The Raptors are in a tight battle for the final playoff spots in the Eastern Conference. It is the most critical part of the season, and Jamal Shead has elevated his play to give the team a steady presence when it matters most.
Helping the team win his way
Over the last 10 games, Shead has averaged an unremarkable 6.6 points. However, he has never been someone you look to for a big scoring burst.
He is, however, one of the team’s best facilitators. In that same stretch, he has averaged 7.7 assists and only 1.2 turnovers. That 6.2 assist-to-turnover ratio is an elite number and much more reminiscent of Jamal Shead from the first half of the season.
From February 1st to the beginning of this 10-game stretch, Shead was averaging only 4.0 assists to 1.4 turnovers. Those were mediocre numbers for a backup point guard, and for a player like Shead, who relies so heavily on playmaking to make a positive impact, it limited his overall value.
Aside from the raw numbers, Shead is back in control of the offense when he has the ball. When appropriate, he is pushing the pace in transition, getting the team organized in the halfcourt, and consistently looking a step ahead of the defense.
Shead has emerged as an unsung hero amid Quickley absence
Immanuel Quickley has missed the last seven games due to injury. Rightfully, Scottie Barnes has gotten a lot of attention since Quickley went down. Barnes has stepped into the lead guard role and averaged 11.0 assists. He has been a marvel to watch, and everyone has taken notice.
Shead has gotten significantly less praise, but he has also stepped up in a huge way. In the last seven games, he is putting up an outstanding 8.7 assists to 1.4 turnovers. He has also increased his scoring to 8.6 points per game.
His plus/minus reflects just how important he has been with Quickley sidelined. The Raptors are +109 with Shead on the floor over the last seven games, compared to +63 overall, meaning they have been significantly better with him in the game.
He is also the team leader in net rating over that stretch. Toronto has outscored opponents by an average of 23.5 points per 100 possessions with Shead on the floor.
Can Jamal Shead sustain this?
Early in the season, Jamal Shead was the team’s most impactful bench player. Over these last few games, he has been phenomenal. There was nearly a two-month stretch in the middle that told a very different story.
Shead looked overmatched defensively, had a lot of uncharacteristic turnovers, and his inability to consistently score was really felt. Which version of Jamal Shead is the real one?
I am inclined to believe that Shead is going to be a big part of this team going forward. With the poise he plays with, it is easy to forget that he is just 23 years old and in his sophomore campaign.
Defenses will make adjustments, and he will have stretches where he struggles. That is part of being a young NBA player. What matters most is whether Shead can respond to those adjustments and continue to make a positive impact.
That is what the Raptors need from him right now, and over these last 10 games, he has delivered.