NFL
By: Greg Rector
The Toronto Raptors now that the Kevin Durant saga has ended are gearing up for their 2022/2023 training camp. I highly doubt they pursue Donovan Mitchell. Coming off their surprising (to some) 5th place finish in the Eastern Conference last season the goal this year has to be at least staying there if not moving one or two spots. The offseason was busy between drafting Christian Koloko an actual 7’1″ raw center prospect who displayed rebounding and a solid defensive game (Nick Nurse type) in college who will not have any pressure to contribute from day one hugely, to signing Otto Porter Jr coming off an NBA championship with the Warriors, the Raptors will enter the season wanting one thing, to be healthier during the season. If they get more games out of OG Anunoby, get a full season from Pascal Siakim, and have a healthy Fred Van Vleet, challenging for home-court advantage for at least one playoff is a definite possibility. They were the only team in the league to have 5 starters averaging over 15 points a game. The offensive rebounding was near the top of the league and led at points of last season. The sore points and what proved costly come the playoffs were being the worst defensive rebounders and a lack of consistent scoring from the bench.
The Rico Hines Effect
A franchise already noted as one of the best at player development in the entire NBA, got an even bigger boost in that regard when they hired the well-respected Hines this year. The Rico Hines runs each off-season in Los Angeles, have been noted by many for several years now. The biggest beneficiary of working with Hines this year appears to be a bigger, stronger Scottie Barnes (NBA Rookie of the Year)his shooting technique is improved, along with Pascal Siakim who was able to get in a full summer of off and on-the-court work unlike last offseason when he was recovering from shoulder surgery. Many other Raptors were also in Los Angeles for the Rico runs and that will only help as they prepare for this season. The most important part of Barnes’s physical growth is this will allow him to be more effective inside at both ends of the court. Last year the offensive production for Barnes was far more of his creation and one factor that got him the ROY was the fact he was highly efficient with limited shots per game. That will change in year two.
Scottie Barnes reacting to a Jarrett Culver acrobatic finish at the Rico Hines private runs in LA.
pic.twitter.com/4An7aciyDl
— Jarrett Culver GOAT (@CulverGoat) August 19, 2022
It’s well known that the Raptors have us against the world mentality and it brings the players closer. Yes, they take it personally that their games aren’t on TNT or ESPN/ABC unless forced to be. At the Rico Hines runs you could see them pushing each other and the clear vocal leader was the young Scottie Barnes, who went after everyone especially if they weren’t putting maximum effort into their defensive responsibilities. This kid just has an “IT,” factor about him as many are learning through his social media activity. Now let’s get to the tough choice that faces Masai Ujuri, Bobby Webster, and head coach Nick Nurse.
Starting Gary Trent Jr or Precious Achiuwa
When Trent Jr came to the Raptors in the Norman Powell trade with Portland one thing was very evident, Trent Jr was a complete defensive liability. Now give the Raptors player development staff and Trent Jr credit, they put in some serious work in that regard. Trent Jr was vastly improved defensively, especially as a perimeter defender. He also was influenced by his backcourt partner in Van Vleet, as he was good at deflections and going after loose balls. Just as his weakness offensively though is at the rim, the same holds true in his end of the floor. What he provides of course is a guy who can get on a hot streak offensively and carry the scoring at times when they ride his hot hand. Van Vleet led the NBA in clutch 3-pointers made with 19, while Trent Jr was third with 14.
Most 3-pointers made in the clutch last season:
19 — Fred VanVleet
17 — Kyle Kuzma
14 — Gary Trent Jr.
14 — Mike Conley pic.twitter.com/iNRVYeDdWr— StatMuse (@statmuse) August 18, 2022
Precious Achiuwa meanwhile gives you more on the defensive end of the floor and has guarded 1 through 5. The more important part is while he can do that his work inside against bigger players has been solid and impressive at times. Equally as valuable as far as starting he gained confidence in his 3-point shot and was a 36% shooter from behind the arc, improving that by another two or three percent, and as a fourth or 5th option offensively you’ll take that any time. The decision between the two will be the hardest one facing the Raptors for a few reasons. First of all Trent Jr value-wise is a steal at $18 million but has a player option for next year. This matters because you know he will want to maximize his next contract and may just feel his best opportunity for that is by being the starter. To the Raptors, however, his value may just be more as a sixth man in the way Jordan Clarkson has been for the Jazz. As I pointed out earlier the one area that cost Toronto too many games last year was a lack of consistent bench scoring. This will also require plenty of mental work on the part of the player developmental staff, the coaches, and Trent Jr himself. When he came to Toronto his work off the bench was unimpressive compared to being a starter. I feel the best route for the Raptors is to start Achiuwa, but Trent Jr must buy into and accept the role of the sixth man.
Outlook
Fred Van Vleet despite playing hurt for so much of last season led the NBA in average minutes per game at 39. That’s way too much and Siakim as well had to play too many minutes. Van Vleet’s usage rate will be much less this season as the ball will be in the hands of both Barnes and Siakim more. I look for Van Vleet to return to his more comfortable role as more of an off-ball guard and that should help his overall game. On offense, Barnes is the 1 Van Vleet as the 2 and they will flip on the other end of the court. Or they could start Barnes as the 3 bring him off the floor early and have him come back out with the bench unit to run the floor with that group. As of now, the bench should be able to contribute more consistently, that could be the biggest area of improvement for them. Porter Jr and wily old Thaddeus Young, will help the likes of Malachi Flynn, Dalano Banton, and at points of this season Koloko as well. The Raptors can be a factor in the Eastern Conference in 2022/2023. Don’t sleep on them, folks.
As always you can find me on Twitter @GregsCowboys
