Reaction: Raptors 101, Bobcats 107

A bit of a dip in production, and it’s clear he prefers matchups where he’s kept near the rim, and not asked to defend in a stretch-four situation.

Jumper after jumper in the first half, they went in early and were rattling out after. Made the adjustment to be more drive-focused in the second-half and was the initiator of most of the Raptors offense in the fourth before leaving with injury (angkle/knee/back, pick one). Going against a rookie in MKG, I expect a sustained impact on the game, not just in spurts.

He’s getting more touches in the right block, and is allowed the time to execute his move. One of his better games in pick ‘n roll situations,, no doubt helped by McRobertson much preferring the perimeter. As a pick ‘n roll player, presentation is highly important and his is getting better and better.

Bad first half when he looked detached from the game (can’t blame him), and was out-efforted by Kemba Walker. Struggled making simple reads in transition and half-court, and it wasn’t until the third that you saw at least some level of urgency from him. That’s when he hit a three, got after it for some steals. Too bad he was invisible again in the fourth, and let Walker dictate the tempo of the game. This is not the stuff that starting point guards are made of.

For a change, you saw him going at an athletic defender who likes to play up-tight and have success. Was the source of the offense in the second half but faded as the game went along. Kind of surprised that he wasn’t involved in the offense in a more deliberate manner. For example, how about some DeRozan/Valanciunas sets? Failed to get back on Gordon in transition for a key Charlotte three, and in the end, failed to make a stamp on the game that a $10M player should make.

He might be a “glue guy” on a loaded team where he’s left wide open by the defense, and anything he does on offense is considered a bonus, but on this Raptors team he has to be more than that. For starters, learn to hit a jumper. It’s the least he could do given the contract we handed him.

Came in to shock the world in the second quarter. I’m convinced Casey pointed to someone else at the bench, that someone wasn’t looking, and Pietrus seized the opportunity to check in. Well done.

Was handed the first-half backup-PG shift where he tested his jumper only to find that it wasn’t his night. Three missed threes. He should be a character in a children’s book.

Was handed the second-half backup-PG shift. Picked up a needless technical and hit a three. Nice deadline-day trade, really sets us up for next season.

Saw him in the second quarter jacking up a contested three, which is when Casey probably realized just how ridiculous it is to give this guy any minutes at this stage of the season. I’ve said it all season, he’s there to get his and is hunting for a contract, which is exactly how he played.

Poor shooting. He had the looks and has got to make them. This guy needs some serious warm-up time before he starts getting comfortable in the game, and that’s got to change. Looked out-of-sorts defensively as well, and this was a game where you’d bet on him to have a say. Keep giving him time, though.

Can’t get the right effort out of this team. One the one hand I understand since this was a brutal game to be a part off, but losing to the Bobcats twice in one year? C’mon.