The unexpectedly successful Raptors — a scenario few anticipated when the team’s focus was on rebuilding and accumulating lottery picks for the NBA draft — might need to reconsider their strategy. With a two-game winning streak leading into a challenging four-game road trip, and the knowledge that the Raptors have yet to win away from home, there’s a revived sense of hope among the team. On some level, they must be feeling proud as they see their hard work beginning to pay off. However, the more they continue to win, the slimmer their chances become of obtaining a high draft pick in what many view as one of the strongest classes in recent memory.
“Awkward” may be the best way to describe the Raptors’ situation 16 games into the season, with only four wins to show for their efforts, including their first two-game winning streak with home victories against Indiana and Minnesota. It’s worth noting that the Pacers have been struggling, and the Timberwolves appeared quite disorganized. After observing the Raptors manage the Timberwolves effectively, one could argue that Jakob Poeltl has outperformed Rudy Gobert this season.
Poeltl showcases superior ball-handling, a more positive demeanor, better offensive skills, and his contract is significantly less expensive than Gobert’s. Whether retaining Poeltl in the long run is beneficial for Toronto remains a topic of ongoing debate. As long as the Raptors continue to put in the effort, remain competitive, and demonstrate progress, there shouldn’t be too many complaints. However, winning may not be the ideal outcome, which seems somewhat paradoxical. The Raptors are also seeing improvements in their health, with Scottie Barnes returning to the lineup after recovering from a fractured orbital bone.
His impact was instantly noticeable, showcasing his versatility on both ends of the court. In due time, Kelly Olynyk, Bruce Brown, and Immanuel Quickley will all return. The Raptors had a day off on Friday, and their recent improvement has lifted them out of the NBA’s basement. The Philadelphia 76ers are struggling, with Joel Embiid at the center of ongoing turmoil that shows no signs of resolution. Heading into Friday’s games, Philly and Washington were tied for last place in the league standings. Meanwhile, Utah has secured three victories, and the four-win New Orleans Pelicans are tied with the Raptors. When the Raptors were battling hard but consistently losing, they had a feel-good narrative.
However, the story changes when they start winning, especially with back-to-back victories. It’s important not to get carried away thinking this lineup is capable of ranking among the top six teams in the conference. While they may be competitive enough for a spot in the play-in tournament, that path would prevent them from acquiring a top prospect like Cooper Flagg, Ace Bailey, Egor Demin, or Dylan Harper. The NBA system penalizes teams like the Raptors for achieving success through losing. Toronto isn’t the only team in this situation, but it is the only one based outside the United States.
For now, the broader perspective can be put on hold to some extent. Darko Rajakovic’s growth as a head coach, RJ Barrett’s ability to move past a challenging trip where the team lost all five games, and Jakob Poeltl’s development have all provided valuable insights. The Raptors’ upcoming trip, starting Sunday night in Cleveland, will offer further evidence of their progress. When the Raptors returned from their winless road stretch, Gradey Dick was playing at his best, while Barrett was struggling.
In Milwaukee, where the Raptors ended their road trip, Dick scored a career-high 32 points, benefiting from 16 free throw attempts. In the four games following Toronto’s loss to the Bucks, Dick has totaled 13 free throw attempts, with none in the victory over Minnesota. In their back-to-back wins, Dick took nine field-goal attempts in each game, tying a season low. Notably, it’s the first occasion this season that he’s had single-digit shot attempts in two consecutive games. While it’s a small sample size, it illustrates the fluctuations of an extended season and how quickly circumstances can change when injured players return or roles shift. In their 110-105 victory over Minnesota, the Raptors capitalized on turnovers, winning the points battle by 10, dominating the boards, gaining a 16-point advantage in the paint, and shooting 51.4% from the field. Reserve Chris Boucher outscored the entire opposing bench, 22-15.
The visitors didn’t rely heavily on three-point shots in today’s game, and strikingly, not a single starter finished with a plus-minus rating. Although Barrett led all scorers with 31 points — marking his fifth game with at least 30 points — he did have more turnovers (4) than assists (3). In their last road game, Barrett had his first career triple-double in an overtime loss to the Boston Celtics.
His performance is improving, while Dick seems to be on a downward trajectory as the road looms ahead. There will always be fluctuations throughout the season. When the team is fully healthy and a solid rotation with clear roles is established, it’s difficult to picture a Raptors squad in contention for a top draft pick. Much will depend on the choices made before the trade deadline in February. At this point, a two-game winning streak isn’t exactly what was needed.
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