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Raptor of the Week: Yuta Watanabe

By Avishai Sol

TAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 29: Yuta Watanabe #18 of the Toronto Raptors talks with umpire Natalie Sago #9 during a game against the Sacramento Kings at Amalie Arena on January 29, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) 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.
TAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 29: Yuta Watanabe #18 of the Toronto Raptors talks with umpire Natalie Sago #9 during a game against the Sacramento Kings at Amalie Arena on January 29, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) 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. /
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TAMPA, FLORIDA – JANUARY 29: Yuta Watanabe #18 of the Toronto Raptors (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA – JANUARY 29: Yuta Watanabe #18 of the Toronto Raptors (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

While the single-game averages suggest that Norm Powell should be the Raptor of the Week, energetic bench player Yuta Watanabe has edged out Powell over the last week. Yes, over his past four games, Powell has averaged 23.2 points. but Powell’s streaky shooting is nothing new to Raptors fans. Instead, the Raptor of the Week title goes to Watanabe.

This week, playing 18 minutes a game, Watanabe posted career highs in points, rebounds, assists, and blocks. The raw numbers won’t wow you, but he’s proving that he can be a valuable rotation guy for the Raptors.

Yuta Watanabe now has a defined role on the Toronto Raptors

With Alex Len cut from the Roster, the Raptors are officially moving Chris Boucher to full-time centre. This leaves us with some extra minutes at the backup forward spot, and even more extra minutes when OG Anunoby is out with knee strains. Watanabe has shown us this week that he can hold down the fort when called upon.

Watanabe’s biggest issue was that he didn’t have one defining skill to market to NBA teams.  He has good length, though you wouldn’t call him explosive. He can shoot, but he’s not a sniper. He’s a good defender, though you wouldn’t call him a stopper. Yuta came into the NBA as a jack of all trades, but a master of none.

This week, however, we’ve seen him energized, and that energy has spilled over to the rest of the team. He’s playing aggressively, using his soft touch around the basket to contribute on offense while using his 7-foot wingspan to bother defenders. Watanabe is seizing the moment with Anunoby out, and his aggression has been the key difference.  You can tell by the way he moves his feet guarding people on the perimeter.  He’s flying around the court.  He wants this.

Jan 8, 2021; Sacramento, California, USA; Toronto Raptors forward Yuta Watanabe (18) during the first quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 8, 2021; Sacramento, California, USA; Toronto Raptors forward Yuta Watanabe (18) during the first quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports /

What can the Toronto Raptors expect from Yuta Watanabe?

Watanabe should observe what what Pascal Siakam played like early on in his career. Play with energy, guard the 3 to the 5, stay aggressive off-ball, and eat in the in-between areas. The Raptors don’t need him to average 12 points a game. Heck, they don’t even need him to play 20 minutes. What Nick Nurse needs is a guy who he can trust off the bench.

Has Yuta Watanabe earned his trust yet? Not fully, but this week he’s piqued some interest and raised some eyebrows. For now, that’s enough.

He’s left the area of two-way-fringe-players and moved into the backup club.  If nothing else, he just earned himself another $1.6 million.  Whatever happens, he’ll be with the Raptors next year, and it’ll be due in part to this week.