In the journey of any NBA rookie, whether they are a polished collegiate veteran or a one-and-done player, patience and a generous measure of leeway are essential virtues for those evaluating their talents.
Early in the NBA season, Houston native Jamal Shead quickly rose through the rookie ranks, establishing himself as a gritty guard who embodied all the qualities associated with ex-Raptors players. As the year progressed, however, Shead's role gradually diminished as the team chose to rely on its veteran point guard, Davion Mitchell, who shared a similar stature and playstyle.
This decision largely kept Shead on the sidelines, watching from the no man's land.
With 2025 ahead and the Raptors poised to reportedly sell their older players, the team is working to reintegrate Shead into the rotation. However, the recent results have been less than impressive for the Raptors fanbase.
Currently, Shead may not be the player that Raptors fans should expect to light up the scoreboard, but his tenacious style make him a valuable asset on the court. Yet, against the Knicks on January 8, Shead would get the rotation nod over Mitchell, but he proved to be a detrimental net negative.
Shead played just over 16 minutes and emerged as the Raptors' least effective player on the court, finishing with a plus/minus of -21, reflecting his negative impact on the game. Despite the Shead vs. Mitchell debate being a key point of emphasis throughout the year, such a poor night had some Raptors fans on social media calling for Mitchell to be reinstated.
The rookie journey is filled with growing pains, but Shead's subsequent performance against the Cleveland Cavaliers on January 9 proves the Raptors community shouldn't write off their strong-willed guard without giving him a fair shot.
Jamal Shead shakes off slump for a strong night against Cavaliers
Although Toronto would ultimately lose, Shead made a strong comeback, delivering an efficient performance off the bench with 15 points and three assists. He shot 6-for-7 from the field and converted all three of his three-point attempts. He'd also rebound from a poor plus/minus the night prior with a +4 plus/minus against Cleveland.
The 22-year-old rookie showcased his trademark toughness while establishing a new career-high in points—exactly the kind of performance needed to restore faith among a Raptors nation that was rapidly losing confidence in the young guard.
While Shead may not possess the highest ceiling or the most star-studded potential, there is certainly a compelling argument for playing him over Mitchell, even if some believe there is a defensive disparity between the two.
Mitchell is more likely to depart, having already played enough this season for trade suitors to understand his capabilities. In contrast, Shead is likely to be a long-term presence, and mistakes are inherent to any rookie's development.
The only concern is that these issues cannot become a recurring problem, as this would inevitably lead to scrutiny of the player. While it may seem like mere outside noise, such discussions could undermine the player's confidence.
What a rookie like Shead truly needs is for the Raptors community to rally behind his potential and support him as he strives for a more consistent role moving forward.