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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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(Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images) /

2. Danny Green needs a new long distance plan

Danny Green has yet to make a three in January (0-8) and while Toronto has only played two games this month, his rangefinder appears to be broken. Is he sleeping in CJ’s PJs?

The Raptors have struggled all season long to convert from three and cannot afford Green to stay cold for long, as he’s unquestionably the team’s best long-distance shooter. Once again, CJ where you at?

Green’s three-point percentage has declined each month, suggesting that he could be wearing down and could benefit from a reduction in minutes. Not saying Nick Nurse should sit him entirely (though maybe a game or two in civilian clothes would help him), but perhaps the Raptors’ bench boss starts giving Norman Powell more runs with the starters. At 31 years of age, Green is averaging a career-high 29.4 minutes per game. You can’t tell me those miles aren’t taking a toll on him. Just me, or does he have a weird run…?

At the end of the day, much like CJ Miles, the only way out of a shooting slump is to keep shooting. Green won’t (and shouldn’t) shy away from taking good shots, and his teammates shouldn’t stop looking for him. And regardless of how long it takes Green to break out of his offensive funk, Nick Nurse knows he can count on the star of Inside the Green Room to play solid defense every minute he’s on the floor. Offensive struggles aside, Danny Green’s level of commitment to defense cannot be ignored when assessing his overall performance to this point in the season.

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