The Toronto Raptors find themselves at 1-2 following their first three games of the season, and all of their games have been a wild ride. Between a nail-biting win against the Timberwolves, an embarrassment to basketball against the Bulls, and a loss to Nick Nurse in his return with the 76ers, Toronto has been all over the map.
It’s been hard to truly evaluate where Darko Rajakovic and the rest of his team stand. Are they a young team in the middle of a stretch where they’re trying to figure things out as they go along? Are they a team trying to win now that should be held accountable for their transgressions?
No matter what you think of the team’s overall performance, even Rajakovic himself would tell you they still have quite a hill to climb. There are some changes that could be made, and it’s on the coaching staff to figure out the best way to implement those changes on this roster.
It’s easy to be negative after two straight losses, but that negativity would overshadow some very promising developments currently blossoming in Toronto. Optimistic Raptors fans might want to take a good look at many of the best aspects of their first three-game stretch.
3 pleasant surprises after Toronto Raptors’ 1-2 start in 2023.
3. Dennis Schroder’s scoring
Some around the NBA landscape mocked the signing of Schroder, as they saw him as an inferior replacement for Fred VanVleet. It took Toronto all of three games to warm up to Schroder and what he brings to the table on the offensive side of the ball.
Schroder has averaged 15.7 points and 9.0 assists per game while making more than half his 3-pointers. On a team with a stagnant half-court offense as possible and a prominent absence of shooters, Schroder has been willing to let it fly and take shots in big moments. That’s why you get a veteran with his pedigree.
Dennis Schroder has started off hot for the Toronto Raptors.
Rajakovic’s offense is based on ball movement and making quick decisions with the ball in your hands. If any player on this roster embodies that philosophy, even despite some weird runs of form in the last few years, it’s Schroder. The decision to sign him and name him the starting point guard appears to have been vindicated.
Schroder does have some issues, as he is shooting less than 40% from the field due to some unusual and uncharacteristic misses inside the arc. If he can get that straightened out and look more like the FIBA World Cup MVP he was in the offseason, the offense could kick into high gear.
2. The defensive structure
Rajakovic’s defensive scheme, which features much less switching than what Nick Nurse installed, is not going to generate as many turnovers. Even with that qualification, the system has put together multiple encouraging performances against some of the better players in the game.
The Raptors have the fifth-best defensive rating in the league, as the combined nation of Toronto’s length and the superb performances of OG Anunoby have kept them in every game despite the fact their offense hasn’t always been able to match their quality.
The Toronto Raptors once again have a strong defense.
Anunoby held Anthony Edwards to a horrid shooting night after an early surge and made Zach LaVine look like a complete rookie. If Jakob Poeltl is able to stay out of foul trouble, he and Precious Achiuwa should maintain the Raptors’ status as one of the best rim-protecting teams in the game.
While Toronto didn’t have an answer for Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey in their loss to Philadelphia, is it fair to completely throw their scheme out because they were unable to slow down the reigning MVP? The defense hasn’t been perfect, but it’s certainly been well above average.
1. Scottie Barnes taking control
The untouchable Barnes has been designated as the franchise player the next half-decade of Raptors basketball will be built around, but that optimism would border on hopelessly misguided if he continued to flatline. Based on the first few games, the Raptors won’t have too much to worry about.
Between the increased aggression, 36% 3-point percentage on increased volume, and quality playmaking, it’s not that surprising to see Barnes thrive while some of his teammates get their feet under him. Barnes averaged 21.0 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game while blocking nine shots in three contests.
Scottie Barnes keeps getting better for the Toronto Raptors.
Barnes already has a five-block game, a triple-double, and two straight games in which he made over 64% of his shots from the field. This is exactly what Toronto thought they were getting when they decided to give Barnes the keys to the franchise with the No. 4 pick.
Pascal Siakam hasn’t played like he usually does, and Gary Trent Jr. might need a few more games to adjust to his new role. The Raptors are learning around him, but Barnes’ play gives fans a ton of hope when projecting his long-term outlook under Rajakovic.