Trash-talk Toronto Raptors: Ringless Valanciunas, Wright and Miles

Fred VanVleet: “Boy, you better earn your place.”

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson took to Instagram to explain the “behind the scenes” in a game:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B4_QaFOF_xF/

To see Hollis-Jefferson teasing himself is a good sight to see. For a while, it seemed that he wouldn’t be fitting into this team whatsoever, but the injuries have given him playing time and new life in the rotation.

Of course, Fred VanVleet also wanted to give his two cents on the photograph, so he replied, “Get to the dunker,” with a few laugh-crying emojis to go along with it. Pascal Siakam didn’t even bother writing anything and just replied with the laugh-crying emojis.

Consequently, Aaron Gordon of the Orlando Magic and Caris LaVert of the Brooklyn Nets also replied with some form of laugh-crying emojis.

Having Hollis-Jefferson poke fun at himself is a good thing for this team heading forward and it’s also good that Siakam and VanVleet joined in on the fun. This is a much better outcome than the cryptic tweets LeBron James sent that were seemingly about Kevin Love fitting in with the team.

Then, of course, Norm Powell had to take away all the fun because of course Norm Powell had to take away all the fun:

Perhaps I’m reading way too far into this, but it actually seems like Powell is scowling before he does this. Maybe he doesn’t like his thunder being taken away by a newbie, but the wheels are humming — why mess up a good thing?

Of course, Hollis-Jefferson responds, with deadpanned expression, “I’m not your child.”

As long as Hollis-Jefferson continues to hum in his role on the court then, by all means, let the humor roll into the social media landscape. Let’s face it, these Toronto Raptors all need a good laugh after that road trip full of injuries. But, Norm Powell (!) come on, man, he’s not your child.

If equitable humor continues with the team, then maybe, just maybe, Hollis-Jefferson is becoming an elite glue guy.