How is the Raptors’ Development League team, the 905, coming along? Not great, but not terrible.
Last night was my first opportunity to take in a Raptors 905 game. I made the trek to Mississauga, the burgeoning bedroom community bordering Toronto’s west end, to see how the other half lives.
The 905- ers, led by sometime Raptors Anthony Bennett, Delon Wright and Bruno Caboclo, defeated the New York Knicks affiliate, Westchester, by 13. None of the three hopefuls was dominant, neither were they disappointing. I was hoping to see one of them display clearcut readiness to be injected into the big team’s lineup, but wasn’t satisfied. Bruno shot well (5 of 9) and grabbed 10 boards, but looked slow, and still needs to add bulk. Ronald Roberts, who has been the 905’s best player, grabbed 12 rebounds, and he’s no taller than DeMar DeRozan. Roberts scored in a variety of ways, and might earn a callup from an NBA team damaged by injuries to its wingmen.
I wanted to get a look at DeAndre Daniels, but I don’t think he dressed. Three 905-ers were DNP-CD; he didn’t even rate that status.
Bennett cut to the hoop to receive a few crisp passes which he turned into slam dunks, but wasn’t a factor on the glass. Canadian Jordan Bachynski on the Knicks was the only true centre on either team, so Bennett should have crashed the boards. The game’s other Canadian centre, the gigantic Sim Bhullar, didn’t get off the bench. One can’t feel optimistic about his future when his coach won’t let him into a game in which his team led by 30 points in Q4.
Delon Wright looked comfortable at the 1-spot, and led the 905 in scoring with 20 points, including 9 of 10 from the free throw line. I was hoping for more from him – perhaps a flashy pass or two, a blocked shot on the perimeter, a spin move in the lane for an and-1. I suspect his ceiling is as a Cory Joseph type; a reliable backup.
Jimmer Fredette is the marquee name on Westchester, and he’s supposed to be a threat from deep. Due to shabby coverage, he enjoyed a bunch of open looks, but made 1 of 9. While he was able to penetrate the paint and drain some unchallenged push shots, that won’t happen in the NBA. Although he might make a return to the bright lights, I wouldn’t wager anything I’d hurt to lose on it. His crummy 3-point shooting was in keeping with his mates. The wannabe Knicks were 3 of 26, or 11.5%. I saw no one on their team ready for higher competition.
Our staff writer Lindsay Dunn was also in attendance, and told me the crowd was much larger than any other game so far. The 5,314 (? – tickets sold or given away maybe) fans were the opposite of those at a Raptors game; lots of families enjoying a cheap night out together rather than corporate types. The many youngsters in the crowd were enthusiastically led in cheers by a Dancepak of sorts.
Leaving the Hershey Centre, a multiplex of ice rinks (they don’t take down the hockey sideboards for 905 games, which creates a weird floor configuration), was an odd experience for me. I don’t park near the Air Canada Centre on those occasions when I drive downtown, so sitting in a long line of traffic waiting to leave the lot took some getting used to. It was a reminder of the importance of subway access.
There you have it, Rapture Nation. An enjoyable time, and if your kids love hoops, by all means go to a game. For those of us hoping for progress from our young players, there’s room for guarded optimism.