There’s about a month remaining of games left for the 2020-21 regular season. Things haven’t been easy for the Toronto Raptors, but there have been many silver linings to take away. With injuries and players being out due to health and safety protocols, it has led head coach Nick Nurse to mix and match a variety of lineups.
However, there have been a few players that have made the most of their opportunities. As there are many Raptors coming back into action within the next few games, Nick Nurse has a really good problem to deal with going forward with the rest of the season.
With the high level of play each player is bringing into every game, they are making a serious case for more playing time, especially those who are trying to stay on the roster despite their non-guaranteed contracts.
After Paul Watson and Yuta Watanabe combined for 51 points in Toronto’s win against the Orlando Magic, it’s become clear that whatever Nurse has been preaching has been well received by the Raptors bench.
"I'm really mad at him. That was supposed to be my night!" - Yuta joking about Paul Watson's night
— William Lou (@william_lou) April 17, 2021
Here’s a breakdown as to how these players have been improving lately.
These 3 Toronto Raptors players have been playing well
No. 3: C Khem Birch
51 games into the season, the Raptors finally acquired the big man they so desperately needed. Although the sample size of what Birch has done in Toronto is small, being only three games. He has already provided a much-needed impact.
In his first four games with the Raptors, Birch is averaging 9.5 points and 6.0 rebounds per game.
Birch has provided a great energy boost off the bench, despite starting in Toronto’s last games against the Magic and Spurs. Whether or not Nurse elects to keep Birch within the starting lineup or have him come off the bench, it’s evident what you’re getting out of him every night.
Khem Birch gives the Toronto Raptors size
Birch will provide a consistent effort on both ends of the court. You know what you’re getting from him every time he checks in the game. A high motor player, who’s gonna be extremely aggressive on the glass, and give you great pick and roll chances on offense. Everything that the Raptors needed.
It’s safe to say that the Aron Baynes experiment didn’t work out, but the Raptors finally have a player to fulfill the needs of that center position. If Toronto ends up making a push for a spot in the play-in tournament, Birch will be a vital reason for it.
No. 2: SF Yuta Watanabe
Watanabe has quickly become a fan favorite among Toronto fans. Although he wasn’t playing with the same productivity after the Anthony Edwards’ poster, Watanabe has come alive as of late. In the Raptors recent thrashing of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Yuta notched a career-high in points with 14 points, while tallying five rebounds.
He, of course, followed that game up by setting another career-high by scoring 21 points against Orlando,
Watanabe is arguably the highest energy player on the Raptors roster. He will do his very best to guard every position, and does a very good job at it. His lateral quicks are amazing, allowing him to stay in front of offensive players and make things difficult for them.
Yuta Watanabe is impressing the Toronto Raptors
Currently, Watanabe has been splitting minutes with Rodney Hood since the trade. However, with Watanabe’s offensive game increasing each game, he can potentially steal Hood’s minutes as well.
Obviously, there is more opportunity with DeAndre’ Bembry out of the lineup, but with the productivity Watanabe is providing currently, it exceeds what Bembry would be giving if he was out there on the court.
All the Raptors need is for Watanabe to be a 3-and-D type player, and Yuta definitely has the tools to do so. With consistency improving with the more games he plays, it only grows more evident that the Raptors have found yet another diamond in the rough.
It seems that Eric Flynn was right all along. After being hyper-critical of the Raptors not playing his son, Flynn has received more minutes due to multiple lineup fluctuations. With Kyle Lowry and Fred VanVleet out, Flynn has been thriving as the Raptors’ new starting point guard.
It’s becoming a pattern for Flynn to topple his career-high game after game, but the effectiveness of the rookie’s play can’t go unnoticed. Against the Cavaliers, Flynn recorded the first double-double of his career with 20 points and 11 assists. A very promising sign, as Flynn’s confidence with the ball in his hands looked VanVleet-esque.
Malachi Flynn is living up to his potential
Flynn would shortly top that performance with an amazing outing against the Atlanta Hawks. Flynn scored 15 points in the fourth quarter alone, along with a frenzy of 3-pointers, almost single-handedly winning the Raptors the game. Everything that Flynn has shown is only the surface level.
With Terence Davis out of the picture, its clear that Flynn is the backup point guard as of now. But with the opportunity he’s been given, Flynn has shown just how good of a player he can be.
There are still many aspects of his game that need improving but that will come with more experience. Despite the Raptors’ struggles this season, the near future looks bright. With the possibility of a lottery pick being within grasp, it could be even brighter.
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