Raptors’ lack of continuity after major roster turnover exposed by Cavaliers

TORONTO — You’ll be able to’t hand-pick your opponents or your moments, sadly. And profitable basketball video games whereas nonetheless carrying ‘my title is’ title tags?

Not simple.

For instance, there have been loads of good emotions surrounding the Toronto Raptors‘ debut of Kelly Olynyk, the Toronto-born, B.C.-raised, Canadian nationwide group star who used to go to sleep listening to Raptors video games on the radio and spend afternoons attempting to imitate Vince Carter strikes in his driveway.

And curiosity, too, concerning the potential of Ochai Agbaji, the athletic 23-year-old who was a part of the commerce Thursday that introduced each gamers to the Raptors from the Utah Jazz.

However making their debut towards the red-hot Cleveland Cavaliers on the second night time of a back-to-back was lower than ultimate, all issues thought-about. Particularly with a group that has mainly been reconstructed up to now six weeks.

It began off moderately nicely. Olynyk made his first look with the group he grew up watching halfway via the primary quarter. The ovation was spontaneous and honest. Olynyk, who appears to have had a smile on his face from the minute he arrived in Toronto on Friday afternoon, acknowledged the gang as he took the ground, elevating his proper arm and index finger in a salute.

“It simply provides you chills,” stated Olynyk. “A particular, particular second, getting the love and help of this entire nation.”

A number of moments later, Agbaji joined him as a part of a largely bench lineup anchored first by place to begin guard Immanuel Quickley after which by Scottie Barnes, in concept, the Raptors’ backup level guard.

The best way-too-early opinions?

Enjoying lineups which have by no means been collectively for as a lot as a apply is problematic within the NBA, particularly towards the Cleveland Cavaliers, who’ve been the league’s greatest group going for six weeks, coming in with a 16-1 report since Jan. 3.

Throw in that the Raptors performed Friday night time towards visiting Houston whereas the Cavaliers have been at their Toronto lodge watching, and a win was in all probability a giant ask. Just a little extra aggressive displaying would have been good, however that didn’t occur both because the Cavaliers dealt with the Raptors simply in a 119-95 victory that was by no means shut and stopped Toronto’s modest profitable streak at two.

Barnes led the Raptors with 24 factors, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for his fourth profession triple-double, however there was scant help past that. RJ Barrett, who had scored 20 or extra factors in six straight appearances, slumped to 14 factors. Gradey Dick was a vibrant spot off the bench as he hit three triples on his approach to 14. Olynyk completed with 11 factors, six rebounds and three assists in his 22 minutes, whereas Agbaji had eight factors however was 0-of-5 from three, which is his swing ability, because the Raptors fell to 19-34 on the season with two begins at dwelling left earlier than the all-star break.

The Cavaliers had eight gamers in double figures, all of them between 11 and 18 factors, and counted 36 assists whereas holding Toronto to 40.2 per cent capturing from the ground, giving a fairly good demonstration of why they’re 35-16 and alone in second place within the Jap Convention.

In fact, 4 of the Raptors’ prime eight-minute getters on Saturday made their debuts with the group since Jan. 1 and the fifth is Dick, a rookie.

The shortage of continuity confirmed because the Raptors have been down 67-47 at half and by no means bought inside single digits within the second half.

“Clearly, it’s actually powerful,” stated Olynyk. “You don’t know actually what’s happening on each ends of the ground. I feel that was in all probability fairly evident within the first half.”

The Raptors have been trailing by three when Olynyk took the ground with 5:39 left within the first quarter and have been trailing by 4 when Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic subbed out three starters with 3:19 left within the first, going with a lineup that includes Agbaji, Dick and up to date arrival Bruce Brown helped by Quickley, who has been a Raptor for six weeks. A second later he subbed Barnes in for Quickley.

They largely survived for a couple of minutes, buoyed by a pair of fast threes by Dick because the Raptors trailed 30-24 on the finish of the primary quarter.

However issues bought dicey after that. The Cavaliers opened the second quarter on a 21-4 run — getting a head begin towards the Raptors’ newly configured bench — and the sport was just about over at that time.

Nonetheless, there have been some good performs that just about occurred, the place the concepts have been good, if the execution was missing. Olynyk confirmed a few of his trademark creativeness as he tried to sneak a pocket go to a rolling Barnes that bought deflected. Olynyk did handle to squeeze a one-handed bounce go via a decent window as Dick lower baseline, but it surely was too scorching for the rookie to deal with in shut quarters.

Agbaji scored on a baseline out-of-bounds play after which used his sturdy body to drive towards a defender closing out on him within the nook, absorbed some contact on the rim and scored whereas drawing the foul.

The considering behind including Olynyk as a centre who can play comfortably from behind the three-point line and make virtually any sort of play from there (run pick-and-roll as a ball-handler or screener in addition to executing dribble hand-offs, all whereas preserving defences sincere together with his capturing and passing skill) is fairly apparent.

The execution might take a while.

The Cavaliers have been the NBA’s second-ranked defence final season and have been No. 1 since their streak began thanks largely to their skill to play two cellular seven-footers — Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen — collectively defensively. However a stretch-five like Olynyk has the potential to trigger issues even for them.

“It simply areas you out a lot,” stated Cavaliers head coach JB Bickerstaff. “Your large guys which might be sometimes matched up on these guys are in uncomfortable positions as a result of they’re so used to being within the paint or close to the basket and your rotations change a little bit bit, defensively, the way you cease drives and shield the paint and people sorts of issues.

“And this recreation is about spacing so the best way the principles are set as much as put guys in isolation conditions and the offence has the benefit since you’re not allowed to the touch guys and be bodily so it helps eradicate a shot blocker or rim protector for guys who can assault the basket.”

Tailored for a expertise like Barnes, let’s say. However it takes precision, timing and familiarity, issues that ought to enhance with time, however not in a single day.

There have been some flashes within the second half: A drive and kick by Barrett out to his nationwide group teammate Olynyk within the nook with the latter one-touching it to Dick for a triple within the third quarter; Olynyk setting and slipping a display for Barnes earlier than relocating to the nook the place Barnes hit him for an open three that didn’t go down; after which an Olynyk three within the fourth quarter arrange by drive-and-kick by Agbaji and a crisp swing go by Dick.

It didn’t add as much as a lot, however there have been glimpses of the choices the Raptors might need to play with a lineup the place all 5 gamers on the ground can drive, go, and shoot from past the three-point line.

“There’s a whole lot of potential with that,” stated Olynyk. “Scottie can do a whole lot of issues so he’s very easy to play off, play with. Then, when you’ve gotten these shooters and slashers and you’ve got Quickley on the market, you understand, we may undoubtedly catch a rhythm with that group.”

With the roster turnover, Barnes has virtually assumed veteran standing despite the fact that he’s solely halfway via his third yr. He’s the Raptors’ third longest-serving participant behind Chris Boucher and Gary Trent Jr.

He took it upon himself to be vocal and assist out his new teammates as a lot as he may.

“We simply all bought to have a voice on the group,” stated Barnes. “They’ve been very talkative as nicely, however all of us simply should have that voice if we actually need to win. Speak on that defensive finish, play laborious and shield the paint. That’s what we now have to do to win.”

It didn’t occur within the first true recreation of the post-trade deadline version Raptors, however the remainder of their season can be about discovering out what may work, what may work and what does work.

Saturday night time was about saying good day.

Extra from Sportsnet

Canada’s Zach Edey hits first profession three-pointer as Purdue crushes Indiana

Report: Kyle Lowry to signal with 76ers after agreeing on buyout with Hornets

Source link