30, 3-of-18 from three) as ugly as this one; Khem Birch’s weary sea legs ought to develop steadier the additional faraway from COVID he will get, giving Toronto a chilled foil at middle subsequent to Treasured Achiuwa’s erratic swings; Nick Nurse’s extremely complicated protection will both change into simpler for his gamers to course of, or it’ll get scaled again by necessity. The crew’s finest participant can even come again within the subsequent month or so, which is vital.
That’s to not say every thing that went in opposition to the Raptors in what ought to have been a triumphant return house is fixable. Flaws that had been pinpointable in the summertime and preseason are very a lot there now that the video games matter, with the half court docket offense probably the most obtrusive. Any preseason hopes of a shock leap into the house court docket half of the playoff bracket had been misguided anyway, however can in all probability be chucked within the bin after night time one.
However that’s OK, as a result of this isn’t one which’ll be judged on the crew’s closing report or playoff standing, or a minimum of it shouldn’t be. It is a seedling yr. What it’s actually about is the loopy shit we noticed go down within the fourth quarter — and on the ultimate play of the third.
The fourth quarter in opposition to Washington was every thing Raptors followers needs to be hoping to see from this weirdo crew of gamers this season. Banton’s life-giving buzzer-beater despatched the Raptors into the ultimate body on a excessive. With a lineup of Banton, Scottie Barnes, Chris Boucher, Khem Birch and Gary Trent Jr. tasked with main a patented Raptors pretend comeback, you may see why the Raptors are going all in on size and fungibility. Banton’s slithery, heads-up drives, Barnes’ grace/energy combo on the run, and Boucher’s bouncy shot-blocking shone brightly as Toronto made it attention-grabbing, reducing the result in as little as 10 within the closing minutes. Barnes ended tied for the crew lead with 12 factors on 5-of-13 taking pictures; his fellow draft classmate Banton (7 factors, 4 rebounds on 3-of-4 taking pictures) might need performed himself out of instant 905 obligation when the G-League season begins. There’s an argument to be made that Rexdale’s personal needs to be with the massive membership all season simply in case the Raptors have to incite an impromptu rocking ovation.
“What you’re doing a number of occasions there may be attempting to ignite some power and a few pace and a few arduous play,” mentioned Nurse when requested about his last-ditch lineup, including that he thought that group did simply what he hoped.
You kinda knew within the pit of your abdomen that the comeback effort was a bit of too late-developing for the Raptors to steal the win and transfer to 1-0. However on the feverish top of the try, it was indistinguishable within the constructing which crew was successful or shedding. That’s gonna be the appeal of those Raptors and their arc of growth. Moments of destitution will probably be offset by stints the place the lengthy, athletic and totally ecstatic Raptors will seem like world-beaters, the ultimate outcomes of most video games fading to reminiscence whereas the significant cases of progress stick within the thoughts for good.
Scottie Barnes’ Raptors debut gives attractive base to construct upon – Sportsnet
The Barnes period has begun in Toronto and it began with a strong efficiency with equal components hiccups and highlights, however extra importantly, an attractive base that the Raptors will be capable of construct upon.
For the competition, Barnes completed with 12 factors, 9 rebounds and one help whereas turning the ball over six occasions, committing 5 private fouls and taking pictures 5-of-13 from the sector.
An NBA debut that was, in his coach’s phrases, “OK.”
“He was OK. I feel he acquired his ft moist,” mentioned Raptors coach Nick Nurse after the sport. “I feel we see a extremely good participant there. He did make some good performs. He rebounded the ball. I assumed he did push the ball fairly good, did some issues like that. I see he solely had one help which is type of low for him. I assumed he had a couple of extra passes than that that led to buckets, however possibly we didn’t make them.”
The fairweather evaluation of Barnes’ night time from Nurse is truthful, but it surely doesn’t communicate to among the flashes of brilliance the No. 4 total decide from this yr’s draft confirmed in his first official NBA recreation.
There was the lefty sky hook he made within the first quarter for his first two NBA factors, for one, the sequence within the second quarter when he collected a rebound and went coast-to-coast for a troublesome, contested layup, the proper bounce cross he delivered to a reducing Chris Boucher throughout the fourth quarter and, after all, that and-one sequence late within the closing interval that lower Washington’s lead right down to 10.
Sure, the turnovers and fouls he dedicated appeared tough, however on a number of these fouls referred to as in opposition to him, let’s simply say the rookie was getting one thing of a “welcome to the NBA” from the officers as he appeared to have been getting the quick finish of the stick on a minimum of three calls in opposition to him.
And whereas Nurse was understandably understated in his appraisal of Barnes on Wednesday given how the sport went for his crew, you want solely have a look at one stat, particularly, to know what the Raptors coach in all probability actually considered Barnes’ night time.
Nurse has mentioned throughout the pre-season that crucial stat to observe for with reference to Barnes is the minutes performed, as a result of if he’s getting a number of burn that in all probability means Barnes is having a very good recreation.
The teachings start for Scottie Barnes and the Raptors in season-opening loss to the Wizards | The Star
For all his enthusiasm and flexibility, all of the hype and all the apparent potential, probably the most refreshing factor about Scottie Barnes is that he is aware of he doesn’t have almost all of the solutions.
The Raptors rookie, who turned simply the seventh participant in franchise historical past to start out his first recreation with the franchise, has come to grasp that success within the NBA is about work and expertise and meshing the 2 each night time.
“One factor I observed, gamers on this league are actually rattling good,” mentioned Barnes, who began Wednesday because the Raptors opened the season with a 98-83 loss to Washington Wizards on the Scotiabank Enviornment. “Everyone could make pictures, you’ve acquired to execute the sport plan to its most interesting and you may’t take performs off in any respect.”
If Barnes didn’t solely imagine that earlier than he made his NBA debut, he actually will after a fairly doubtful exhibiting earlier than an introduced sellout crowd of 19,800 for the primary regular-season recreation in Toronto in 600 days.
Barnes didn’t have a glittering debut however neither did a younger crew touted as one that might use its size, athleticism and flexibility to hold it.
The six-foot-seven rookie had 5 turnovers and 4 fouls in his first 20 minutes. However he had a few good no-look passes in transition, hit a operating left-handed hook shot for his first NBA basket and matched Fred VanVleet with a team-high 12 factors. However Barnes and the remainder of the crew appeared off for many of the night time.
“He wasn’t alone there, it was type of occurring (in all places),” Raptors coach Nick Nurse mentioned after the sport. “He’ll determine the place a few of these performs are. He made some actually good passes, made a pair that weren’t so good as effectively.
“(We’ll) simply hold the ball in palms, I feel he’s a playmaker, acquired to get him a bit of extra aggressive to simply go in there and use his dimension on the rim and end them. He’s acquired to complete over a few of those who he thought was getting hit on. He’s acquired to attain ’em.”
Whether or not he and the Raptors acquired caught up within the emotion and pleasure of the night time is not possible to say for certain however the workers tried to fill minds with basketball-specific directions so the sense of the second wouldn’t be overwhelming.
Tough begin for younger Raptors of their return to Toronto | Toronto Solar
This model of the Raptors — as younger and as lengthy and versatile as it’s — goes to hold its hat on its defence and opening night time wasn’t terribly inspiring in that regard.
The Wizards have a bonafide all-star in Bradley Beal, however they aren’t precisely an offensive juggernaut. They’ve added some veteran items who know what to do in Kyle Kuzma, Spencer Dinwiddie and Montrezl Harrell, however this isn’t a crew that’s going to torch you.
Nonetheless, the Wizards had been in a position to shoot virtually 50% in opposition to Toronto’s defence for the primary three quarters.
Whereas an early battle was not sudden, no one can say they foresaw the Raptors getting dominated as a lot as they had been at each ends of the ground.
And, sure the Raptors are younger. The typical age on the crew is 25.6, making them the seventh youngest crew within the NBA. Take 14-year vet Goran Dragic out of the equation — which might occur by the commerce deadline — and Toronto is the fourth youngest crew within the league.
Beginning your kids equivalent to Scottie Barnes and Treasured Achiuwa is clearly the proper factor to do, given the place this crew is in its growth arc, however there are going to be moments when these selections include a value and there have been loads of these on Wednesday night time.
Barnes, who completed with 12 factors and 9 rebounds, goes to be a wonderful participant on this league, however that’s going to come back with time. The identical applies to Achiuwa.
As thrilling a participant as Barnes is correct now, although, this was his first expertise in a regular-season professional recreation and nothing within the 5 exhibitions he performed in was near it.
Barnes guarded Beal within the closing pre-season tuneup. However as head coach Nick Nurse identified earlier than Wednesday’s opening tip, the power stage from Beal was going to be considerably larger now that the video games truly depend.
The one actual spotlight of the night time for the house aspect got here simply earlier than the top of the third quarter when Rexdale rookie Dalano Banton checked in — simply the tenth participant Nurse used.
With the clock operating down, Banton stepped over centre court docket and let fly with a heave that discovered the mark simply because the buzzer sounded.
Tip Sam Holako
Morning Espresso – Thu, Oct 21 originated on Raptors Republic.
