Toronto Raptors: Whose stock is rising/falling after week four?

Week four is in the books and it’s been an up and down week for the Toronto Raptors. Let’s have a look at how each player fared individually.

Well, that was an interesting week, to say the least. The weekend was dominated by the news that Jimmy Butler had been traded to the Philadelphia 76ers, love or hate the trade you may, but it’s fair to assume that the 76ers did just get a lot better. Despite some of the floor spacing concerns. They’re now up there with the Toronto Raptors, Boston Celtics and the Milwaukee Bucks as the elite in the East. Not that they already weren’t, just doubling down on it now.

Through it all, the Raptors put in a matinée performance worthy of a slot on Broadway against the Knicks on Saturday. Tim Hardaway Jr tried to play the role of pantomime villain with 27 points in the game but Siakam kept his hot streak going with 23 points including three three-pointers.

The Pelicans rolled into town on Monday night and humbled the Raptors, ending Toronto’s undefeated start at Scotiabank Arena. Jrue Holiday put the clamps on Kyle Lowry all night and E’twaun Moore looked like an All-Star shooting guard, Anthony Davis also looked like..well, Anthony Davis.

The game marked on the calendar was the Detroit Pistons, Dwane Casey’s return. Toronto started well. Kawhi, in particular, was shooting well and forcing turnovers. Then the second half happened. The Raptors were outscored 53-39 in the second half, with the Pistons clawing back from a 19-point deficit. Casey’s gritty team were led by Blake Griffin on a 30-point night, with Reggie Bullock netting the game winning bucket as time expired.

That’s two consecutive losses for the Raptors now on the back of two sluggish showings. It’s the middle of November and losses can be excused, poor play, however, cannot.

Let’s get to it.