The Toronto Raptors have started the season off at 1-3, with a loss to the Chicago Bulls stinging even more after such a furious, encouraging comeback that fell short. The biggest concern has been a very lackluster showing on the offensive end of the floor. The performances of players like OG Anunoby have been let down by Goran Dragic and others.
The Raptors are 25th in points per game while shooting 40% from the field and 29.4% from 3-point range. In a league that is relying on the 3-pointer more than ever before, that is a very concerning figure to see. Toronto needs to get this hole patched up as soon as possible if they are to become true playoff contenders.
Toronto’s half-court offense has been stagnant, the transition game has had varying degrees of success from game to game, and the 3-point shooting has evaporated. Polishing some of the rough edges is critical to this team getting back on the right track.
Nick Nurse needs to get these three Toronto Raptors players back on the right track in order to save the season and get this offense performing with some degree of success with some winnable games coming up.
3 Toronto Raptors players who are struggling on the offensive end.
3. Goran Dragic
Dragic has been an ultra-consistent player over the last decade, as he was an integral part of Miami’s run to the title in the Disney bubble. Masai Ujiri might need to give Pat Riley a quick call, because I don’t think the Dragic the Raptors got sent was the same one that was an ace sixth man for Miami.
Dragic is averaging 6.0 points per game while making 31.8% of his shots and 22% of his 3-point attempts. Every possible benchmark you could use to evaluate his performance shows that Dragic is not performing well, and with Toronto looking to trade him, his value continues to shrink.
Goran Dragic is showing his age for the Toronto Raptors.
Nurse has so much confidence in Dragic that he is willing to restrict the minutes of two of his younger players, giving Dalano Banton just a spoonful near the end of the third quarter and freezing out Malachi Flynn. So far, Goran has not rewarded Nurse’s trust in him with scoring.
Nurse didn’t make it sound like a change is coming anytime soon, so Dragic needs to step up and ensure that he can be a reliable member of this backcourt rotation. With his defensive value slim, Dragic’s meal ticket (finishing and scoring) is failing him, which makes unloading him for more assets even tougher.
2. Chris Boucher
Boucher is a free agent at the end of this season, so if he wants to end up securing that long-term bag this offseason, he needs to play at a level similar to what he showed off during the Tampa stint. Unfortunately, he has not reached those same lofty heights despite being challenged by Nurse.
Boucher is shooting just 26.7% from the field to start the season. He has played in just 13 minutes over the last two losses to Chicago and Dallas, putting up a -10 in just five minutes on the floor against the Bulls. With the frontcourt devoid of shooters outside of him and an injured Pascal Siakam, those results are unacceptable.
Toronto Raptors forward Chris Boucher is struggling to shoot.
Boucher was legitimately a game-changer last season, as he shattered his old career-highs in scoring and became one of the best defensive bench players in the game. However, this is beyond a traditional slump, as he looks completely lost out there on the floor.
The Raptors shouldn’t necessarily lose faith in Boucher, as we have plenty of evidence that proves Nurse can get the most out of him and that he works in this system. Acknowledging that and taking into account his finger injury, Boucher needs to start shooting better than this to give Toronto an injection of adrenaline.
1. Fred VanVleet
VanVleet’s distribution ability is beyond reproach, as his 17 assists against the Bulls have helped him average 8.8 per game in his first four appearances. Where he has struggled is shooting the ball, as the efficiency numbers are actually worse than the 39.6% clip he put up last year.
VanVleet’s scoring has dropped from 19.6 points per game last year to 14.5 so far. He is shooting just 36.7% from the field and 22% from 3-point range. The nastiest number relates to his turnovers, as he is averaging 4.5 per game while coming off a contest against Chicago in which he turned the ball over eight times.
Fred VanVleet must show the Toronto Raptors his shooting will improve.
VanVleet has shown in the Boston game that he can get his mid-range jumper working to contribute on offense when the 3-ball isn’t falling, and he has made real strides as a passer this season. That shouldn’t erase the fact that someone with star potential is struggling with turnovers to a shocking degree and missing 3-pointers at an alarming clip.
If any one of these players will turn things around, it’s Fred VanVleet, who was given a four-year contract due to his ability to get out of slumps like this and lead the team. Toronto just needs to hope that the breakout game comes soon, as losing even more on this homestand would be completely catastrophic.