The Toronto Raptors allowed a touring Australian team to hang around early, but pulled away as the game wore on. A bunch of training-camp hopefuls got major minutes, but not all used them well.
The Toronto Raptors made their first and only pre-season appearance at the Scotiabank Arena last night. The result was a foregone conclusion. Even while a bunch of the Raptors rotation sat and watched, the opponent, Australia’s Melbourne United, wasn’t capable of providing an interesting match. The final score was 120 – 82.
I’ve long held the belief that pre-season games don’t help the team, but they can help individuals. In that sense, the game was highly beneficial to Norman Powell (at least until he tweaked his thigh muscle and could barely hobble off the floor). Norman, who has stepped into Terrence Ross’s old job as the most inconsistent player on the squad, looked like the man who so impressed us a few seasons ago. He moved well and with purpose, made a bunch of open looks, and actually passed the ball.
Lorenzo Brown’s chances of sticking with the big team, sadly, went the other way. He managed one bucket and an assist against competition unworthy of the G League.
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Deng Adel, perhaps the longest shot of all to make the opening-night roster, provided some exciting moments. Making all five shots he tried, including a 3-ball, was certainly impressive. Several of his buckets were the result of well-executed drives to the hoop. I’d like to see him against better opponents. The Aussies were more than a step slow on defense all night.
Kyle Collinsworth, like Brown, didn’t help his cause. His made free throw was his first point in three games. If you’re not going to score, you better find another way to contribute – and he hasn’t. He’s from Brigham Young University, like Rafael Araujo was. Maybe that school has bad mojo for Toronto?
So many scratches
Chris Boucher has yet to see the floor. He was scratched because of back spasms. Let’s hope he’s OK for Wednesday’s game in Montreal, the city where he grew up. Since we’re talking about big men, I’ll mention all three of our incumbents (Jonas Valanciunas, Serge Ibaka, Greg Monroe) looked in command and ready to go.
Kay Felder has a contract, but I’m not sure why. He didn’t do much to show he’s a threat to the minutes of the other backup point guards, particularly in light of an excellent outing from Delon Wright. (Fred VanVleet was one of the spectators. Kyle Lowry was dressed, though his younger son was in his lap on the bench.)
Pascal Siakam has the green light to handle the ball on fast breaks, and he’s taking full advantage. The only problem with him was his inability to finish all his drives. Missed layups, even when contested, make me cringe. Otherwise, let’s start the real games; he’s ready.
I don’t understand why the fans couldn’t have been treated to a Kawhi Leonard sighting. Surely playing the first six minutes of the second half wouldn’t have hurt the cause.
That’s enough gonzo journalism for today.