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Toronto Raptors: 6ix Takes – This team must get healthy

By Jordan Skuse

TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 1: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors dribbles the ball as Royce O'Neale #23 of the Utah Jazz defends during the first half of an NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on January 1, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 1: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors dribbles the ball as Royce O'Neale #23 of the Utah Jazz defends during the first half of an NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on January 1, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /
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Toronto Raptors
San Antonio Spurs – DeMar DeRozan (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) /

1. DeMar DeRozan wanted to win Thursday’s game…badly

…so badly as a matter of fact that he notched his first career triple-double to help San Antonio run away with the victory over his former club. (Wind the clocks back one year)…Imagine the odds — not to mention looks — you would’ve received had you bet on No. 10’s first career trip double coming against the Toronto Raptors. You’d be a rich man (or woman) is my guess. Bummer.

Obviously, the result was not what Toronto was looking for, but it by no means should spark widespread panic amongst fans. The Spurs were hitting everything Thursday night, granted they were aided by the Raptors’ lackluster defense but still…their conversion rate was stupidly good. A loss to Milwaukee or Indiana in the coming days will sting far more than Thursday’s defeat.

As for DeRozan, if I may, I’d like to take a little cheap shot at Toronto’s former “I Got Us” man. His offensive performance on Thursday was vintage DeMar, but it was his defense that stood out the most. From start to finish, he was dialed in on both ends of the floor. It showed me that he has the potential to be a disruptive defender when he wants to be, but Raptors fans will admit that despite all his offensive accolades over his Raptors tenure, DeRozan rarely showed much interest in defending.

Under the guidance of grizzly Gregg Popovich, I genuinely wish Deebo nothing but the best and hope he evolves into a complete, two-way player…kinda like the guy Toronto traded him for.

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