When the injury bug returns to the Raptors' doorstep, it opens the door for the next player to step up and rise to the occasion; look no further than Toronto's seasoned forward, numéro vingt-cinq, Chris Boucher.
Unfortunately for Chris Boucher, he often experiences fluctuations in his lineup status, creating what seems like a topsy-turvy narrative. Some nights he graces the court for just a few minutes, while on others he enjoys solid double-digit playing time. More often than not, however, Boucher receives a Coach's Decision – DNP (Did Not Play).
As previously mentioned, in the Raptors' January 9 matchup against the Eastern Conference powerhouse Cleveland Cavaliers, the team had no choice but to leverage the overlooked player in their lineup. This decision certainly proved beneficial, even though Toronto ultimately fell short in what was otherwise a valiant effort.
In just over 26 minutes of play, the Montreal native delivered an impressive performance off the bench, contributing 23 points, 12 rebounds, one steal, and one block.
Boucher's shooting was particularly effective, as he finished 9-for-14 from the field and 5-for-8 from beyond the arc. He also stood out as the Raptors' sole player with a double-digit net positive on the court, finishing with a plus/minus of +10.
Chris Boucher shines in sudden spark against Cleveland Cavaliers
Chris Boucher on how he was able to provide a spark off the bench:
— Omer Osman (@OmerOsman200) January 10, 2025
“Just trying to figure out how to help the team. I been working on my game a lot and watching the clips, seeing what I can do to help this team.”
Humble vet. 💪 🫡 pic.twitter.com/zOoCzhcHbI
Boucher's 26-minute explosion was the kind of performance that gets you pumped up, regardless of the outcome. It's the kind of energy you want to see more of, especially from a player still finding his footing in the league.
When Boucher is cooking, he's unstoppable. And on the road against Cleveland, he was firing on all cylinders.
Furthermore, in the Raptors' previous matchup on January 8 against the New York Knicks, Boucher had minimal garbage time minutes, yet he was remarkably effective, scoring 10 points seemingly at the snap of a finger.
Considering these two performances, it is clear that the coaching rotations need to be carefully reassessed, especially in the absence of Boucher from the lineup. Regardless of whether Boucher appears poised for a trade, if he is still actively contributing during his time with the Raptors, why not give him more opportunities to enhance his trade value?
The rationale for not playing him simply doesn't make sense. Yes, there are criticisms of his game; at times, he may not make the smartest decisions based on basketball IQ. However, when his shot is falling, you can bet that Boucher's unconventional form will still yield effective results.
It remains unclear why Boucher is often perceived as a constant target of criticism regarding head coach Darko Rajakovic's so-called "doghouse," a term some Raptors fans have used.
If the rationale for his limited minutes is the need to prioritize other veterans, the coaching staff must recognize that Boucher is likely the only veteran demonstrating his value on the court.
In contrast, veterans Kelly Olynyk and Bruce Brown have not made their presence felt in the same way as the Saint Lucian native.
It is essential to tackle this significant misunderstanding and ensure that Boucher gets the playing time he rightfully deserves.