3 important takeaways as Raptors lose insane game on national TV vs. Bucks
By Mike Luciano
2. The bench is once again the worst in the league
Some teams have elite Sixth Men who can average 14 points per game. The Raptors’ bench has devolved to the point where everyone on the second unit combining for 14 points in a game would be a welcome relief. On a night when the Spurs’ bench scored 58 points, the Raptors mustered just seven for the second consecutive night.
Let’s be frank about this lineup. Precious Achiuwa (who was injured, granted) looks nothing like the quality shooter from the second half of last year. Chris Boucher and Thad Young are back in Nick Nurse’s doghouse. Malachi Flynn has run out of pixie dust from 3-point range, and Christian Koloko is very raw.
The Toronto Raptors have a terrible bench.
While the idea of trading one of the team’s starters has as much to do with finance as it does with competitive reasons, the idea of getting a trio of quality role players in exchange for one player might be what finally makes this bench respectable. The Otto Porter Jr. injury stings, but it shouldn’t have been this destabilizing.
The Raptors came into the season with the intent of reducing the burden on their overworked starting rotation, but they have categorically failed in that pursuit, given how the season has started. Things need to change, either via a trade or some cosmic awakening.