Raptors Rapture
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Stock up, Stock down as Raptors finally return to full health

By Mike Luciano

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - NOVEMBER 30: Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors shoots against Larry Nance Jr. #22 of the New Orleans Pelicans (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - NOVEMBER 30: Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors shoots against Larry Nance Jr. #22 of the New Orleans Pelicans (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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Toronto Raptors, Christian Koloko
TORONTO, ON – NOVEMBER 16: Christian Koloko #35 of the Toronto Raptors tries to block a shot by Caleb Martin #16 of the Miami Heat (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) /

Stock Down: Christian Koloko

Raptors fans had to be very surprised with how quickly Koloko emerged as a rotation player, as he was billed as a raw prospect that required some serious seasoning in the G League. After a very productive start, Koloko has cooled off every so slightly in the last few games.

Koloko made more than two shots from the field once since November 6, and he only has two games with more than four rebounds in that span. While his rim protection remains exemplary for a rookie picked in the second round, he faces a tough path back to rotation time when everyone gets healthy.

Christian Koloko has been inconsistent for the Toronto Raptors.

While he did have a solid game against the Pelicans, Koloko is starting to show the flaws that made teams nervous when it came time to take him in the first round. While he could get some rotation time when Otto Porter Jr. and Precious Achiuwa return, the emergence of Juancho Hernangomez could make it tough.

The Raptors took Koloko knowing that fans might need to wait a full season to see him fully unleashed, and that is still likely going to be the plan despite the fact that he arrived ahead of schedule. Perhaps a few games decimating G League talent will get him back in a groove.