The Toronto Raptors, a franchise that often operated in the shadows with a collection of players that can lack league-wide buzz or charisma, might be in for a significant philosophical change this season. Between Scottie Barnes and rookie guard Gradey Dick, the Raptors’ young guns have some serious personality.
Dick has been a media darling since Toronto drafted him. From his Wizard of Oz-inspired suit on NBA Draft night to a recent interview with Taylor Rooks, Dick has taken center stage in Toronto.
Two of his more recent confirmed admirers are Jeremy Lin, longtime NBA point guard and 2019 title-winning Raptors, and Simi Liu, Raptors superfan and Marvel lynchpin. Both of them seem to be all in on Dick and his potential at the CCYAA Celebrity Classic game.
“I was shocked in a good way at the audacity of him to wear what he wore on draft night,” Lin said. “I think that’s definitely going to carry over to the court because it takes a level of swag to be able to do that. And I don’t think he would do that if he didn’t have that same swag and energy on the court.”
@SimuLiu and Jeremy Lin (@JLin7) have joined forces to host the 2023 @CCYAA Celeb Classic basketball game on Saturday.https://t.co/bTsWjN5O9U pic.twitter.com/Xal1Wj9fYN
— Now Toronto (@nowtoronto) July 7, 2023
Toronto Raptors: Simu Liu, Jeremy Lin support Gradey Dick
Dick, who is fresh off some solid Summer League performances, has another big supporter in Liu. The star of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and Barbie is a big fan of the bold and exciting style that Dick is going to deliver via both his wardrobe and style of play.
I think it takes a certain amount of swagginess and confidence to just put on a really bright outfit and sit in front of the lights and camera,” Liu said. “He’s definitely got a fan in me. I think he’s a swaggy dude, so I can’t wait to see what he does on the court.”
Dick certainly has a style of play that will win over any members of the fanbase that remains skeptical of his long-term potential. Between his hot shooting and high-flying style, Dick’s game is equal parts showstopping and effective for someone who is just 19 years old.
With Toronto having traded their 2022 first-round pick for Thad Young and one future pick going to the Spurs after the Jakob Poeltl deal, the Raptors believe that Dick has the potential to be an elite core youngster with a ton of responsibility placed on them.
Gradey Dick has already received strong endorsements from all over the basketball landscape, and now it appears that a Raptors champion and a famous superfan are in lockstep when it comes to praising him as a singular talent that Toronto will benefit from in the short and long-term future.