Doug, but for Vince Carter and the excitement he brought to the franchise at that precarious time, would the Raptors still be in Toronto? Or would they be the Nashville Raptors or something?
—Tony B., Albany, N.Y.
Nah, they’d still be here and it’s got nothing to do with Vince.
Once the Raptors and Leafs married and the arena was up and going, the finances — not necessarily year-to-year, but overall valuation looking decades into the future — made it too good an entity to break up.
It was the only logical result and basically guaranteed amazing returns over the years.
Hi, Doug. Congratulations on asking the first question at Vince Carter’s jersey retirement ceremony press conference and getting another well-deserved acknowledgment from a player. You gained interesting insight as to why he chose No. 15. Did you like the ceremony and run up to the evening?
Thanks for your coverage.
I thought the entire night was done almost perfectly. From the tone to the execution to the physical look of the banner, the Raptors seemed to have nailed.
And talking to a few participants later that night and in the intervening week, that’s an opinion shared by many.
It’ll be interesting to see how they pull off the similar Kyle Lowry ceremony in a few years.
As I watch the Raptors struggling through this season I am struck by the consistent and sometimes inspired play by Chris Boucher.
I’ve never understood why coach Darko benched him for most of the last season given his skills at three-point shooting, blocking shots and cleaning up at the rim.
—Phil Canon in London, Ont.
Chris didn’t play particularly well last season, actually. The coaching staff was concerned with his attention to detail defensively, primarily, and his style didn’t fit what they were trying to do. He’s playing better now, the style seems to fit his skills a bit better and he’s off to a good start.
It’s still early in the season, but has the depth and length of all the injuries the Raptors have had changed the perspective of the season by management? Too many missed games, now and to come, to overcome?
With what felt like weeks of Carterpaloooza and not having been on even a bit of the longest trip of the year, I haven’t had a chance to take anyone’s temperature. But what I know is that it’s still too early, and the revolving availability of key players has certainly clouded it.
I still don’t expect any significant moves in the season, and I don’t think they’ll even think seriously about anything until, let’s say, the end of the calendar year.
Sorry, Doug, for the late question comment for your Sunday column, but I have been enjoying the late fall weather! Hope you have had a chance as well!
Norm Powell, post-Raptors, has really come into his own, eh? I loved him here, but since the trade(s) he has gradually upped his game.
Any other ex-Raptors, say past five years or so, that have improved since their playing days here that stand out for you?
I don’t think the day they dealt away Delon Wright that many people would have seen him playing this long and as well. Not anywhere close to Norm Powell, of course.
In the same deal, Jonas Valanciunas becoming, relatively, a volume three-point shooter stands out.
“Started from the bottom, now we’re here!”
OK, we did the bottom part. The question is where will “here” end up being?
I doubt we’ll go 2-80! Also doubt we’ll go 70-12!
1) Both Gradey Dick and Ochai Agbaji should be in consideration for most improved player, and if/when the roster is 100 per cent healthy both deserve minutes. On a healthy team, who starts and who comes off the bench?
2) After watching Detroit play, they look like they are one or two big centres from being a dangerous team. Given the lineup age, would GM Smith trade a couple picks for a Dereck Lively II type to push them into contending in the East?
3) Again, glass half-full viewpoint: Seeing as the majority of Eastern Conference teams are playing below .500, how likely is it that the season can be salvaged?
4) Keeping the view optimistic, the team has been close in many games without key players. And the bench has a few intriguing pieces. Would GM Smith consider making a move or two? And do you see Masai considering standing pat for the potential Sag for Flagg?
Just a suggestion: The “Inside the NBA” team likes Gradey Dick’s play, but can’t get over his name! Could this be marketed cleverly to an all-star appearance? At first a juvenile prank, but increasingly a recognition of merit! (Use the Destiny’s Child song, “Say my name.”)
If the Raptors keep on this trajectory in the standings, even if Dick and Agbaji maintain this pace (unlikely) there won’t be a Toronto player anywhere within miles of awards consideration. And they seem to be leaning to Dick starting with Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett, Scottie Barnes and Jakob Poeltl.
I’m OK with Jalen Duren in Detroit and I cannot see a way that Dallas, with legitimate championship aspirations, even answers the phone on a call about Lively. I wouldn’t.
It depends on what “salvage” means. Does it mean finding out how this group plays and develops when it’s healthy, sure. Does it mean seeing if Ja’Kobe Walter, Jamal Shead and Jonathan Mogbo are legit, sure.
I don’t think I’d make anything, or even consider it, before February. Let’s talk then.
Hi, Doug. You seemed to imply to an earlier question that the Raptors would not be making many, if any, trades this year if I understood what you were saying.
I really don’t agree. I think there will be a few players (Jakob Poeltl and Bruce Brown) who will be highly sought after at the trade deadline and will be moved. As well, Chris Boucher and possibly Kelly Olynyk might be moved in a package of some sort as well.
All of them are older players and really don’t fit in moving forward.
Actually, I think the question was about the possibility of a “significant” trade and I haven’t changed my mind. I wouldn’t put Olynyk, Brown or Boucher transactions, if they happen, in the significant grouping because the return would be negligible and I doubt they will move Poeltl.
Hey, Doug. I saw some interesting NBA stats the other day. The NBA leaders in points per minute played, and their plus/minus so far this season. (I think it only included players who have averaged at least 10 minutes per game.)
1. Giannis Antetokounmpo — 0.91 points/minute (minus-26)
2. Anthony Davis — 0.89 (minus-5)
3. LaMelo Ball — 0.88 (minus-15)
4. Dalano Banton — 0.86 (plus-39)
T5. Immanuel Quickley — 0.85 (minus-8)
T5. Jayson Tatum — 0.85 (plus-113)
7. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander — 0.80 (plus-106)
So most of the guys you would expect, with a couple you might not.
For instance Quickley tied at fifth place with Tatum at 0.85 points per minute. Although it’s a small sample size in games played for I.Q., I’m not surprised with this result as I feel he could be considered in the top five to 10 guards in the league overall. An excellent acquisition for the Raptors, but I suspect outside of Toronto he is a bit underrated or underappreciated, would you agree?
In the NBA, the starters have earned the vast majority of minutes. Most of us casual fans typically just think about stats per game averages.
But stats per minute and plus-minus seems like a more accurate indicator of a player’s impact on the game. And with all the advanced metrics being used these days, I wonder if NBA scouts and coaching staffs focus more on such things as stats per minute when evaluating opposing teams for game day defensive strategies, as well as for future trade prospects and draft picks.
Would be interested to hear your perspective on this. Thanks.
There’s not a ton of intense focus on individual plus-minus (they do look at how combinations are playing well at the time) and more than points per minute, teams pay close attention to points per possession, because it speaks to pace and the frequency of three-point attempts.
Dear Mr. Smith. Hope this finds you in relevant good health. Now that the Bucks seem to be in tank mode or just bad, the possibility of trading Giannis Antetokounmpo is being floated.
Would Mr. Ujiri take a second kick at the can, with everyone but three teams terrible in the East?
Thoughts on Scottie Barnes and a first for a 30-year-old Giannis and immediate success?
First off, no one is remotely thinking the Bucks are giving up on the season. Second, every team would like to have Giannis, but there’s no way he gets traded in the season. And finally, if the Bucks want to move Giannis — and I don’t think they ever will — if all they get is a borderline all-star and one pick, they better fire the entire Milwaukee front-office staff. How about two or three starters and four or five picks as a jumping off to discussions?
