Chris Boucher
Chris Boucher had an incredible season with the Raptors 905 and was rewarded in the form of accolades and hardware. He was named to the All-NBA G League First Team and took home both the NBA G League Defensive Player of the Year and NBA G League Most Valuable Player awards.
His fantastic play at the G-League level helped earn him a standard NBA contract on the eventual NBA Champions.
There is a lot to like about Boucher’s game. He plays hard and doesn’t give up on plays. He has tremendous leaping ability and uses it on both ends of the floor.
Unfortunately, he’s also quite lean and lets shots fly with the same reckless abandon as Stephen Curry. Over the summer, Boucher might want to find a personal trainer that could help him bulk up safely. He may also want to find a life coach who is willing to tell him the truth, he isn’t Curry.
Per 36 minutes, Boucher averaged 8.2 three-point attempts. For context’s sake, Danny Green, who owned a 45.5 three-point percentage, took fewer long-range shots per 36 minutes. He averaged 7.1.
Boucher’s firing at will wouldn’t be a problem if he was making his shots more consistently. He shot 32.4-percent from downtown last season. Boucher needs to work on his patience and ensure he’s making the right plays. He would be well served to cosy up to one or multiple veterans on the team and pick their brains about basketball psychology. There is a lot he can learn and his potential teachers are already paid to spend time with him.
Biggest area to work on: Shot selection and basketball awareness
Jordan Loyd
Jordan Loyd is a difficult player to evaluate based on his limited time in the NBA. He played in 12 games for the Raptors and a total of 55 minutes. When he was on the floor, it was primarily in a garbage-time role, which meant that he was up against opponents’ end-of-the-bench players.
Evaluating Loyd should be done based on his time in the NBA G-League, playing for the Raptors 905. Jama Mahlalela converted Loyd this past season to become a point guard. It was a transition that allowed the team to make Loyd the primary ball-handler and play-caller. He did not look out-of-place in his new role, attacking the hoop and launching threes.
As he heads into next season, he will need to continue to work on getting comfortable playing at the one. That means he will need to work on all the fundamentals. If he hopes to find himself playing meaningful NBA minutes, this will be a must.