Five takeaways from Toronto Raptors opening day victory over Pelicans

Terence Davis can hoop

Nick Nurse only trusted eight guys last night, so what does it say that he trusted undrafted rookie Terence Davis?

We’re only one game into the season, and it’s not as if Davis put up Wilt Chamberlin-esq figures, but we did learn that the kid can play. He’s tenacious on defense, not afraid on offense, and plays with a general understanding of the game far beyond his age. Seeing him perform in the preseason was nice. This is another level.

Check out a play during the second quarter of last night. This is the possession after he just airballed a hideous jumper.

Many rookies, particularly undrafted ones, would allow the previous play to get in their head. Davis, however, throws a box-out on a cutting Jrue Holiday, grabs a rebound in traffic, and then proceeds to drop a nifty dime to Ibaka’s sweet-spot. This isn’t a life-changing play, but for a rookie in game one, it’s a great sign.

The game still moves a little too fast and even on this possession, you can see his gears turning a little bit more than they should. That’s to be expected of a rookie. The poise and attitude he showed early on isn’t. Terence Davis is a hooper. It looks like Masai found another steal.