It occurred during a matchup against Orlando a week ago and again in a game against Atlanta just a few days prior.
In an effort to emphasize a critical lesson to his players, Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic swiftly pulled Gradey Dick from the game when he deemed his performance insufficient. It was just 2:32 into the third quarter of the Orlando game and only 100 seconds into the Atlanta game when Bruce Brown replaced Dick.Even for Rajakovic’s typically quick substitutions, this was unusually fast.
The reason behind this decision? Dick was showing a lack of focus on defensive responsibilities, and he needed to observe from the bench to grasp the point being made.
Dick wasn’t benched permanently—he returned to the Orlando game roughly three minutes later and sat out for about six minutes during the Atlanta game—but the coach successfully conveyed his message.
Although Dick has experienced several strong performances this season, he still has areas that require improvement. Coaches have noted that he often allows difficult offensive moments to lead to lapses in defensive focus, a common issue among young players. While he’s not the only Raptor exhibiting this tendency, Rajakovic believes that quick substitutions can serve as effective motivation.
This approach is worthwhile; Dick possesses immense potential and has performed well for much of the season. While team officials mention he has been dealing with some tightness in his back lately, it’s crucial to address any drop in performance.
If that means being pulled swiftly from a game from time to time, so be it.
At this stage, no one in a decision-making role within the organization feels Dick’s position as a starter is threatened—his future value is too significant to risk undermining his confidence now—but gentle reminders could indeed be beneficial.
Changing of the Guard?
It’s not accurate to say that Jamal Shead has turned Davion Mitchell into a version of Wally Pipp, the Yankees first baseman who lost his position to Lou Gehrig and never reclaimed it. Nonetheless, there seems to be a shift occurring within the Raptors’ bench.
Shead, selected as the 45th pick in last June’s draft, has taken over the role of Toronto’s main backup point guard from Mitchell, who is in his fifth NBA season—a position many anticipated Mitchell would hold all year.
As Coach Rajakovic mentioned last week, this transition is a strategic decision focused on the team’s future.
“(Shead is) going to be our future for a long time,” the coach stated. “It makes sense to give him a run of games to gain experience and play more consistently in that backup role rather than just coming in occasionally.”
Shead certainly shows promise and has demonstrated mental resilience by bouncing back from a terrible performance in New York on Wednesday to play well in Cleveland on Thursday.
With Mitchell’s contract set to expire in June, it makes sense for Toronto to evaluate whether Shead can step into the role permanently next season.
If the Raptors are impressed with how Shead performs, it’s possible they could leverage Mitchell’s strong defensive skills as a trade asset at the deadline. Mitchell’s on-ball defense is top-notch, often wearing down opponents.
In a different context, he could be a staple for the Raptors, but that doesn’t seem to be the case right now.
“I think Davion brings a lot to the table, especially defensively—he’s a great player,” Rajakovic acknowledged. “But I also have to consider the needs of the whole team.”
A Parting Gift
It was largely anticipated that the Raptors would waive Bruno Fernando after last Monday’s game, just a day before his full salary of approximately $ 2.4 million (U.S.) would be guaranteed.
The reasons were clear: to save money, create a roster spot, and gain some of the flexibility they desire. We were all expecting the announcement of his release to come that night, and we were ready to finalize our stories as we awaited confirmation until the last minute.
The announcement didn’t happen that night, and the reason lies in the franchise’s generosity. By delaying until the very last moment the following day—when the only team obligation was a flight to New York—the Raptors ensured that Fernando received the full amount he was due. This wasn’t a small sum; the additional day provided Fernando with around $14,000 (U.S.) as a farewell gesture. While it’s not a major decision, it’s one that players and their agents will certainly take note of.
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