The Toronto Raptors have been profoundly disappointing in the second half of the season, as their 2-5 record might actually be worse than it looks. Both wins came against a beat-up Nets team without any of their stars, and two of those five losses came against the Magic and Pistons.
The Raptors have seen big names like Fred VanVleet and OG Anunoby get sidelined thanks to injuries, while starters like Gary Trent Jr. have struggled mightily from 3-point range. Converting on just 29% of their 3-pointers, Toronto has been tough to watch at times on the offensive end.
Despite all of the doom and gloom around this team at the moment, there have been some very nice improvements from individual players in this seven-game stretch. Those standout performances shouldn’t just be discarded because of Toronto’s win-loss record in that span.
While the Raptors are starting to lose ground in the Eastern Conference playoff race, that shouldn’t necessarily obscure the fact that these three players have made their mark with some sensational performances in the last few games. Time will tell if they can sustain this run of form.
These 3 Toronto Raptors are playing well in the team’s poor second half.
3. Malachi Flynn
It’s a shame that Flynn has been sidelined due to a hamstring injury, as he was playing some of the best basketball of his career. Flynn averaged 12.5 points and 4.5 assists per game since play resumed, making half of his shots while nailing 42% of his 3-point attempts.
Flynn was put into the rotation over Dalano Banton when VanVleet was sidelined, as Nick Nurse wanted someone with a bit more consistency on the offensive side of the ball. After stealing our hearts with his fantastic month of April last year, Flynn is setting the stage for yet another hot finish.
Malachi Flynn looks more confident for the Toronto Raptors.
Flynn is not guaranteed to return to Toronto next year, as losing his backup job to Banton right out of the gate was not a good look. However, Flynn is slowly starting to prove his worth to this organization, as he has been able to produce despite a dearth of talent around him due to injuries.
Flynn’s progress as a shooter is what is most encouraging given how he’s been all over the place in that area this season. Once he returns from injury, he should remain a valued part of the rotation for the remainder of the season while setting him up for success next year.
2. Precious Achiuwa
Achiuwa has always tantalized Raptors fans with glimpses of what he could be with a few more years of development, but he has ended up in the doghouse multiple times this season thanks to some ill-advised turnovers and contested shots. The Achiuwa we’ve seen post-break has been what Masai Ujiri always expected.
Achiuwa has averaged 13.0 points and 6.9 rebounds per game over his last seven appearances while converting on 46% of his shots. One of the more interesting developments has been his 3-point shooting, as he is nailing 42% of his attempts while shooting just under three triples per game.
Toronto Raptors big Precious Achiuwa is starting to fulfill his potential.
Achiuwa has been barred from really taking off over the last few weeks due to the presence of Khem Birch. If Nick Nurse finally puts Achiuwa in a starting role, we might get to see him take on an even more important job on the offensive side of things. His production has warranted the extra attention.
Achiuwa is still going to have some growing pains, as any second-year player would. Luckily, those mistakes are now fewer and farther between. With a bit more seasoning over the course of the second half, he could start evolving into the center this team has been lacking.
1. Scottie Barnes
Barnes didn’t end the first half on the best note, as he found it difficult to get the diet of shots that he needed. With so many players out, Barnes has risen to the occasion in such a dominant fashion that it has reignited his Rookie of the Year campaign despite the losing.
Barnes, who had the game of his life in a 28-point, 16-rebound affair against the Nets, is averaging 18.6 points and 8.9 rebounds per game since the All-Star break. In that Nets domination, Barnes connected on his first 11 shots. He continues to mature before our very eyes.
Scottie Barnes may bring the Toronto Raptors a Rookie of the Year Award.
Barnes has been a monster on the offensive glass while finishing at the rim at his usual above-average rate. If he starts integrating his 3-point shot back into his usual bag of tricks, he should have no issue sustaining this production as the season progresses.
Cade Cunningham is putting up some gaudy numbers of his own while Evan Mobley is helping the Cavs secure their playoff future, but Barnes is right there with them. One or two more strong weeks in conjunction with some Raptors wins might be enough to get Barnes back on top of the ROY ladder.