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Things are not going well in Raptor-land. The team has lost 11-of-15, including two straight and 8-of-9. The starting point guard and centre are hurt, the backup big man has and eye injury and a few players are wondering if they’ll be playing elsewhere come the NBA’s Feb. 8 trade deadline. And now they hit the road for six straight following the 127-107 loss to Kawhi Leonard and friends. Here’s the report card:
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BRUCE BROWN B+
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Brown continues to raise his trade value, even though teams already know what they’re going to get with him. Never flashy, but usually effective, Brown does many things well. He showed that all around game at various times against tough competition.
DENNIS SCHRODER B+
Schroder was the only Raptor to register a positive in the plus-minus department. He’s quietly done just about everything the club has asked of him this season. Since becoming the sixth man Schroder has thrived and been quite effective. He hasn’t had enough help and seems a bit wasted on this rebuilding team when he can help a contender, but his veteran wisdom and effectiveness also makes him valuable as a Raptor.
THAD YOUNG B
Speaking of vets, Young had a second straight 12 and six game and also added four assists. He didn’t miss a shot and at times it felt like a turn back the clock night with Young going at it against fellow long-time big man Mason Plumlee. Plumlee lit him up a bit though, which lowered Young’s grade. He’s still a useful player, even with so many years in the league now. It’s possible someone will come calling for him at the trade deadline.
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RJ BARRETT C+
Barrett’s free throw shooting is becoming an issue again. He’s missing far too many, and he’d be the first to say as much. He’s only hit 57% of his attempts over the last seven games. Toronto missed 13-of-22 as a team, shooting just 59%, just a few days after going a shocking 22-for-23 against Memphis. Barrett struggled to hit shots consistently from the field as well and had three turnovers. There were positives too, but this was a slightly below average night for him.
GRADEY DICK C+
Dick showed some flashes. He isn’t afraid to step in front of a moving freight train, as he tried against Russell Westbrook and again at another point. He tried it against monstrous Joel Embiid this season too. Dick said he’s just trying to help the team any way possible and that’s a great attitude. He had four rebounds, a steal and a couple of assists in 21 minutes, again getting a chance to play in the most important parts of a game. His outside shot didn’t fall, but this was another step in the right direction for Dick.
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SCOTTIE BARNES C
Barnes was hounded at times by Kawhi and started the game just 4-for-12 from the field. Once Leonard put his feet up for the fourth quarter Barnes went off, finishing 5-for-6 for 12 points in the quarter, but this wasn’t his strongest outing by any stretch. A positive was only committing one turnover, after a run of far too many. The all-star break should do Barnes a lot of good. But first the Raptors need to get through this road trip.
GARY TRENT JR. C
Another pretty “meh” game from Trent. Not good, not bad, somewhere in between. When Trent was surrounded by more talent he looked pretty good over his time as a Raptor. On this watered down team (especially with Immanuel Quickley and Jakob Poeltl out) he just hasn’t looked effective at all. There’s a chance the Raptors won’t even be able to swing a deal for him at the trade deadline. Norman Powell was in town to remind that the trade was a really bad one for the Raptors, even though it looked like a win or at least an even swap the first 1.5 years or so post-trade. Powell’s boosted his value since then and Trent’s has sunk like a stone.
INC: VARIOUS
THREE STARS
1 James Harden
2 Kawhi Leonard
3 Bruce Brown
HM: Paul George, Thad Young, Russell Westbrook, Norman Powell
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