Toronto Raptors fans can’t really ask for much more out of a Summer League debut. Not only did fans get to see young studs like Armoni Brooks and Christian Koloko put on solid performances against the rival Philadelphia 76ers, but they did so in what became a 97-77 victory.
While it was far from a perfect showing given some of the iffy shooting percentages, the fact that so many players were able to hold their heads high and come out from this game with a solid showing confirms that Toronto’s ability to identify young talent has in no way eroded.
The Raptors know that most of the players in this game are going to be stuck at the back end of the bench, yet they remain committed to making sure that everyone on the NBA roster can hold their own if pressed into action. The early returns are certainly very encouraging.
Raptors fans should walk away from their dominant victory over Philadelphia with these three takeaways etched in stone. Toronto has made their presence in the Summer League scene known, as several players stood out against a deep Philly squad.
3 takeaways from the Toronto Raptors’ Summer League opener
3. Dalano Banton is confident offensively, but still turns it over
Banton can be a bit of a frustrating player given how he came into the league deficient from an offensive creation point of view. While letting him get free reign of the offense led to some maddening turnovers, it also showed that his shot-making looks a bit more refined this year.
Banton’s seven turnovers are impossible to ignore and will undoubtedly help him receive a serious grilling during film study. However, he did finish the day with 21 points and five assists while making six of his 11 shots from the field and nailing two of his three 3-point attempts.
Dalano Banton may be a better scorer for the Toronto Raptors.
Perhaps emboldened by the improved Justin Champagnie sitting out due to a finger ailment, Banton was getting to the rim and showing a much-improved jump shot. We know he can rebound and defend well, but that improved scoring is a nice feather in his cap.
Banton will need to be more controlled, as losing the ball that frequently is not a sustainable way to play basketball. At the very least, Dalano is being more creative and daring on offense. We couldn’t always say that about him last year.
2. Christian Koloko is a defensive monster.
Koloko may be a bit of a work in progress, as he picked up six fouls in 28 minutes and shot 4-11 from the field. That doesn’t change the fact that he was very impressive in his first action with Toronto, as his defensive skill was genuinely remarkable for a rookie.
Koloko recorded three steals and three blocks while chipping in with 12 points and seven rebounds. Despite going up against some decently notable names like Charles Bassey and G League standout Michael Foster Jr, Koloko was able to handle them both with relative ease.
Christian Koloko is impressing the Toronto Raptors.
The thing that will get Koloko on the floor over someone like Khem Birch is his shot-blocking skill. That rim protection and impressive mobility for a player his size is the secret ingredient that Toronto has lacked for a few years. What will keep him on the floor is scoring the ball.
Koloko is not going to be a starter in his rookie season, but he will likely factor into Toronto’s plans at some point. Being such a dominant presence on the defensive end is exactly what the Raptors hoped to see from him in his debut. The scoring will come eventually.
1. Armoni Brooks could earn rotation minutes
Brooks was brought in with the expectation that his marksmanship from 3-point range would boost the Raptors’ bench. While he managed to show solid defensive effort amid a bit of a cold streak while shooting, his performance in the Summer League shows that his jumper is fully back.
Brooks scored 25 points in 27 minutes, going 9-18 from the field and 5-12 from 3-point range. With the backup point guard spot still very much up for grabs, Brooks made a compelling case to implant himself behind Fred VanVleet on the depth chart.
Armoni Brooks made his presence known for the Toronto Raptors.
Brooks will be fighting for a spot on this roster alongside players like Banton and DJ Wilson, and he made a very compelling case for sticking around in 2022-23. We’ve seen that he can be an effective scorer in Houston, so he might be able to force his way into Nurse’s good graces.
Now that Toronto has molded him into shape on the defensive end, Brooks regaining the 3-point shot that made him a hometown darling with the Rockets will be more than enough for the Raptors to push him into the lineup. He did impress when given a chance last year.