Why don’t Raptors have dirty players?
By Brian Boake
Do the Raptors need a “policeman” on the roster?
A poll at Hoops Hype has now been up long enough to offer a meaningful list of the NBA’s 15 dirtiest players. As voted by readers, the dirtiest is Matt Barnes, followed by Matthew Dellavedova. While the entire list has merit (otherwise I wouldn’t bring it to your attention), I got to wondering who the Toronto Raptors’ dirtiest player is. And that got me to musing whether having a player detested enough to join a list like this is entirely a bad thing.
[Update: I wrote this yesterday, and woke up to learn of some serious misbehaviour by Barnes last night. Here’s the link; I won’t add the video since I don’t want to dignify his nonsense. If I’m coach Dave Joerger, I’m asking Barnes a simple question: “How do your actions help the Memphis Grizzlies?” Whatever suspension the NBA hands out should be doubled by his team.]
Two teams have a pair of “representatives” on the list. OKC big men Steven Adams and Serge Ibaka are Top Ten, and Golden State has a couple of starters named: Draymond Green and Andrew Bogut. I can’t help but think of hockey teams like the Edmonton Oilers who had an enforcer playing on Wayne Gretzy’s line. Does the presence of Green and Bogut prevent opponents from taking swipes at Stephen Curry, who’s short and skinny by NBA standards?
A few minutes of watching Matt Barnes is all that’s needed to understand why he’s viewed as a cheap-shot artist. Like the old-time hockey hulks, being a tough (and then some) defender is the only way he’s staying in the NBA. His other skills are modest, and I’m being really kind.
What’s most revealing is the quality of teams which employ these nasty boys. OKC & Golden State are doing OK this year. Cleveland, which Dellavedova calls home, is likewise in good shape. Chris Paul of the Clippers gets a mention. Do top teams need tough guys?
Historically, the Raptors toughest guy was undoubtedly Charles (Grumpy) Oakley. His rants and curse-outs are the stuff of legend, and he would thump people under the hoop. We only saw Kevin Willis at the tail end of his career, but he had an edge. Jerome Williams wasn’t anyone’s idea of a dirty player, but he wouldn’t back down from contact or defending his mates.
On the Raptors’ current roster, I can’t think of anyone who’s dirty. Our big men in the paint, Jonas Valanciunas and Bismack Biyombo, receive more abuse than they dish out. Kyle Lowry takes charges, but doesn’t take offense. Norman Powell may need to sharpen his elbows if he’s going to have a career as an undersized shooting guard. James Johnson sometimes looks like he’s spoiling for a fight, but that hasn’t happened yet.
Basketball and hockey at the pro level have one thing in common. There’s little or no room left for one-dimensional cementheads. The game(s) is too fast, and weaknesses are easily exposed. The only dirty player I wouldn’t want is Barnes, but others listed like Dwyane Wade and even monumental coach-killer Rajon Rondo would be welcome on the Raptors, or anywhere else.
I was surprised to not see DeMarcus Cousins. Perhaps he uses up all his childishness off the court, and plays it straight when the ball goes up.
Speak up, Rapture Nation. Is there someone you’ve spotted as sneaky/mean? Drop the name in a Comment, please.